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Marmaris, Turkey (by Nick Wood) My family stayed in Icmeler, a busy but pleasant town that is around 3 miles away from the brasher resort of Marmaris. Icmeler is also the place where you find the European Diving Centre, with whom my dive experience is based. The holiday was booked with a local agent and the diving was arranged online directly with EDC. On the day of our dives we would be collected from a pick up point close to our accommodation and taken downtown to their offices & shop. After signing in for the day a short minibus ride would take you to one of their two awaiting boats. Divers and passengers would be allocated their boat, one for beginners and the other for courses and experience dives. Both boats are well-equipped and superbly laid out with sun and shaded areas on top for both divers and non-divers. Some days the boat would visit one bay and other days would be split between two sites. A reasonable quality hot lunchtime snack is provided for everyone, including non-divers. Full briefings were held prior to all dives.
Sites of Interest Examples of the 25 or so dive sites in the area: Wreck Rock - 25m A tiny jagged rock tip island 100m from the shore is where dozens of Roman & Grecian boats came to grief, showering the area with their amphora cargo. There are also 2 ancient anchors estimated by experts to be over 400 years old. Kadirga Bay - 15m Another archaeological site. Large amounts of amphora dating back 2000 years, mostly smashed but a few intact. Chimney Cave - 18m to 8m A cave that starts around 3 metres in width at the bottom depth and narrows to an opening of around 1.5m at the shallower depth. Rightfully claimed to be one the best dives of the area
After the dive day, a minibus takes you back to the dive centre, for training videos etc. with just time for a beer before taking the mini bus back to your morning pick up point. Night Dives are held on Wednesdays. If you're looking for a recommendation for this dive operator and location, then this is it. The company has a 100% safety record and it's clear they wish to keep it this way. The staff were always helpful and the quality of instruction was first class. From the moment you are picked up in the morning to the point you're dropped off in the evening, the operation is both professional and slick. Definitely recommended
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Marmaris
lies on the Southeastern coast of Turkey at the point where the Aegean
and Mediterranean seas meet. The currency is the Turkish Lira and at the
time of writing offers better value in terms of exchange rate with Sterling
than that of the Euro zone. It's not yet in the EEC, which means lots
of cheap fake designer goods, so if you go there you should take an empty
suitcase with you! The first time visitor will be surprised as to how
green the scenery can be. High winter rainfall combined with mountainous
landscapes has produced sweeping forests, which form magnificent backdrops
to the Southern coastline. You will also find the Turkish people incredibly
friendly and the wide range of very high quality food out of this world.
The
sea life is not be as abundant as you may think and for me personally
was a little disappointing. Having said that, I did see Octopus, Groupers,
Jacks, Sea Bream, Cray Fish and the occasional Moray Eel. Those
absent included Tuna, Lobsters, Seahorses and Dolphins. For me, the best
part of the experience lay in the fact that the tide and current activity
is negligible. It's like like sitting in a large pond. Visibility was
very good, (between 12 to 20 metres and can be much more). Lastly, average
water temperature range is a temperate 21C - 25C, although cooler thermo
clines were present. In short, the whole setting is ideal for those learning
or wanting to continue their diving education. This is why the location
is ideal for the well-known EDC beginner's day, to which my 10 and 13
year old were subjected. Humorously conducted always with safety always
in mind, from one of the boats in their exclusive beginners bay, the day
was a fantastic experience for everyone. There cannot be a finer way to
start any dive experience, whatever the age.