Diving in Turkey

comes from https://www.bsac.com

THE DIVING
Aegean/Mediterranean
Turkey's main diving area is the west and south coast in the Mediterranean, particularly around the resorts of Bodrum, Fethiye, Marmaris and Kas. Diving can be undertaken from a range of dive operators offering either day or live - aboard options.

Diving conditions are generally excellent throughout the diving season from April to November with visibility up to 30 metres and water temperature well above 20° C. Underwater landscape is typically a varied selection of reefs, walls, drop - offs and caverns. Marine life is less abundant than in tropical seas but includes grouper, rays, moray eels, turtles and octopi. Observant divers may be able to catch a glimpse of seahorses in some areas and there is an abundance of nudibranch. Many sites also boast amphora and other pottery remains.

There are many wrecks around the Turkish coast, both ancient and modern. Many of these sites are protected by law but more and more are being opened up to sport divers and dive operators may be able to arrange clearance to dive some wreck sites.

The good visibility, warm water and landscape features make Turkey a good option for divers of all abilities.

DIVING LOCATIONS

FETHIYE AND OLUDENIZ: Fethiye is located on the south west coast of Turkey and is a place of outstanding natural beauty, where pine clad mountains plummet into the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. The Fethiye area is stunning and has four main holiday resorts offering holiday options as well as accommodation in the town of Fethiye itself. Oludeniz with its famous Blue Lagoon nestles between impressive mountains on the Mediterranean and with laid back waterfront cafes, bars and restaurants provides a relaxing holiday spot. The lively holiday resort of Hisaronu lies in the mountains between Fethiye and Oludeniz. Ovacik is the quieter neighbour of Hisaronu. Calis is the closest beach to Fethiye town, with its refreshing breeze and shallow calm sea. Calis is a popular holiday choice in the hot summer months. Fethiye offers a variety of Mediterranean dives ranging from shallow calm reefs to caverns, walls and dramatic drop offs, tunnels and swim-through arches coated in soft corals. Night dives offer the opportunity for spotting octopus, shrimps and lobsters. Normal fish life includes grouper, moray eels, jacks, barracuda and cuttlefish with the occasional visit from turtles, dolphins and rays. Scanning of patches of sea grass can reveal peacock flounder, gurnards and seahorses. 

MARMARIS: The Marmaris coastline is extraordinarily beautiful with hidden coves, sandy beaches and evergreen pine forests meeting the Aegean Sea. Marmaris and neighbouring Icmeler are among Turkeys most famous holiday resorts, surrounded by tree clad mountains, the coastline meanders along the shoreline of the Aegean Sea. Turunc is a quiet yet popular holiday resort further along the coast. Marmaris is a large bustling resort with a huge choice of bars and restaurants. As well as scuba diving, numerous other activities and sports are offered. 

ANTALYA: The Antalya area has three main holiday resort areas. Alanya is one of the most beautiful cities on the Mediterranean Riviera of Turkey, it was originally built on a big rock stretching into the sea. Alanya has a variety of hotels, many set on private sandy beaches and an array of top quality restaurants and bars. The cafes of the harbour area are very popular places and generate a lively and friendly atmosphere. Further along the coast is Antalya and Belek with their beach front club style hotels and lots of activities and watersports onsite. At the far side of Alanya is Side, one of the first resorts to become popular in Turkey. Dive sites range from shallow calm reefs to walls and dramatic drop offs. 

BODRUM: Bodrum is a fascinating port on the Aegean Coast of Turkey. The centre of thetown is around the harbour, where shops, bars and restaurants jostle together in the narrow streets under the shadow of St. Peters Castle. The main beach resort is located in the lively resort of Gumbet. Bitez is a popular holiday resort as is Turgutreis situated at the end of the Bodrum peninsula, it is a quiet resort with a sandy beach, a selection of bars and restaurants and the best diving in the area. Underwater there are a number of wreck dives with ancient amphora scattered on the seabed, reefs, tunnels and swim-throughs. The Aegean sealife in this area includes jack fish and barracuda. 

KAS: Kas is a small picturesque village nestled at the bottom of the Taurus Mountains on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. A quiet and laid back holiday resort, with a selection of small and individual hotels and good choice of restaurants and bars. Snorkellers can visit the sunken city at Kekova while paragliding and kayak rental and escorted trips are available locally. The neighbouring resorts of Kalkan and Patara enjoy one of the longest beaches in Turkey. Kas is one of the few areas of Turkey where wreck diving is possible and there are several wrecks off the coast, ranging from ancient trading ships from 100BC to the Iberian Coast which sank in 2003. The amphora which scatter the sea bed attract a variety of aquatic life and moray eels, barracuda and stingrays are common. Visibility is generally between 20 - 40 metres and dive sites for all abilities can be found. 

GALLIPOLI: The province of Canakkale lies on both sides of the Dardanelles which connects the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean Sea. Its shores touch both Europe (with the Gelibolu Peninsula) and Asia (with the Biga Peninsula) and there are regular ferries between the two sides. Canakkale has a nice archaeological museum. Many divers are attracted to this area for the wreck diving. The Gallipoli campaign commenced on 18 March 1915 when the British navy sought to attack Istanbul via the ǡnakkale Strait, or ancient Dardanelles. Over that period of nearly a year, several hundred ships and boats were sunk in the coastal waters between Anzac Cove and Suvla Bay on the western side of the peninsular. These included war ships, landing craft, and lighters carrying troops and provisions. Today the locations of 216 of these wrecks have been identified, the most important being the British warships Irresistible, Triumph, Ocean, Majestic and Goliath and the French Bouvet. Normally the boat ride takes just 20 minutes to an hour to reach the diving areas, so that two dives can be completed in a day. 

LIVEABOARD DIVING

Liveaboard diving in Turkey is frequently mounted from gulets, traditionally designed sailing and motor vessels typically accommodating 20 or so guests. Although gulets will normally provide en-suite equipped cabins, it is normal practice to sleep on the open decks during the summer months.