A map of the beaches in Heybeliada
How to go to Heybeliada beaches? Transportation and ferry lines
You can go to Heybeliada from different places in Istanbul using Şehir Hatları ferries, sea buses, and private passenger boats. It would be wise to check both the schedules and the routes of your transportation means as the travel duration may vary depending on departure points, service provider companies and stops.
For example, Şehir Hatları’s Kabataş-Adalar line stops by Kadıköy, Kınalıada, Burgazada, and Heybeliada. In some trips, ferries stop by Eminönü and Bostancı as well. And there’s a ring line called Bostancı-Adalar Ring Line which departs from Bostancı to go Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada, and Büyükada. Departure schedules may vary on weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
Once you arrive at the Heybeliada Pier, you can walk to nearby locations such as Değirmenburnu. But if you like to go to more distant beaches, you can use electric public transport vehicles or seasonal shuttle buses of the beach facilities. The dates and timetables of shuttle buses may be updated by the facility during the season.
Directions to Heybeliada beaches via Eminönü, Kadıköy, and Bostancı
From Eminönü to Heybeliada: Some of the Şehir Hatları’s ferry services to the Princes’ Islands stop by Eminönü. However, instead of going to the pier and waiting there, you should always check the up-to-date timetables beforehand because not every trip arrives at the Eminönü stop. Depending on the season, you might also have the option of taking a private boat departing from Eminönü and Karaköy.
From Kadıköy to Heybeliada: Kadıköy is one of the main stops on the Kabataş-Adalar route. The trips that start from Kadıköy usually stop by Kınalıada and Burgazada before arriving at Heybeliada. There are also some private passenger boats that depart from Kadıköy directly.
From Bostancı to Heybeliada: One of the most convenient options for those who want to leave from the Asian Side is the Bostancı-Princes’ Islands ring line. Depending on the direction, the ferry may stop by Heybeliada before or after Büyükada. You also have the option to use private passenger boats or beach facilities’ shuttle buses from Bostancı.
When you plan your return, it is important not to rely on the final ferry of the day but count on the time you need to take to reach the pier from the beach. Especially on summer weekends, you might see crowded scenes in shuttle boats, electric vehicles and pier entrances. If you don’t want to be dependent on ferry timetables, you may consider taking a water taxi. Launched by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) in 2021, this service is available 24/7. Having the capacity of 10 passengers apart from a managing captain and a sailor, these water taxis can be booked on IBB’s official mobile application. They leave from Bostancı, Maltepe, or Kartal piers to Heybeliada. It is more affordable when you are not the single passenger but with a crowded group—the best option when it’s late.
If you live in another city, grab your flight ticket to Istanbul and go to Bostancı from the airport to arrive at one of the islands on the same day. And the rest is to enjoy a fascinating weekend getaway in the Princes’ Islands!
Heybeliada public beaches and facilities
There isn’t one central beach like “Heybeliada public beach”. Officially allowed swimming areas are the shores of various businesses, clubs, and beach facilities. Therefore, an official swimming area doesn’t mean that all services offered there are free of charge.
Değirmenburnu Nature Park Beach’s shore, Heybeliada Water Sports Club’s shore, Ada Beach Club’s shore, and Asaf Beach’s shore are among the places that you can swim in. Değirmenburnu is a nature park and beach that welcomes day visitors while Heybeliada Water Sports Club is a sports club that offers services on the basis of membership or guest. And Ada Beach Club and Asaf Beach are among the private beach options.
Değirmenburnu Nature Park and picnic areas along the island’s coast
Standing out from its alternatives thanks to its closeness to the Heybeliada Pier, Değirmenburnu Nature Park is the best option to enjoy both sea and forest atmospheres. You can arrive there by walking about 15 minutes after you disembark at the pier and turn right. There are also electric vehicles that can take you to Değirmenburnu.
Apart from a sandy beach, this nature park has a restaurant, a cafe, a mini supermarket, a children’s playground, and gazebos. Entry to the restaurant and cafe areas is free while picnic areas and the beach access are charged separately.
The beach offers sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, and changing cabins. Prices may vary during the season, so check before you go.
What is the sea of Heybeliada like? Cleanliness, depth and swimming security
Heybeliada’s seawater varies from beach to beach and day to day. Surface water and visibility are affected by the direction of wind, rainfall, currents, sea traffic, and the location of the coast. That’s why we cannot simply describe the island’s seawater “always clean” or “shallow everywhere”.
Authorities monitor the water quality in the officially allowed swimming areas by regularly testing the samples. The Ministry of Health’s Swimming Water Monitoring System provides access to analysis results, current status, and any warnings for swimming areas. You can check the most recent analysis of the beach you choose before you go swimming there.
The depth of Heybeliada’s beaches is not the same everywhere. At sandy beaches, entry to the sea may be more gradual, while the water deepens more quickly in areas with platforms or rocky sections. Please avoid crossing the boundaries marked by buoys, getting close to boat routes, and always listen to the lifeguards’ warnings.
Heybeliada beach facilities
The prices of private beaches in Heybeliada vary depending on the services offered. Some entrance fees include sun loungers and umbrellas only, but some cover lockers, aqua park, transfer, or different activities. And some facilities may have different pricing for weekdays and weekends.
Ada Beach Club is one of the private facilities in the Pine Harbor Bay. On the facility’s official website, it is stated that they offer a restaurant, an activity area and a sports area in addition to the access to the beach. Make sure you check with the facility the most up-to-date price before you visit.
Cevahir Aqua Heybeliada is one of the options that combine a beach and an aqua park. The entrance fee includes sun loungers, umbrellas, lockers, and access to the aqua park. You are not allowed to bring in any food or beverages. They offer free sea transportation service from Bostancı and a shuttle bus from Heybeliada. Since the hours and capacity of transportation services may vary, it is better to check the timetable before you go to the facility.
Asaf Beach is one of the options with a private facility, and this beach is among the official swimming areas. As the daily entrance fee, shuttle bus hours and whether you can bring in food & beverages vary depending on the season, please follow the facility’s announcements to avoid inconveniences.
Heybeliada Su Sporları Kulübü‘s shore (Heybeliada Water Sports Club) is also one of the official swimming areas. However, unlike a regular public beach, this club operates on a membership and guest basis. In addition to resting areas by the sea, this club offers an Olympic-size swimming pool, a training pool, a children’s pool, and various sports facilities. Before you visit the club, you should learn the conditions regarding day use from the club itself.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get to Heybeliada’s most popular beaches?
You can get to Heybeliada by sea from Kabataş, Kadıköy, Bostancı, and Eminönü (in certain trips). Şehir Hatları’s Kabataş-Adalar and Bostancı-Adalar ring lines stop by Heybeliada. And there are private passenger boats whose departure points and hours vary depending on the season.
Once you get to the island, you can walk to Değirmenburnu. Alternatively, you can use electric vehicles or facility shuttle buses to go to the Pine Harbor Bay, Asaf Beach and more distant shores.
Is the entry to the Heybeliada public beach and Değirmenburnu Nature Park paid?
There is no central public beach in Heybeliada like “Heybeliada Public Beach”. However, you can enter the restaurant & cafe areas in Değirmenburnu Nature Park for free. And if you like, you can pay to use the picnic area and to access the beach.
Are there any free or affordable beaches in Heybeliada?
Some natural shores, except for privately owned areas, may not have a physical entrance gate or fixed fee. However, being free doesn’t mean it is an official swimming area. Aquarium Beach (Akvaryum Koyu) and German Cove (Alman Koyu), for example, are not among the official swimming areas for 2026. For security and water quality reasons, you should always swim in allowed areas only.
For a more affordable option, you can compare the prices of the beach clubs and those of Değirmenburnu picnic & beach services and find out the best match for you. Remember that access to the beach is charged separately from the picnic area.
Are there electric vehicles or shuttle boats on the island to go to the Heybeliada beaches?
Yes. You can go to some places like Değirmenburnu with electric vehicles. Some private facilities offer shuttle buses or boats from the Heybeliada Pier. Cevahir Aqua announced it would offer shuttle boats from Bostancı and shuttle buses in Heybeliada for the 2026 season. Since the shuttle hours change during the season, please always check beforehand.
Is the sea around Heybeliada clean, and which coves are shallow and safe for families with children?
Since the water quality is not always the same, you should check it from the Ministry of Health’s Swimming Water Monitoring System. Even in officially monitored areas, temporary warnings may be issued due to weather or sea conditions.
We cannot describe any Heybeliada beach as totally shallow or risk-free. Depth may change in different parts of the same shore. It is recommended that families with children go for the beaches with safeguards and clearly marked boundaries and that they never leave their children unattended.
Do Heybeliada beaches offer sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, and restaurants?
In places with privately owned facilities like Değirmenburnu, Ada Beach Club and Cevahir Aqua, you are offered the services of sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms and food & beverages. Cevahir Aqua includes lockers and the aqua park in the entrance fee as well. In Değirmenburnu, there are also picnic areas, a mini supermarket, a restaurant, a cafe, and a children’s playground.
What’s included in the entrance fee and what’s offered change from facility to facility, so you should check beforehand the conditions about booking, transfer, children discount and whether you can bring food & beverages in.
