Boat Tour in Izmir Foça

Foça, a humble fishing town in the Aegean region, is one of İzmir's favorite holiday destinations.

Also known by its ancient name Phokaia, it got this name from the seals living on the islands. Founded by the Aeolians in the 11th century BC, it was one of the most important settlements in Ionia. New Foça was first established by the Genoese. It was later captured by Çaka Bey in the 13th century and then ruled by the Saruhanoğulları Beylik. In 1455, after the conquest of Istanbul, Foça became part of the Ottoman Empire and remained so.

Foça is one of the natural habitats of Mediterranean monk seals. These seals, whose hunting is strictly prohibited, are also protected by local fishermen.

During the summer, with its cool sea, history-infused architecture, and narrow streets, it attracts both domestic and international tourists. If you find yourself in Foça during the summer, we highly recommend taking a small boat tour.

The daily boat tours start in the morning and end in the evening. So, what places can you visit on a Foça boat tour? We researched for you.

Foça

You can enjoy a pleasant day with your friends or family thanks to the modest boats departing from Foça's central harbor. The prices for the boat tours are quite reasonable, and lunch, tea, coffee, and fruit are included. If you wish, you can also bring your own food and drinks.

First Stop: Orak Island

The first stop, Orak Island, gets its name because, when viewed from the top, it resembles a sickle. It has a long pebbled beach and is part of the Foça islands. Here, you can swim in the uniquely colored sea and come ashore to explore the small island.

Siren Rocks

The Siren Rocks will leave you mesmerized. Often referred to as "fairy chimneys of the sea" by many, the rocks got their name because, in windy weather, the sounds from the rocks resemble the mythical sirens' calls. Since the caves in this area serve as natural habitats for Mediterranean monk seals, swimming, fishing, and diving are prohibited here.

Sirens are mythical creatures from ancient times. According to legend, sirens had enchanting voices and appeared as half-human, half-sea creatures. Sailors, bewitched by their songs, would steer their ships toward the rocks and eventually fall prey to the sirens. According to the legend of the Odyssey, as they approached the Siren Rocks, Odysseus had his crew plug their ears with beeswax and had himself tied to the mast with ropes. As they sailed past the rocks, Odysseus alone heard the sirens' enchanting voices, became captivated, and wanted to stay. However, thanks to his crew’s fast rowing, they managed to escape and return home safely.

Club Med – French Cove

Once a popular spot, French Cove is no longer in use today. It is also known as Club Med due to its long beach. When you swim ashore, you can see the abandoned houses of the old holiday village.

This cove, with its beautiful shades of blue, is one of the best places for swimming. Since access to these facilities is prohibited, only boats are allowed to anchor here.

Kosova Beach

When you drop anchor at Kosova Bay, you can take a small lunch break, and either swim at the beach or dive into the deeper parts of the sea. It’s a quiet and peaceful bay, often preferred by campers. The sea deepens quickly when you enter the water from the beach. The water here is crystal clear and has a stunning color.

Atatürk Island

While passing between the islands during your journey, you’ll see the famous Atatürk Island from a distance. Originally named Hayırsız Island, it was renamed by the people of Foça because from a distance it resembles Atatürk’s silhouette.

Çanak Cove

With its unique blend of blue and green, Çanak Cove is one of the most ideal places for swimming. The sea is always calm here due to the cove’s bowl shape. There are no businesses on the beach, and the atmosphere is simple, quiet, and natural.

Fener Island and İncir Island

The islands surrounding İncir Island are home to colonies of endangered Mediterranean monk seals. While İncir Island has a more suitable surface for resting on land, Fener Island is typically barren and surrounded by cacti. It’s one of the best spots for jumping into the cool waters of the sea. Some boats visit Fener Island at the beginning of the tour, while others prefer to stop there on the return journey. Neither of the islands has a beach.

Written by: Seren Barlak