Diving in Turkey
Diving in Turkey — diving centers, country, description and general recommendations for tourists
General information about the country
Turkey is a very popular destination for scuba diving. And this should be no surprise… The coasts of Turkey have great access to many shipwrecks, colorful reefs, a thriving sea life, and many areas have outstanding visibilities. These and many other factors make Turkey a great place to visit for not one, but many unforgettable diving experiences.
Diving centers in Turkey
Where there are lots of gorgeous diving sites, there are lots of diving centers that service those sites. There are over 60 diving centers scattered throughout Turkey's Mediterranean coast alone.
The largest concentration of sites and centers is on the south-west side of the country, south of the large town of Antalya. There you will find some of the best diving in Turkey.
Geography
Turkey is located right between eastern Europe and western Asia. Essentially, the entire north side of the country is bordered by the Black Sea, and a large portion of the west and south sides are bordered by the Mediterranean Sea.
Languages
Turkish is the only official language of Turkey, and is spoken by approximately 90% of its citizens (bbc.co.uk, 2014). A lot of cities in Turkey are large hubs for tourism, and in those cities you should have no problem communicating in English, as most people will speak English with varying levels of fluency. Outside of the resort and touristic towns, however, very little English is spoken (matadornetwork.com, 2016).
Climate
Generally speaking, Turkey is a very warm and sunny country. Winters are cool, but temperatures rarely drop below freezing (even during nights in the middle of winter). In Turkey's southern regions, daytime highs average no less than 15°C in the winter, and often exceed 30°C in the summer (holiday-weather.com, 2018).
Diving sites in Turkey
Water conditions around Turkey are ideal for many species of Corals, and thanks to this, many very pretty reefs are found in its waters.
The complex geology of Turkey has also produced many unique and interesting rock formations that are very fun to explore.
And to top it all off, the waters around some of Turkey's best diving sites boast visibilities as high as 30 meters!
Must-see diving sites in Turkey
- Kargi Island - The mesmerizing, colorful reefs of Kargi Island are not ones you would soon forget. In this area, you may also find ancient relics, like amphorae.
- DC3 Airplane Wreck - A passenger airplane that was purposely sunk in 2009 to create an artificial reef. The plane is still in great shape and the site is accessible even for novice divers.
- Kaş - This area of Turkey is a diving gem. Many locals say that some of the best diving in the country happens in Kaş. With crystal clear waters, diverse flora and fauna, and impressive rock formations, it's not hard to see why.
Other things to see and do in Turkey
Sightseeing
Turkey has a rich and ancient culture. Around cities like Istanbul, you will find many mosques, like at the popular Hagia Sophia Museum. These 1000+ year-old structures are revered as "marvels of architecture", as the engineering that went into their creation is very impressive considering the technology present in those ages.
Relax
In cities like Antalya, you will find some of the most luxurious resorts and most pristine, cleanest beaches in all of Europe. Turkey is the perfect getaway for anybody in need of a break and change of scenery.Should you go diving in Turkey
Turkey is loved by so many divers for a reason. The awesome shipwrecks, clean waters, warm weather, tourist-oriented culture, colorful reefs, and vast rock formations make it a diving paradise. To say that Turkey is a great place to dive, would be to make a big understatement.
