Gökçeada Underwater National Park: Guide to Turkey's Only Underwater Park

Turkey's only underwater national park is on Gökçeada (Imbros)... While swimming along a buoy-marked trail in the crystal-clear waters of Yıldız Cove, you suddenly find yourself face-to-face with rays, sea turtles, and maybe even a Mediterranean monk seal. Gökçeada Underwater National Park is a hidden natural wonder in the heart of the Aegean.

Turkey's First and Only Underwater National Park

Declared in 1999 by TUDAV (Turkish Marine Research Foundation), Gökçeada Underwater National Park is Turkey's first and only example of its kind. The park covers a coastal strip between Kaleköy and Kuzulimanı, extending about 1 nautical mile from shore and 200 meters out to sea.

This park is not just a protected area; it offers a living marine ecosystem experience that visitors can actively participate in. You can snorkel, follow a guided underwater trail, take diving lessons, or simply swim in the clear waters and watch the fish.

In 2012, at TUDAV's suggestion, the park boundaries were expanded, and the area was included in EU-supported conservation projects. The Civil Society Dialogue Program, carried out with French partner BiEAUdiversité, has increased the park's international recognition and strengthened its management.

Park Structure: Core Zone and Buffer Zone

Gökçeada Underwater National Park is managed with two separate protection layers:

Core Protection Zone

In this area, which contains the most sensitive ecosystem, all hunting and fishing activities are strictly prohibited. Scuba diving is also subject to permission. This zone is protected for marine life to breed, spawn, and live freely.

Buffer Zone: Yıldız Cove

Yıldız Cove (Yıldızkoy) is the park's buffer zone open to visitors. In this area:

• Free swimming and snorkeling are allowed
• Limited angling is permitted
• The underwater trail is located in this cove
• Discovery dives are conducted here

How to Get to Yıldız Cove

Getting to Yıldız Cove, the park's center, is quite easy:

1. First go to Kaleköy: About 5 km from Gökçeada's center (Çınarlı), a 10-minute drive. Minibuses and taxis are available.
2. Descend from Kaleköy to Yıldızkoy: You can walk down to Yıldız Cove via a 700-meter path from Kaleköy.
3. Find the park ranger: A park ranger is on duty at the information building on the shore, offering guidance.

Driving your own car is the most practical option, but you can also reach Kaleköy by minibus. Since driving down to Yıldızkoy may be restricted at certain times, it's recommended to check current information from the district governor's office.

The Underwater Trail: Exploration Along Buoys

The most unique experience at Yıldız Cove is the underwater trail marked by dozens of buoys. This is the first and only organized underwater route in a Turkish underwater national park.

Put on a mask, snorkel, and fins, and as you swim along the trail, you'll discover the living ecosystem on the seabed. The park ranger provides guidance on the shore or in the water; detailed information about the park is also given at the information building on the shore. When visibility is high — especially in spring and autumn — the underwater views offer almost tropical clarity.

Diving Opportunities: From Discovery Dives to Certified Diving

Two main diving centers operate around Gökçeada Underwater National Park:

Gökçeada Diving Center

Operating since 2009 right at the park entrance, this center offers programs for both beginners and experienced divers.

• Discovery dive: Open to anyone aged 14 and over. After a short land training session, you dive to a depth of 5 meters for 20–25 minutes with a one-on-one instructor. Total duration: 2–2.5 hours.
• Participants under 18 require parental consent.
• All equipment can be obtained from the center.

DIVEPARK (Barış Dayancı)

This SSI-certified diving center also offers discovery dives and certification courses under the same conditions. It provides one-on-one instructor-led dives to a depth of 5 meters for anyone aged 14 and over.

Pricing is not regularly updated on either center's website; you need to contact them directly for reservations.

Conservation Success: Returning Life

The most beautiful story of Gökçeada Underwater National Park is the tangible success of conservation efforts. Many species that had severely declined due to overfishing before the park was declared are now being seen again in the area.

• Research conducted after the park's declaration shows that fish species and population sizes have significantly increased.
• Lobster species that were previously very rare or unseen have returned to the area.
• Dolphins and Mediterranean monk seals have started visiting the coastal areas again since the park was established.

"A moment given for nature to breathe returns over the years with the sounds of the ocean."

Rich Marine Biodiversity

Gökçeada hosts extraordinary biodiversity due to its strategic location on the Black Sea-Mediterranean migration corridor. Species recorded in the park include:

Marine Mammals and Large Creatures

• Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus): Estimated at 600–700 individuals worldwide, this critically endangered species uses the Gökçeada-Bozcaada-Bababurnu line as its home. One of Turkey's 14 most important seal habitats.
• Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle): Breeding and nesting area in the region.
• 8 cetacean species: Dolphins, sperm whales, and other marine mammals are observed in the area.
• Rays — especially frequently seen while swimming.

Fish and Invertebrates

• 144 fish species identified through scientific research.
• 34 sponge species
• 17 cephalopod species (octopus, cuttlefish, squid, etc.)
• Tritons, sea urchins, and various coral formations

Seagrass Meadows

• Posidonia oceanica: Described by UNESCO as the "rainforests of the sea," this flowering marine plant is widespread in Gökçeada's waters. It plays a critical ecosystem role in oxygen production and as a fish spawning area.

Yıldızkoy Development Crisis: A Test for the Protected Paradise

Yıldız Cove, the heart of Gökçeada Underwater National Park, recently faced a serious threat. When the Gökçeada Municipality prepared plans to open Yıldızkoy for development, TUDAV immediately took a firm stance:

"This decision, which threatens the underwater park we have worked on for years, is unacceptable."

The main opposition party (CHP) and environmental organizations also opposed this initiative. The criticism "for the profit of a few landowners" resonated widely in public opinion. The process ended with the administrative court issuing a stay of execution on the development plan. Yıldızkoy remains under protection for now.

This development highlights how fragile the balance of protecting the park is. The voice of visitors and nature lovers is one of the strongest shields against such threats.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal periods for diving are spring (May–June) and autumn (September–October). During these seasons, water clarity is at its highest and crowds are minimal. For swimming and snorkeling, July–September is ideal.

Underwater Park with Kids: Family Guide

Gökçeada Underwater National Park is also a very suitable destination for families. The shallow shores of Yıldız Cove offer a safe environment for children to swim.

• Snorkeling and surface observation are suitable for children of all ages.
• The minimum age for scuba diving is 14; parental consent is required for those under 18.
• The park provides snorkel sets; you don't have to bring your own equipment.
• Informational materials for children are available at the shore information area.

Experiencing swimming with a ray for the first time while wearing a mask with your children can become a memory passed down through generations.

Photo and Video: Underwater Shooting Tips

Gökçeada's clear waters are one of Turkey's best locations for underwater photography. Some basic tips:

• Waterproof housing or action camera: A GoPro or waterproof phone case can capture quality shots.
• Prefer midday hours: When the sun is directly overhead, underwater lighting is at its best.
• Use Posidonia meadows as a backdrop: Fish over green meadows create a natural composition.
• Be patient: Marine life approaches quieter, slower-moving divers more closely.
• Red filter: As you go deeper, red wavelengths disappear; a red filter makes colors more vibrant.

What's Nearby?

We recommend combining your visit to the Underwater National Park with other natural beauties in Kaleköy and its surroundings:

Kaleköy (Kastro)

Kaleköy, the starting point of the Underwater National Park, is one of the island's most charming villages. A medieval Venetian castle rises above the village, creating a striking silhouette. Small cafes, guesthouses, and fishing boats form a natural base for park visitors.

Peynir Kayalıkları (Kaşkaval Burnu)

Located within the boundaries of the Underwater National Park, Peynir Kayalıkları (Cheese Rocks) are unique rock formations accessible only by sea. You can see both the park and the rocks on the same day with a boat tour.

Kuzulimanı

Located at the same point as the ferry dock, Kuzulimanı is the closest land point to the park's northern border. Fishing boats can be rented from here.

If you want to learn more about Gökçeada's geography and natural structure, check out our related blog post: Gökçeada Geography: The Island's Natural Structure and Land Features.

Practical Information

What to Bring

• Swimsuit and towel
• Snorkel set (park provides, but your own may be more comfortable)
• Sunscreen (sun reflection on water is strong)
• Waterproof bag or case
• Comfortable walking shoes (for the Kaleköy path)

If you're planning your transportation to Gökçeada, visit our ferry schedules page for up-to-date departure information.

Why Is Gökçeada Underwater National Park Unique?

There are many beautiful diving spots along Turkey's Aegean coast. But a few key features set Gökçeada Underwater National Park apart from all of them:

1. Turkey's only underwater national park: Its legal protection status ensures sustainable management of the area.
2. Black Sea-Mediterranean corridor: This strategic location brings together the biodiversity heritage of two seas in one spot.
3. International recognition: EU-supported projects and TUDAV's scientific studies have put the park on Europe's agenda.
4. Low crowds: Unlike Sharm El-Sheikh or Bodrum, here you are almost alone with nature.
5. Free access: Where else can you experience such a rich ecosystem without an entrance fee?

The international travel platform egetelgraf.com reported on this park with the headline "Tourists come here before Sharm El-Sheikh." This headline is no coincidence; Gökçeada's underwater world is truly one of the Mediterranean's best-kept secrets.

Conclusion: Put on Your Mask, Start Diving

Gökçeada Underwater National Park holds a special meaning for both someone who has never dived and someone who has been diving for years. Putting on a snorkel and swimming along the trail, finding yourself gliding over Posidonia meadows, perhaps watching a ray spread its wings... All of this awaits you just a 700-meter walk from Kaleköy.

Every visitor who comes to protect this rare gift of nature also amplifies the park's voice. Put on your mask, enter the water, and surrender to the magic of Turkey's only underwater national park. For more information, check out our Gökçeada diving guide.