Diving in Turkey

The scoop on scuba

Scuba diving is relatively new to Turkey , but it is rapidly gaining in popularity with clubs establishing themselves all over the country. Most diving centers are on the Aegean and Turquoise coasts, but even landlocked Ankara boasts a couple.

Dive Turkey takes a colourful look a life below the waterline of Turkey 's impressive 8,333 km coastline. While the site's focus is on underwater archaeology (providing a welcome break from the hard-sell that pervades other diving 'resources') it's also a treasure trove of useful information covering everything from latest news and finds to tips on underwater photography.

One of the main draws for divers is the myriad wrecked ships, lying just off the coast. For a record breaking wreck dive, head for Uluburun (near the town of Kas ), which boasts the world's oldest recorded shipwreck dating back to the 14th century BC. During the First World War Turkish guns on the Gallipoli peninsula sent fleet-loads of allied destroyers and cruisers to the seabed, which were soon joined by a host of fighter planes shot-down in the Second World War (the best known being an Italian fighter shot down outside Kas).

Incidentally, Turkey made significant waves in the world of cave diving with the discovery in 1995 of Asia's largest cave at Kirkgöz-Suluin, at the base of the Taurus Mountains near Antalya .

www.diveturkey.com

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