The Best Beaches in the Princes’ Islands (2026 Guide)

One of the most asked questions about the islands is simple: Can we swim in the Princes’ Islands? Yes — swimming is a real part of the Princes’ Islands experience, especially in summer.

In general, the sea season on the Princes’ Islands starts around mid-May and continues until the end of September. During this period, you can find plenty of beach facilities and coves across the islands, and the Marmara Sea is at its most inviting.

Before you plan your beach day, make sure your transportation is clear. The Princes’ Islands are reached by ferry from Istanbul, and departure points can vary depending on where you stay. For a practical step-by-step guide, see our article on how to get to the Princes’ Islands: How to get to the Prince Islands.

This guide is for travelers who want a clear answer to where they can swim on Büyükada, Heybeliada, Kınalıada, Burgazada, and Sedef Island — without overcomplicating the plan.

If you want the full list in one place, see our Princes Islands Tour beach recommendations and our Princes’ Islands destination guide. Prices and opening days can change during the season, so it is best to confirm close to your travel date.

So what kind of beaches should you expect on the Princes’ Islands?

Most swimming spots are run as private seasonal facilities, and the experience tends to fall into a few common formats. Some places feel like classic beach clubs, where you pay an entrance fee and spend the day with sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, music, and food & drink service on-site. Others are more relaxed beach + restaurant concepts, where the main idea is to swim, then settle in for a proper meal with a sea view.

You will also find hotel-run beach + pool setups (often with a more “resort day” feel). These can be a good fit if you want comfort and a more organized setting, but day-use access can depend on availability and the season.

A very common summer trend on the islands — especially on Büyükada — is shuttle access by small beach boats provided by the facility, usually departing from near the pier. This is one of the reasons planning matters: the beach itself may be easy, but the timing of boats and peak-hour crowds can shape your whole day.

Because these facilities are seasonal, details can change from year to year. For the smoothest plan, confirming the prices, opening days, and transport details close to your travel date contact us on WhatsApp.

Büyükada Beaches

Büyükada is the most popular island, which means it can get crowded quickly in summer. The best strategy is usually early arrival + beach in the warmest hours.

Free beach boat service (Büyükada): Many Büyükada beach facilities provide free beach boats from the pier in summer. For the latest departure details, meeting point, and return options, contact us on WhatsApp.

Yörükali Beach (Büyükada)

Overview: Yörükali is one of Büyükada’s most classic full‑service beach facilities. It’s a strong “arrive, set up, and stay all day” option with on-site services.

Location: Büyükada.

Why swim here (what to expect): A comfortable, organized beach day with sunbeds and umbrellas, plus showers/WC and changing areas. There is also on-site food & drink and restaurant service, which makes it easy to spend the full afternoon here without moving around.

Shore: Sandy
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Anka Aya Nikola Beach (Büyükada)

Overview: Anka Aya Nikola is a hotel-run beach setup on Büyükada with a more premium, “resort day” feel. It combines accommodation, beach access, and restaurant service under the same brand.

Location: West coast of Büyükada, with sea views toward Sedef Island.

Why swim here (what to expect): A comfortable swim day with hotel-style service and on-site dining. The shoreline is typically sand/pebble, and peak days can be busy, so availability and day-use access can matter in high season.

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Nakibey Beach (Büyükada)

Overview: Nakibey is a practical, full‑facility beach option on Büyükada, often chosen when you want a straightforward beach day without going too far from the center.

Location: Büyükada (relatively convenient to reach from the main areas).

Why swim here (what to expect): A classic private beach setup with sunbeds, showers/WC, and changing cabins, plus food options on-site. On busy days, the sunbeds can be close together, and sea conditions can vary (for example, seaweed can appear further out depending on the day).

Shore: Sand
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The Roof Ada Beach (Büyükada)

Overview: The Roof Ada is a premium-positioned beach‑club style setup on Büyükada, tied to accommodation under the same brand.

Location: Büyükada.

Why swim here (what to expect): A more “premium day” experience with a beach‑club setup and hotel-style service. On peak summer days, reservations and capacity can matter more than at simpler facilities.

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Kalmio Beach (Büyükada)

Overview: Kalmio is a beach‑club style option that can feel a bit more “hidden” than the most mainstream Büyükada choices. It is seasonal, so the concept can change year to year.

Location: Büyükada.

Why swim here (what to expect): A more beach‑club atmosphere (often with a more active vibe). One important detail is access: Kalmio is known as one of the few options on Büyükada that typically does not offer a free beach boat shuttle, so reaching it may require local island transport depending on the season.

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Heybeliada beaches

Heybeliada is often chosen by visitors who want a calmer island atmosphere and a more “green + bays” feel.

Cevahir Aqua Beach (Heybeliada)

Overview: Cevahir Aqua is one of the best-known private beach facilities on Heybeliada, typically experienced as a classic beach-club day.

Location: Heybeliada (bay-style setting). You reach Heybeliada by ferry, then continue with local island transport.

Why swim here (what to expect): A full facility setup with sunbeds, showers/WC, and changing areas, plus food & drink service on-site. It can be especially popular on weekends, so arriving with a plan helps.

Shore: Sandy
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Ada Beach (Heybeliada)

Overview: Ada Beach is a well-known Heybeliada beach-club option in a pine-forested bay. In season, it can also host organized events.

Location: Heybeliada, in the Çam Limanı bay area. Access may involve seasonal shuttle boats in summer (details can change by season).

Why swim here (what to expect): A full beach-club day with facilities in a scenic bay setting. On peak days, the atmosphere can feel more active, especially when there are events.

Shore: Sandy bay
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Kınalıada beaches

Kınalıada is the closest island to Istanbul and can be a good choice if you want a shorter ferry ride. It’s also known for simple, more local swimming — often with pebbly/rocky entries rather than big sandy beach clubs.

Ayazma Beach (Kınalıada)

Overview: Ayazma is one of the best-known swim stops on Kınalıada and a practical option when you want a shorter ferry ride and a simpler swim day.

Location: Kınalıada.

Why swim here (what to expect): A more straightforward “come for the sea” experience compared to the bigger beach-club setups on other islands. The shoreline around Kınalıada is often pebbly/rocky, so water shoes can make a big difference. Services can be more limited and seasonal, so it’s best to confirm what’s available when you arrive.

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Simple shoreline swim spots (Kınalıada)

Kınalıada is also known for simpler shoreline swimming options where the focus is just getting into the sea, rather than spending the day in a full beach-club setup. These spots typically have fewer guaranteed facilities, so it helps to plan for the basics (water, towel, and water shoes).

Burgazada

Kalpazankaya (Burgazada) !!!

Overview: Kalpazankaya is a Burgazada classic, best known for combining sea time with one of the islands’ most iconic viewpoints and a well-known restaurant.

Location: Burgazada. You typically reach it using island transport from the center.

Why swim here (what to expect): The highlight is the “sea + view + restaurant” combination, often planned around late afternoon or sunset. Beach access is more spot-style than a full beach-club setup, and reservations can matter in busy periods.

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Dali Marta (Burgazada)

Overview: Dali Marta is known for a more natural, outdoorsy “forest meets sea” vibe on Burgazada, sometimes associated with camping-style days.

Location: Burgazada.

Why swim here (what to expect): A less structured, more nature-forward swim day with a simple coastline feel. Services (including any restaurant/camping elements) can be seasonal, so it’s best treated as a flexible option rather than a guaranteed full-facility beach day.

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Sedef Island

Elio Beach (Sedef Adası)

Overview: Elio is a premium-positioned beach option on Sedef Island, often chosen for a quieter, more “escape” feeling with bar service.

Location: Sedef Adası.

Why swim here (what to expect): A more exclusive, relaxed swim day away from the busiest island centers. Access can be part of the plan: a private boat option is commonly used in season (with departures mentioned from Bostancı Pier in the morning and pick-up from Büyükada), and there can also be seasonal access options via city ferries.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Are Princes’ Islands beaches public or private?

Most swimming experiences visitors use are organized through private seasonal facilities (beach clubs, beach restaurants, and hotel-run setups). Some natural bays may exist with fewer facilities, but most travelers prefer a planned, paid setup for comfort and easier access.