Top Dive Sites

Uluburun Wreck

Description: The Uluburun Wreck is one of the most famous archaeological dive sites in Kaş and globally recognized for its historical significance. Discovered off the coast of Uluburun, this Bronze Age shipwreck dates back to the 14th century BCE. The wreck lies at a depth of about 20 to 60 meters and contains a fascinating array of ancient artifacts, including copper ingots, Canaanite jars, and ceremonial items.

Marine Species: While the main attraction is the archaeological richness, divers will also encounter various marine life such as moray eels, groupers, and octopuses. The wreck itself has become a haven for smaller creatures like nudibranchs, crabs, and shrimps, which add to the allure of exploring its ancient relics.

Unique Encounters: The opportunity to dive the Uluburun Wreck allows divers to witness a significant piece of maritime history firsthand. The site contains a spectacular collection of ancient trade goods, providing a glimpse into the Bronze Age economy and seafaring culture.

Photography: The combination of historical artifacts and marine life offers a unique blend of photography opportunities. Wide-angle lenses are ideal for capturing the layout of the wreck and artifacts, while macro lenses can highlight the intricate details of the smaller marine species inhabiting the site.

Suitability: Diving the Uluburun Wreck requires an advanced diving certification due to its depth and the complexities of navigating an archaeological site. Experience with deeper dives is recommended to fully appreciate and safely explore the site.

Flying Fish Reef

Description: Located close to the town, Flying Fish Reef is a dynamic dive site known for its vibrant coral formations and diverse marine life. The site features a sloping reef that descends to 30 meters, with an abundance of underwater canyons and arches that create a compelling landscape for exploration.

Marine Species: Divers at Flying Fish Reef can expect to see a variety of colorful reef fish such as anthias, parrotfish, and wrasse. Larger species like barracudas and sea turtles are frequently spotted gliding over the reef. The site is also a haven for macro enthusiasts, with numerous nudibranchs and crustaceans hidden within the coral crevices.

Unique Encounters: One of the unique features of Flying Fish Reef is the occasional sighting of flying fish, which leap out of the water, providing an awe-inspiring spectacle. The reef’s topography with its canyons and arches shelter diverse marine life, offering divers thrilling swim-through experiences.

Photography: The extraordinary variety of marine life and coral structures makes it a vibrant location for underwater photography. Use wide-angle lenses to capture the expansive coral landscapes and schooling fish, while macro lenses can emphasize the smaller, intricate marine life.

Suitability: This site is suitable for divers of all levels. The depth ranges from shallow sections ideal for beginners to deeper areas that can challenge more experienced divers. The typically gentle currents make it an enjoyable and accessible dive for everyone.

Lighthouse Reef

Description: Lighthouse Reef is one of Kaş’s premier dive sites, renowned for its clear waters and rich biodiversity. Situated near the historic lighthouse, this reef features an exciting combination of rocky outcrops, sandy patches, and coral gardens. The depths range from 5 to 35 meters, making it an attractive site for divers of all levels.

Marine Species: The reef is teeming with marine life, including large schools of snappers, groupers, and damselfish. Eagle rays, stingrays, and the occasional loggerhead turtle are also common visitors. The rocky crevices harbor octopuses and cuttlefish, adding to the site’s biodiversity.

Unique Encounters: The highlight of diving at Lighthouse Reef is the chance to see larger pelagic species such as tunas and bonitos. The sandy areas provide opportunities to spot stingrays resting on the bottom, while the diverse coral formations attract a variety of reef fish and invertebrates.

Photography: Lighthouse Reef offers excellent conditions for underwater photography. Wide-angle shots can capture the rich coral gardens and schooling fish, while macro lenses are perfect for detailing the reef’s smaller inhabitants and intricate coral structures.

Suitability: Suitable for divers of all levels, Lighthouse Reef’s depth range and mild currents make it an ideal site for both beginners and advanced divers. The site’s diverse underwater landscape provides ample opportunities for varied and exciting dives.

Blue Hole

Description: The Blue Hole is an extraordinary dive site located off the coast of Kaş, featuring a deep vertical cavern that plunges into the sea. The entry point is at 12 meters, and the hole descends to a depth of around 40 meters, providing a dramatic and exhilarating dive experience. The surrounding area includes coral gardens and rocky formations.

Marine Species: The Blue Hole is frequented by species such as barracudas, tunas, and groupers. Divers may also encounter octopuses, moray eels, and lionfish within the cavern’s crevices. The adjacent coral gardens are home to vibrant reef fish, including butterflyfish and angelfish.

Unique Encounters: Diving into the Blue Hole offers a thrilling experience of descending into a vertical underwater cavern. The surreal atmosphere created by the depth and the rays of light filtering through the entrance adds a unique element to the dive. The site’s depth and structure attract larger predatory fish, adding to the encounter’s excitement.

Photography: The Blue Hole provides dramatic photography opportunities. Wide-angle lenses are perfect for capturing the descent into the cavern and the play of light within the hole. Macro lenses can capture the diverse life on the walls and surrounding coral formations.

Suitability: The Blue Hole is best suited for advanced divers due to its depth and the need for excellent buoyancy control. Divers should be comfortable with deeper dives and have experience with vertical caverns to safely navigate this site.

Canyon

Description: The Canyon, located near the harbor of Kaş, is a stunning underwater terrain featuring a deep, narrow ravine that cuts through the seabed. The walls of the canyon drop vertically from 5 to 40 meters, creating a dramatic and breathtaking dive experience. The site also includes rocky formations and coral-covered ledges.

Marine Species: The Canyon is home to a rich variety of marine life, including large groupers, jacks, and barracudas patrolling the depths. The ledges and crevices are inhabited by moray eels, octopuses, and a variety of small crustaceans. Divers may also spot schools of bream and damsels along the canyon walls.

Unique Encounters: The Canyon offers a unique diving environment with its narrow, towering walls and the sense of descending into an underwater chasm. The combination of depth and enclosed space makes for an exhilarating dive. The sediment and marine life along the walls provide additional points of interest and exploration.

Photography: This site offers incredible opportunities for underwater photography. Use wide-angle lenses to capture the impressive scale of the canyon walls and the play of light. Macro lenses are ideal for focusing on the smaller species and intricate coral formations along the rocky ledges.

Suitability: The Canyon is suitable for intermediate to advanced divers who are comfortable with narrow spaces and depth. Proper buoyancy control is essential to navigate the walls safely and avoid disturbing the sediment, which can reduce visibility.

Considerations for Each Dive Site

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

Visibility: Visibility in the waters around Kaş is generally excellent, often exceeding 30 meters (100 feet). This clarity enhances the diving experience, allowing 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 Kaş are typically mild to moderate, influenced by the area’s coastal structures and weather conditions. Sites such as Flying Fish Reef and Lighthouse Reef generally experience gentle currents, making them accessible to divers of all levels. However, sites like the Blue Hole and the Canyon can have stronger currents, particularly deeper down, requiring advanced navigation skills. Tidal changes are relatively mild but should be considered, especially when diving in areas with rocky outcrops or narrow passages.

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 informed and prepared.
• Equipment Check: Ensure that all diving equipment, particularly your buoyancy control devices (BCD), regulators, and dive computers, are in optimal working condition. Carry a dive torch for enhanced visibility in caves or during night dives.
• Current Awareness: Stay aware of the current conditions and be prepared for potential drift diving, especially at sites prone to stronger currents such as the Blue Hole and Canyon. This understanding helps you navigate the dive site safely.
• Certification Levels: Dive within the limits of your certification and experience. Advanced sites like the Blue Hole and the Uluburun Wreck require deeper diving skills and experience. Ensure proper training and certifications for such challenging dives.
• Monitor Air Supply: Regularly check your air supply and dive parameters. Ensure you have ample air reserves for a safe ascent and designated safety stops. This is crucial for deeper dives and explorations within wrecks or caves.
• Buoyancy Control: Practice excellent buoyancy control to avoid disturbing marine life or stirring up silt, which can reduce visibility. This is especially 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, enhancing 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 safe return to the dive boat or shore.

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

• No Touching or Collecting: Avoid touching corals, marine organisms, or historical artifacts. Do not collect souvenirs or disturb natural or 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 Kaş offers an extraordinary blend of natural beauty, rich marine life, and historical intrigue. Whether you’re exploring the renowned Uluburun Wreck, gliding through the vibrant waters of Flying Fish Reef, or descending into the depths of the Blue Hole, each dive site in Kaş promises a unique and memorable adventure. The diverse underwater landscapes, coupled with excellent visibility, make Kaş an ideal destination for divers of all skill levels.

The warm, clear waters and mild currents provide perfect conditions for year-round diving. From the intricate caves and canyons to the ancient shipwrecks and coral gardens, there is something for every type of diver in Kaş. It is essential, however, to dive responsibly, respecting local regulations and practicing sustainable diving to preserve these incredible underwater environments for future generations.

So, pack your dive gear, prepare your camera, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable underwater journey in Kaş. Whether you are an advanced diver seeking new challenges or a beginner eager to explore the depths, the dive sites in Kaş are sure to provide unforgettable experiences and a deeper appreciation for the marine world beneath the waves.