Marmaris is a Turkish port and resort town that runs south into İçmeler, and its diving is a day-boat affair: daily boats leave Marmaris Marina for over 50 dive locations in and around the town. The set piece is Baca (Chimney) Cave, a conical cave dived from 5 to 50 m, where the chimney channels daylight into the interior. Kadırga Cove adds an amphora field and the remains of a Hellenistic-age ship.
About diving in Marmaris & İçmeler
Diving here is a boat day. Daily boats leave Marmaris Marina, and the instructors pick the day's sites to suit the weather and the wind. Yazih Rock, by Yıldız Island, is mostly dived in the morning, because its large rocks and walls throw the site into shadow in the afternoon. Sea traffic around Abdi Reis Cove can get busy at times, which is worth keeping in mind on the ascent.
Underwater the coast is capes, island walls and lighthouse points, with caves cut into the rock and amphora fragments on the seabed at several sites. At Keçi Island the water changes with the new moon and builds into a soft current. Ince Cape Lighthouse, by Yıldız Island, has less clear water and numerous underwater peaks, and at the end of the summer season its colourful sea rabbits, 1 to 4 cm long, draw photographers.
Marmaris suits beginners and expert divers alike. Hayıtlı Cape is an easy place to drop anchor and popular with beginners for practice dives, and Abdi Reis Cove and Aksu Cove take both levels. For deep divers, Baca Cave continues to 50 m, and the World War One mine carts at 42 m off Sarı Mehmet Cape, placed by French forces as a defence against German submarines, are a dive for history enthusiasts.
Best time to dive Marmaris & İçmeler
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Fair | Fair |
May to October is the best time to dive; in the cooler months the water drops to about 20°C (68°F).
Dive types & marine life
At Baca Cave large moray eels and dentex are almost guaranteed on every visit, and the Coast Guard wreck off Heaven Island holds sea bream, grouper, octopus and moray eels. Octopus and moray eels also live at Sarı Mehmet Cape. The loggerhead turtle, a protected species in Turkey, is the iconic encounter.
- Cave & cavern
- Reef
- Wreck
- Night
- Octopus & cuttlefish
- Groupers
- Sea turtles
Best dive sites in Marmaris & İçmeler
- 1
Baca (Chimney) Cave
Conical cave with a 14 m wide entrance and a narrow chimney exit at 4 m, the most popular dive in Marmaris
- 2
Kadırga Cove
Amphora field and Hellenistic ship remains by the Kadırga lighthouse, at the farthest point from Marmaris
- 3
Keçi Island Lighthouse
Lighthouse site at 8–38 m with moray eels, octopus and red cardinalfish
- 4
Abdi Reis Cove
Cove by Yıldız Island known as the Aquarium for its clear water, close to the Phosphorus Caves
- 5
Sarı Mehmet Cape
Cape and bay between Turunç and İçmeler, popular for night dives
- 6
Hayıtlı Cape
Rocky site at 5–38 m opposite the Keçi lighthouse, where experts below 30 m may see larger fish
Site guides
Reef
Clear water that earned the cove its nickname, the Aquarium
Cave & cavern
Daylight falling through a narrow rock chimney into a conical cave
Reef
Hundreds of Hellenistic amphorae still lying on the rocks
Reef
Moray eels and octopus on the rock below the Goat Island light
Reef
First World War mine carts laid by the French against German submarines
How to get to Marmaris & İçmeler
The Havaş shuttle bus from Dalaman airport takes 90 minutes, running via Dalaman town, Ortaca, Köyceğiz and Gökova. Foot-passenger ferries from Rhodes sail April to October and take an hour. The dive centres are clustered round Marmaris harbour.
Dive videos
Diving marmaris · Ali Seler on YouTube
Questions divers ask
When is the best time to dive in Marmaris?+
May to October, when the water averages around 23–25°C and the visibility is excellent.
Can first-time divers join the daily boats?+
Yes. The daily trips take first-time divers as well as seasoned ones, and new divers stay in direct contact with their instructors at all times.
Is there wreck or archaeology diving at Marmaris?+
Yes. At Kadırga Cove a Hellenistic shipwreck lies at 15 m with hundreds of amphorae on the rocky seabed, and the Coast Guard wreck off Heaven Island sits at 18 m, within reach of every level.
How do divers get to Marmaris?+
Dalaman airport is 100 km east. The Havaş shuttle meets domestic flights from Istanbul and Ankara, and most package-holiday arrivals are bussed straight to their hotels. The Rhodes ferry carries foot passengers only and has no winter service.
Sources
- Paradise Diving Center, Marmaris — PADI
- Marmaris Diving Spots — Marmaris Travel
- Marmaris — Wikivoyage
- Liveaboard Diving in Marmaris, Turkey — Liveaboard.com
- Scuba Diving for Beginners in Marmaris and Icmeler — Traveler's Universe
- Daily Diving - Marmaris Diving Center — Marmaris Diving Center
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