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Within the seas of Turkey,
divers can discover a fascinating submerged world,
from underwater caverns to sunken ships and even
the remains of ancient cities. The only areas prohibited
from diving are military zones, those conducting
scientific research and areas under protection.
REGIONS
ANTALYA & PROVINCE
Antalya
 This
world famous tourist region has the highest number
of diving schools in the country, containing many
contrasting dive sites. A French military transportation
ship at the entrance of Antalya harbour lies at
a depth of 20 - 32m. The islands in the open seas
around Tekirova has a wonderful array of sea life
including huge thornback rays, and is also a good
location for cavern diving. During August and September
there is a huge amount of tuna fish and seals, and
dolphins can be seen throughout the year. Lying
1km from the Antalya Yacht Harbour is the site of
a French battleship, San Didier, which sank during
the war in 1942. During excavations in 1946 and
1974, a major part of the ship’s cargo was discovered,
including ammunition and medical equipment. Although
there is little left in the submerged ship, it is
still attracting much interest from divers, and
permission is required from the Antalya Governemtn
and Marine Police Department. The area between the
beaches of Lara and Konyaalti, the two biggest in
Antalya, has attractive rock formations and sea
life between a depth of 14 – 25m. The small island
of Sican, a few kilometres from Antalya harbour,
is also a popular diving region. The coast on the
west side is relatively shallow and sandy (maximum
8m) but on the northeast side with rocky seabed
descends to 22m, which also has a small cavern.
Submerged 200m from the coast near Manavgat, east
of Antalya, is a B-24 American war plane named Hadley’s
Harem, which came down after leaving its base in
Cyprus after bombing over Romania in 1944. The cockpit
was removed during studies in 1995, and now lies
in a private museum in Istanbul. Diving to this
particular site requires special permission. In
Gelidonya, at the west of Antalya bay, there are
the submerged remains of a cargo ship which sank
after crashing on the rocks near to what is now
known as Taslik cape. During research performed
by divers in 1960 to a depth of 28m, the first completed
underwater excavation, it was determined that the
ship dates back to the 13th century BC. Research
in 1994 revealed its Middle Eastern origins, as
deduced from the anchor, and excavated items are
exhibited in Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum.
Suluin Cavern, in the region of Kirkgoz, used to
be a dry area, which is indicated by the stalactites
and stalagmites. This plateau around Antalya is
travertine, composed of limestone which has dissolved.
During research in 1995, the depth of the cavern
reaches 83m, with a huge entrance at 45m covered
with stalactites, travertine pools and other formations
and many water channels off the cave.
Kas
The seas around Kalkan are suited
to experienced divers, with species of sea life
including sharks, turtles, tuna and thornback rays.
Patara has coral and sea sponges, and the Fener
waters descend from 11 – 132m, with lively and colourful
sights. Oksuz Island is known for its lizard fish,
a member of the shark family. 60m off the east coat
of Uluburun and 9km southeast of Kas lie the ruins
of a cargo ship dating back to the 14th century
BC. As a result of dives in 1984 the ship’s cargo,
which had slipped to a depth of 61m, was removed
and some of it exhibited in the Bodrum Underwater
Archaeology Museum today. Near the Greek island
of Meis off the coast of Kas, there are the submerged
remains of an Italian plane from World War II. Its
first sighting is at a depth of 57m, its tail going
as far as 70m, and there is still ammunition within
the wreckage.
Finike
Gok Cavern near Finike, is one
of the deepest in Asia which is accessible to divers.
The cavern reaches the seabed and has a wide entrance,
and the presence of stalactites indicates that this
was once dry.
Kemer
One of the most popular diving
areas in the region is the Three Islands, off Tekirova,
which has many diver sites and greater depth than
Antalya. The wreckage of a submerged ship lying
2km from Kemer Yacht Harbour at a depth of 25m,
belongs to a French cargo ship which sank during
World War II. It is estimated to have been built
in 1896, and has three decks and two warehouses,
of which some is still covered in tiles.
BALIKESIR & PROVINCE
According to rumour, the area
around Ayvalik is the location of the lost city
of Atlantis – but what is known is the unique diving
options especially off Gunes Island, Yuvarlak Island
and Kerbela Rocks. The most popular area is the
waters off Kiz Island with fascinating underwater
fauna from a depth of 19m.
MUGLA & PROVINCE
Datca
The area around Datca has wonderful
diving opportunities with many sharks, dolphins
and Mediterranean seals at a depth of between 10-40m,
especially around the islands of Kara Incir. There
is a good dive point off Esen Island, which is connected
to Datca harbour.
Marmaris
There are 52 diving points and
a large selection of ancient underwater ruins around
the area of Marmaris, including off the coast of
Dis (33m), Rodos, Kutuk, Burnu, Cennet Island, Kadirga
Feneri and Kargi Island. The steep slope of the
seabed off Cennet Island contains especially beautiful
plant and animal life.
Bodrum
Bodrum is famous for one of the
greatest underwater museums in the world. But it
is also known for its great diving opportunities
with great depths, colourful sea sponges and caverns.
The east wall off Orak Island, exceeding 100m in
depth, is a diving haven with beautiful rock formations
in the shallow area, which can take easily take
a whole day to experience fully. The waters around
Kargi and Kocek islands, around 20-30m depth, contain
antique ruins, with sea creatures of all sizes and
good for macro photography. Catal Island and the
coast off Gemitasi are also good dive sites.
CANAKKALE & PROVINCE
Saros
Saros is a favourite spot for
divers due to its proximity to Istanbul, and is
full of submerged ruins like Captain Franco, which
lies at the entrance of Canakkale Strait in Saros
bay. Underwater fauna includes black fauna.
Gokceada and Bozcaada
Because there are no diving schools
in Gokceada, the surrounding towns must be used
instead. There are submerged ruins from World War
I in Kuzu Harbour, and many huge anchors and wrecks
of ships between the Mermer Lighthouse and the Anatolian
coast. Around these waters are the islands of Orfoz,
Karayer and Essek, which are home to a huge range
of sea creatures. Canak harbour, Bakla Tasi, Pinar
Dere Mermer Cape, and the south of Tuz cape are
good points for diving. There is a diving school
in Bozcaada, with good tourist facilities, and its
waters have interesting plant life and sea creatures.
MERSIN
The clear waters of Mersin have
many interesting dive sites including the sunken
cargo ship at the western cape of Dana island. There
is a submerged island northwest of Sancak bay, with
large ancient oil jars.
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