Scuba diving in Kusadasi, Turkey

General information

Kusadasi bay is a volcanic one, which means that the sea bed is covered in cracks and fissures which emit hot water (fumaroles). Divers swimming into one of these hot water outpourings for the first time are generally quite surprised at how hot the water is.

Scuba Diving locations

There are three main locations for diving in Kusadasi bay.

The first is a shore dive, which means a fairly shallow dive of less than 10 metres, remaining close in shore. However, that doesn't mean it's not a good dive as there are plenty of varieties of smaller fish and usually a few octopus to be seen in and around the rocks. Plus, first time novice divers get to feed the fish on these dives.

Then there's Barabaros Reef which is located about 1km directly out in the bay from the Grand Blue Sky Hotel. This is a favoured reef as its quite large (measuring about 1km long by about 7 - 800 metres wide). This reef starts at about 6 metres deep and goes down to 41 or so metres deep. There are generally plenty of barracuda and large Groupers to be seen, along with many other varieties of fish, coral, sponges, octopus, Moray eel, and some pretty hefty clams (some are nearly 5 - 6 foot tall). There is a smallish cave on this reef, but it doesn't really count as a cave dive as its quite a simple entry and exit.


Finally, there's Adabanko Reef, which is located about 1.5 km directly off shore from the harbour in town. This reef is smaller in size than Barbaros, but it goes a lot deeper (95 metres). At 27 (ish) metres deep on this reef there's a Roman wreck that can be readily identified from the amphora sitting on the reef. As well as seeing the types of fish to be seen at Barbaros, diving this reef presents the prospect of becoming intermingled with Dolphins (which stay over the far side of the bay); it's not a regular occurrence so divers shouldn't expect it to be a feature of their dive, but it does happen. There is a Moray eel which has lived on this reef for at least the last 16 years and who is regularly visited by dive groups, he is fed carefully as he's quite a big boy with sharp teeth. It's quite good fun to be hovering at depth around this reef and hear and see a cruise liner go by, as it's pretty much on the main route into or out of the harbour.


A fourth location, which is used for a specialised dive, is in the sea just below the Adakule Hotel. We are fortunate to have a cave underwater there, allowing Advanced and Rescue divers to cave dive under the guidance of a Divemaster. This is a specialist dive and not generally available to all divers, it must be requested by the diver(s) concerned (who must also be able to show their Advanced or Rescue certification).

There are other reefs in the bay, but these are not generally used as there may be strong currents or other hazards (such as being a fishing area) associated with them.

Types of dives available

Show dive - this is a dive that enables complete novices to sample diving to a maximum depth of 5 metres. The actual dive lasts for approximately 30 minutes, and is preceded by a safety briefing which lasts about ten minutes (unless there are any questions). Novice divers are taken through breathing exercises (using the SCUBA mouthpiece until both they, and we, are happy with their breathing) then they go diving. Novice divers are accompanied by qualified divemasters (and in fact hold their hand throughout the dive)

Discover diving -This again is aimed at novice divers, but is a combination of two show dives to 5 metres and one boat dive to a maximum of aprrox 10 metres. These dives follow the same course and restrictions as the show dive, so a discover diving diver will hold the hand of one of our divemasters throughout each of their dives.

Boat Dives - These are primarily for qualified divers who are able to show their log book and certificate.
Open water divers will descend to a maximum depth of approx 18 metres under the guidance and control of one (or more) of our divemasters.
Advanced and Rescue divers will descend to a maximum depth of approx 25 - 30 metres under the guidance and control of one (or more) of our divemasters

Then there are specialist dives such as cave dives, wreck dives and night dives (night diving is completely different to day-time diving)

Allied with all of those dives the dive centre offers the full range of PADI diving courses, so that anyone having completed a show dive and who wishes to gain their first certificate (Open Water) can do so. Similarly certified divers can upgrade their skills, and certification, all the way through to Divemaster.