From Marmaris: Day Trip by Glass Bottom Semi Submarine

The most unusual part of this Marmaris boat day happens below deck. You can watch fish, submerged plants, sea caves, and a sunken boat through the underwater viewing room without getting wet. Then you climb back into the sun for four long swim stops in clear coastal water.

I like the generous choice of places to sit, from an air-conditioned lounge to shaded sunbeds and an open upper deck. I also like the value: lunch is included, the boat has changing cabins and toilets, and the crew provides swim jackets for adults and children. The main drawback is that the trip gives little information about the bays, and the schedule for each stop may not always be clearly announced.

Key points to know before booking

• The underwater room is the main difference: See fish and a sunken boat through glass windows while staying dry.
• Four named swimming bays: Stops include Aquarium Bay, Kadirga Bay, Green Sea Bay, and Paradise Island Bay.
• Lunch comes with a choice: Expect chicken fillet, meatballs, schnitzel, or chicken nuggets, served with rice, salad, sauce, and sides.
• Plenty of room on board: Choose air conditioning, shade, or open sun depending on the weather.
• Bring your own towel and snorkel: Towels are not included, and a snorkel may cost extra on board.
• Good family and mobility features: The boat is wheelchair accessible, with changing areas, toilets, air conditioning, and swim jackets.

What this Marmaris semi-submarine day is really like

At $33 per person, this is not a small, quiet sailing trip. It is a full-day boat outing built around simple pleasures: looking below the surface, swimming in several bays, eating lunch, and finding a comfortable place to sit.

I see the appeal for families and mixed-age groups. A strong swimmer can spend the day in the sea, while someone who prefers to stay dry can watch the water from below deck or relax on a sunbed. The boat also has enough space to spread out, with a restaurant area, shaded seating, and an open sun deck.

The experience receives a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 129 ratings, with especially strong marks for cleanliness, friendly staff, food, swimming time, and value. One important note: praise for the food is common, but one family reported that its meal was not hot enough and caused illness. That is a serious concern, so check your meal before eating and tell the crew if it is not properly warm.

Finding the boat near the Ataturk statue

The meeting point is in central Marmaris, close to the Ataturk statue and about 100 meters farther along the road toward the marina. If you use a taxi, tell the driver it is opposite the district governor’s office.

The location is easy to reach, but give yourself a few minutes to find the exact boat and check in. The activity returns to the same meeting point. Some bookings may include hotel pickup arrangements, but the supplied details specifically identify the central meeting point, so confirm your pickup instructions when booking.

The trip is listed as valid for one day, with departure times shown when you check availability. Since the exact start time is not fixed in the information provided, do not plan a tight appointment afterward.

Going below the surface without getting wet

The semi-submarine section is more than a decorative glass floor. The lower viewing area has windows designed to let you sit below the waterline and watch fish moving around the boat.

The first underwater viewing period may include a look at a sunken boat. Crew members have been described as feeding fish near the wreck, which can bring them close to the windows. For children, this can be the most memorable part of the day. It gives the trip an aquarium feel, though the view depends on water clarity, sunlight, and where the fish happen to gather.

You may also see submerged plants, sea caves, and rocky coastal formations. I would keep expectations sensible: this is a sightseeing window on a moving boat, not a scuba expedition. You will likely get short, exciting views rather than a long scientific tour of the seabed.

The underwater room is air-conditioned, along with the restaurant, changing cabins, toilets, and corridors. That matters in the hot Marmaris sun. You can cool off below deck between swims instead of spending the whole day exposed to heat.

An English and Russian audio guide is included. Still, the available information suggests the trip is light on detailed commentary about the local coast. If you want a narrated history of every bay, this may feel thin. If you mainly want views and swimming, the relaxed approach works well.

Aquarium Bay, the first water stop

Aquarium Bay is one of the named swimming stops, and its appeal is clear water suited to looking below the surface. You can swim from the boat and use the ladders to get in and out.

Several people specifically valued the amount of time available at the bays. The boat is not simply stopping for a quick photo before rushing away. You should have time for a proper swim, though the exact schedule can vary.

The water may feel cool when you first enter, especially after sitting in the sun. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel. A snorkel is useful if you want to make more of the fish and underwater plants. Snorkels may be available to buy on board, but bringing your own avoids an extra cost.

Kadirga Bay and the value of repeated swim stops

Kadirga Bay gives the day another chance to get into the water, which is useful because one stop may suit you better than another. If a first swim feels crowded or chilly, you have several later opportunities.

I like this format more than a single swim stop. You are not forced to choose between sightseeing and swimming. The boat keeps moving through different coastal scenery, while each bay offers a fresh break from the deck.

The tradeoff is that you may not receive much explanation about where you are. The crew is described as friendly and helpful, but the trip does not promise a full local guide. Ask crew members about the next stop if you need practical information, especially the time to return to the boat.

Green Sea Bay and Paradise Island Bay

Green Sea Bay and Paradise Island Bay complete the named route. The descriptions emphasize crystal-clear water, blue lagoons, caves, and scenic coastal views. These stops are best treated as swimming and relaxation breaks rather than formal sightseeing visits.

The boat’s ladders are considered manageable even for older swimmers, and swim jackets are available for both adults and children. That makes the stops more approachable for anyone who is nervous in deep water. You still need to follow the crew’s instructions and judge your own swimming ability.

The upper deck gives you a fine place to watch the coast between stops. You can choose a full-sun position, a shaded sunbed, or a more protected indoor seat. Bring plenty of sunscreen and reapply it after every swim. It is easy to underestimate the sun when a breeze is blowing across the water.

Some accounts refer to five swim stops, while the main route names four bays. The underwater viewing and sunken boat stop may be counted separately by some passengers. If the precise number matters to you, ask the crew at the start of the day.

Lunch in the air-conditioned dining area

Lunch is included, and you can eat in an air-conditioned fast food hall on board. The available choices include chicken fillet, meatballs, schnitzel, or chicken nuggets. Meals are served with rice, salad, sauce, and additional sides such as mashed potatoes, with some accounts also noting chips as an extra purchase.

That choice is helpful for families. A child who will not eat meatballs can choose nuggets, while adults can select chicken or schnitzel. The meal is not fine dining, but it is practical food at sea, and many people found the portions fresh and satisfying.

Lunch timing appears flexible, with food available between about 11:30 and 13:00. That is convenient if you are swimming when the first meal service begins. Still, check the announced arrangement when you board, because one useful suggestion is for the boat to post a clear timetable for meals and swim stops.

Drinks, ice cream, and other snacks are extra. Prices were considered reasonable by several people, while another person found drinks expensive. I would bring enough cash and check the prices before ordering. Towels are not included, and sunscreen or other small items may also be sold on board.

Space, cleanliness, and comfort on the three levels

The boat’s layout is one of its practical strengths. You can move between:

• An air-conditioned lower level with the underwater viewing room
• A middle level with shaded sunbeds
• An open upper deck for full sun and wide views

The toilets and changing facilities have been described as clean, and the boat itself is spacious and tidy. That makes a difference on a long day at sea. A crowded boat can turn a beautiful route into a battle for shade, but this vessel appears to provide several seating options.

A non-smoking air-conditioned dining area is available, which is useful during lunch. The indoor rooms also give you a break if the heat becomes too much.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, though the information does not specify which parts of the vessel are reachable without assistance. If you use a wheelchair, confirm access to the underwater room, swimming ladders, and the exact boarding route before you reserve.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would choose this trip for a family group, couples who want an easy day on the water, and anyone who wants several swims without arranging separate transport to remote coves.

It also suits people who prefer a flexible day. You can swim, watch the fish, eat, sunbathe, or sit in the shade. Non-swimmers are not left with nothing to do, and children have the semi-submarine windows, fish, and sunken boat to keep them interested.

This is less suitable if you want a small private boat, serious snorkeling, sailing under wind power, or detailed information about Turkish coastal history. It is a shared excursion with a set route and simple onboard catering. The reward is convenience and variety, not solitude.

Is $33 good value?

For a full day, four named bays, an underwater cruise, lunch, sunbeds, and access to air-conditioned facilities, $33 is strong value. You are also paying for the convenience of visiting several places in one outing without arranging taxis, beach transfers, or separate meals.

The extras are the part to watch. Drinks, ice cream, towels, and snorkel equipment can increase the final cost. Bring your own towel, snorkel, and sunscreen if you have them, and set aside money for drinks.

The value improves if you plan to swim several times and use the boat for most of the day. If you only want to see the glass windows for ten minutes, a shorter boat ride may be enough. The full benefit comes from treating this as a relaxed day excursion rather than only a submarine viewing.

Booking advice and final verdict

Book this Marmaris semi-submarine trip if you want a clean, spacious boat, several swim stops, a choice of seating, and lunch included at a modest price. It is especially useful for families and groups with different comfort levels in the water.

I would bring a towel, snorkel, sunglasses, swimwear, and extra sunscreen. Ask for the swim-stop schedule and meal timing when you board, and check that lunch is hot before you eat it.

Skip it if you need a quiet private cruise or a detailed guide to every bay. For an easy day that combines underwater viewing, swimming, sun, and a filling lunch, this is a sensible choice in Marmaris.

FAQ

Where does the Marmaris semi-submarine trip start?

It starts close to the Ataturk statue in central Marmaris, about 100 meters ahead on the road toward the marina. The meeting point is opposite the district governor’s office.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the original meeting point in Marmaris.

How long is the trip?

It is a full-day experience and is listed as valid for one day. Check availability for the exact starting time.

Which bays does the boat visit?

The named swimming stops are Aquarium Bay, Kadirga Bay, Green Sea Bay, and Paradise Island Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with options such as chicken fillet, meatballs, schnitzel, or chicken nuggets. Meals are served with rice, salad, sauce, and sides.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks, ice cream, and other snacks are not included in the price.

Can I see fish without swimming?

Yes. You can watch fish and submerged plants through the glass windows in the underwater viewing room.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A snorkel may also be useful, although snorkels can be purchased on board.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The boat also has air-conditioned indoor areas, changing cabins, toilets, and an underwater viewing room.