If You Like Diving

If You Like Diving

Scuba diving is good along most of Turkey's southwestern coastline, thanks to crystal-clear waters, a large number of islands, and steeply rocky coastlines plunging deep into the sea. The warm, placid bays along the coast are ideal, and many big beach resorts have snorkeling and diving gear. There is no blaze of colorful tropical reef life, but there are many sunken archaeological sites, where the ocean floor is littered with ancient columns and bits of stairways and tombs (but note that it is prohibited to go diving around certain sites). You can spend a peaceful day out with plenty of Mediterranean fish and underwater flora, exploring sunken wrecks and broken amphorae.

You can usually arrange a day's diving by wandering along the harborfront of any of the main towns, especially in Antalya, Kas, Fethiye, Marmaris, and Bodrum. Dive operators and their contact information tend to change annually so, again, your best bet is simply to go down to the harbor and see what looks good. Diveboat operators like to tie up alongside each other so you can quickly work out who'll suit you.

A word of warning: there are many amateurish dive operators in Turkey and the industry is very lightly regulated, so check qualifying documents and pay close attention to the state of the equipment, especially if you're joining a very touristy, crowded boat.

The governmental Turkish Diving Federation (Ulus Ishane, A. Blok. 303-304, Ulus, Ankara. 312/310-4136 or 312/309-5076) can provide information on the permits you need for diving independently. If you are going to take a diving course, make sure the school is recognized by one or both international diving organizations, CMAS and PADI, and has instructors who speak English.