Scuba Diving in Antalya: A Detailed Guide

A beautiful resort city in Turkey that is home to a long shoreline and numerous beaches, Antalya is a superb destination for scuba diving. The surrounding Mediterranean Sea, with its clear blue water, diverse aquatic life and underground caves, makes the city one of the country’s best regions for diving. Moreover, the water is quite calm and not too cold, making it suitable for amateur and professional divers. So, if you are keen on exploring the depths of the Mediterranean Sea while in Antalya, there are numerous operators that you can choose from for an unforgettable experience. 

The Best Time for Scuba Diving in Antalya

The best time to go scuba diving in Antalya is between April and the end of October or early November. The water is on the warmer side, with the temperature during this period usually being between 25 and 35 degrees, and the visibility is also excellent, as low as 30 metres. Most diving schools and operators are open throughout the year. Still, the water does tend to get cooler during the winters (November to February/March) and the temperatures can drop as low as 15 degrees.

Top Scuba Diving Spots in Antalya

Kemer, Kaş and Side are three of the main regions in and around Antalya that are known for diving since they feature hundreds of underwater attractions as well as diverse aquatic life. Moreover, Tekirova, Finike and the Port of Demre featuring several underwater wrecks are other famous diving areas. The following are a few of Antalya’s best known diving attractions:

1. MS Paris II

It is a French ship wreck that was shot down by Turkish artillery during World War I and subsequently sunk to the bottom of the ocean close to Kemer. It lies at a depth of about 21 to 31 metres and is approximately 70 feet long. 

2. Amphora

Amphora is situated a few minutes from the Alanya Harbour and is known for the flora and fauna that surround the ruins of the amphora. Here you would see thorn black ray, grouper, octopus, pigfish, moray etc.

3. Lighthouse

The Lighthouse diving spot a few minutes away from the Kemer Yacht Harbour and comprises many caves and tunnels. The reef here begins at a depth of 3m and goes as deep as 18m; there is also a 9m-deep tunnel here which features diverse marine life. You would catch glimpses of sea cucumbers, corals, sea lilies, moray eels, crayfish, coral shrimps etc.

4. Aquarium Bay

Aquarium Bay about 20 minutes from the Kemer Yacht Harbour is the ideal choice for beginners as it is only 12m deep and isn’t very windy or rough. The aquatic life that you would see here includes calamari, stingrays, red mullets, sea urchins and more.  

5. Üç Adalar

Tekirova is known for its Three Islands that have numerous diving spots that guarantee excellent underwater visibility. This area is also known for the Münfesih SG 120 that sank here and formed an artificial reef, underwater caves as well as sea creatures like Mediterranean monk seals and dolphins.The landscape around the islands is also quite beautiful. 

6. Side Underwater Museum

The first underwater museum in Turkey the second in the world, the Side Underwater Museum is a must-see if you’re planning on going scuba diving in Antalya. It consists of 117 sculptures that are related to different notable events in Anatolian history including the War of Independence and Battle of Gallipoli. You must have a professional diving certificate to go here. 

7. DO 28

DO 28 lies somewhere between the depths of 19.5 and 23.3 metres and is a small transport aircraft dating back to 1967. 

8. Pati Wreck

The Pati Wreck lies close to Aquarium Bay in Kemer and comprises the ruins of a 15m long ship that split into two following a crash in 2001 and sank to the bottom of the sea. The wreck lies between the depths of 5 to 12 metres. However, given that there is a sharp drop in depth, it is advisable that only professional dive here.

9. Kiriş Cave Bay

Situated about 15 minutes from the Kemer Yacht Bay, Kiriş Cave Bay is a well-known diving spot that is suitable for both amateurs and professionals. The bay starts out shallow but goes as deep as 18 metres. Not only is the area surrounded by cliffs but there are various underwater caves and tunnels here that you can explore.

10. Caves

Apart from the above-mentioned diving spots, there are also a number of underwater caves in and around Antalya that you can explore. However, you would need a licence in order to go scuba diving around the same. 

Scuba Diving Operators in Antalya

1. Scuba Diving Antalya 
Scuba Diving Antalya offers you the opportunity to explore the Mediterranean Sea’s underwater treasures around the Kemer region. 

Address: Şirinyalı, 1512. Sk. No:7, 07160 Muratpaşa/Antalya, TurkeyTimings: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

2. Antalya Scuba Dive Center

Address: Akra Hotels Şirinyalı mah. Lara cad.no:24, 07050 Şirinyalı/Muratpaşa/Antalya, TurkeyTimings: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

3. Star Diving Academy
Star Diving Academy’s diving excursions include numerous spots across Antalya, Kemer and Kaş such as the Göynük Alpine Fountain, Lighthouse, Sıçan Island, Gürmenli Rocks and Konyaaltı Little Cave. 

Address: Bilem Otel - Bilem Beach, Şirinyalı Mahallesi, Eski, Lara Cd. No 182, 07100 Muratpaşa/Antalya, Turkey

4. Stingray Diving
Stingray Diving most popular diving sites include the St. Didier French shipwreck and Fener Cave. 

Address: Lara Cd. No:136, 07160 Muratpaşa, The Marmara Hotel, 07160 Muratpaşa/Antalya, Turkey

5. Pearl Diving Center
Two of Pearl Diving Center’s most popular diving spots including the site of a 1944 American B-24 wreck and that of a 1967 Dornier DO 28 transport plane.  

Address: Gençlik, Fevzi Çakmak Cd. No:22, 07100 Muratpaşa/Antalya, TurkeyTimings: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

6. Deep Walker Diving 
Deep Walker Diving’s most well-known diving spots include Bababurun Cave, Canned Bay Dive Point and the St. Didier Wreck.

Address: Şirinyalı, 07160 Muratpaşa/Antalya, TurkeyTimings: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

7. Kedalya Diving Center Kaleiçi

Address: Selçuk, Kaleiçi Yat Limanı Anfi Tiyatro altı, Varyant Sk. No:67, 07100 Muratpaşa/Antalya, TurkeyTimings: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM

8. Anemon Divers
Their most popular diving spot is the Duden Waterfalls.

Address: Kemerağzı, 07112 Aksu/Antalya, TurkeyTimings: 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM

9. Aqua Age Diving Center
Kiris Bay, Alanya-Karaburun Point and the Paris Wreck are three of Aqua Age Diving Center’s popular diving sites. 

Address: Kemer, G Marina, Antalya, 07990 Kemer/Antalya, TurkeyTimings: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM

10. Derin Diving Center
The Derin Diving Center is best known for its excursions to the Three Islands in Tekirova. 

Address: Pirate's Beach Club, Tekirova, Derin Diving Center, 07995 147 Sok./Antalya, TurkeyTimings: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Tips for scuba diving in Antalya

• Make sure to get diving insurance as well as an Open Water Diver (OWD) licence. The latter is a requirement to be allowed to go diving and lets you go diving into a depth of up to 18 feet anywhere in the world.
• You must be over the age of 10 to go diving; if you are under 18, you would also need parental consent.
• Get a medical exam done before you even learn to dive to ensure that you won’t have any problems while in the water or afterwards. And even once you procure your licence, avoid going diving if you aren’t feeling well.
• It is always better if you know how to swim since it would make the entire experience a lot easier. 
• If it is your first time diving, you would also be required to submit a medical certificate; your diving operator will recommend a doctor to you.
• Research well before choosing the diving operator; make sure that they are well-known and have good reviews. Moreover, it would be helpful if you find an instructor who speaks the same language as you.
• When booking a day for diving, pick one when the weather is likely to be pleasant and the waves calm, as that makes it easier to dive. 
• Thoroughly check your equipment before going into the water. And listen very carefully to what the instructor says while on the boat.
• Breathe normally when underwater and make sure to equalise frequently while descending so as to avoid any ear issues.
• Constantly monitor your air gauge. 
• Do not touch anything when underwater, as you could startle the aquatic animals or step on sharp or poisonous corals.
• To avoid getting the bends, it is important that you do not come up too fast and that you don’t fly anywhere for at least 24 hours following your dive. 

Antalya is known for being amongst the best diving destinations in Turkey owing to its crystal clear water and marine life. If you wish to be a little adventurous when in this charming city, scuba diving would be the perfect option, especially since there are many operators to train and guide you, as well as certified schools to help you obtain a licence and become professionals.