In brief: The planned Avşa Island–Marmara Island ferry service for Friday, July 31, 2026, has been canceled. According to the announcement shared on Avşa Island, the reason is adverse weather conditions; the 'journey into history' trip planned for Marmara Island on the same day has also been canceled for this reason. The General Directorate of Meteorology issued a strong wind and storm warning for the Marmara region, covering July 31, 00:00, to August 1, 21:00: northerly winds of 40-60 km/h are expected, with a northeasterly storm at sea of 6-8 Beaufort, 50-75 km/h. Given this forecast, there is also a high risk of cancellation for other services departing from Avşa Island and Marmara Island — call your operator before traveling.
Which Services Have Been Canceled?
The announcement details two separate cancellations:
- Avşa Island–Marmara Island ferry service (Friday, July 31): The service will not operate.
- Historical trip to Marmara Island: Canceled due to the same weather conditions. No new date was provided in the announcement.
The cancellation is based on the prediction that wave heights will exceed safe limits even on the short crossing between the two islands. As this part of the Sea of Marmara is open to the north, the northeasterly wind rapidly increases wave size in the corridor between Avşa Island and Marmara Island.
Reason for Cancellation: Northeasterly Storm in Marmara
The scope of the warning issued by the Istanbul Regional Forecast and Early Warning Center of the General Directorate of Meteorology is as follows:
| Warning Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Validity start | Friday, July 31, 2026, 00:00 |
| Validity end | Saturday, August 1, 2026, 21:00 |
| Wind on land | Strong, from northerly directions, 40-60 km/h |
| Northeasterly storm at sea | 6-8 Beaufort, 50-75 km/h |
| Affected regions | Thrace, Istanbul, Kocaeli, Yalova and surrounding areas, and the Sea of Marmara |
| Warned risks | Disruptions in sea and land transportation, flying roofs, falling trees and poles |
The warning extends over two days: the storm begins Friday morning and weakens Saturday afternoon. Therefore, passengers planning to return from the islands over the weekend need to confirm not only Friday's services but also Saturday's.
Which Services Were Planned for Avşa Island and Marmara Island on Friday, July 31?
The table below shows the services planned for Friday, according to our site's current schedule records. These are normal schedule times; as the storm warning is in effect, each of these services may be canceled or rescheduled. No "canceled" information has been separately announced by operators for any of the services in the table.
| Route | Operator | Planned Departures (Friday) |
|---|---|---|
| Erdek → Avşa Island | GESTAŞ | 11.00 · 19.30 |
| Avşa Island → Erdek | Marmara RoRo | 06.00 · 17.00 · 20.20 |
| Erdek → Marmara Island | Marmara RoRo | 11.00 · 17.00 · 19.30 |
| Marmara Island → Erdek | Marmara RoRo | 07.00 · 16.00 · 19.20 |
| Tekirdağ → Avşa Island | Marmara RoRo | 09.00 · 13.00 · 17.00 |
| Avşa Island → Tekirdağ | Marmara RoRo | 09.00 · 10.45 · 19.00 |
| Tekirdağ → Marmara Island | Marmara RoRo | 09.00 · 13.00 · 17.00 |
| Marmara Island → Tekirdağ | Marmara RoRo | 09.40 · 11.45 · 19.40 |
| Bostancı → Avşa Island | İDO | 09.00 |
| Avcılar → Avşa Island | İDO | 10.25 |
| Avşa Island → Bostancı | İDO | 15.00 |
| Avşa Island → Avcılar | İDO | 15.00 |
Two points are particularly critical: İDO's return service from Avşa Island is unique per day (15:00), and the fast ferry operating on this route is the most sensitive to storms. The 06:00 departure on the Avşa Island → Erdek route coincides with the first hours the warning is in effect.
Which Route is More Resilient to Storms?
Even on the same route, the type of vessel makes a difference:
- Fast ferries (İDO's Bostancı–Avşa Island and Avcılar–Avşa Island services) are the most sensitive to waves; they are usually the first to be canceled.
- Car ferries (Marmara RoRo's Tekirdağ and Erdek routes) are heavier and more stable, so they may continue to operate in the same winds.
- Short inter-island crossings offer no protection: the short distance does not reduce wave height, which is why longer routes might operate even if the Avşa Island–Marmara Island service is canceled.
Therefore, it would be incorrect to conclude that "all services to Avşa Island are canceled." The correct approach is to confirm your specific route individually.
What Should You Do If Your Service Is Canceled?
- Call the operator 2-3 hours before departure. Storm-related decisions are usually made at the last minute, based on the sea conditions of that day.
- Wait without canceling your ticket. For operator-initiated cancellations, ferry companies usually offer free date changes or full refunds; this right does not apply if the passenger cancels their own ticket.
- Identify an alternative route in advance. For returns from Avşa Island, the Tekirdağ and Erdek routes are backups for each other; if one is canceled, the other might still be operating.
- Be prepared for the possibility of staying an extra night on the island. Since Saturday services can also be affected by two-day warnings, it's useful to keep your accommodation flexible.
We have explained in detail the steps to follow for cancellations due to storms, fog, and high waves, ticket refund conditions, and under what circumstances services are halted in our adverse weather guide.
When Does the Storm End?
According to the meteorological forecast, the warning ends on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 21:00. Accordingly, the most realistic expectation for services to return to normal is Sunday, August 2. However, because residual waves can persist for several hours after the storm subsides, delays might be seen on the first services Sunday morning.
Definitive information is always available through the operator's own channels. For current announcements, you can follow our announcements page and the service page for the relevant route.
From Which Piers Are There Services to Avşa Island and Marmara Island?
Avşa Island Pier and Marmara Island Pier are served from three different coasts: from the Balıkesir side, Erdek; from the Thracian side, Tekirdağ Ceyport; and from the Istanbul side, Bostancı and Avcılar. Vehicle passage is only possible on the Erdek and Tekirdağ routes; İDO services departing from Istanbul carry passengers only.