Activities in Turkey: Water Sports

Turkey has hundreds of miles of coastline that stretches from the warm Mediterranean, through the Aegean and into the Black Sea, so naturally has a wide variety of opportunities for watersports. There are many stunning locations along the coast offering property in Turkey close by to great beaches with many different water sports.

With modern equipment, there is a vast array of water sport in Turkey on offer, from jet skiing, scuba diving and rafting for those who want a little excitement, to windsurfing, boat hire and yachting.

Major resorts and most smaller locations both on the coast and on lakes offer these activities, with jet skiing being the activity that has grown in importance the most in recent years. Bodrum and Kudadasi, both popular with British holidaymakers and owners of property in Turkey, offer the opportunity of the chance to take out a jet ski on the Aegean, whilst smaller places such as Altinkum also offer the ability to go alone or with a passenger on a jet ski.

While jet skiing, which is typically cheaper and warmer than in northern European countries, has been around for some time in Turkey, scuba diving has only recently taken off but is expanding rapidly.

Antalya, another popular location for property in Turkey, is world famous and offers a Second World War French military transport vessel, the San Didier, which is available for divers at a depth of only 32 metres. There are also vast caverns to explore, as well as sealife, such as rays, tunas and seals to meet. Nearby Manavgat also has a treat for scuba divers in the form of a US B-24 bomber which was downed in 1944, although it requires special permission to visit. Yet in response to demand for such sites, the Turkish military recently sank a vessel near Bodrum and plans to have a helicopter and aeroplane as further tourist attractions.

The best time to go scuba diving is between April and November and the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean offer excellent viewing opportunities. These can include searching for lost cities and wondering at the underwater life.

For those who wish to be on top rather than beneath the waves, turkey has one of the best locations in Europe for wind surfing along its Aegean shoreline. The flat waters by Alacati also enjoy an air funnelling effect which allows for exhilarating winds. Bodrum is also another prime destination for those keen to windsurf. The Aegean coastline is the perfect place to own your property in Turkey.

Yet the most traditional way to experience the sea is still highly popular, with yachts and boats available for hire. With its miles of coastline and rentals available from professional firms to independent locals, there is a range of options for all experiences and lengths of trips available.

Anyone looking to sail in style can charter a yacht with crew who will sail the vessel when needed or allow those to experience it, while a chef can cook any fish caught fresh in the sea. Although costs vary depending on the quality of yacht and the amount of people travelling, a chartered crew of captain, cook and sailor is typically around US$400 (£202) per day, which when split between six is only £34 per day, significantly less than the price of a hotel room in most European cities.

With so much on offer, Turkey has something to tempt everyone to its sea and lakes, from a fun day out to an entire holiday. You can own some stunning property in Turkey by the coast in many prime locations to suit all.