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Diving Turkey
11 September 2024
From the dramatic underwater canyons of Kas to the colorful reefs teeming with fish near Kalkan and the Gallipoli wrecks, diving in Turkey has something for both experienced and new divers.
Most of the diving in Turkey is in the west and south of the country in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. It also borders Black Sea and the inland Sea of Marmara.
- Contents ▶
- When to dive Turkey •
- What sealife might you see? •
- Turkey diving regulations •
- Turkey or Türkiye •
- Best dive sites •
- Dive operators •
- Comments
When to dive Turkey?
The main diving season starts in May and continues until November, although you can dive year round. Water temperatures range from around 16 oC in February to 20 oC in May & November and 28 oC in August. Visibility can reach 30 m.
What sealife might you see?
Ten types of whale and dolphin visit Turkish waters, plus the rare Monk Seal. They are all protected by Turkish law. According to the Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles, Turkey hosts the largest nesting population of green turtles in the Med. There are also loggerhead turtle nesting sites in Fethiye and Dalyan.
You might also see sting rays, grouper, nudibranchs, moray eels, crabs and octopus. Sharks are uncommon but have been seen in Turkish waters. Sadly invasive species are also appearing such as lionfish and pufferfish.
Turkey diving regulations
The Turkish Underwater Sports Federation (TSSF) set regulations for diving. They specify that for diver training to CMAS 1 star or equivalent, participants must be over the age of 14. It's unclear whether this means turned 14 or 15 - different dive centres interpret the rules differently. Two star diver trainees must be over 15. Qualified adults may not dive over 30 m, unless on a training dive accompanied by an instructor or where they have a deep diving certificate from the Federation in which case the maximum depth is 40 m. If in doubt contact the dive centre you plan diving with or hiring tanks from.
Turkey or Türkiye
Türkiye has been the official name of the country since 1923, but in 2022 Turkish president requested that the United Nations change its spelling to Türkiye rather than the anglicised Turkey.
Best Dive Sites in Turkey
The main diving areas are Kas, Fethiye, Kalkan and Northern Cyprus. For wreck enthusiasts, Gallipoli has now been opened up to divers.
Fethiye • Kalkan • Kas • Gallipoli • Northern Cyprus
Fethiye
The Fethiye area has some attractive diving: caverns, amphora, rocky reefs. The sea is often quite choppy but the visibility is generally good (around 20 m).
Cratena peregrina nudibranch by Tim Nicholson
"This is mostly shore diving, also it is very nice place for snorkelling. There are 5 main spots mostly walls. There are not too many fish but water is so clear and visibility about 50 feet. I stayed at a camp site and I'd stay there again and again...Scuba cost 20 and 35 Euros (2004). accommodation is about 15 Euros included breakfast and dinner (mostly vegetarian). "
"Nice big cavern with corals and very good visibility.
"
Mike Morris
"Drop off to turquoise blue and lots of barracuda
"
Mike Morris
"Swim-throughs covered with soft corals
"
Mike Morris
Kalkan
This area comprises the wreckage of more than one wreck. It is called the Duchess of York after the ship's bell which was found. The main wreckage though is thought to be from the SS Sakarya.
"Wreck dive for all levels
"
Sandra Bedford
"Very good fish
"
Sandra Bedford
Kas
The Canyon runs between two steep walls. It features a tunnel with loads of invertebrate life. You might even see a Mediteranean Monk Seal. After travelling through the Canyon you will come across the Dimitri wreck at between 30 and 40 m. (Although most often referred to as "Dimitri", according to the wrecksite.eu the ship was actually called the SS Dimitrios M.) She was built in 1948 and ran aground in 1968 on route from Turkey to Greece with a cargo of cotton.
Grouper by Tim Nicholson
"Canyon entrance at 5 m dropping to 38 m. The wreck is split in two. Canyon wall has stunning flora recovering from wreck damage. Small chimney at 30 m climbing to 20 m. Deco at 5m wall brimming with life
"
Gareth Davies
"Starting from at depth of 2m you slowly descend into the narrow mouth of the canyon through several shades of blue until at a depth of about 25 m you encounter yellow, brown and orange soft coral. The final surprise, the wreck of a steel hulled cargo vessel at 35 m.
"
Johnny Hogue, Turkey
"Perfect place to make an very exciting dive in a deep blue next to sheer reef. Eagle ray, grouper, barracuda.
"
Angela, Italy
This wreck of an aircraft lies between 25 and 30 m. It is a Douglas C-47 Dakota "Skytrain" from the Turkish Air Force. When in use it tranported paratroopers. It was deliberately sunk in July 2008 by , originally used for transport of paratroops, intentionally sunken on 1st of July 2008 for scuba diving (some source 2007), by the Bodrum Underwater Association as part of their Bodrum Karaada Artificial Reefs Project. Originally sank in shallower waters, currents and storms have taken the wreck deeper and broken it apart.
"At this site is a sunken WWII C-47 Dakota aircraft. And, in season, jack-fish mackerel, barracuda and loggerhead sea turtles all along a small and quiet cove.
"
Johnny Hogue, Turkey
"American aeroplane sunk during the second world war. Suggestive place and full of big grouper.
"
Angela, Italy
"Another site best approached by experienced divers due to strong current. The feeling of being enveloped in a swirl of every variety of local fish makes this one of the more exhilarating dive sites around. Many large ancient amphora are seen here deep at 40 m.
"
Johnny Hogue, Turkey
"Sometimes strong currents make it a difficult side but then current bring lots of plankton from open sea which makes the dive side so lively. Lots of huge groupers, jackfish, barracudas are the ones to underline. Different coloured and shaped nudibranchs are also so common to sea together with 1000 s of small fish.
"
Emre, Bougainville Diving, Turkey
"Wall dive with large grouper at depth. The wall bottoms at 85 m. Stunning vis.
"
Gareth Davies
"5-40m dive with Moray eels, Amberjacks, Trigger fish and large grouper. Relaxing multilevel dive, Stunning.
"
Gareth Davies
"Shallow area close to the dive centre, placed on a nice reef where so many fish live. It is very usual dive with turtles, octopus, muren. Perfect place to take pictures specially in the night.
"
Angela, Italy
Kalkan
This area comprises the wreckage of more than one wreck. It is called the Duchess of York after the ship's bell which was found. The main wreckage though is thought to be from the SS Sakarya.
"Wreck dive for all levels
"
Sandra Bedford
Gallipoli
At the bottom of the Dardanelles Strait in Turkey lie the wrecks of the British and French ships sunk during the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915.
Until now the area has been largely closed to divers owing to unexploded mines and other ordnance. Now though you can dive the wrecks which are away from the dangerous artillery including those in the newly created Gallipoli Historical Underwater Park.
There are 14 ships in the area, including HMS Majestic, Lundy and HMS Triumph.
The Gallipoli campaign used mostly old warships, thought unfit to face the German fleet in open water and therefore expendable. As well as heavy losses among the ships, there were around 250000 casualties on both sides. A futile loss of life.
To dive the Gallipoli wrecks get in touch with a local dive operator.
The Majestic was a British war ship built in 1895. The ship was anchored at Cape Helles when she was torpedoed by the U-21 submarine. 44 Lives were lost The wreck lies at 29 m and reaches up to 18 m. You can't penetrate the interior. It is 119 m long.
In August 1915 Her Majesty's Troopship Lundy collided with the steamer Kalyan and sank in Suvla Bay. It lies between 20 and 30 m and is mostly intact. Look out for lobsters and large conger eels. 30 m long the wreck is covered in sponges and very colourful. It lies at 30 m.
Like the Majestic, HMS Triumph was torpedoed and sunk by the U-21 submarine, with the loss of 73 men. She was built in 1903 and is 146 m long. A deeper wreck, it lies between 56 and 72 m.
Built in 1898, the Irresistible was sunk by a mine in March 1915. 150 lives were lost. Located from 39 to 61 metres - scattered around the seafloor.
Hit a Turkish mine and sank with all thirty-one hands. Lies between 35 and 44 minutes.
Ran aground in Suvla Bay in October 2015
"Big groupers, steep walls and some caves. The water temperature never goes below 16 oC and is 21 oC in June. Cyprus is famous for groupers and turtles."
Marion
Diving Operators in Turkey
Altinkum • Fethiye • Kalkan • Kas • Gallipoli • Northern Cyprus
Parlementerler yolu
3 koy Didim
Aydin
Turkey
Tel: 0532 780 30 89
okenos@gmail.com
"Their staff all speak English and their dive sites are great. They also have ribs and a 17 metre steel dive boat.
"
Sean Walker
Efficient but tend to have a lot of people on their boats.
Cumhuriyet Mah
Dispanser Sokak No27
Demirci Is Hani 2 Kat No 26
Fethiye
Mugla
48300
Turkey
Tel: +90 252 6149771
Mobile: +90 533 6698043
info@europeandivingcentre.com
"I did my courses up to Padi rescue diver and my son did his instructor course with them. We also keep diving with them every year. Excellent service, safety and nice dives from EDC Fethiye, Thanks to these guys. Daily diving on hard boats. They help you to find nice accommodation. We and our friends will be going there again and again.
"
Mike Morris
Meliss Teknesi Ugur Mumcu Parki
Meydan Resaturant Onu
Fethiye
Mugla
Turkey
Tel: +90 533 550 05 91
info@elitedivingcentre.com
"We are going back next year, we enjoyed the adventure that much. Overall value for money is the best for the time they spend with you. New to diving, but I feel that the Personal touch is far greater than the other boats we saw around. My personal opinion of this dive centre is that they compromise on nothing, Safety and the personal touch. I cannot applaud them anymore, they are patient and understand people's fears and can to dispel them, the spend time with you if you are struggling but yet still support the people that have been diving for years.
"
Darren Harrison
Kidrak Mevkii
Liberty Hotel
Oludeniz
Fethiye
Mobile: +90 534 388 62 61
"I have just returned from diving in Oludeniz, Turkey and I must commend Lykiaworld diving centre. The staff were just brilliant. I have been fortunate enough to dive all over the world, but you seldom come across a centre whose staff ooze enthusiasm and passion for what they do and pass this on to their customers. The down side of diving in Turkey, but I think it's the Med all over, is the rarity of fish life.
"
Simon Chuckles
Ibrahim Serin Cad. No. 10,
Kas
Antalya 07580
Turkey
Tel: +905545001717
info@bougainville.com.tr
"I recommend Emre Cevikel and Fevzi Dikici the dive instructors and operators of Bougainville Diving without reservation. I was a frequent customer of Bougainville Diving before I retired because of the fantastic dive sites and Emre's emphasis on safety with fun. Bougainville Diving can arrange accommodation for both the budget minded as well as those with more luxurious tastes. The fully equipped boat will cater for 40 divers. I was a diver for several years in the Florida Keys. I liked visiting there and diving a lot. I now live near Kas which is located on the south coast of Turkey. It has the Best Scuba Diving in the Mediterranean.
"
Johnny Hogue
"Bougainville travel is a big tour operator and have two hotels, transfer and many different other activities. If you buy diving packages with transfer and accommodation you can have great deals.
"
Emre, Bougainville Diving, Turkey
Andifli Mahallesi
Hukumet Caddesi. No: 10/1
07581 Kas
Antalya
Turkey
Tel: +90 544 369 62 50 / +90 535 369 62 50
E-mail: info@kas-diving.com
Kas Yat Limani Subaqua dalis teknesi
Kas
Antalya
Turkey
Tel: +90 532 221 01 29
E-mail: info@subaquadive.com
Kas Limani
Deepist Dalis Merkezi - Deepist Kas Teknesi Antalya
Kas
Antalya
Turkey
Tel: +90 544 369 62 50 / +90 532 276 79 64
E-mail: info@deepistdiving.com
Kas Liman Apollo Dalis Merkezi - Dadga Teknesi
Kas
Antalya
Turkey
Tel: +90 536 541 30 84
E-mail: apollodivingcenter@gmail.com
Kas Port - Liman Cad No:50
Kas
Antalya
Turkey
Tel: +90 (533) 962 53 75
E-mail: info@nautilusdivingkas.com
Iskele Caddesi
Liman Sk
07580 Kas
Antalya
Turkey
Tel: +90 532 641 48 73
E-mail: info@barakuda-kas.com
Uzuncarsi Cad. No: 15
07580 Kas
Antalya
Turkey
Tel: +90242 836 3614
E-mail: info@dragoman-turkey.com
Calipso1 Teknesi
Kas Limani
Kas
Antalya
Turkey
Tel: +90(532) 456-5482
E-mail: kanyondiving@gmail.com
Andifli District Ozturk Street No: 17 / 1
Kas
Antalya
Turkey
Tel: 0535 434 57 80
Gelibolu
Canakkale
Turkey
TR-17000
Tel: +90 534 042 4560
E-mail: info@gallipoliwrecks.com
Liveaboard or hotel/dive shop diving.
Kervansary
Kyrenia
North Cyprus
Tel: 0090 524 851 49 24
E-mail: asimuygur@kktc.net
"Erkan and Azim and the rest of the staff are fabulous. Some good deep dives - thermoclines after 18 metres - big fish too - great dive centre - and will dive again there for sure
"
Alyson, Belgium
Mephisto Diving
Karpaz Gate Marina
Yeni Erenkoy
Karpaz
North Cyprus
Tel: 0090 533 867 37 74
E-mail: marion@mephisto-diving.com
Scuba Cyprus
Kazim Ozalp Sok. No 1a
Alsancak
Kyrenia
Northern Cyprus
Turkey
Tel: +90 (0) 533 865 23 17
E-mail: info@scubacyprus.com.
"I dived with Scuba Cyprus who are outside Kyrenia , great guys with some good reefs just 5 minute rib boat ride away with some big grouper and amberjacks about also the occasional turtle in the hotter months "
Mark Gale, 2016
Your Comments
Please send us your comments on Turkey. Do you want to recommend a diving centre or dive site? Let us know. If you own a dive centre get yourself added.
Hello, I'm confused what the current minimum age for diving is in Turkey. Different websites mention 10, 12, 13, 14… I understand this is changing again this summer… Thank you!
Hiro, 15 July 2022
The Turkish Underwater Sports Federation (TSSF) set regulations for diving. They specify that for diver training to CMAS 1 star or equivalent, participants must be over the age of 14. Some dive centres interpret this as having turned 14, others as being 15. It's probably best to contact the dive shop you are planning on diving with to check.
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