Antalya 18-19-20 Eylül 2026

In 1921, the Italian fleet departed from the shores of Kemer, marking the end of a brief but turbulent occupation that reshaped the destiny of this coastal region. Where warships once anchored to project power across the Mediterranean, the modern swimmer now enters the water, following a course that parallels the rugged outlines of the Lycian Way. The transition from the geopolitical maneuvers of the early 20th century to the quiet focus of a long-distance swim highlights the changing nature of the Antalya coastline, where the stillness of the deep sea has replaced the noise of naval history.

The conditions of the Mediterranean

Swimming in Kemer during the mid-September window means navigating the typical sea conditions of the Turkish Riviera at the tail end of summer. While the surface remains generally manageable, swimmers often encounter subtle thermoclines as they move further from the beach, reflecting the depth profiles of a coast that drops rapidly toward the seabed. The AquaRally event, scheduled for September 18-20, 2026, requires an awareness of these temperature shifts, as the water begins to lose the peak heat of August while remaining well within the range for standard open-water competition. Unlike the more enclosed bays nearby, the Kemer venue is exposed to the open horizon, meaning the drift is dictated by the prevailing offshore winds that typically pick up in the early afternoon. Participants should monitor their sighting carefully as these light swells can obscure the markers against the bright reflection of the morning sun.