You might not be aware of it, but Turkey has a huge range of water sports adventures on offer to holidaymakers. In fact, along with the beautiful climate, this is one of the major reasons that people travel back year after year.
A trip to Turkey’s coastline means you can combine the best lazy beach holiday with an activity packed itinerary. Cue sun, sand, surf and your next big adventure! Here are three places in Turkey where you can try something new.
Paragliding in Antalya
Paragliding rides in Turkey. Pic credit: Chris_Parfitt used under CC license
Soar like a bird above the Turkish coast during the summer on a tandem paraglider flight. These free-flying foot-launched aircrafts provide a gentle, spiralling ride down from the Taurus mountains to the golden beaches of the Mediterranean.
Sitting behind an experienced pilot you’ll fly down from an altitude of 6000 feet, staying in the air for over an hour. Antalya is one of the safest and most scenic places to paraglide in Europe. Top tip: Make sure you are insured before you fly.
Windsurfing in Bodrum
Windsurfing is one of the many watersports to try. Pic credit: texaus1 used under CC license
Bodrum, on Turkey’s Aegean Coast, is an excellent water sports destination with special centres along its coastline catering for every taste. The summers here are hot and dry, so there’s no better place to be than in the water.
The average water temperature is a balmy 19C. Popular water sports include surfing, windsurfing, jet skiing and water-skiing.
Bitez, located around 5km from central Bodrum, is particularly good for windsurfing, as you’ll find stiff winds blowing into the Bodrum peninsula.
Diving in Dalaman
Escape to an underwater paradise, on a scuba diving holiday in Dalaman. The clear blue waters off the coast of Dalaman are perfect for beginner and expert divers alike.
If you are new to diving there are daily diving courses throughout the summer months, giving newbies a chance to experience the vibrant colours and rich wildlife off Turkey’s coast.
For more experienced divers, there are many ancient archaeological sites and wrecks that you can visit on your trip.
Along with beautiful coastal stretches, Turkey is home to vibrant cities, ancient sites and lush mountainous regions. And don’t forget the delicious Turkish cuisine.
Elma Humpries is a content writer, photographer and blogger. She loves exploring the world and discovering new cultures and food.