Best Scuba Diving Routes in Turkey for 2025

We have prepared the most beautiful diving routes in Turkey for diving enthusiasts in 2025. Turkey's coastline offers unique opportunities for those who want to step into a completely different world under the water. Swim among colorful fish in the clean, clear waters of the Mediterranean and Aegean, explore historic shipwrecks, or discover the mystery of underwater caves. Turkey offers a wide variety of diving options for both beginners and experienced divers. In this article, we have compiled the best routes that diving enthusiasts should definitely see. With this guide prepared for diving enthusiasts, your journey into the magical world underwater will be much more enjoyable and safe.

Best Diving Routes for Diving Enthusiasts

1. Aquarium Bay, Fethiye
2. Fener Island, Çeşme
3. Deli Mehmet Shoal, Ayvalık
4. Big Reef, Bodrum
5. Karaburun, İzmir
6. Saros Bay, Northern Aegean
7. Samandağ, Hatay
8. Orak Island, Bodrum
9. Kaş, Antalya

Diving Paradise: Aquarium Bay

One of Fethiye’s most hidden gems, Aquarium Bay is perfect for both beginner and experienced divers. Its name comes from the crystal-clear waters and the hundreds of colorful marine creatures dancing beneath the surface. From the moment you enter the water, you feel transported to another world, surrounded by vibrant fish, seahorses, octopuses, and various types of moray eels. Diving depths are suitable for all levels: beginners can usually descend to 18–20 meters, while experienced divers can explore deeper and enjoy longer dives. Night dives are especially magical, allowing you to observe the movements of moray eels and other nocturnal creatures. Recently protected, Aquarium Bay has preserved its natural structure and biodiversity, making it one of Turkey’s safest and most impressive diving spots. Access is easy, with convenient travel from Dalaman Airport to Fethiye.

For accommodation in Fethiye, see our Fethiye Hotels page.

Diving at Fener Island

For those who want to explore the hidden underwater world, Çeşme, the pearl of the Aegean, offers unforgettable diving spots. From Ildırı Village, you can reach Fener Island, a gem in the clear Aegean waters. Fener Island features historically rich sea caves and surrounding live corals, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced divers. With an average depth of 18 meters, the vibrant underwater life includes schools of Karagöz and Sarpa fish, yellow tube sponges, and colorful flower corals. Dive times generally range from 30–50 minutes, offering fully immersive and exciting experiences. Beginner diving courses are available, so anyone can learn safely. Calm, windless days make diving here even more enjoyable.

For accommodation in Çeşme, see our Çeşme Hotels page.

Ayvalık Diving: Deli Mehmet Shoal

Ayvalık is a must-visit for underwater enthusiasts, with colorful diving routes and rich marine life attracting more divers every year. The highlight is Deli Mehmet Shoal, composed of two separate underwater islands offering diverse diving experiences.

Deli Mehmet 1: Depths of 18–70 meters, suitable for intermediate divers.
Deli Mehmet 2: Depths of 27–70 meters, ideal for experienced divers.
The area is a living underwater painting with red corals, yellow gorgon trees, moray eels, groupers, octopuses, anthias, and sea bream. Every dive allows you to explore a unique underwater world. Deli Mehmet is considered one of Turkey’s premier diving destinations.

For accommodation in Ayvalık, see our Ayvalık Hotels page.

Bodrum Diving: Büyük Resif

One of Turkey’s most popular diving spots, Büyük Resif is just a 20-minute boat ride from Bodrum center. Diving starts from shallow areas of 4 meters, extending to 32 meters on the south side and 40 meters on the north side, suitable for both beginners and professional divers. Shallow areas feature sea bream, octopus, and scorpionfish, while deeper sections host groupers, morays, and even rare sea turtles. With its natural formation and rich biodiversity, Büyük Resif is among Turkey’s top diving spots and offers unforgettable moments in the Aegean.

For accommodation in Bodrum, see our Bodrum Hotels page.

Diving in Karaburun, İzmir

Karaburun is not only a peaceful holiday spot but also a paradise for divers. With 17 unique diving points, it offers experiences for all levels. Here, divers encounter groupers, parrotfish, sea hares, octopus, and colorful sea bream. The area also features historical underwater sites like the sunken warplanes and the “Alaybey” and “9 Eylül” shipwrecks, now thriving as marine habitats. Notable diving areas include Büyük Ada, Küçük Ada, Domuz Burnu, and Arslan Kayası. With approximately eight months of dive-friendly conditions, Karaburun is one of İzmir’s most important diving hubs, with professional guides and safety support available.

For accommodation in İzmir, see our İzmir Hotels page.

Saros Gulf

Saros Gulf, in the northern Aegean, captivates divers with its underwater richness. Historic shipwrecks and pristine underwater channels enhance the diving experience, offering high visibility and mystical scenery. Popular dive spots include Cehennem Bay, İbrice Harbor, Toplar Cape, Göbektaşı, and Minare Rock, each offering unique underwater exploration opportunities. Saros is ideal for beginners and professionals alike, providing a serene, history-rich, and nature-integrated diving experience.

Accessible via a short trip from Edremit Airport.

Samandağ

In Hatay’s Samandağ district, divers encounter the underwater cave of Kel Mountain, a submerged marvel rising to 1,736 meters above sea level. The cave begins about 20 meters below sea level and is suitable only for divers with at least a 3-star certification.Inside, divers swim among stalactites, stalagmites, and columns, encountering rays, cave shrimp, morays, cardinal fish, and shadow fish. Samandağ is one of the Eastern Mediterranean’s most valuable diving locations, offering a thrilling and unforgettable underwater adventure.

For accommodation in Hatay, see our Hatay Hotels page.

Orak Island

A one-and-a-half-hour boat ride from Bodrum, Orak Island is named after its sickle-shaped tip. It’s quiet, away from crowds, ideal for experiencing nature and underwater beauty. The main dive spot is on the southern tip of the island, featuring crystal-clear waters and mysterious caves covered with purple sponges. Divers may encounter groupers, rays, and moray eels, as well as schools of various fish. Orak Island offers tranquility and stunning scenery, with olive trees meeting the blue waters above the surface.

Kaş: Rich Diving Experiences

Kaş, the jewel of the Mediterranean, is one of Turkey’s top diving destinations. With warm, clear waters for most of the year, it attracts local and international divers. The area is famous not only for colorful reefs and fish but also for historical wrecks. Key spots include Antiphellos wreck, Blue Hole, Canyon, and Lighthouse, featuring underwater tunnels and sunken treasures. Caretta turtles, groupers, rays, and morays enhance the experience, making Kaş a magical combination of history and marine life. Technical diving options are also available.

For accommodation in Kaş, see our Kaş Hotels page.