Kalkan · Turkey · Reef
Heybeli
Lycian and Ottoman anchors among broken amphora
A remoter islet off Kalkan whose sheltered east side once served ancient sailing vessels as an anchorage out of the prevailing westerly winds. Almost the whole perimeter is shallow enough for beginners, and the seabed still holds anchors and pottery from those centuries.
Also known as Heybeli Ada, Heybeli Ada Reef.
Where it is and how deep
36.2022° N, 29.4376° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The reef on the east side of Heybeli Island runs from 5 m down to 17 m. Old Lycian and Ottoman anchors and broken amphora lie on the seabed here, left by the vessels that waited out the westerlies in the lee of the island.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair |
Season follows Kalkan: The sea warms abruptly in late May or early June and stays warm into November; winter water drops to about 16 °C.
Questions divers ask
Is Heybeli suitable for beginners?+
Yes. Almost the entire perimeter of the islet is a beginner dive, and the reef on the east side runs from 5 m to 17 m.
Sources
- Heybeli Ada Reef dive site — PADI
- Kalkan and around — Rough Guides
More dive sites in Kalkan
Reef
A short tunnel squeeze through the reef
Wreck
Teak decking and intact winches on a 1940s wreck in three pieces
Wall
Barracuda along a deep wall at the island's south tip
Similar dives elsewhere
Reef
Acquadolce
Cala Gonone & the Gulf of Orosei · Italy
A shore dive among large, colourful rock formations
Try-dive shallows at 3-5 m, groupers on the way to 16 m
Reef
Ada Banko
Kuşadası · Turkey
A reef edge on the north side that falls away from 15 m toward 40 m
One of the area's dive highlights, and an ideal night dive

