The Kaş-Kekova area offers some of the Mediterranean's finest diving with exceptional visibility, ancient underwater ruins, sea caves, and marine life. The sunken Lycian city of Kekova can be snorkeled; deeper walls and caverns for certified divers.
Kaş, a small harbour town on Turkey's Lycian Coast in Antalya province, is widely considered the country's premier diving destination. The town sits at the edge of a deep underwater canyon that drops to 40 metres close to shore, giving divers access to dramatic walls, sea caves, and ancient Lycian ruins within a short boat ride. Visibility averages 20–30 metres on calm days, and water temperatures range from 17°C in February to 28°C in August, making the site comfortable for certified divers from spring through autumn.
The most visited dive site in the region is a Byzantine-era shipwreck resting at approximately 28 metres, intact and encrusted with sea fans, sponges, and grouper. The partially submerged Lycian city of Kekova, situated east of Kaş near Üçağız, can be snorkeled from the surface — walls, staircases, and cisterns from a civilisation that sank beneath the sea after second-century earthquakes are visible just below the waterline. Deeper sites at Shark Point and the Black Cave offer dramatic wall diving suited to Open Water and Advanced divers; cave and wreck specialties are required for the more technical entries.
Kaş has multiple PADI-affiliated dive centres, several of which have operated for more than twenty years. Daily dive trips typically include equipment rental, guide, boat transfer, and two to three dives; snorkeling tours are shorter half-day excursions. Equipment quality varies between budget and premium centres; beginners should confirm that regulators and BCDs have been recently serviced before accepting gear.
Participants with no previous diving experience can complete a PADI Discover Scuba Diving introductory session involving a shallow guided dive to six to twelve metres. Full Open Water certification courses run over three to four days. Snorkeling in the Kekova area requires only basic swimming ability. The best diving season runs from May through October; July and August are warmest but busiest on the water.
Activity facts
- Where
- Kaş, Antalya province, Turkey
Highlights
- Exceptional underwater visibility of 20–30 metres over deep walls, sea caves, and ancient Lycian ruins
- Byzantine shipwreck at 28 metres sits intact and carpeted in sea fans — a highlight for intermediate divers
- Kekova Sunken City walls and staircases visible just below the snorkeling surface near Üçağız
- PADI Discover Scuba Diving sessions available for complete beginners from multiple Kaş harbour centres
- Multiple PADI-affiliated dive centres in Kaş with over 20 years of combined operating history
Tips for visiting
- Book dive trips a day ahead in July–August when boats fill up quickly; snorkeling tours are more flexible.
- Confirm that dive equipment (regulators, BCDs) has been recently serviced before accepting it from a budget centre.
- Bring or buy reef-safe sunscreen; the Lycian Coast marine environment is ecologically sensitive.
- Non-diving companions can join most boat trips as snorkelers for a reduced fee — confirm this when booking.
- Sea temperatures below 20°C in March–April make a 5 mm wetsuit advisable even for experienced divers.
When to visit
May through October for the best combination of warm water, calm seas, and high visibility. June and September are optimal — sea temperatures above 24°C, excellent visibility, and fewer crowds than July–August peak.
Accessibility
Boat-based diving requires the ability to climb a dive ladder from the water and manage heavy equipment on deck. Snorkeling tours on glass-bottomed boats are accessible to most visitors; full wheelchair accessibility on dive boats is not generally available in Kaş harbour.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need prior diving experience to dive in Kaş?
No prior experience is needed for a PADI Discover Scuba Diving introductory session, which includes a shallow guided dive to around 6–12 metres. Certified Open Water divers can join standard guided trips; advanced sites require Advanced Open Water or higher certification.
What are the best dive sites near Kaş?
The Byzantine shipwreck is the most visited deep site and is suitable for Open Water divers. Shark Point offers wall diving with regular sightings of grouper and moray eels. The Aquarium site near Kaş harbour is a popular beginner dive with colourful reef fish in clear, shallow water.
Can non-swimmers visit the Kekova ruins?
Glass-bottomed boat tours depart from Kaş and Üçağız and allow visitors to view the Lycian walls and staircases without entering the water. Snorkeling provides closer access but requires basic swimming ability.
What is the typical cost per dive?
A two-dive guided boat trip with equipment rental typically costs $40–80 USD per person depending on the site and operator. Full Open Water certification courses cost roughly $350–500 USD over three to four days.
Is diving safe for people with medical conditions?
Participants complete a standard PADI medical questionnaire before diving. Conditions such as ear problems, asthma, recent surgery, and certain heart conditions may require a physician's clearance. Operators will decline passengers whose questionnaire identifies an unmanaged risk.