From Marmaris: Day Trip by Glass Bottom Semi Submarine

The best part of this Marmaris boat trip happens below deck, where glass windows give you a dry view of fish, plants, sea caves, canyons, and a sunken ship. You get a little aquarium, a little beach day, and a full day on the Aegean coast without paying yacht-cruise prices.

I like the four generous swim stops and the roomy boat, with sunbeds, shade, air conditioning, changing cabins, and clean toilets. I also like that lunch is included and that children or less confident swimmers can use life jackets. The main thing to consider is that drinks, ice cream, towels, and some snacks cost extra, and one account raised a concern about lunch not being served hot enough.

Key points to know before booking

• See a sunken ship and fish through the glass lounge without getting wet.
• Swim at four named bays: Aquarium Bay, Kadirga Bay, Green Sea Bay, and Paradise Island Bay.
• Choose your place on three levels: air-conditioned indoor seating, shaded sunbeds, or an open upper deck.
• Lunch is included: select chicken, meatballs, schnitzel, or chicken nuggets with rice, salad, sauce, and mashed potatoes.
• The boat works well for families and mixed-age groups, with changing cabins, toilets, swim jackets, and wheelchair access.
• Bring a towel and your own drinks money, since neither towels nor beverages are included.

A glass-bottom boat with more room than most

This is not a tiny glass-bottom craft where everyone crowds around one window. The semi-submarine has a proper underwater viewing area, indoor dining space, several decks, and enough room to choose between sun and shade.

The glass lounge is air-conditioned, as are the restaurant, corridors, toilets, and changing cabins. That matters on a hot Marmaris day. You can cool off below, then head upstairs for open air and sea views.

The boat has three useful levels. The lowest indoor areas hold the underwater windows and restaurant. The next level offers sunbeds with some shade, while the top deck is open to the sky. If you want a quiet ride, claim a shaded seat early. If you want full sun, the upper deck is the obvious choice.

The meeting point is easy to reach in central Marmaris. It is close to the Ataturk statue, about 100 meters farther toward the marina, opposite the district governor’s office. A taxi driver should recognize that landmark. The trip returns to the same place.

The underwater viewing room and the sunken ship

The cruise begins with the feature that separates this boat from a standard day trip. You go below the waterline and look through the glass lounge at fish and submerged plants.

The crew also shows a sunken ship, with fish gathering around it. This is especially effective for children, since the wreck gives the viewing session a clear focus instead of asking you to stare at open water and hope something swims past.

You may also see sea caves and steep canyons along the coast. The glass windows let you stay dry, but keep expectations sensible. This is not scuba diving, and underwater visibility depends on the sea and light. The pleasure comes from getting a different angle on the coast, then heading upstairs to see the same water from above.

The boat includes audio guidance in English and Russian. The available information does not name a personal guide, so this is better suited to independent sightseeing than to a detailed, live lecture about every bay.

Aquarium Bay: the first taste of clear water

Aquarium Bay is one of the four scheduled swimming stops. Its name points to the clear water and fish that make this part of the coast good for a quick snorkel.

The useful thing about this format is that you are not rushed through one short swim. The stops are designed to give you proper time in the water, and the boat carries ladders that make getting in and out easier for older swimmers as well as children.

The water may feel cool when you first enter. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel, then reapply sunscreen after getting back on deck. The sun is easy to underestimate when a sea breeze makes the air feel cooler.

If you do not swim confidently, ask for a swim jacket. Adult and child life jackets are available on board, so you can still enjoy the stops without needing to stay on the boat.

Kadirga Bay and the value of four swim stops

Kadirga Bay gives the day another chance to swim in sheltered, clear water. The appeal here is less about a single landmark and more about the rhythm of the day: cruise, swim, dry off, eat, then do it again.

That rhythm makes the trip a good choice for people who want a relaxed outing rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. You will not spend the whole day watching the coast from a seat. You can use the ladders, swim, snorkel, and return to the deck when you want a break.

Bring your own snorkel if you have one. The boat may sell basic snorkel equipment, but the price is extra. A mask also gives you a better chance of spotting fish and underwater plants from the surface after the glass-lounge presentation.

There is no need to plan a separate beach visit for this day. The swim stops provide the sea access, while the boat supplies the shade, toilets, changing space, and lunch that a small beach stop may not.

Green Sea Bay and Paradise Island Bay

Green Sea Bay and Paradise Island Bay complete the advertised four-bay route. Both stops are intended for swimming in bright, clear water, with time to enjoy the setting rather than simply take a quick dip.

The exact order and timing are not clearly posted in the supplied details. One practical improvement would be a visible schedule showing the next bay and remaining swim time. If you care about knowing the plan, ask the crew when you board.

The surrounding coast is the real attraction at these stops. Look for caves, rocky cuts, and changing views as the boat moves between bays. From the upper deck, you get the broadest view. From the shaded middle deck, you can keep cool while still seeing the water.

Some accounts describe five swim stops on their day, while the main route names four bays. Since the named schedule lists four, I would book this expecting four principal swimming breaks, with any extra stop treated as a bonus rather than something to count on.

Lunch is simple, filling, and included

Lunch is served aboard the boat in an air-conditioned fast-food hall. You can choose from four main options: chicken fillet, meatballs, schnitzel, or chicken nuggets. Meals come with rice, salad, sauce, and mashed potatoes.

That choice works well for families. Children are not pushed toward one unfamiliar dish, and adults can select a straightforward hot meal after swimming. Reports also mention mackerel on one sailing, but the clearly stated choices are the four options above, so ask the crew about the menu on your departure.

The meal is a strong part of the $33 price because it removes the need to find food during a full day on the water. Portions are described as generous, and the lunch is generally regarded as tasty.

One caution deserves attention: a complaint described food arriving lukewarm and linked it to illness. That is not the general picture, but food temperature matters. If your meal is not properly hot, speak to the staff at once rather than simply accepting it.

Drinks and ice cream are not included. They are sold on board, along with snacks and other small extras. Some accounts found the prices reasonable, while another called the drinks expensive, so bring money and check prices before ordering. You may also want to bring a refillable bottle if permitted by the operator, though the supplied information does not confirm outside food or drink rules.

A comfortable boat for families and mixed groups

The semi-submarine is useful when your party wants different things. One person can watch fish below deck, another can sunbathe, and someone else can sit in the air-conditioned restaurant.

The boat is described as clean, spacious, and family-friendly. Toilets and changing facilities make the long day easier, especially with children. The crew also keeps an eye on crowded areas and provides life jackets.

Wheelchair access is listed, but the information does not explain every part of the boat or whether all decks are reachable. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the route from the meeting point to the boarding area and ask which facilities are accessible before booking.

This is also a good option for older adults who want sea views without committing to strenuous activity. The ladders into the water are described as manageable, but swimming is optional. You can remain on deck during every stop.

What to bring and how to choose your seat

Pack sunglasses, swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel. Towels are not included, and a wet swimsuit can make the ride home uncomfortable if you have nothing dry to change into.

I would also bring a hat, though it is not on the official packing list, and a small amount of Turkish currency or a card for drinks and ice cream. A snorkel is useful if you want more from the swim stops.

The best seat depends on your priorities:

• Choose the air-conditioned indoor area if you dislike heat or want easy access to the underwater windows.
• Choose a shaded sunbed if you want to rest between swims.
• Choose the open upper deck if you want the strongest sun and widest views.

Do not spend the whole day below deck. The glass viewing room is the special feature, but the coast is just as enjoyable from above. A good plan is to watch the shipwreck and fish early, swim at the bays, then move between shade and sun as the day goes on.

How the $33 price holds up

At $33 per person, this is good value if you want a full day rather than a short glass-bottom ride. The price includes the underwater cruise, lunch, and a sunbed, while the boat also provides air-conditioned indoor areas, swim stops, changing cabins, toilets, and life jackets.

A comparable day on a standard excursion boat might include swimming but not the underwater viewing room. A basic glass-bottom trip might show fish but offer less space and fewer facilities. Here, you get both elements.

The extras can change your final cost. Drinks, ice cream, towels, and snorkel equipment are separate. If you are careful with purchases, the included lunch keeps the outing affordable. If you buy several drinks and snacks for the whole family, budget beyond the advertised price.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The activity is valid for one day, with starting times shown through availability. Since the exact departure schedule is not given here, check it before you commit to other Marmaris plans.

Who should book this Marmaris boat day

I would choose this trip for families, couples, and groups with mixed interests. It gives children a clear underwater attraction, adults plenty of space to relax, and swimmers four chances to get into the sea.

It also suits you if you want a gentle day with no specialist skills. You do not need to scuba dive, and you can stay dry during the glass-bottom section. Less confident swimmers can use life jackets or remain on deck.

I would look elsewhere if you want a small, quiet private boat, a detailed marine biology talk, or a serious snorkeling expedition. This is a shared day boat with a simple lunch and a broad range of facilities. Its strength is variety and value, not an intimate or highly technical sea experience.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want to combine swimming, sunbathing, lunch, and an unusual underwater view for one reasonable price. The spacious boat, air conditioning, clean facilities, choice of lunch, and four named bays make it more practical than many basic coastal outings.

Before booking, decide if you are comfortable paying extra for drinks and bringing your own towel. Also check the departure time and, if needed, confirm wheelchair details. For a relaxed Marmaris day with a strong family appeal, this semi-submarine cruise is an easy choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts near the Ataturk statue in central Marmaris, about 100 meters farther along the road toward the marina. The meeting point is opposite the district governor’s office.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the activity?

It is valid for one day. Starting times are shown when you check availability.

Which bays does the boat visit?

The scheduled swimming bays 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, served with rice, salad, sauce, and mashed potatoes.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks, ice cream, and other snacks are not included and can be purchased separately on board.

Are towels provided?

No. You should bring your own towel, along with swimwear, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Is there air conditioning on the boat?

Yes. The restaurant, changing cabins, toilets, corridors, and underwater viewing room are air-conditioned.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, wheelchair access is listed for this activity. The supplied details do not explain which decks or facilities are accessible, so confirm those specifics if needed.