1.5 km Route — Three Segment Flow
Per MGM Fethiye data, afternoon wind reaches the 12–15 knot band. First 300 metres run north-west parallel to shore. Heading 295°, depth 1.5–2.5 m, no current.
After 300 m turn 90° east and paddle 800 metres. Depth in this segment is 4–8 m, visibility 8–10 m.
Last 400 metres approach the island's north shore. Shallow rocks begin; keep the paddle vertical and stay surface to avoid drag.
Beach delivery flow: Fethiye SUP Rental.
4 Stop Points — Coordinate and Time
Given the Çalış–Şövalye topography, current runs north–south. Stop 1 (250 m, 8 min): underwater rock, depth 2 m, ideal for rest. Stop 2 (600 m, 18 min): coral cluster, best for photos.
Stop 3 (1100 m, 32 min): deep-blue window, fish-spotting. Stop 4 (1450 m, 42 min): island approach, last stop.
Total run with stops averages 75 minutes. Beginners should target 90 minutes; advanced paddlers finish in 55.
Route Segment Data Table
In our view, planning the 1.5 km route at 45 minutes is realistic. The table below lists distance, depth band, current direction, visibility and recommended paddle speed for each segment. Eight-season average.
| Segment | Distance | Depth | Current | Visibility | Recommended Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–300 m (shore parallel) | 300 m | 1.5–2.5 m | none | 8–10 m | 4 km/h |
| 300–1100 m (island axis) | 800 m | 4–8 m | light west | 8–10 m | 5 km/h |
| 1100–1500 m (approach) | 400 m | 2–4 m | none | 6–8 m | 3 km/h |
Numbers are averages; above Beaufort 3 the middle segment slows by 30 percent.
Water Depth and Visibility
0–300 m: depth 1.5–2.5 m, sandy bottom. Visibility 8–10 m; the bottom reads clear.
300–1100 m: depth 4–8 m, rocky bottom. Thermocline is weak in summer; the water sits as a single layer.
1100–1500 m: water shallows near the island, 2–4 m. Coral begins; do not strike with the paddle.
Marine Life You Will See
A bream school is commonly observed around the 600 m mark. The coral zone holds red algae and colourful reefs.
Loggerhead turtles surface around the island from late May to September. Touching is forbidden during nesting; do not approach within 3 metres.
At season start (May–June) jellyfish presence runs at 15 percent. If you meet one, lift the paddle and stay still on the board.
Wind and current rules: Fethiye SUP Safety Guide.
Return Time Window
Spend at most 30 minutes at the island. Keep total run under 1.5 hours; otherwise meltemi makes the return harder.
After 13:00 wind blows from the west, which pushes the return. Above Beaufort 4 wave height reaches 25 cm.
Return time averages 20 percent shorter than the outbound. Return time depends on wind direction and tide.
Photo and Video Spots
Stop 2 coral ledge is the best surface-photo point. Hold the phone horizontally; light is soft before 09:00.
On the last 100 m to the island, turn back and shoot Çalış. Wide angle; horizon on the lower third, island silhouette on the left third gives the most balanced composition.
Stop 3's blue window is the most photographed spot on this route.
Practical Notes On The Route
Typical completion time on this route is 70–90 minutes. A fast paddler can do it in 45 minutes; a slow tempo takes 2 hours.
Fall risk runs higher in the middle 600–1100 m segment. The main cause is afternoon meltemi.
Loggerhead encounters are more frequent during the peak season months; June–August are the most common window. Sustainable observation distance is 3 metres.
Monthly conditions: Fethiye SUP Season; route pricing: Fethiye SUP Pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is landing on Şövalye Island forbidden?
The island is private property; landing without permission is forbidden. Paddling around the island on the board is allowed.
Does mobile signal cover the route?
4G covers the entire route. Signal drops at the 1100 m mark; 158 emergency call connects from every point.
Can I run this route solo?
You can go solo but make sure someone on shore knows. Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch and avoid the midday meltemi window (13:00–17:00).
What is the average time for 1.5 km?
75 minutes with stops, 45 minutes without. Beginners should target 90 minutes.