Bodrum is positioned on the southwestern shore of Turkey’s Aegean region, on the southern coast of the beautifully scenic Bodrum Peninsula. Famous in ancient times for housing the mausoleum of Mausolus, which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The city is also home to the Bodrum Castle which was built in the 15th century by crusaders; you can see it overlooking the harbor and Marina. On the castle grounds, you'll also find an intriguing Museum of underwater archaeology. With so much to do topside between dives, this is truly an exceptional place to get away from it all. Let’s take a look at five of Bodrum’s fascinating underwater sites.
Bubble Cave
Situated on the backside of Black Island at a depth of only 12 meters, Bubble Cave is an excellent site for intermediate divers and above. The cave is home to a wealth of sea life, including large groupers, lots of different wrasse, octopus and Moray eels, and plenty of little anthias and other fish. There are two ways to enter and exit the cave. The first is through the main opening which is quite large. The second is via the chimney which is only 1 1/2 meters wide. This fascinating cave gets its name from the natural bubble that arise from the rocks inside it. Beautifully decorated with corals and sponges and home to many types of intriguing tubeworms, it offers exceptional photo opportunities.
Aksona
This site is named in honor of a famous Bodrum sponge hunter called Aksona Mehmet. Suitable for intermediate divers and above, Aksona begins at a depth of three meters then slopes into the twenty meter range, where a rock wall falls dramatically to a depth of 30 to 35 meters. Beautifully swathed in corals and sponges, the site is also famous for its archaeological features, which include amphorae and a ships anchor from an old Phoenician ship. You'll find the anchor lying atop a flat rock at a depth of 13.5 meters, and pieces of pottery live scattered about the sandy seabed. Watch for the thornback rays that visit the site on occasion, as well as more common marine life including groupers, barracudas, octopus, Moray eels and more.
South Point
An excellent site for all levels, and ideal for snorkeling as well, South Point featuring beautiful rocky slopes and outcroppings. At a depth of about 16 meters, a field of seagrass is home to giant clams. Shoals of bream and other small fish sparkle in the light from above, hunted by barracuda and other larger fish. The walls are pocked with caves and overhangs, and for advanced divers, there is a spectacular field of sponges that goes all the way down to a depth of 40 meters. Watch for jacks, barracuda, massive groupers, and lots of eels, octopus, and lobsters among the rocks.
Small Reef/Big Reef
This pair of reefs is situated about halfway between Bodrum and Black Island. Here, a set of two small seamounts rise up from the ocean floor. Located approximately 200 m from one another, the reefs are home to a wealth of marine life and are suitable for all divers. Maximum depth at Big Reef is 34 meters; this reef features a spectacular wall that drops all the way from its top at five meters to the seabed below. On the other side of the reef, a slope gradually descends. Small Reef is cylinder shaped and features walls all around it, much like a pinnacle. If top is situated only four meters from the surface and circumnavigating it is simple. At both reefs, you'll find schooling damsels, many different types of wrasse, Goldblotch groupers, and schools of sleek grinning barracuda. Among the coral and sponges that cover the reefs, lobsters and octopus, plus plenty of macro life create a feast for the eyes.
Pacoz Bay
Situated between the lighthouse and the Smugglers dive site, Pacoz Bay is an ideal site for all divers. Besides a group of three fishing boat wrecks at depths between 16 and 24 meters, the site also features a small cave at a depth of 30 meters. In addition to the many fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates that make their homes here, you'll see some splendid examples of tooth coral and sponges on the rock formations that punctuate the sandy bottom. Some of the largest inhabitants include barracudas, groupers, and stingrays.
There are a few different dive operators to choose from in the Bodrum area. With fantastic accommodations, excellent cuisine, and plenty to see and do between dives, this is a wonderful destination for divers and non-divers alike.