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Underwater

Diving

Aegean and Mediterranean seas,
surrounding Muğla shores, contain the
secrets of thousands of years and the
natural beauty of sea life. Ships lost in
storms, defeated by waves or wounds
of wars are waiting for their explorers
at the bottom of the sea.

Acquaintance of Muğla with underwater life is
dated back to ancient times. Underwater explo-
rations started many years ago, thanks to sponge
fishing that has been one of the most important
branches of maritime sector in Bodrum and one
of the most important means of living in Bodrum
Peninsula. Thus, diving into the wrecks discovered
by the first sponge hunters has mainly directed
underwater archaeology and diving tourism in
Turkey.
Bodrum, Fethiye and Marmaris coasts are the
most convenient places for diving with their ar-
chaeological background and the richness of
underwater flora and fauna. For example, one of
the most important features of Kaçakçı (Smug-
gler) Cove in Bodrum Karaada is that it has a cave
which is 1 meter below the water extending 40-50
meters into the island. The stalactites inside the
cave reveal a magnificent view. Moreover, there
are two more underwater caves in Delikli Cave lo-
cated in Karaada.
With its colorful sponges and the stone formation
in shallow places, Orak Island, located to the east
of Bodrum, is a spectacular place. For those who
like wall-diving, this location has a very interest-
ing underwater wall which descends first to 25
meters and then to 65-70 meters deep.

78 A Journey to Muğla