Fishing in Antalya

Thousands of tourists came to Antalya for the beaches, ancient ruins, and luxury resorts. But did you know it’s also one of Turkey’s most distinctive fishing destinations? Nestled at the heart of the Turkish Riviera, Antalya combines natural beauty, history, and rich marine biodiversity like no other region in the country. The Turkish Riviera, also known as the "Turquoise Coast," stretches along the southwestern corner of Turkey, covering much of the Mediterranean coast from Marmaris in the west to Alanya in the east. Antalya sits right at its center. With over 600 kilometers of coastline, sun-drenched weather nearly year-round, and countless bays, cliffs, and coves, it is arguably the most scenic and accessible part of Turkey's coast. Unlike the more temperate and wind-swept Aegean coast, Antalya's Mediterranean waters are warmer, calmer, and clearer, making them ideal for fishing, snorkeling, and boating. Fishing trips in Antalya are more affordable than in some neighboring Mediterranean hotspots, and fit beautifully into a vacation itinerary. Whether you're staying in Lara Beach, Belek, Kemer, or the historic Kaleiçi district, you’re never far from a boat that can take you out for an exciting few hours on the Mediterranean. It’s a perfect detour from the conventional vacation activities, especially for families or hobby anglers looking to connect with nature and local tradition.

Fishing in Antalya is predominantly saltwater-based, with options for offshore trolling, reef and bottom fishing, and light tackle inshore fishing. Many operators depart from Antalya Marina, Kemer, or Belek, offering boat trips that can last anywhere from two hours to a full day, making it easy to fit into a vacation schedule. The sea depths near the Antalya coast range from 20 to 200 meters within a few nautical miles, with steep drop-offs and underwater cliffs that create excellent structure for both reef fish and pelagics. Nearshore rocky drop-offs, small islands, and artificial reefs provide structure where predatory fish congregate. The sheltered bays and calm seas mean seasickness is rarely an issue — an added bonus for novice anglers or family outings.

While you may not pull in a 500-pound tuna, Antalya waters are home to a surprisingly wide variety of Mediterranean fish. Dentex, amberjack, grouper, and sea bream are commonly targeted on bottom and reef trips, while bonito, mackerel, and the occasional small tuna show up in trolling spreads, especially in late summer and autumn. Barracuda and bluefish can also be caught near rocky structures, and scorpionfish, moray eels, and octopus lurk in deeper reef zones. For shore anglers or light tackle enthusiasts, saddled bream, mullet, wrasse, and garfish are common and fun to catch, especially with local-style rigs and bait.

Most fishing charters in Antalya use bottom fishing techniques, dropping baited rigs over reefs and rocky seabeds to catch snapper, grouper, and bream. Natural baits like squid, sardines, or shrimp are common, and many captains combine this with jigging for active predators. For large groups, handline fishing is the default method, reducing the risk of a novice lodging a hook or two into an unsuspecting neighbour instead of a fish. Trolling is practiced further offshore with small lures or spoons for mackerel, bonito, and pelagics, especially from late August to October. Shore-based fishing near harbors and rocky beaches is also popular and easy to try on your own—just ask a local or tackle shop for some bait and the right gear. You’ll often see locals fishing off jetties in the evenings, particularly at the Old Marina (Kaleiçi) or around Konyaaltı Beach.