Alanya · Turkey · Cave & cavern
Pirate Cave
An ancient millstone at the entrance and bats roosting above the air space
Photo: Squnxik · CC BY-SA 4.0
Pirate Cave is a large, open sea cave in the rock around Alanya Castle, a short boat run from the town harbour. The open cave suits inexperienced and experienced divers alike, while the site as a whole drops past a wreck at 25 m to 32 m. Inside, the cave holds an air space where divers can surface and look at the bats roosting overhead.
Also known as Pirate's Cave, Pirates Cave.
Where it is and how deep
No published position for this site — the map shows Alanya and its other sites; operators know the mooring.
The dive
The cave mouth opens at 12 m, and right at the entrance lies an ancient millstone about 1 m across. The chamber beyond is large and open. Inside, divers can ascend into the air space and pick out the bats on the ceiling with their torches.
Outside the cave the site runs from 10 m down to 32 m, and a wreck lies at 25 m. Grouper, octopus, barracuda and thornback rays turn up around the rock, along with shellfish.
Marine life and season
- Groupers
- Octopus & cuttlefish
- Barracuda
- Stingrays
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Fair |
Season follows Alanya: Boats run April to November, with the best conditions June to September and clearer water in autumn.
Questions divers ask
Can divers surface inside Pirate Cave in Alanya?+
Yes. The cave holds an air space where divers come up and look at the bats roosting overhead with their torches, after entering through the mouth at 12 m.
Sources
- Diving Location – Dolphin Dive Center Alanya — Dolphin Dive
Photo credits
- A dark cave mouth at the waterline in a pale limestone cliff, above calm turquoise sea by Squnxik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
More dive sites in Alanya
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The mild-weather alternative five minutes from Alanya Harbour
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A 42 m passage through the rock with small side rooms
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