Kaş is Turkey's premier dive destination with exceptional visibility, ancient amphoras on the sea floor, dramatic swim-throughs, and diverse marine life in the Kaş-Kekova Marine Protected Area. Over 30 dive sites for all levels.
Kaş sits on Turkey's Lycian coast approximately 185 kilometres west of Antalya city and has earned a well-established reputation as the country's finest recreational diving destination. The town's protected bay and the surrounding Kaş-Kekova Marine Protected Area shelter more than 30 named dive sites catering to divers from introductory to technical certification level. Underwater visibility frequently exceeds 25–30 metres during the peak season, a product of the eastern Mediterranean's depth and clarity and the absence of significant river outflows in the immediate coastal zone.
The diversity of diving environments around Kaş distinguishes it from other Turkish dive locations. Shallow reef gardens at 8–15 metres of depth support dense seagrass meadows, grouper, moray eels, and cephalopods. Mid-level sites feature dramatic swim-throughs cut through limestone, underwater arches, and colonies of large sea fans. Most historically remarkable are the amphorae fields at 20–40 metres — ancient Greek and Roman ceramic cargo jars scattered on the seabed from merchant vessels lost centuries ago, largely undisturbed by modern salvage. The submarine cliff-faces near Kastellorizo Island (the Greek island visible just 2 kilometres offshore) offer wall diving in exceptional conditions.
PADI and SSI-affiliated dive centres in Kaş offer a full range of programmes, from discover-scuba introductory dives for first-timers in shallow water to advanced technical cave-diving training. A typical two-dive boat day costs 1,500–3,500 TRY including tank, weights, and wetsuit hire. Divers with their own equipment are encouraged to bring personal regulators and dive computers. The marine protected area designation prohibits anchoring on reef and regulates diver numbers at sensitive sites, which keeps the ecosystem in noticeably good health compared to unprotected Turkish dive sites.
The best diving season runs May through November, with June through October delivering peak visibility and water temperatures of 22–28°C. Winter diving is practised by experienced wetsuit and drysuit divers but spring plankton blooms can reduce visibility temporarily. Night dives organised by dive centres reveal octopus, sleeping parrotfish, and bioluminescent plankton rarely observed on daytime dives.
Activity facts
- Where
- Kaş, Lycian coast, Antalya province
Highlights
- Over 30 named dive sites in the Kaş-Kekova Marine Protected Area for all certification levels
- Ancient amphorae fields at 20–40 metres from Greco-Roman trading vessels on the seabed
- Exceptional 25–30 metre visibility during peak season from June through October
- Underwater arches, limestone swim-throughs, and dramatic wall dives near Kastellorizo
- PADI and SSI dive centres offering beginner introductory dives through advanced technical cave-diving courses
Tips for visiting
- Book introductory and beginner dives at least one day ahead in July and August, as popular dive centres fill slots quickly
- Bring a personal regulator and dive computer if available; wetsuit, tanks, and weights are typically included in the dive price
- Night dives are offered by several centres and reveal octopus, sleeping fish, and bioluminescent plankton absent from daytime dives
- Confirm that the dive centre holds a valid Turkish underwater sports licence (TMFT) before booking any programme
- Carry Turkish lira cash — smaller dive centres operating from boats often do not accept credit card payments on-site
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a dive certification to dive at Kaş?
Certified divers can join regular guided two-dive boat trips immediately on showing their certification card. Uncertified visitors can take a supervised discover-scuba introductory dive in shallow water without any prior training.
What is the typical water temperature?
Surface temperatures range from 22°C in May to 28°C in August, cooling to around 18°C by November. A 3–5 mm wetsuit is comfortable in summer; a 7 mm suit is advisable in spring and autumn.
Are the amphorae sites protected?
Yes. The Kaş-Kekova Marine Protected Area prohibits removal or disturbance of archaeological artefacts. Touching or moving amphorae is not permitted, and licensed dive centres enforce these regulations on every dive.
Can visitors who are not strong swimmers take an introductory dive?
Most introductory dive programmes require basic comfort in water rather than formal swimming ability. Instructors provide full flotation support throughout the session and maintain close proximity at all times.
How many dive sites are accessible from Kaş town?
Dive centres in Kaş operate at more than 30 named sites reachable by short boat ride, including sites within Kekova Bay, the Kaş peninsula walls, and the channel towards Kastellorizo Island.