Kalkan
Kalkan is an old fishing town located in the Antalya region, on the south coast of Turkey. Its coast
Explore Antalya
Antalya, nestled on Turkey's southwestern Mediterranean coast, is a haven for divers seeking diverse underwater adventures. The region boasts over 18 dive spots, offering a mix of environments suitable for divers of all skill levels. With water temperatures ranging from 18°C–29°C/64°F–84°F, diving conditions are ideal for most of the year, particularly between April and November. Visibility often exceeds 20 meters, with some sites offering a stunning 40-meter view. These clear waters reveal a mesmerizing underwater world where rocky topographies blend with historical remnants.
Diving in Antalya reveals a vibrant underwater landscape made up of caves, caverns, and tunnels. The area is famous for its historical richness, with numerous shipwrecks and ancient artifacts like amphorae and anchors scattered beneath the surface. Additionally, the marine life here is abundant and diverse, with sea turtles frequently spotted alongside schools of fish inhabiting the cracks and crevices of rocky reefs. Whether you're embarking on a day trip by boat or exploring from a liveaboard, Antalya offers an unparalleled experience for those eager to discover the Mediterranean's hidden treasures.
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Diving in Antalya
The Antalya Region offers a captivating array of dive sites, catering to both shore and liveaboard divers. Renowned for its crystal-clear waters, the area boasts impressive wreck dives, such as the Paris II shipwreck, where divers can explore remnants of a World War I French ship. Another notable wreck is the Uluburun, a Bronze Age shipwreck that provides a unique glimpse into ancient maritime history.
Popular shore dives include the Three Islands, where vibrant marine life and stunning underwater caves await exploration. Night dives offer a chance to witness nocturnal marine behaviors, with octopuses and other species coming to life under the moonlit waters. The region strikes a perfect balance between accessible shore dives and adventurous liveaboard trips, ensuring an unforgettable diving experience for enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Antalya
The Antalya Region, located along Turkey's Mediterranean coast, offers a diverse array of marine life that attracts divers year-round. The region is home to vibrant reefs teeming with common species like parrotfish, damselfish, and groupers, making it a popular spot for observing colorful underwater life. These reef fish are abundant and can be encountered throughout the year, providing a consistent experience for divers exploring the area.
Seasonal highlights in Antalya include sightings of loggerhead turtles, which are most often seen between May and September during their nesting season. Scuba divers might also encounter various species of rays and, occasionally, smaller shark species such as the sandbar shark. These encounters are more likely in deeper waters and during the warmer months, when marine activity increases. Overall, the region offers a rich tapestry of marine life, ensuring a memorable diving experience.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
403 Sightings
J
8
F
5
M
1
A
7
M
3
J
18
J
137
A
93
S
56
O
55
N
17
D
3
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle
364 Sightings
J
2
F
3
M
2
A
0
M
2
J
2
J
107
A
120
S
77
O
44
N
3
D
2
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
251 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
4
M
0
J
1
J
76
A
79
S
38
O
46
N
0
D
5
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 250
Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets
2.9k Sightings
J
8
F
4
M
16
A
23
M
99
J
197
J
607
A
799
S
582
O
396
N
153
D
13
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 12
iStock/cinoby
Lionfish
2.9k Sightings
J
19
F
8
M
22
A
31
M
111
J
276
J
479
A
736
S
586
O
379
N
152
D
58
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
381 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
4
A
2
M
16
J
25
J
61
A
143
S
57
O
39
N
21
D
12
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 80
iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays
320 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
1
A
5
M
2
J
24
J
108
A
88
S
32
O
35
N
6
D
17
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 60
iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish
304 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
5
M
5
J
21
J
67
A
141
S
33
O
27
N
2
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 3000
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch
255 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
3
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
118
A
75
S
35
O
15
N
0
D
4
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 40
iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish
209 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
6
A
2
M
1
J
25
J
68
A
62
S
26
O
10
N
6
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 3
Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish
156 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
38
A
40
S
34
O
34
N
2
D
5
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 350
Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish
145 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
14
J
50
A
34
S
29
O
13
N
0
D
1
The best Months to Dive in Antalya
The Antalya Region offers excellent diving conditions throughout the year, with Mediterranean waters ranging from 18°C–28°C/64°F–82°F. Visibility is typically 20–30 meters/66–98 feet, providing clear views of underwater life and terrain. These conditions make it an attractive destination for divers looking for diverse marine experiences.
Diving is possible year-round, though the best periods are from late spring to early autumn, when the weather is more stable. Winter months may bring stronger winds and currents, which could affect diving conditions. Nonetheless, with proper planning and gear, divers can enjoy the underwater beauty of the Antalya Region any time of the year.
