Kas Diving Sites
Located three hours’ drive west of Antalya on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, Kaş is a popular tourist town. Surrounded by soaring mountains and bordered by the sparkling blue Mediterranean, it offers more than 20 fantastic dive sites.
With a large variety of dives, from shipwrecks to caves, and reefs scattered with ancient pottery, Kaş has something to offer for every diver.
Here are six of Kas’s most famous dives.
Assi Island
Twenty-five minutes by boat from Kaş, you can experience the reef extending along the north side of Assi island. Here you’ll find octopus, barracudas, rare nudibranchs, grouper, and the occasional sea turtle. Assi Island is so small; you can swim around it during your dive. From depths between eight and forty meters, this site appeals to underwater photographers looking for beautiful soft corals, anemones, and sponges, create a fantastic backdrop for the other marine life.
Canyon & Cotton Wreck
The Canyon dive—a trench in the rocks—starts 4 meters down, and descends to 20m. Brightly colored coral and sponges cover the canyon walls. Further south, experienced divers can reach the 50-year-old wreck of a cotton freighter about 30 to 40 meters below the surface. Swarms of small fish make the wreck seem full of life.
Flying Fish Reef & Airplane Wreck
'Flying Fish' claims the number one dive spot in Turkey! What makes this site so impressive? The airplane wreck from World War II has become home to an abundance of marine life. Barracuda, stingrays, octopus, Moray eels, and massive groupers glide among the reefs but watch out for the jackfishes and triggerfishes because they bite. If you’re lucky, rare snails may make an appearance out of their homes among the reef. This dive is suitable for experienced divers. To visit the airplane wreck, at a depth of 50 to 65 meters, you must be an expert diver with a minimum of 100 logged dives.
The Lighthouse & Ottoman Wreck
This site, located near a lighthouse, is to a recreated ancient shipwreck dating back to the Ottoman Empire on a reef three meters below the surface. The wreckage was found and excavated at Uluburun then re-submerged in 2006 at a depth of 22 meters. The ship and its ancient artifacts like two-handled Roman jars are surprisingly intact. Triggerfish, groupers, and the occasional passing fleet of barracuda visit from nearby reefs—but watch out for jellyfish. Dives go 25 meters here, perfect for divers of all levels.
The Tunnel
For more experienced divers, an intriguing cave at 18 meters is home to small shrimp. Soft corals grow on the walls and cave floor. Don't worry, you can always see the cave exit. Nearby, divers be dropped off to see nudibranchs, parrot fish, soldier-fish, Spanish lobsters, and grouper. Check the ocean floor for 2,000-year-old pots and amphoras. Like Assi Island dive, you’ll need to keep your eyes open, because sea turtles sometimes pass through here.
Pigeon Island (Guvercin Ada)
Pigeon Island features an intriguing underwater art exhibition of ancient amphorae found on the sandy bottom. Watch for a spectacular array of fish like soldierfish, octopus, Moray eels and nesting triggerfish, and other marine life. Just fifteen minutes from Kaş, this dive features depths between 5 and 22 meters and is suitable for snorkeling and scuba divers to enjoy.
Local dive operators are well equipped, and different types of accommodations are available in and around Kaş. Read more here to learn about local scuba diving companies and what they offer. Grab your camera and bring your favorite dive buddy along for an unforgettable experience.
Written by Catie Funk for Turkey Homes.
Antalya
