Turkey - Info request

[smythst]

Hello all. I'm just at the beginning of arranging a diving expedition to Turkey (most likely the Bodrum region), with a group of roughly 12 in early August. We are of mixed experience, some Ocean divers, some Sports Divers and some advanced. My big problem seems to be getting there, I've spent an entire day looking for direct flights from London to Bodrum (either of the two airports) and have come up dry. Has anyone dived the Bodrum (or even Turkey in general and have any pointers) area and able to offer any input on getting there, operators, baggge allowance etc. Also, any general info that you think would be of use, I think we need a local guide on any dive we do, things like that, just to get me started, as this is the first diving trip that I've had to arrange.

Thanks in advance for any input.
Stephen.

[Paul Oliver]

If you have a look in the BSAC Travel Club (http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/where/turkey.htm) there will be lots of tips. The main one being that there are lots of areas you cannot dive in around Turkey.

[Alison Boler]

Hi Stephen
Not sure why you're having such a prob with the flights, unless its just the sheer number of tickets - 12 is quite a lot. You might have to do that by phone. Have you looked at http://www.travelrepublic.co.uk? They have a good search engine. For Bodrum, you can either fly into Bodrum or Dalaman as you know.
We flew with Excel last year into Bodrum and this year we are going to Dalaman with Onur Air who are a Turkey charter specialist.
There are loads of diving operators in Bodrum - also in Marmaris. They seem to operate from gulets which are lined up across the harbour front. We do have some trip reports in our report section
http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/reports/
which will be of interest and use.
You will need to take a guide in on every dive - that is the rule.
We have had some fantastic holidays in Turkey - it's a great country, nice people, good food etc. Expect to pay about £10 - £15 for a very good dinner with wine or beer, you could certainly eat for less. Nightlife is good, if you're into that. Most large towns will have a "Bar Street" which springs into life at dusk. In Bodrum there are lots of clubs too, including Harlicannus (not sure of spelling) which is the largest open air nightclub in Europe apparently. We went and it was pretty enjoyable. If you are in Bodrum, make a point of going to the Bodrum museum which is in the castle above the harbour. It contains a large collection of artifacts retrieved from underwater excavations including a fantastic classical period trireme - its really interesting particularly if you then dive some of the sites later on.

In August it will be extremely hot - expect 90s and strong sun. It is still hot at night. There are some mozzies but not too many, depending on area.
Also, if you live within a strike of London, worth going to the LIDS show at the beginning of April. You will find a lot of dive holiday operators there including ones from Turkey, and can get a lot of things arranged, see pictures of the boats etc.
Let us know if we can help more.

Allie

[Paul Oliver]

Ahh i suppose i had better finish that report on Marmaris i promised then, it just needs some polishing, so i will try and get that to you tomorrow.

[Alison Boler]

Look forward to it, Paul! :)

[Paul Beal]

Hi Stephen
Not sure why you're having such a prob with the flights, unless its just the sheer number of tickets - 12 is quite a lot.

Cough, splutter - we are taking 50 people to Fethiye week after next. I wish it was just 12!!

We have gone for Onur Air whose reputation makes Excel sound like BA business class. We have not managed to get any extra baggage allowance from them and were unable to get an English speaking representitive to help us out. We will see how we get on!

Paul

[stu wall]

Hi Stephen,
I have worked as a freelance Instructor / Guide in Bodrum for approx 7 years up until last year. Allison has mainly covered the airlines that fly out to Bodrum and Travel republic do offer a good selection of flights to Bodrum along with the regular tour operators. Unfortunately direct flights are expensive and you usually need to fly via Istanbul.
As for the diving in Bodrum there are quite a few operators but i found the best to be The Agean Pro Dive centre based at the harbour in Bodrum. They have the largest boat "Isis" that operates in that area and offer different dive sites depending on experience levels and run a pick up and drop off service from hotels in the surounding areas.
I am sure if you are taking a group that you may well be able to sort out some discount for he diving but you can get the contact details from the website below.

http://www.aegeanprodive.com/

Should you have any further queries or require and details on dive sites etc please do not hesitate to contact me directly via e-mail and i can forward it on to you directly or put you in touch with one of my collegues who is a specialist on the diving in that area who has worked in Bodrum over the last 12 years.

Hope thais may have been some help to you and good luck with your trip.

Safe Diving
Regards
Stuart

PS : Please check out the links page on my Website and click on the link to Lauries website - you may find some info on Bodrum there.

[Dave (Simmo)]

Hi Stephen,

fly to Bodrum airport if you can Dalaman is 3 hours in the car which can be a pain. I would fly the excel airways if i could they are the same operator who fly Sharm/Marsa in the red sea and as a consquence they have some grasp of the kit a divers carry.

you can also try freedomflights who are part owned by excel they may do you a group rate for 12 [not sure what they consider a group]

where are you planning on staying? if you want self catering there are numerous villa rental companies in the area. If you do there is a massive i mean really big supermarket between Bodrum & Ortakent which take all types of plastic so it's easy to shop.

also watch the vehicle hire rates some of the big operators charge much more than the smaller local operators - then just sub-contract to the local guy anyway.

do go to the Aqua Park at Ortakent to chill out some of the rides a giggle with a group.
simmo

[Alwassia]

Hi why not condier the Turkish Agean Sea? Dave Kirk a BSAC AI and padi dive instructor for many years just moved to Turky - Checme (west of Izmir) to live there. He has a lovely guest house for rent. There are 2 or 3 small dive centers, one i used and had a great day on the boat. There are plenty of direct flights to Izmir and Checme is just a 40 minutes drive away.
I think the whole ares is perfect for branch trips and training trips. Clear Water most of the year and temp in the 20th at elast when i dived it in september.

Khaled

[Paul Beal]

We have just returned from Fethiye. Onur Air was a very good airline despite our concerns (they were banned from many European airports because of safety concerns a year or so ago). We dived with European Diving Centre and did 5 days boat diving with them. Huge boat, happily fitted our group of 50. Diving not bad.

The centre staff were saying that Marmaris and Bodrum have not got the quality of diving you see in Fethiye - worth considering maybe! It was only a 45 min transfer from Dalaman too.

Paul

[Paul Oliver]

My Marmaris report is here (http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/reports/turkey4.htm) :)

[simon rcl]

hi stephen
dont know much about bodrum but have just spent 2 months diving in fethiye
and from what ive been told it is better than bodrum for diving but the place all the local divers talk about is kas supposed to be the best diving in turkey
if you go to fethiye keep away from european dive center:mad: very expensive £49 for 2 dives and a rubbish lunch same sites every day and dont care about you just your money try aquapro nice bunch £39 a day but will negotiate a rate for groups free transfers to center from hotel daily ask for kubi +902526140366 or email kubi@aquaprodivers.com turkeys diving is good for beginers /calm/warm/good vis...but not much else think a warm stoney cove with no life and vis to see that theres nothing to see..... go to the red sea
good luck simon

[kw039]

Hello all. I'm just at the beginning of arranging a diving expedition to Turkey (most likely the Bodrum region), with a group of roughly 12 in early August. We are of mixed experience, some Ocean divers, some Sports Divers and some advanced. My big problem seems to be getting there, I've spent an entire day looking for direct flights from London to Bodrum (either of the two airports) and have come up dry. Has anyone dived the Bodrum (or even Turkey in general and have any pointers) area and able to offer any input on getting there, operators, baggge allowance etc. Also, any general info that you think would be of use, I think we need a local guide on any dive we do, things like that, just to get me started, as this is the first diving trip that I've had to arrange.

Thanks in advance for any input.
Stephen.


Hi there Stephen.

We are a ScotSAC Master Diver and Master Diver Instructor working out in Bodrum under our PADI Diver Master qualifications. We work for a small Bodrum company where all instructors and guides are English speakers and are more than able to accomodate 12 divers. With this number of divers it is also likely that we would be able to guarantee that the boat be yours for the duration of your stay with you having some control over where to dive (within reason). Diving in Turkey is perfect for all levels of qualification and we're sure that all of your divers will enjoy all there is on offer. If you wish more information feel free to contact us on 07754172051.

As for flights to Bodrum - www.flythomascook.com is very good for cheap flights into Bodrum (although I don't know if they fly from London). Flying to Bodrum would give a much shorter transfer time that Dalyman.

If you need information as to where to stay we can recommend some hotels that either we or friends of ours have stayed in - these are very reasonably priced (as is the diving in Bodrum).

Hope to hear from you soon.

Graham

[David Kirk]

Hi Stephen
You have probably made your arrangements by now if not why not try diving in Cesme near Izmir. You can fly direct from Gatwick to Izmir with British Airways. Thomas Cook are offering packages at the moment for flight & accomodation around 200 pounds. I believe they have seats available at the moment. From Izmir it takes less than 1 hour by road to get to Cesme. The diving here in Cesme is very good, clear viz, warm waters, ideal training opportunities, plenty of wrecks and historical sites of interest. Dolphinland runs it's own dive boat and obtains all permissions for diving. It is a very professional group of experienced divers and instructors mostly PADI but some CMAS, I am a BSAC Advanced Instructor and PADI MSDT and join them regularly. After the diving there is also plenty to do, night life, historical sites, shopping, beaching out, windsurfing ect. I live here and have a guest house for rent for 2+2 if anyone is interested get in touch.
Have a good trip
Dave Kirk:) :)

[Alwassia]

Hi Dave,
i was wondering when you rejoin the forum. Our flights are booked to visit you later this year. Looking forward to see so seeing some Turkisch Wreck.

Just make sure that there is sufficient Raki.

Lots of fun

Khaled

[David Kirk]

Hi Khaled, You should be working not dreaming about diving here in Turkey. Your dive trips have been arranged.
Look forward to seeing you soon, Raki is on ice ready 4U.
Dave :D

[David Kirk]

Hi Stephen
Forgot to mention earlier if you want to see more about diving in Cesme visit www.divecesme.com
Additionally all diving must be done with a registered Turkish dive guide, you cannot dive as foreigners alone no matter what your experience is.
Cheers
Dave Kirk:)