Three rocky islets rise from the Mediterranean just off Kemer, and beneath them lies the finest reef complex on this stretch of the Turkish coast. Locals call the site Üç Adalar — literally “Three Islands” — and for divers it packs everything into one spot: reef walls, boulder gardens, caves and swim-throughs, all in the water Kemer is famous for, the clearest on the coast.
The terrain works for almost everyone. First-time divers explore the sheltered shallow reef on a guided discovery dive down to about 13 metres, while certified divers on the same boat follow the deeper lines along the walls — roughly 30 metres on standard certified dives. And because the islets sit in open water, dolphins occasionally pass through — a lucky bonus some groups get, though no sighting is ever guaranteed.
Side Diving visits Three Islands on its full-day Kemer scuba diving trip: two guided dives, all equipment, lunch on board and free hotel transfer for €43.
Why Three Islands is Kemer's signature dive site
Most dive sites give you one kind of underwater landscape. Three Islands gives you several within a few hundred metres. The three islets continue underwater as reef walls and stacked boulder slopes; between them run channels and shaded overhangs, and the rock is cut with small caves where the light falls in blue shafts. It is the kind of terrain instructors love, because every dive can follow a different line and no two circuits of the islets feel the same.
The second ingredient is the water itself. Kemer is known for the clearest water on this coast — on a calm day the reef tops are visible from the boat before you even put a mask on. That visibility is what makes the site so rewarding for beginners: even at five metres you can take in the full sweep of the walls below you, and photos come out bright without any special equipment.
Marine life follows the rock. Shoals of reef fish hang over the formations, and octopus tucked into the crevices are a favourite find for sharp-eyed divers. The open water around the islets also sees the occasional dolphin pod passing through; boat crews sometimes spot them on the crossing before the first dive has even started. Treat that as a privilege of luck rather than a scheduled attraction — we never promise sightings, here or anywhere else.
Depths and levels: from first bubbles to certified walls
For beginners, the Kemer day is built as a guided discovery experience, so the profile is deliberately gentle. The morning dive stays at 5–8 metres for 15–25 minutes — enough to settle your breathing, get comfortable with the equipment and enjoy the reef without any pressure. After lunch, the second dive goes to about 13 metres — the ceiling for beginners — where the walls become steeper and the light turns a deeper blue. Every dive is led by PADI-certified instructors, with a full safety briefing before you enter the water.
No licence is needed for this format, and complete beginners are welcome from roughly age 10 upwards (ask us about options for younger children). If you already hold a certification, the same reef offers more: certified divers dive the deeper lines along the walls and the cave features from the same boats — roughly 30 metres on standard certified dives, and down to 60 metres on the deep sites for suitably qualified divers. Tell us your level and we will plan the day around it.
A few health rules apply to everyone:
- No diving while pregnant, or with severe asthma, heart or respiratory conditions.
- No flying within 24 hours after your last dive.
- Non-diving companions can join the boat for the day at a reduced rate.
How the full-day boat trip works
Three Islands is dived from our Kemer boat on a full-day programme of about eight hours. The day starts with a free two-way hotel transfer — pickup is in the morning, and the exact time is confirmed the evening before. The free transfer covers hotels in and around Kemer and along the coast; just tell us where you stay when booking. On board you get a thorough safety and skills briefing while the boat heads out to the islets.
The €43 price covers the whole day:
- Two guided dives with PADI-certified instructors (beginners: morning 5–8 m, afternoon to about 13 m; certified divers dive their own deeper profiles)
- All diving equipment
- Freshly cooked lunch on board
- Passenger and diving insurance
- Free hotel pickup and drop-off
After the second dive your instructor signs your logbook — a nice keepsake for first-timers and a proper entry for certified divers. Booking is simple and risk-free: reserve your seat free online, pay on the day of the trip, and cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before departure. You can compare all our trips on the price list or book the Kemer day directly from the tours page.
Beyond the islets: wrecks and caves for certified divers
Three Islands is the highlight of our standard Kemer day, but the Kemer coast hides more for divers with certification cards. The Lighthouse reef runs from 3 to 18 metres and features a 9-metre tunnel with rich cave life. Deeper lie two of Turkey's best-known wrecks: the MS Paris II, a WW1-era French freighter around 70 metres long resting at 21–31 metres, and the DO-28, a Dornier aircraft sunk in 1967, sitting at 19.5–23.3 metres.
To be clear about who dives what: beginners stay inside the 13-metre ceiling with an instructor beside them, while certified divers dive the real profiles from the same boats — roughly 30 metres on standard certified dives, and down to 60 metres on the deep sites for suitably qualified divers. That puts the wrecks and the cave features squarely within reach. They remain certified-diver territory only — never for discovery divers — and the exact site always depends on your certification level, the conditions and the day's plan, so send us an enquiry or message us on WhatsApp and we will build the day around it.
Our other extras work the same way — CMAS courses, night diving and snorkelling-only seats are all real services of the dive house, arranged individually with prices on request. For most guests, though, the answer is simpler: one full day at Three Islands, two easy guided dives, and the clearest water in the region.
