|
the two biggest in Antalya, has attractive
rock formations and sea life between a depth of 14 – 25m.
The small island of Sican, a few kilometres from Antalya harbour,
is also a popular diving region. The coast on the west side
is relatively shallow and sandy (maximum 8m) but on the northeast
side with rocky seabed descends to 22m, which also has a small
cavern.
Submerged 200m from the coast near Manavgat, east of Antalya,
is a B-24 American war plane named Hadley’s Harem, which came
down after leaving its base in Cyprus after bombing over Romania
in 1944. The cockpit was removed during studies in 1995, and
now lies in a private museum in Istanbul. Diving to this particular
site requires special permission.
In Gelidonya, at the west of Antalya bay, there are the submerged
remains of a cargo ship which sank after crashing on the rocks
near to what is now known as Taslik cape. During research
performed by divers in 1960 to a depth of 28m, the first completed
underwater excavation, it was determined that the ship dates
back to the 13th century BC. Research in 1994 revealed its
Middle Eastern origins, as deduced from the anchor, and excavated
items are exhibited in Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum.
Suluin Cavern, in the region of Kirkgoz, used to be a dry
area, which is indicated by the stalactites and stalagmites.
This plateau around Antalya is travertine, composed of limestone
which has dissolved. During research in 1995, the depth of
the cavern reaches 83m, with a huge entrance at 45m covered
with stalactites, travertine pools and other formations and
many water channels off the cave.
Kas
The seas around Kalkan are suited to experienced divers, with
species of sea life including sharks, turtles, tuna and thornback
rays. Patara has coral and sea sponges, and the Fener waters
descend from 11 – 132m, with lively and colourful sights.
Oksuz Island is known for its lizard fish, a member of the
shark family.
60m off the east coat of Uluburun and 9km southeast of Kas
lie the ruins of a cargo ship dating back to the 14th century
BC. As a result of dives in 1984 the ship’s cargo, which had
slipped to a depth of 61m, was removed and some of it exhibited
in the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum today.
Near the Greek island of Meis off the coast of Kas, there
are the submerged remains of an Italian plane from World War
II. Its first sighting is at a depth of 57m, its tail going
as far as 70m, and there is still ammunition within the wreckage.
Finike
Gok Cavern near Finike, is one of the deepest in Asia which
is accessible to divers. The cavern reaches the seabed and
has a wide entrance, and the presence of stalactites indicates
that this was once dry.
Kemer
One of the most popular diving areas in the region is the
Three Islands, off Tekirova, which has many diver sites and
greater depth than Antalya.
The wreckage of a submerged ship lying 2km from Kemer Yacht
Harbour at a depth of 25m, belongs to a French cargo ship
which sank during World War II. It is estimated to have been
built in 1896, and has three decks and two warehouses, of
which some is still covered in tiles.
|
