Water in Antalya District

Antalya sits on a Mediterranean bay under the Bey Mountains, with a city beach on each side of the old town. Konyaaltı, to the west, is pebble and ends where the mountains drop into the sea; Lara, to the east, is sand under a cliff line. The sea is warm about seven months: near 21 degrees in May, 25 in June, close to 28 in July and August, 24 in October, 17 from January to March.

Boats leave the harbour below Kaleiçi, the walled old town, and the short circuit runs east along the cliffs to the lower Düden waterfall, which falls off a rock face into the sea. Longer days reach Kekova, two to three hours by road southwest, where a Lycian settlement sank after earthquakes and its walls show through clear water; sea kayaks work the shoreline above them, stopping at Üçağız or Kaleköy. Divers work reefs and wrecks offshore, clearest from June to October; parasailing is towed behind a boat off both beaches.

Boat and diving trips run from April into November; in July and August highs reach the mid-thirties, so early starts are easier. A harbour cruise takes one to two hours, a Kekova day adds about five hours of driving. Prices cover crew and pick-up in the centre, rarely lunch or drinks; diving includes equipment, and a first dive with an instructor needs no certificate. Swimming and diving over the protected sunken city are banned. Parasailing and jet skis carry weight limits and a minimum age. Check that pick-up reaches your hotel: Belek, Side and Kemer lie well outside the city.