Cesme Boat Tour
- Start10:00
- End17:30
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
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Overview
The Cesme boat tour is a shared group day on the Aegean that starts with hotel pickup in Izmir and a drive of about 75 minutes to Cesme. You board a boat at the Cesme waterfront near the castle, swim and snorkel in clear bays such as Aquarium Bay, pass Donkey Island, and have a BBQ lunch on board before a second swim stop. A guide, lunch and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. It suits couples, families and friends who want a relaxed sea day.
Highlights
- Daily group boat tour from Cesme with hotel pickup in Izmir
- Swimming and snorkelling in the clear water of Aquarium Bay
- Donkey Island, one of the most photographed stops on the coast
- BBQ lunch served on board while the boat is at anchor
- A second swim stop chosen by the crew for the day's conditions
- Weather permitting, extra stops such as Coral Island or the sea caves
- Guide, lunch and hotel pickup and drop-off included
Full Description
Cesme Marina and the castle waterfront
Cesme sits on the western tip of the peninsula opposite the Greek island of Chios, and the Cesme boat tour from Izmir boards at its waterfront, opposite the PTT building, in the shadow of Cesme Castle. The Ottoman fortress was built in the early sixteenth century to guard the strait, and its thick walls and towers still frame the harbour.
The town is known for clean beaches, warm thermal springs and a long maritime history. You have little time ashore on this tour, so enjoy the view from the deck as the boat leaves. If you want longer in Cesme itself, ask our team about adding time on another day.
Aquarium Bay
Aquarium Bay is the first swim stop and the one most guests remember. Its water is calm, shallow and so transparent that you can see the seabed from the boat. Light plays over smooth rock and sand, and small fish move calmly below you while you swim or float. It is the ideal place to try snorkelling for the first time.
Wear your swimsuit under your clothes, and bring a mask if you have your own. The guide watches the group closely, so beginners and weaker swimmers can enter the water at their own pace. Many people searching for a Cesme boat tour with swimming say this stop alone is worth the day.
Donkey Island (Esek Adasi)
Donkey Island, known in Turkish as Esek Adasi, is one of the most photographed sights on any island boat tour from Cesme. It takes its name from the wild donkeys said to have roamed its shores, and its rugged outline rising out of turquoise water makes it instantly recognisable.
The boat anchors nearby so the group can photograph the island, look at the coastline and swim in open water. Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch or on a strap. It is a short stop, but the scenery is some of the most dramatic of the day, and it makes a good contrast to the calm bays.
BBQ lunch on board and the second swim stop
Lunch is the social centre of the day. While the boat rocks gently at anchor, the crew prepares a BBQ lunch on board and the group eats together on deck. It is included in the price, and it comes after the morning swims, when everyone is hungry. Tell our team about allergies or dietary needs before the day.
After lunch the boat sails to a second swim stop chosen for the day's wind and sea. You can swim, snorkel or just sunbathe while the coastline drifts past. The pace is gentle, which makes the tour suitable for children and for travellers who prefer a day of relaxation to a day of activity.
Weather-dependent extras: Coral Island, Paradise Island and the sea caves
When the sea is calm, the captain may add Coral Island, Paradise Island, Winter Bay or Macri Island to the route, or pass through one of the sea caves along the coast. These extras are never guaranteed, because safety and weather always come first, but they add variety on the best days.
Sea caves in particular surprise many guests, with shadowed interiors and echoing water that contrast with the open bays. The best time to join a Cesme boat tour is from late spring to early autumn, when the water is warm, though the tour runs daily and the crew adapts the route to the conditions.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup in IzmirOur driver collects you from city-centre hotels from about 10:00 on a fixed route.
- Drive to CesmeAbout 75 minutes by road along the peninsula.
- Boarding at Cesme waterfrontMeet your guide at the waterfront near the castle, opposite the PTT, and board the boat.
- Aquarium BayFirst anchorage for swimming and snorkelling in clear, shallow water.
- Donkey IslandPause for photographs and swimming near the island.
- BBQ lunch on boardThe crew serves lunch on deck while the boat is at anchor.
- Second swim stopAnother bay chosen for the day's conditions, with free time to swim or relax.
- Return and drop-offBack to Cesme, then the drive to Izmir and hotel drop-off by about 17:30.
What's included
- Guide
- Lunch
- Hotel pickup up and drop off from city centre hotels
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Anyone who wants to see it from the water
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You get seasick easily
Not suitable for
- People with serious mobility problems, as boarding involves a walkway and boat deck
- Travellers who do not want to spend a day around water and sun
- Very young children who cannot be supervised closely while swimming
- Anyone with severe motion sickness; the sea can be choppy in windy weather
Meeting point
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from city-centre hotels in Izmir. The vehicle starts collecting guests at around 10:00 and visits several hotels, so please be waiting in the lobby a few minutes early. The group boards the boat at the Cesme waterfront, opposite the PTT near the castle, and returns to Izmir by about 17:30.
Important information
- Wear your swimsuit under light clothing and bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- Waterproof or padded bags protect phones and cameras at the swim stops
- Non-slip sandals help on the marina walkway and the boat deck
- Children are welcome but must stay close to a guardian when swimming from the boat
- A light jacket is useful for the drive back and for the cooler evening
- The route can change with weather and sea conditions; extras are not guaranteed
- Tell our team about food allergies or dietary needs in advance
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Cesme boat tour cost?
The price depends on the option you choose and the number of travellers. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and children, so you can see exactly what you will pay.
Is hotel pickup from Izmir included?
Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off from city-centre hotels in Izmir are included. We confirm your pickup time before the day, usually around 10:00.
How long is the Cesme boat tour?
The day runs from about 10:00 to 17:30. It includes a drive of around 75 minutes each way, time on board, several swim stops and a lunch break.
What is served for lunch?
A BBQ lunch is prepared and served on board while the boat is at anchor. Please tell our team about allergies or dietary needs before the day.
What is Aquarium Bay?
Aquarium Bay is a calm, shallow bay with very clear water where you can see the seabed. It is the first swim stop, ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
What will we see at Donkey Island?
Donkey Island, called Esek Adasi in Turkish, is an island with a rugged shape rising out of turquoise water. The boat anchors nearby for photographs and swimming.
Is the tour suitable for children and beginners?
Yes. The bays are calm and the guide watches the group, so non-swimmers and beginners can enter the water at their own pace. Children should stay close to a guardian.
Is this a private boat or a group tour?
It is a group tour. You share the boat, the guide, the lunch and the swim stops with other travellers on a fixed daily schedule.
Are extra stops guaranteed?
No. Depending on the weather, the captain may add Coral Island, Paradise Island, Winter Bay, Macri Island or a sea cave, but these are never guaranteed.
What should I bring and can I book for tomorrow?
Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat and a change of clothes. The tour runs daily, so you can often book for tomorrow; message our team to confirm availability.
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