Kos, Bodrum, other Turkey??

Hi everyone,

In July I'll be going to the island of Kos, in the Dodecanese, for a conference. As usual, I'll try to fit in some diving as well.

I think after that I'll catch the ferry across to Bodrum (Turkey), and then make my way up to Istanbul, topside sightseeing.

Anybody been diving in Kos, Bodrum, or anywhere else up the Turkish coast, want to share experiences or advice??

Thanks in advance!

R.

I've spent a few weeks on the Turkish coast sailing. I think the area south of Bodrum is better; Fethiye, Kas, etc. I'd be inclined to go south then just fly up to Istanbul and spend time there. It's a fascinating country and city. The people are very warm and friendly.

The diving isn't all that great, beautiful clear warm water with not much life. Some artifacts though. You have to go with a guide/dive outfit. I would go for a couple of days, but not make it a major part of my vacation. Touring the ruins, etc is pretty cool. Nice castle at Bodrum.

It'll be hotter than heck in July, btw.

Hope that helps,

Jack

I dived Kos in 2004 although I only did 2 (non-diving girlfriend) I thought it was quite pleasant... I have dived all over Greece and some places are better than others. Of what I can remember there was not much in schools of fish but some nice Octopus, large scorpion fish, the usual Salema, banded bream and chromis. I'm sure there was nudibranch as well. You'll just have to keep em peeled.

I dived with LDC 'Liamis dive centre' in Kalymnos but I cannot remember where they were...Thats the trouble with cheap ouzo...

Dive safe

DeanB

Hi everyone,

 

In July I'll be going to the island of Kos, in the Dodecanese, for a conference. As usual, I'll try to fit in some diving as well.

 

I think after that I'll catch the ferry across to Bodrum (Turkey), and then make my way up to Istanbul, topside sightseeing.

Turkey is a fantastic place. Incredible food, very warm and friendly people and incredible top side scenery, as good or better in some cases than Greece.

The ruins at Ephesus are stunning. The transportation in Turkey is easy and pretty reasonable. Long distance buses are as comfortable as Business class on a US airline and they are on time and clean.

Last May DebF and I spent a week in Urgurp in the Cappadocia region. This area is my number 1 spot to return to either this year, if we can take the time, or next year.

This area of Turkey has many old villages and towns where there are homes carved in the hillsides or in caves. Fantastic photo opportunities. There are also quite a few underground cities where the people hid when the Moors invaded Turkey. Some of these underground cities had a population of 20,000. Urgurp sites and facts .

Another Urgup website with lots of information

We stayed in the Esbelli Evi in Urgurp. There is a incredible restaurant in Urgrup, you have your choice of 15 different kinds of skewered meats, lamb, chicken etc. The chef brings out a large platter with all of the choices on it and you choose which you want.

One day we were photographing in an area with a lot of tall cliffs that have homes carved in them and lots of holes in the cliffs that were pigeon houses when these cliffs were occupied in the 14th century onwards.

I struck up a conversation with an American who looked familiar but whose name I couldn't recall. When Deb and I started back down the valley she asked me if I knew who that was that I was talking to, of course I had to say "no", it was Paul Humann.

You never know when you will meet up with a UW Photographer nor where it will happen.

It amazes me that this small town in the Southern mountains of central Turkey not too far from the Iranian border has faster DSL than we do living in the 19th largest city in the US.

Not only that, but every restaurant we ate in while in Cappadocia was much better than 95% of the restaurants in Fort Worth and most of the ones in Dallas at 1/5 the cost and they weren't crowded.

I have photos of the scenery and some of the food. When you want more info about Cappadocia PM me. I am trying to learn Turkish.

Oh yes Paul and I did discuss UW Photography.

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll do a couple of dives, but it seems like the most exciting sites are above the water line .

TonyM: You've convinced me to extend my trip by a couple of days so I can go to Cappadocia, it looks fantastic!

Thanks again,

R.

Some useful addresses,

http://www.kosdivers.com

http://www.liamisdiving.com

http://www.arian-diving-centre.com

http://www.dogsbreathdivers.com/greece/kos.htm

http://www.greekhotel.com/scuba/en/dcenters.htm

Nicholas S.

I Dived in Bodrum a few years ago just after qualifying as OWD. I thought it was very pleasant - nice simple easy diving. Nice thing about Bodrum is the history and the Museum of Underwater Archeaology at the castle - very cool.

Turkey is a great place and the food is excellent, very friendly people etc.

I dived with these guys: http://www.aegeanprodive.com/

TIm

I dived in Bodrum also with these guys and they were fine.

Yunus Scuba

I have posted some pictures here

Gallery

I agree with all the above comments, I love Turkey and the people. The diving is OK, very clear water but not much life. Bodrum itself is pretty and I thought it was a fun place. Cheers

Hi Dean,

I'm taking a trip to Mykonos and Santorini, leaving this weekend - do you have any dives to recommend off either of those islands?

Thanks in advance,

Drew

I dived Kos in 2004 although I only did 2 (non-diving girlfriend) I thought it was quite pleasant... I have dived all over Greece and some places are better than others. Of what I can remember there was not much in schools of fish but some nice Octopus, large scorpion fish, the usual Salema, banded bream and chromis. I'm sure there was nudibranch as well. You'll just have to keep em peeled.

 

I dived with LDC 'Liamis dive centre' in Kalymnos but I cannot remember where they were...Thats the trouble with cheap ouzo...

 

Dive safe

 

DeanB