The anchoring rules at Three Islands and Kekova have changed with a new Antalya Governorship circular setting out the operating rules for excursion boats. Circular No. 2026/10, dated 19 October 2026, replaces circular No. 2026/5 from June and took effect on the day it was published.
What Do the Anchoring Rules Cover?
Under the circular, day-trip and tour boats may no longer drop anchor on the seabed around the Three Islands (Üçadalar) off Kemer. Instead, they can tie up to the mooring buoys in place, known locally as tonoz. Virtual anchoring and dynamic positioning are allowed only where the relevant instructions permit them. According to local press reports, there are currently five or six buoys in the area, and more may be added.
In the sensitive coves of the Kekova Special Environmental Protection Area, boats are asked not to anchor except when unavoidable, and to use buoys or virtual anchoring where conditions allow. The aim is to protect the Mediterranean’s endemic seagrass, Posidonia oceanica, and other fragile marine habitats. These meadows grow very slowly, so a patch torn up by a single anchor can take many years to recover.
The circular also prohibits dumping waste into the sea, excessive noise and any activity that breaches fishing bans. Passenger capacity and safety equipment will be inspected. The Coast Guard and harbour masters will carry out inspections, coordinated by the district governorships. No new penalties have been introduced; violations will be dealt with under existing law.
Voice of Lycia Note
Seagrass meadows are at the heart of life along the Lycian coast: they shelter many fish species, keep the water clear and protect the shore from erosion. Kekova is also home to ancient settlements whose lower towns now lie underwater, such as Aperlai and Simena. The new anchoring rules therefore matter for both nature and the underwater cultural heritage. For the region’s marine life, see our Lycian Marine Life page; for its protected areas, see our Lycian Nature Conservation and National Parks Guide.
Sources
- Antalya Körfez – New decision for Üçadalar and Kekova (19.10.2026, in Turkish)
- Deniz Haber – New ban in Antalya (20.10.2026, in Turkish)
- Akdeniz Manşet – New rules for boat traffic (20.10.2026, in Turkish)
Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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