Trip report noting the one-hour boat run to the dive point.
Boat-access island dive with abundant small marine life
Boat-access island dive with abundant small marine life
The site is run as a boat dive through a local operator rather than as a walk-in shore entry.
Burgazada Yelkenkaya is a boat-access island dive on the southern side of Burgaz Island in the Princes' Islands. It is commonly treated as an organized dive rather than a casual shore entry, and the appeal is the amount of small life packed into the area. Nudibranchs, wrasse, lobsters, and other reef creatures show up against a mixed seabed that feels more like a sheltered cove than an open-water wall.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Best Season
Year-round; calmer boat windows are the practical factor.
Typical Conditions
Cove-like island dive with beginner-friendly routes and a quieter feel on calm days.
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Safety Notes
Stay aware of boat traffic and keep the surface plan conservative around the island crossing.
Access Restrictions
Plan the dive with a boat operator; this is not a casual shore entry.
Legal Notes
Follow the operator's transit plan and local island-water rules.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Presented as suitable for both beginners and experienced divers.
Freediving
Breath-hold use is secondary here; this is primarily a scuba boat dive.
Snorkeling
The site is not primarily a snorkel target, but the shallow island-side water can be approachable on calm days.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Trip report noting the one-hour boat run to the dive point.
Local dive center lists Burgazada Yelkenkaya among the best diving spots in Istanbul and operates boat-based training.
Independent spot page describing the site as enjoyable for both beginners and experienced divers.
Official news coverage that names Burgazada Yelkenkaya among Istanbul dive spots.
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Istanbul island boat dive with reef, wall, and deep sections.

South-side hole dive with soft growth and calm-weather boat access.

At Mezarlığı is a steep Büyükada wall dive in the Princes’ Islands.