Turkey Holiday Diary 8 min read
Why Scuba Diving Turkey Should Be on Your Radar
Turkey might not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of world-class diving, but it should be. With over 8,000 km of coastline stretching across the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black seas, scuba diving Turkey offers everything from ancient shipwrecks and underwater canyons to colourful reef systems and sea caves. Visibility regularly exceeds 30 metres, the water is warm from May to November, and the dive sites are far less crowded than those in Egypt or Thailand.
Whether you are a certified diver looking for your next adventure or a complete beginner wanting to try scuba diving for the first time, Turkey has a dive site for you. The infrastructure is excellent — PADI and SSI certified dive centres operate in every major coastal town, equipment is well maintained, and prices are reasonable.
This guide covers the 10 best dive sites in Turkey, plus everything you need to know about prices, seasons, and getting started.
10 Best Scuba Diving Sites in Turkey
1. Kaş — The Canyon
Kaş is Turkey’s undisputed diving capital, and the Canyon is its crown jewel. This dramatic underwater gorge drops to over 80 metres, with vertical walls covered in colourful sponges and sea fans. Divers typically explore the upper sections between 18-40 metres, where moray eels, grouper, and barracuda are common.
What makes this site exceptional is the clarity — visibility here often reaches 35-40 metres. The sensation of hovering over the canyon edge with blue water falling away beneath you is thrilling. If you are visiting the area, our Fethiye travel guide covers the wider region beautifully.
2. Kaş — Uçanbalık Wreck
Also near Kaş, the Uçanbalık (Flying Fish) is a cargo plane deliberately sunk in 2006 to create an artificial reef. Sitting at 22 metres on a sandy bottom, it has been colonised by marine life and makes for spectacular photos. The cockpit and fuselage are fully intact, and you can swim through the cargo area. It is suitable for Open Water divers and above.
3. Fethiye — Afkule Wall
This dramatic wall dive near Fethiye drops from 5 metres to over 50 metres. The wall is covered in orange and yellow cup corals, and you will often spot octopus, nudibranchs, and Mediterranean parrotfish. The shallow top of the wall has excellent light, making it great for underwater photography. Morning dives here are particularly good when the sun angle illuminates the coral.
4. Fethiye — Samanlik Bay Reef
A gentle, colourful dive site perfect for beginners and photographers. The reef is home to scorpionfish, starfish, sea cucumbers, and schools of damselfish. Maximum depth is about 18 metres, with most of the interesting stuff at 8-15 metres. It is one of the best sites in Turkey for a first open-water dive.
5. Bodrum — Pınar 1 Wreck
The Pınar 1 is a 38-metre-long cargo ship that sank in 2003 near Bodrum. Sitting upright at 32 metres, it is heavily encrusted with marine life and home to large grouper, amberjack, and the occasional turtle. The wreck is intact enough to penetrate the bridge and engine room with proper training. It is the best wreck dive in the Bodrum area.
6. Bodrum — Bubble Cave
One of Turkey’s most unique dive sites. You swim into an underwater cave and surface inside a chamber where trapped air creates a pocket. You can actually remove your regulator and breathe (briefly) inside the cave. The entrance is at about 18 metres and the cave is well-lit from the opening. It is eerie, beautiful, and unlike anything else on this list.
7. Antalya — Suluada Island
Often called the “Turkish Maldives” for its impossibly blue water, Suluada is a small island off the Adrasan coast near Antalya. The diving here features walls, boulders, and swim-throughs with excellent visibility. Loggerhead sea turtles (caretta caretta) are regularly spotted. The island itself is also gorgeous above water — white pebble beaches surrounded by turquoise sea.
8. Antalya — Three Islands (Üç Adalar)
A cluster of three small islands near Tekirova, north of Antalya. The dive sites here offer a mix of walls, caves, and boulder fields. Marine life includes moray eels, barracuda, octopus, and seasonal visits from pelagic species. Depths range from 5-40 metres, making it suitable for all levels.
9. Çeşme — Donkey Island (Eşek Adası)
Off the Aegean resort town of Çeşme, Donkey Island has a spectacular underwater landscape of tunnels, caves, and overhangs. The Aegean water here is slightly cooler than the Mediterranean but incredibly clear. You will find colourful sponges, nudibranchs, and dense schools of bream. The island is only accessible by boat, adding to the sense of adventure.
10. Kaş — Aquarium Bay
Named for its impossibly clear water, Aquarium Bay is one of the easiest and most enjoyable dive sites in Turkey. Maximum depth is about 15 metres over a sandy bottom with scattered rock formations and posidonia seagrass beds. It is home to sea horses, cuttlefish, and countless small reef fish. Perfect for beginners, night dives, and underwater photography.
Scuba Diving Turkey: Prices and Packages
| Activity | Price Range (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Discover Scuba (intro dive) | €40 – €70 | No certification needed, 1 dive with instructor |
| Single fun dive (certified) | €30 – €50 | Includes tank, weights, boat |
| 2-dive package (certified) | €55 – €80 | Morning and afternoon dives |
| PADI Open Water course | €300 – €450 | 3-4 days, full certification |
| PADI Advanced Open Water | €250 – €350 | 2 days, 5 dives |
| Full equipment rental | €15 – €30 per dive | BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins |
Kaş is generally the most expensive area for diving in Turkey, but also the best quality. Fethiye and Bodrum offer slightly lower prices with excellent sites. Antalya is the most affordable.
Pro tip: If you plan to dive multiple days, ask about multi-dive packages. Most dive centres offer significant discounts for 5-dive or 10-dive packages. A 10-dive package in Kaş might cost €250-300 versus €400-500 for 10 individual dives.
Best Season for Scuba Diving in Turkey
| Month | Water Temp | Visibility | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 18-20°C | 20-25m | Good — season opening |
| June | 21-24°C | 25-35m | Excellent |
| July-August | 25-28°C | 30-40m | Peak — warm and clear |
| September | 24-27°C | 30-40m | Best overall month |
| October | 21-24°C | 25-35m | Great, fewer divers |
| November | 18-20°C | 20-30m | Season winding down |
September is the sweet spot — warm water, exceptional visibility, and the summer crowds have thinned out. July and August are excellent for water temperature but dive centres are busiest.
For a broader adventure on the Turkish coast, check out our Blue Cruise Turkey guide. Many gulet tours stop at dive-friendly locations, and some operators combine cruise and dive packages. Also see our guide to boat trips in Turkey for more coastal adventures.
Marine Life You Will See
The Mediterranean and Aegean waters around Turkey are home to a surprisingly diverse range of marine species.
- Loggerhead sea turtles (caretta caretta) — Especially near Antalya and Dalyan
- Moray eels — Common at all dive sites, often hiding in crevices
- Octopus — Incredibly intelligent and fun to watch
- Grouper — Large resident grouper at many reef and wreck sites
- Barracuda — Schools of barracuda are common at deeper sites
- Nudibranchs — Tiny, colourful sea slugs beloved by macro photographers
- Amberjack — Fast, powerful fish that patrol around wrecks
- Mediterranean monk seals — Extremely rare, but occasionally spotted near Kaş and Bodrum
Pro tip: Ask your dive centre about night dives. The marine life transforms after dark — octopus come out to hunt, cuttlefish change colours, and shrimp eyes glow red in your torch beam. Night diving at Aquarium Bay in Kaş is particularly magical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I try scuba diving Turkey if I have no experience?
Absolutely. Every dive centre in Turkey offers Discover Scuba Diving experiences (also called intro dives or try dives). You get a safety briefing, basic skills training in shallow water, and then do a guided dive to about 8-12 metres with an instructor right beside you. No certification is needed — just basic swimming ability and a sense of adventure. Minimum age is usually 10-12 years.
Which is the best dive destination in Turkey for beginners?
Fethiye is the best all-round choice for beginners. The dive sites like Samanlik Bay are calm, shallow, and full of life. The dive centres are professional and patient with new divers. Kaş has more spectacular sites but many of the best ones require Advanced Open Water certification due to depth. Bodrum and Antalya are also excellent for beginners.
Do I need my own dive equipment for scuba diving in Turkey?
No. All dive centres provide full equipment rental — BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, and fins. The equipment is generally well-maintained and modern. If you have your own mask and computer, bring them for comfort and familiarity. Bringing a full set of equipment is only worthwhile if you plan to dive extensively (10+ dives).
Is scuba diving Turkey safe?
Yes, scuba diving in Turkey has an excellent safety record. Dive centres are regulated, equipment is inspected, and instructors hold internationally recognised certifications (PADI, SSI, CMAS). Always dive with a reputable centre — check online reviews and make sure they are affiliated with a recognised training agency. Follow your dive plan, respect depth limits, and never dive alone.
Our previous article Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Best Options & Booking Tips in our article titled Istanbul ve Things to Do provides information about.