Top Dive Sites

Afkule

Description: Afkule is a standout dive site in Fethiye, renowned for its dramatic underwater topography. The site features steep walls, extensive caves, and intricate tunnels carved out of the rocky coastline. Located at a depth ranging from 12 to 40 meters, Afkule offers thrilling dive experiences amidst stunning geological formations that captivate even the most seasoned divers.

Marine Species: The rich underwater ecosystem features an array of colorful schools of anthias, damselfish, and parrotfish. Divers frequently encounter moray eels, octopuses, and a variety of nudibranchs. The area’s caves and crevices provide shelter for lobsters, crabs, and the occasional porcupinefish.

Unique Encounters: One of the highlights of diving at Afkule is navigating through its expansive underwater caves and tunnels. Divers can explore the luminous interior of these caves, where beams of sunlight create a mesmerizing play of light and shadow. The presence of ancient amphorae and historical relics adds an archaeological intrigue to the experience.

Photography: Afkule is a paradise for underwater photographers. Wide-angle shots capture the expansive walls and intricate tunnels, while macro lenses are perfect for photographing the vivid marine life and colorful coral formations. The dramatic lighting inside the caves offers opportunities for striking, high-contrast images.

Suitability: Afkule is best suited for intermediate to advanced divers due to its depth and the complexity of cave diving. Good buoyancy control and experience in navigating underwater caverns are essential for safely exploring this site.

Baracuda Reef

Description: Baracuda Reef, as the name suggests, is renowned for its encounters with barracudas. Located near Fethiye’s coastline, this dive site features a sloping reef that descends to a depth of about 30 meters. The reef is adorned with vibrant coral formations and offers a spectacular underwater landscape.

Marine Species: In addition to barracudas, divers can expect to see a variety of marine life, including snappers, trevally, wrasse, and parrotfish. The coral-covered reef attracts sea turtles, rays, and occasionally dolphins. The area is also home to smaller species like gobies, blennies, and nudibranchs.

Unique Encounters: The highlight of diving at Baracuda Reef is the schools of barracudas that frequently patrol the area. The reef’s structure provides hiding spots for lobsters, shrimps, and the occasional cuttlefish. Divers may also encounter eagle rays gliding above the reef, adding an extra element of excitement to the dive.

Photography: The diverse array of marine life and the reef’s coral formations offer excellent photography opportunities. Wide-angle lenses are ideal for capturing the schools of fish and the structure of the reef, while macro lenses can be used to focus on the intricate details of smaller inhabitants like nudibranchs and juvenile fish.

Suitability: Baracuda Reef is suitable for divers of all levels. The site’s depth and mild currents make it accessible for beginners, while the richness of marine life and the possibility of encountering larger species will appeal to more experienced divers.

Sarıyarlar Bay

Description: Sarıyarlar Bay is a picturesque dive site located near the town of Göcek, a short distance from Fethiye. The bay features a shallow, sandy seabed with scattered rocky outcrops and seagrass beds. Depths range from 5 to 25 meters, making it ideal for extended and leisurely dives.

Marine Species: The bay is home to a variety of marine species, including seahorses, pipefish, and cuttlefish. Divers will also encounter flounders, stingrays, and a plethora of nudibranchs. The seagrass beds provide habitat for sea turtles and various species of bream and mullet.

Unique Encounters: Sarıyarlar Bay is known for its frequent sightings of seahorses and pipefish, which are often found clinging to seagrass and rocky outcrops. The calm waters and sandy bottom make it an excellent site for macro photography and observing the intricate behaviors of these fascinating creatures.

Photography: The shallow depth and clear visibility provide perfect conditions for underwater photography. Macro lenses are essential for capturing detailed images of seahorses, nudibranchs, and the interactions within the seagrass beds. Wide-angle shots can encapsulate the serene and expansive underwater landscape of the bay.

Suitability: Sarıyarlar Bay is suitable for divers of all levels, including beginners. The shallow depths and calm conditions make it an ideal site for novice divers and those who enjoy relaxed, leisurely dives. Its rich biodiversity and clear waters also provide a rewarding experience for more seasoned divers.

Katranci Bay

Description: Located just north of Fethiye, Katranci Bay is a sheltered dive site that offers a mix of underwater sceneries, including sandy bottoms, seagrass meadows, and rocky reefs. The bay’s depths range from 5 to 25 meters, providing a variety of experiences from shallow reef dives to deeper explorations.

Marine Species: Marine life in Katranci Bay includes octopuses, cuttlefish, and various species of bream and parrotfish. The site is also frequented by stingrays, and the seagrass meadows are home to pipefish and seahorses. The rocky reefs attract diverse invertebrates, such as nudibranchs, crabs, and shrimp.

Unique Encounters: Divers at Katranci Bay have the unique opportunity to encounter stingrays resting on the sandy bottom. The rocky reefs are rich with marine life, offering encounters with moray eels, lobsters, and the occasional seastar. Night dives reveal nocturnal species and the bioluminescence of plankton.

Photography: The combination of sandy bottoms, seagrass meadows, and rocky reefs offers diverse photography opportunities. Use a macro lens for detailed shots of nudibranchs and seahorses, and switch to wide-angle lenses to capture the vibrancy of the reef and its inhabitants.

Suitability: Katranci Bay is suitable for all levels of divers, including beginners. The calm, shallow waters make it an excellent choice for training dives, while the rich marine life and varied underwater topography provide plenty of interest for advanced divers.

Amphoras

Description: Amphoras is an archeological dive site located near Fethiye, featuring an impressive collection of ancient amphorae scattered across the seabed. The remnants of these ancient clay pots, dating back to the Lycian and Roman periods, lie at depths ranging from 10 to 30 meters.

Marine Species: The site is home to a variety of marine life, including gobies, blennies, and scorpionfish. The amphorae serve as shelters for octopuses, moray eels, and various crustaceans like crabs and shrimp. Divers can also spot groupers and bream swimming around the ancient relics.

Unique Encounters: The main draw of diving at Amphoras is the historical significance of the site. Divers can explore the scattered relics of ancient civilizations, providing a unique underwater archeological experience. The amphorae attract an array of marine life, adding to the site’s allure.

Photography: Amphoras offers fantastic photography opportunities for both archeological enthusiasts and marine photographers. Wide-angle shots capture the expansive spread of amphorae on the seabed, while macro lenses are ideal for photographing the marine life that has made these relics their home.

Suitability: Amphoras is suitable for divers of all experience levels. The site’s moderate depth and calm conditions make it accessible for beginners, while the historical and marine richness provide a fascinating experience for more advanced divers.

Considerations for Each Dive Site

Water Temperature: The water temperature in Fethiye varies throughout the year, ranging from 18°C (64°F) in winter to 28°C (82°F) during the summer months. A 5mm wetsuit is typically recommended for cooler months, while a 3mm wetsuit is suitable for the warmer periods. These conditions ensure comfortable diving all year round, though divers should prepare accordingly based on the season.

Visibility: Visibility in Fethiye’s waters is generally excellent, often ranging from 20 to 30 meters (65 to 100 feet). This allows divers to fully appreciate the vibrant marine life and intricate underwater landscapes. The clearest conditions are typically found from late spring to early autumn. However, visibility can occasionally be affected by plankton blooms or sediment stirred up by currents, so it’s always wise to check recent visibility reports.

Currents and Tides: Currents in Fethiye vary by dive site and can range from mild to moderate. Afkule and Baracuda Reef often experience mild currents, making them accessible to divers with basic experience. Sites like Inchcape 1 can have stronger currents due to their depth and location, requiring more advanced handling and experience. Tidal changes are relatively mild but should be taken into account, particularly when diving near rocky outcrops or during cave explorations.

Safety Tips:

• Dive Planning: Always plan your dive thoroughly, taking into account depth limits, dive duration, and emergency procedures. Discuss the plan with your dive buddy or group to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Equipment Check: Ensure that all diving equipment is in optimal working condition, particularly your buoyancy control devices (BCD), regulators, and dive computers. Carry a dive torch for enhanced visibility in caves or during night dives.
• Current Awareness: Be aware of current conditions and prepared for potential drift diving, especially at sites known for stronger currents such as Inchcape 1. This knowledge helps you navigate the dive site safely and efficiently.
• Certification Levels: Dive within the limits of your certification and experience. Sites like Afkule, with its complex cave systems, require advanced skills in cave diving and excellent buoyancy control. Ensure proper training and certifications for such challenging dives.
• Monitor Air Supply: Regularly check your air supply and dive parameters. Plan for ample air reserves to allow for a safe ascent and designated safety stops. This is crucial for deeper dives and explorations within wrecks or caves.
• Buoyancy Control: Perfect your buoyancy control to avoid disturbing marine life or stirring up silt, which can reduce visibility. Buoyancy control is particularly important in sensitive environments like coral reefs and archaeological sites.
• Surface Marker Buoy: Always carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and deploy it when necessary to signal your position to dive boats and enhance safety during ascents, particularly in areas with boat traffic or variable currents.
• Navigation Skills: Utilize a compass and familiarize yourself with the dive site’s layout. Strong navigation skills are vital for sites with complex topography or extensive cave systems, ensuring you can return safely to the dive boat or shore.

Regulations: Adhering to local regulations and conservation guidelines is essential for preserving Fethiye’s diverse marine ecosystems:

• No Touching or Collecting: Avoid touching corals, marine organisms, or historical artifacts. Do not collect souvenirs or disturb the natural and archaeological environments. Preservation is key to maintaining the site’s integrity and biodiversity.
• Eco-Friendly Products: Use reef-safe sunscreen and environmentally friendly personal care products to minimize the impact on marine ecosystems and water quality.
• Proper Waste Disposal: Practice responsible waste disposal, ensuring no trash or plastics are left in the marine environment. Keeping dive sites clean helps protect marine life and habitats.
• Respect Dive Site Rules: Follow all guidelines and rules provided by local dive operators and marine park authorities. This includes respecting designated protected areas and no-take zones.
• Dive Certification and Training: Ensure you have the appropriate certifications for the type of diving you plan to undertake. Advanced training and experience are necessary for dives involving wrecks, caves, or strong currents.
• Environmentally Friendly Practices: Engage in sustainable diving practices such as maintaining neutral buoyancy, avoiding contact with the seabed, and actively participating in conservation efforts like underwater cleanups and environmental education.

Wrap Up

Diving in Fethiye offers an extraordinary blend of natural beauty, rich marine life, and historical intrigue. Whether you’re exploring the dramatic caves of Afkule, swimming among barracudas at Baracuda Reef, or uncovering ancient secrets at the Amphoras site, each dive promises a unique and memorable experience. The variety of dive sites, coupled with excellent visibility and diverse underwater landscapes, make Fethiye a top destination for divers of all skill levels.

With its warm waters and year-round diving conditions, Fethiye invites you to explore its underwater treasures in both summer and winter. Each dive site offers something special, from vibrant coral reefs and intriguing underwater caves to historical wrecks and archaeological marvels. It’s crucial to respect local regulations and practice sustainable diving to ensure these beautiful environments are preserved for future generations.

So pack your dive gear, prepare your camera, and get ready to embark on an underwater adventure in Fethiye. Whether you’re a seasoned diver seeking new challenges or a beginner eager to discover the underwater world, Fethiye’s dive sites are sure to provide unforgettable experiences and a deeper appreciation for the beauty beneath the waves.