In this post, we will talk about Scuba Diving in Bodrum. It is one of the best resorts in Turkey. Bodrum is truly the pearl of Turkey. Because of its beauty and richness of the underwater world, Bodrum is considered to be the best travel destination for scuba diving in the country. In Bodrum, there are about 15 officially opened dive sites with excellent visibility up to 20 -30 m depth. The water temperature is 23 – 25 °C (74 – 77 °F)– perfect both for advanced and novice divers in summer.
Scuba Diving in Bodrum, Turkey: General Conditions
Scuba Diving in Bodrum, Turkey General Conditions
- Water temperature: 18°C (65°F) in May to 30°C (86°F) in August
- Suit: 7mm semi-dry suits recommended cool months, 3mm-5mm wetsuit during hot months
- Visibility: 20 to 40 meters (70 to 129 feet)
- Diving types: Wrecks, reefs, walls, drop-offs, caverns, and tunnels
- Flora and Fauna: Octopus, stingrays, groupers, barracuda, morays, sea bream, nudibranchs, seahorses, and sponges. There is a chance to see dolphins and turtles, but it’s not common.
- Best time to visit: The diving season runs from April to November at most centers
Famous Scuba Diving Sites in Bodrum
All leading dive sites are located near Kara Ada ( Black Island )
#1 Kurt Burun (KÜRTLER BURUN)
“Kurt Burunu” is an ideal place for diving, both for experienced and novice divers. Rock formation begins at three meters and reaches up to 30 m. Almost every time you dive, you can see morays, octopuses, and many other inhabitants of the underwater world of Aegean.
#2 Buyuk Reef – Büyük Rif – Big reef
It will take only 20 minutes to reach here from Bodrum. Octopuses, eels (Moray eels), small fish, giant groupers, barracudas, and many other varieties of marine life expected to be seen in Buyuk reef (Büyük Rif ). This dive site is suitable for experienced divers as often there are currents. The drop-off descends up to 50 meters.
#3 Kucuk Rif – Küçük Rif – Small reef
Kucuk rif – Small Reef – practically does not differ from the Big Reef. Only dimensions are distinguished. Under favorable weather conditions and with particular desire, divers can dive in both reefs during one day. Large and small reefs are the most vivid and colorful dive sites of Bodrum.
#4 Fener
Just around the corner of Kára ( “Kara ada” or Black island ) is located a dive site which is called “Fener” (Lighthouse). Rock formations begin at 5m depth and descend to 20 meters. Here you can find morays, octopus, dragon-fish, and other inhabitants of marine life.
#5 Pacoz Koyu – paçoz koyu
Pacoz Koyu is located between Fener and Kacakci. Approximately 8m wall falls up to 24 meters. If you’re lucky – you can see octopus and barracuda. You’ll see a wall covered by different vegetation at a depth of about 6-7 meters deep. At a depth of 14 m, there is a sunken yacht. So this dive site is also suitable for wreck diving.
#6 Kacakci Koyu – Kaçakçı koyu
Located at a distance of 30 minutes from Bodrum, Kacakci Koyu is an ideal place for diving both for professionals and beginners. There are two places in this dive site for diving: the left and right parts of the bay. Slowly until the depth of 26 m fall breed education. In rocky cracks, moray eels are hiding. Also, many orfozes and colorful sponges can be seen.
#7 Delikli Magara – DELİKLİ MAĞARA
At a distance of 40 minutes from Bodrum is located a Cave with approximately 14m depth. The entrance to it is out of the Black Island (Kara ada). This place is convenient for diving both for experienced divers and novice divers. Purple and yellow minerals within the cave surely worth your attention. You may meet orfoz, morays, Lagos, octopus, and other small colorful fish during immersion. The entrance to the cave is very wide.
Experienced divers can swim inside the cave and swim through the hole-pipe in its ceiling. In the cave, there are a large number of rockfish. You will find a hole with a diameter of 1 m and a height of 6m from where you can emerge to the surface of the cave ceiling. The most exciting thing is that air bubbles that are going up out of the regulator gather together on the top of the cave. Having a camera with you should not miss the chance to capture it.
#8 Poyraz Koyu – Poyraz Köyü
It is located behind the Black Island (Kara Ada), about 45 minutes from Bodrum. Considering the fact that in Gulf always persists blowing wind, this place has a cool freshening effect in the hot summer. Poyraz Koyu is an ideal place for diving, both for experienced and novice divers. This place is suitable even for divers who are going to dive the first time. Rock formations begin at a depth of 5m and descend up to 20 meters. Orfoz, moray eels, starfish, octopus, and various other small fishes met on your journey. Fragments of ancient amphorae can be found in this dive site.
#9 Yassi Ada
Yassi ada – is an island formed from volcanic lava. This diving site is suitable for immersion only for experienced divers and professionals, as there are strong currents. This place is famous because sometimes you can see Rays up to 3 meters in length.
#10 Aksona Ucu
Far from Bodrum beyond the Black Island, there is a small island called “Aksona ucu”. Wrecks of Ottoman ship which sunken in ancient times awaiting their visitors. Fishermen of sponges Mehmet axons explored the area. Great variety of small fish, octopus, several species of sea stars, colorful sponges, etc.
#11 Orak Adasi – Orak island
Orak Island in the east of Bodrum is a true paradise for divers with its’ unusual caves, colorful sponges, and 100m natural wall. Stone formation in shallow water gives Orak island special beauty. Perfect place to dive both for novice and experienced divers; natural wall starts from 6m and descends up to 90 m. We encourage all divers to see this wall. This place is located a bit far from Bodrum, 1.5hours to reach.
#12 Tilki Burnu
It is located to the south of Black Island. Distance: 50 minutes from Bodrum. Suitable only for experienced divers. Immersion occurs among the rocky ledges, ups and down the slopes of rocky formations, large quantities of algae, and seaweed giant shells. In this area, many small caves, and on a depth of 26m, there is a semi-cave.
Conclusion
Bodrum in Turkey is a “must visit” location offering a variety of marine life creatures, caves or caverns. Now that you know the most famous diving sites in Bodrum don’t hesitate to visit it.