Aydın’s Kuşadası district offers foreign visitors arriving as part of cruise tourism the opportunity to discover not only its historical and cultural heritage but also the underwater world of the Aegean Sea.
Known for its natural beauty and Blue Flag beaches, Kuşadası operates the country’s busiest cruise port. Tourists disembarking from cruise ships docked at the port can enjoy a diving experience after visiting the ancient city of Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary.
Comprehensive training before diving
At diving centers in the district, professional instructors brief visitors on equipment use, breathing techniques, underwater communication and safety rules.
After the preparation phase, diving sites are reached by boat, and areas suited to the tourists’ experience levels are selected. First-time divers are taken into the water in areas close to shore that offer greater safety.
An aircraft used as an artificial reef
Experienced diving enthusiasts can explore underwater an Airbus A300 that was sunk as an artificial reef to support tourism. Visitors also observe rocky formations, underwater caves, different fish species and abundant marine life.
Diving instructor Tağmaç Saraçoğlu said the area had 10 diving sites with different features. Saraçoğlu noted that cruise tourists were interested in the underwater world as well as cultural routes.
Saraçoğlu explained that the area stretching from Pamucak toward the national park contains reefs, remains of ancient structures, stone anchors, large groupers, underwater cavities and caves. He said underwater hot-water springs emerging from below the seabed and underwater mountains can also be seen in the area, adding that they introduce visitors to Kuşadası’s underwater world.
Positive feedback from tourists
Pravin Keshava, who came to Kuşadası from the United Kingdom on a cruise ship, said the diving experience was exciting. Keshava said they saw the aircraft, even swam inside it, and observed fish species he had never encountered before.
Keshava said he was pleased to choose Kuşadası, near Ephesus, for diving. His daughter, Julie Keshava, said having such an experience in another country was enjoyable and fascinating for her.
Another diver, Rick Peterson, described the experience as an extraordinary adventure. Peterson said diving to the aircraft underwater was a unique opportunity and that the team assisting them made the experience possible.
