Swimming Turkiye's Turquoise Coast with SwimTrek – A Founder’s Tale ...travelling with my favourite Lulu Wetsuit!
By Cathy, co-founder of The Swim Set
Every now and then, you have a swim that reminds you why you fell in love with the water in the first place.
Last month, I packed my essentials, a Lulu wetsuit and Wavediver Budgy Smuggler racer and joined SwimTrek for an unforgettable adventure along Turkiye’s Turquoise Coast. The name doesn’t lie – the water here is stunningly clear, glowing in every shade of blue you can imagine.
We were based in Kaş, a picturesque seaside town where fishing boats bob gently in the harbour and every evening ends with warm bread, mezze, and Turkish hospitality that’s second to none. From there, we set off daily on board our fabulous boat, Bedeloglu 1, captained brilliantly by Mustafa and his family, to explore the coastline, swim in hidden bays, and soak up the magic of the Mediterranean.
On the first morning, we made our way out to the Kaş Peninsula for our very first coastal swim of the trip. Nerves and excitement all mixed together – that feeling you get when you know something special is about to begin. The water was calm, impossibly clear, and the perfect welcome to the week ahead.
After a delicious lunch on board our gulet (the traditional Turkish wooden sailing boat that became our second home), we had time to relax in the sun and chat with the rest of the crew, 14 of us in total, before hopping back in the water for something a little different – a stroke filming session. SwimTrek’s guides filmed us swimming, both above and below the surface, which was such a useful way to see our technique and get tips for improvement. It felt a bit strange at first, but I learned a lot just from seeing myself move through the water.
That afternoon, we set off on another enchanting coastal swim, winding our way past rugged limestone cliffs and quiet inlets. We finished the day at Dolphin Beach – a peaceful little cove that felt completely untouched. Floating there, with the late afternoon sun warming my face, I couldn’t help but feel incredibly lucky to be part of this experience.
The next morning, the magic continued as we spent the day island-hopping within the Canyon Archipelago, a chain of seven tiny islands nestled between Greece and Turkey. The views were straight out of a dream – craggy rock formations, turquoise channels, and the kind of silence you only get out at sea. We stopped to moor at Ufakdere, a serene bay tucked away from the world, where we enjoyed another hearty lunch on the gulet and soaked in the calm.
After lunch, we set off on a coastal swim from Ufakdere Bay, hugging the shoreline and navigating rocky points and shimmering shallows. Each stroke felt smoother than the day before – you could feel confidence building in everyone around you. There’s something deeply satisfying about settling into your rhythm with nothing but saltwater and sunshine around you....unless you come across the sunken tank which was a real surprise for all of us.
Back at the dock that afternoon, we gathered for a beer and an individual video review session to watch our swim footage from Day 2. It was part coaching, part comedy – lots of laughs, a few “do I really swim like that?” moments, and some genuinely helpful feedback to take into the next day.
Then came one of the most memorable days of the trip. We headed out along the coast past the dramatic Uluburun Cliffs for a swim toward the ancient city of Aperlai. This swim gave me goosebumps – not just from the chilly 18°C water, but from the history beneath us. As we entered the bay, we swam directly over submerged ruins, the remnants of earthquakes long past. Stone walls, ancient foundations, and eerie stillness made it feel like time had frozen beneath the surface.
Once we reached the bay, we climbed ashore and took a short but rocky walk up to the ruins of Aperlai itself. It was dry, dusty, and totally worth it. The views over the water were incredible, and standing among crumbling archways and weathered stone gave me a whole new appreciation for the layers of history in this part of the world.
After lunch back on the boat, we cruised toward Kaş with one last swim lined up: a spectacular stretch along the Lycian Way, just below the towering Uluburun cliffs we’d passed earlier that morning. It was the perfect swim to reflect on how far we’d come – both in distance and in mindset. Every stroke felt smoother, more assured, more joyful.
We reconvened that evening for pizza and an Efes beer in the ancient amphitheatre to watch the sunset. Nothing prepares you for feeling of sitting amongst history that dates back to ancient Greek times as the sun slowly slips out of sight.
Another highlight came the day after, when we made our way to Besmi Adasi, just inside Greek waters off the island of Meis or what the Greeks call Kastellorizo. From there, we jumped in and completed the 5k swim, with two short crossings, followed by a sweeping coastal swim along the Turkish mainland. It was one of the more challenging and rewarding swims of the week– a true sense of achievement once we climbed back onto the gulet, salt-soaked and smiling.
After that, it was snacks, lunch, and lounging on deck, the best kind of recovery. The afternoon was ours to enjoy however we liked. Some of the group caught the ferry to Meis (Kastellorizo) for a wander around its colourful harbour, others explored the village of Kaş, and a few of us opted for complete beach-lounging mode. For the more adventurous, there were options like paragliding over the bay or booking in for a traditional Turkish bath – and I have to say, a hammam is a glorious way to loosen the tight muscles and skin after several days of swimming in super salty water.
And just like that, it was our final morning. We set out for one last swim, making our way from Choban Beach toward Limanağzi, tracing the curves of the coast and keeping an eye out for a hidden sea caves along the way.
The sea was calm, the strokes familiar, and the atmosphere full of that sweet mix of satisfaction and nostalgia you only get at the end of a truly great trip. We also had the pleasure of the company of a very chilled turtle that cruised along with all of us and gave us that great feeling of joy that always comes when a turtle is spotted!
We moored up at Limanağzi for lunch on the gulet, soaking up the final rays of sunshine. But the day wasn’t over yet – our last swim took us out of the bay on a short, stunning stretch toward Pebble Beach. Along the way, we spotted carved tombs hidden in the rock face, a final reminder of how much history and beauty this coastline holds.
What struck me most throughout the week was the spirit of the trip. SwimTrek brought together a brilliant bunch of swimmers from all walks of life, each drawn here by a love of the water and the desire to explore somewhere new. There were big laughs, quiet moments of awe, and plenty of tea and baklava between swims.
As a founder of The Swim Set, I always look for places and experiences that reignite my own swim spark – and Turkiye did exactly that. It reminded me why we started all this in the first place: connection, adventure, and the sheer joy of swimming wild.
If you’re thinking about taking your swimming to new waters, add the Lycian Way's turquoise water to your list. Why walk it when you can swim it. You won’t regret it!
See you in the sea,
Cath x