Explore The Wonders Of The Glorious Aegean On Board Or Under The Sea
When the hot summer sun is just too much to take on land, Bodrum has a plenty of activities to take you out to the refreshingly cool waters of the beautiful Aegean Sea. Diving and yachting are two of the most popular ways to delight in this resort city’s spectacular seascape and experience its amazing underwater sea life.
“Under the water I feel freedom and power, like I can do anything. Like a fish! It’s a really different feeling. In Bodrum there are many good fish to see and it is a good way to relax,” says Mr. Kocer Türköz who has been diving since 1978 and is a diving instructor, often leading tours in Bodrum. Mr. Türköz has dived in some of the world’s most exotic locations, including Egypt and Australia and still counts the underwater sights of Turkey among his favorites. Bodrum, for one, has a seabed littered with the history of civilization as well as many natural wonders. There are over 15 dive points around Bodrum including caverns, half-caves, funnels, walls, and even a meteorite hole, with typical Aegean and Mediterranean flora and fauna. There are many species of tropical fish and rock formations which offer shelter for groupers, octopuses, bream, moray eel, rays, lear fish, barracudas plus a colorful variety of small fish. You also may see amphorae and antique anchors which are more than 2000 years old. The two main reefs off the Bodrum coast attract divers from all over the world, they are full of fish and are great spots for underwater photography. Black Island (Karada), a large and undeveloped island opposite Bodrum has eight spectacular dive sites with names like ‘Smugglers’ and ‘Bubble Cave’. The island’s anchorages are sheltered and easily accessible by boat, however, all divers must be accompanied by a registered dive guide. Most dives are only 30 minutes away in sheltered seas with depths of between 6 and 40 meters and visibility averaging 20 meters. Water temperatures range from 17 - 22°C during the season which extends from mid April to late October.
Bodrum has over a dozen different diving schools offering internationally accredited courses ideal for beginners and dive masters alike with English, French and German speaking guides who will help you explore the many underwater treasures of this ancient city. Beginners need not worry about any previous diving experience or bringing their own equipment, as it can be supplied by the dive operators. All of the companies we recommend here offer internationally accredited PADI and CMAS courses and you can become a certified diver within a single day. Even water shy friends and family of divers are welcome on board the dive boats to watch and soak up the sun and sea breezes of the glorious Aegean.
Crystal Divers offers courses for everyone from beginners, even those who have no swimming experience, to dive master and instructor courses as well as several rescue courses. Crystal Diving’s boat is docked in Bodrum at the Hotel Aquarium, Gumbet jetty, everyday before 10:00 am and after 17:00 pm. Askin Diving Center has a special interest in archeology as it is run by Aşkin Canbazoğlu, an underwater archaeologist who was active at the Bodrum Underwater Museum for eight years before starting his dive company. In addition to daily runs by boat, leaving every morning at 10 am returning at 5 pm, the company also offers extended diving excursions aboard its beautiful 23 meter yacht to explore the rocks and inlets, walls and shallows of the Gulf of Gökova, the Gulf of Hisaronu or further to Marmaris, Fethiye and Kas. Yunus Diving also offers two to three day or weekly diving excursions as well as daily outings for beginners and experts alike aboard its private 15 meter diesel engine boat. Special packages offered by Yunus Diving include night diving excursions and an underwater photography and video package. Perla Subaqua Institute, a premium member of Scuba Türkiye a national scuba diving information clearinghouse (www.scubaturkiye.com), keeps its dive groups small for individualized attention. Perla Subaqua will pick you up from your hotel to take you to its private boat, which leaves every morning at 11 am for dive outings.
For those who prefer a day at sea above board – on a yacht, say – sailing the legendary waters of the Turkish Aegean is renown worldwide as a relaxing experience of salty sea breezes, gently lapping waves and, above all, the serenity of sail. Traditional Turkish yachts are called ‘gulets’ and bear remarkable similarities to ancient craft from the days of Christopher Columbus. These boats still ply Turkey’s Aegean coast with materials and construction techniques having little changed over the centuries but with all the modern amenities and luxuries one would expect of a world-class seafaring vessel. Bodrum is a popular starting point of the famous Blue Voyage which spans the Gulf of Gökova, extending south and east from Bodrum. The Gulf is situated so that a constant breeze makes it ideal for sailing amidst pristine forest-clad coves and islands and over its crystal clear blue waters. In addition to its natural beauty, the Blue Voyage is sprinkled with sites of immense historical and archeological importance including a beach where Cleopatra is said to have gone swimming.
Whether you are part of a group or traveling solo, Bodrum has many different yachting agencies to suit just about any preference or accommodate any level of sailing experience. All of our recommended yacht charter companies have their own state-of-the art fleets and professional crew and captains. Aegean Yacht Services, with a fleet of 22 luxury yachts of varying sizes, offers many different tours including the famous Blue Cruise, the Royal Blue Cruise – an ultra-posh excursion across Turkey’s most famous route — an archeological cruise which explores the many ancient treasures lining Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean shores, among others. Pruva Yachting has five luxury gulets, handmade in its own boatyard in Bodrum. Each yacht is equipped to provide five-star holidays which can be customized to guests’ individual preferences and outings usually range in duration from one to two weeks. Tussock Cruising is a Dutch/English organization with an office in Turkey and provides specially themed cruises to suit your preference. Cruises such as nature, culinary, painting, yoga, even a children’s themed outing, or any other special themes you may request can be arranged. Tussock has also won the Bodrum Regatta several times. Admiral Tours Yachting & Travel has a fleet of 20 gulets, handmade of pine and oak which can accommodate from six guests for an intimate outing or up to 16 guests for a more lively on-board excursion. Admiral also offers archeological cruises as well as land tours of special historical sites along Turkey’s shores.
For those sailing on private yachts, Bodrum currently boasts two full-service marinas of international standard with a third on the way, due to be completed by next summer. Bodrum Karada Marina is located in Bodrum proper and Turgutreis Marina, which just opened in May of this year is in the popular resort town of Turgutreis. Another large, world-class marina is also on its way, currently under construction in the quiet vacation village of Yalikavak. All ports of entry in Turkey are in a position to receive sailboats year round. Marinas provide mooring, maintenance, reparation and dry-dock facilities, tourist, social and cultural services for yachtsmen.
Whether you prefer to explore the legendary waters of the Turkish Aegean at sea or underwater, Bodrum has plenty of highly reputable diving and yachting establishments to make your adventure both safe and highly memorable.
Diving Companies:
Crystal Divers
Tel: 0 532 313 9270 or 0 544 650 0380
Aşkin Diving Center
Tel: 0 252 316 4247
Yunus Diving
Tel: 0 252 316 5890
Perla Subaqua Institute
Tel : 0 252 382 34 00
Yacht Charter Companies:
Aegean Yacht Services
Tel: 0 252 316 1517
Pruva Yachting
Tel: 0 252 316 04 43 or 313 76 63
Tussock Cruising
Tel: 0 252 316 22 36 or 316 83 93
Admiral Tours Yachting & Travel
Tel: 0 252 316 17 81 or 316 04 99
Marinas:
Bodrum Karada Marina
Tel.: 0 252 316 18 60
Turgutreis Marina
Tel: 0 252 382 92 00
Stacie Leone is a freelance writer (staciepl@yahoo.com). This article originally appeared in The Guide Bodrum, 2003.