Turkey’s glistening Mediterranean and Aegean coastline is popular for good reason. The water temperatures start to climb above 20 degrees in May and settle at a bath-like 30 from around June, not tapering off until late October. Top this off with the long, warm and sunny days and a huge number of resorts and hotels for all budgets, and you can see why holidays to Turkey are so appealing.
The beaches in Turkey are good for more than just walking and swimming, though; it's home to a thriving water sports scene. Whether you’d like to dabble in some sedate kayaking or SUP, try your hand at something adventurous like rafting or windsurfing, or simply hop on a banana boat for a thrilling ride, there are water sports in Turkey for every taste.
Turkey’s glorious coastline is awash with possibilities for families looking to have a water sports adventure together. The easiest and most accessible options are things like kayaking and beach-based sports, which require no experience whatsoever – think tubing, banana boats and parasailing. You’ll find these options on most big beaches in Turkey, at Oludeniz, Marmaris, Bodrum and Side.
You’ll also find these activities available via your hotel at most all-inclusive resorts in Turkey. Some of the best beaches for kayaking in Turkey are Fethiye, Kas, Oludeniz and Lara Beach, all promising clear and calm waters. For a longer kayaking trip lasting multiple hours, head out and explore the Kekova Islands.
A water sports holiday to Turkey is a great opportunity to try out windsurfing and kite-surfing in some relatively easy and calm conditions. Alaçatı, on the Cesme peninsula, is appealing for windsurfers and kitesurfers of all levels thanks to its steady winds and friendly surf schools offering lessons for beginners, as well as wetsuit rental so you need not waste luggage allowance on your own.
You’ll even find some schools offering a chance to try wing foil. You can also hit the waves at Sarıgerme, on the coast near Dalaman. It’s a wide, sandy Blue Flag beach with plenty of space, lifeguards on duty in high season and several places to rent water sports equipment for all levels.
Those seeking water sports thrills can have their fill in Turkey. Your first port of call should be Oludeniz. The beach is famous for its paragliding adventures – with several companies based on the seafront - and, while not strictly a ‘water sport’, it’s a great start to your adventurous holiday to glide down towards the beach over the magnificent blue lagoon. On the beach you can also kayak, SUP or jet-ski, as well as enjoy fun activities like parasailing and banana boat rides.
River rafting is another popular activity for friends and adventurous families. Köprüçay and Köprülü Kanyon, near Antalya, is one of the most popular day trips – an easy yet exciting rapids course ranging from class I to class III, so it’s ideal for both beginners and experienced rafters.
Turkey’s vibrant waters are great for scuba diving too. Kas, Fethiye and Marmaris all have fantastic dive sites like the Sarı Mehmetler Reef, Kızılada Reef and the Afkule Wall. You can also easily take a dive trip while staying in Antalya, diving directly in Lara Port or visiting one of the nearby wrecks. Diving is also one of the most popular water sports in Bodrum, which is home to several reef sites, as well as aeroplane and shipwreck sites for adventurous divers looking to meet creatures like eels, grouper and octopus.
From most locations with dive centres you can take your pick of diving experience, whether you want to explore wrecks and caves, reefs and walls, or try your first diving experience with an ocean or beach dive. You’ll find dive shops running PADI courses out of Antalya, Marmaris, Fethiye, İzmir and many other destinations along the Mediterranean coast, as well as Istanbul.
If you’re looking for a holiday in Turkey focussed on water sports, here are some of the best destinations to check out.
Marmaris is one of the best water sports locations, with a beach simply lined with equipment rental options and activities. Other top places for watersports in Turkey are Kas, Oludeniz and Bodrum. You’ll also find an entire page dedicated to water sports in Antalya, including the famous Lara Beach where you can do everything from parasailing to jetskiing to sedate boat trips.
Serious water sports enthusiasts might prefer to head to Turkey’s under-the-radar Black Sea coast. Here, Burç Plajı is a popular kitesurfing and surfing destination, with a choice of schools and rentals along the shoreline. You’ll also find surf schools near Babalı and in picturesque Şile, just north of Istanbul.
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