Divingpoints in Kaş
Kaş and its surrounding area are among the world’s top 50 diving destinations and it is a diving area that is full of surprises. It has many outstanding underwater landscapes that show great variation. In most places visibility reaches nearly 40 metres, which puts the region of Kaş in a very important position. There are more than 40 diving destinations where diving continually takes place throughout the year. Almost all of these destinations are within 30 minutes from Kaş harbour by boat. The shipwrecks, caves, canyons, reefs, underwater tunnels and night dives make Kaş one of the important diving centres of the world. Amphorae dating back more than two thousand years are scattered around the whole region.
The region has a long diving season thanks to its mild climate where on average more than seventy thousand dives take place every year. The area is also an attractive place for snorkelers. Some important diving locations are given below:
Gürmenli Islands
Due to its relatively remote distance to Kaş, this diving spot can be reached with a boat trip and consists of two islands. The larger island to the west is known for its imposing sea wall, but one has to be cautious of the current which sweeps the top of the wall. The diver will be rewarded with the sight of white groupers on the slopes of the wall, stingrays which circle the ancient anchors on the bottom of the sand and groups of leerfish. The smaller island is famous for shoals of fish which can be found in its deep cracks and strange and intricate bare reefs known as"Cappadocia".
Canyon
The Canyon can easily be reached from Kaş and is a diving location full of surprises. After passing through a narrow strait, one will encounter the vertical walls which vary from 3 - 23 meters, whose structure is very fragile and is adorned with hardened algae and corals. According to some divers, descending to these depths gives the sensation of flying. The 60 year old shipwreck “Dimitri” that lies on the bottom is also known as the “Cotton Wreck, because of its load of cotton bales that were stranded on the beach and later whisked away. Reaching this breath-taking underwater canyon is more than satisfying. This place is not recommended for beginners. However it is possible to experience the unique feeling of flying under water with the guidance of the experienced instructors of Kaş.
Oasis Reef
This reef is reached after a thirty minute long boat journey. It is a mountain-shaped reef, surrounded by sand and seaweed. On your way to the reef, you will see many large sea clamps (pinas) and shrimps tucked away in the seaweed. Once you reach the reef a large number of moray eels and cardinal fishes will be waiting for you. You will also see many ancient amphorae.Near the reef is a small wooden shipwreck, which is home to dusky groupers and a rare sort of anemone. There are also barracudas, calamari, nudibranches and sea turtles within the seaweed. This reef teems with marine life, so divers often visit the area more than once.
Neptune Reef
The Neptune Reef is 30 minutes from the harbour of Kaş, and worth seeing with its historical amphorae and small canyon. The top of the reef, also known as Three Rocks or Üç Kayalar lies at a depth of 7 metres. It takes its name from the three rock formations on its top, because they resemble three pyramids. The 2000 year old amphorae are at a depth of 18 metres and are still well-preserved. In the strait between the mainland and the reef that is susceptible to strong currents are a number of fish species such as white groupers or seabreams, grey triggerfish or even sea turtles.
Tunnel
This tunnel has a length of approximately 35 metres and is one of the most popular diving locations of Kaş. As its name implies, this spot evokes the feeling of being in a tunnel and provides an interesting experience for divers. At first you feel as if you enter a dark area like the entrance of a cave, but you can see a dim light at the other end. Once you turn a corner and move towards the white light at the exit, prepare to witness a stunning visual display. As you approach the bottom of the surface you will witness the dance of the small shrimps. The cliffs covered by red-purple hardened algae are a unique opportunity for divers. During your journey you will meet nudibranches, Mediterranean parrotfish, soldier fish and crayfish, and if you are especially lucky, dusky groupers will accompany you.
Flying Fish
This was selected as the best diving location in Turkey by the Scuba-Magazin journal and diving centres. You can even reach the top of the reef by free diving, which is 6-8 metres deep. The reef reaches the bottom of the sea at a depth of 80 metres. At the bottom of the reef at a depth of 60 metres there is a plane wreck of an Italian Savoia-Marchetti war plane which probably took off from one of the Greek islands in World War II. The tail of this wreck, which can be reached after a 6-7 minute long descent, is 70 metres deep. The plane is still in good shape after all these years. Explorations of the wreck revealed that that plane had a forced landing. Though it is far from certain, an old villager from Kaş recounted that they had buried the dead pilot. There are a lot of pink anthias/anthias anthias, leerfish, white groupers and dusky groupers in the area.
Deve Taşı (Camel Stone)
It is one of Kaş’s most favourite diving locations. It is possible to dive around the circumference, because of its small size and its proximity to Kaş. At the top there are two summits at a depth of 14 metres through which one can descend to a depth of 16 metres. It derives its name because it resembles a two humped camel. While the western and northern walls run quite deep the southern and eastern walls are 30 metres deep. At a depth of 30 metres divers will come across sandy and rocky surfaces. Currents are especially strong in windy weather, and it is highly possible to see dusky groupers, white groupers, leerfish and barracuda, as well as nudibranches, moray eels and sea turtles.
Uluburun Wreck
This wreck is 8.5 kilometres to the southeast of Kaş. The Uluburun Wreck was discovered in 1982 by the sponge diver Mehmet Çakır in the vicinity of Uluburun. The excavations were conducted by the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology and Underwater Archaeology Institute (INA). This wreck was first excavated by George Bass and afterwards under the direction of Cemal Pulak over a period of eleven years. It is the oldest shipwreck to be housed in a museum. The discovered artefacts are displayed in the Uluburun Hall of the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology.
A replica of the Uluburun Wreck was sunk to the bottom the Hidayet Cove near the Kaş peninsula and an underwater Archaeopark was established, so that this replica can be used for the study of underwater archaeology.
Heybeli Islands
They are located to the north of the group of islands of Kaş and are among the most abudant areas in terms of marine life. Among the special guests that you will be able to see are sea clamps on sandstone rocks, fish fry hidden in the posidonia sea grass, dusky groupers and white groupers swimming along the deepening slopes and sea turtles,who are the guardians of the reef that reaches to a height of 5 meters under the surface. This location has a rich underwater marine life where you will be able to witness barracudas and leerfish preying on sand smelts. A pleasant surprise in your excursion will be seahorses which you might see among the seaweed.
