Turkey
TOP DIVE SITES – AEGEAN SEA
Aksona – attractions of this spot include some ancient artifacts such as amphorae and an old anchor. There is also plenty of marine life such as barracudas, octopi, groupers, eels and many other species. The maximum depth is 30 m.Location: Aksona Bay, Black IslandType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterAladin’s Cavern – there are two caverns in this area at depths of 12 and 30 m. The light that enters the cave through the ceiling creates amazing effects. The caverns give shelter to many marine speciesLocation: FethiyeType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterMexican Hat – the shape of this small cave resembles a sombrero, hence the name of this dive site. Residents of this area include shrimps, groupers, jackfish, eels and many other marine species. The maximum depth is 30 m. This is a nice spot for underwater photography thanks to beautiful rock formations such as archways and drop offs.Location: FethiyeType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterOctopus Point – this is a great dive site for underwater photography. The rock formations (walls, drop offs, etc.) and plenty of marine life create great opportunities for photographers. Rich marine life include octopi, lobsters, crabs and moray eels. The maximum depth is 50 m.Location: FethiyeType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterOrak Island – this is a fantastic dive site with a huge vertical wall which starts at a depth of 80 m. There are different marine species hiding in the reef and holes. These include eels and parrotfish.Location: Gokova Bay (halfway between Bodrum and Cokertme)Type of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterPaçoz Bay – this site can boast 3 wrecks. All of them are wrecks of fishing boats and they are located at a depth ranging from 16 to 24 m. There is also a cave at a depth of 30 m and a wall that starts at a depth of 24 m. The area is full of marine species such as lobsters, octopi, barracudas, eels.
Location: northwestern coast of the Black IslandType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterBSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterPinar1 – a wreck of the Turkish navy lies at a maximum depth of 33 m. The shipwreck can be penetrated. Residents of this site include eels, groupers, stonefish, octopi, barracudas, sea wrasses and many other marine species.Location: Black IslandType of dive: boat diveRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterPoyraz Bay – this beautiful reef gives shelter to many fish species such as sea breams, snappers, lizardfish, parrotfish, cuttlefish, eels, starfish and octopi, to mention just a few. The maximum depth is 20 m.Location: southern coast of the Black IslandType of dive: boat diveRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterReefs – a great dive site for all levels of divers. There are two beautiful reefs in this area. They host abundant marine life such as barracudas, damselfish, eels, jackfish, octopi, sea breams and many other species. The maximum depth is 30 m but there is also plenty to see at shallower depths. This is a nice spot for underwater photography.Location: halfway between the Black Island and BodrumType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterSG115 – the wreck of an attack boat lies at a depth of 18 to 30 m. The boat owned by the Turkish Coast Guard was deliberately sunk in 2007 in order to create an artificial reef. Many fish species reside in this area (stingrays, groupers, stonefish, barracudas).Location: Lava Bay, Black IslandType of dive: boat diveRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterSouth Point – this spot is characterised by beautiful rock formations and remains of ancient amphorae littering the sea bed. There are also many marine species such as large groupers, sponges, octopi, starfish, etc. The maximum depth is 20 m. There is also Sponge Reef nearby. However, the maximum depth there is 40 m and this dive site is only suitable for advanced divers.Location: southern coast of the Black IslandType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterWolfs Point – a good site for all levels of divers. This area is famous for beautiful rock formations and abundant marine life (eels, octopi, groupers, stonefish, starfish etc.). The maximum depth is 30 m.Location: BodrumType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water