Afkule Bay

Afkule Bay is a picturesque diving destination near Fethiye on Turkey's turquoise coast, combining underwater exploration with ancient history in a setting of remarkable natural beauty. The bay is sheltered by a rugged headland topped by the ruins of a Byzantine monastery, creating a scene that connects the worlds above and below the surface. Beneath the clear waters of the bay, remnants of ancient structures rest on the seabed — stone walls, architectural fragments, and carved blocks that subsided over centuries due to earthquakes and changes in land level. These ruins, dating from the Lycian and Byzantine periods, are interspersed with natural reef formations, creating a landscape where history and marine biology coexist. The reef itself is healthy and diverse by Mediterranean standards. Posidonia seagrass meadows border the bay, providing nursery habitat for juvenile fish. Rocky areas host groupers, moray eels, and octopus, while schools of sea bream and damselfish add movement and life. Scorpionfish lie camouflaged on the rocky bottom, and careful observers find nudibranchs and sea stars among the crevices. The sheltered position of the bay ensures calm conditions year-round, with virtually no current and good visibility. The maximum depth of 25 metres and gradual slope make this an ideal site for beginner divers and diving courses. The combination of easy diving conditions, archaeological interest, beautiful topside scenery, and healthy marine life makes Afkule Bay one of the most rewarding introductory dive sites in Turkey.

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