Sancakli Bay

Sancaklı Bay provides a sheltered and rewarding intermediate dive experience along one of the most scenic stretches of Turkey's Lycian coast, south of the famous Ölüdeniz lagoon. Descending to thirty meters in waters protected by the bay's natural embrace, this site offers the perfect combination of manageable conditions and genuine Mediterranean marine richness that makes it ideal for divers building experience or simply seeking a beautiful, relaxed dive in extraordinary surroundings. The bay takes its name from the small settlement perched on the hillside above, and its geography provides the shelter that makes diving here so pleasant. Headlands on either side break the open-sea swells, while the bay's orientation reduces the impact of the prevailing winds that can make more exposed sites along this coast challenging. The result is a body of water that maintains relatively calm conditions even when the open Mediterranean beyond is sporting whitecaps, making Sancaklı Bay a reliable option that dive operators can count on throughout the season. Beneath the bay's protected surface, the underwater landscape unfolds as a gently sloping reef that transitions from rocky shallows to deeper sandy areas interspersed with reef formations. The rocks in the shallows are densely colonized by algae and encrusting organisms, creating a colorful border zone that teems with juvenile fish, blennies, and the small crustaceans that form the base of the reef food chain. As depth increases, the reef structures become more substantial, with larger rock formations creating overhangs, small caves, and the three-dimensional habitat that supports the site's diverse fish community. Marine life in Sancaklı Bay benefits from the sheltered conditions that keep the water calm and the sediment settled. Visibility is typically very good, with the protected position and the clean waters of the Lycian coast combining to produce conditions where divers can see the full extent of the reef's features. Schools of Mediterranean chromis and damselfish populate the reef's upper sections, their constant activity creating a vibrant atmosphere from the first moments of descent. Wrasse patrol their territories among the rocks, while larger species including grouper and scorpionfish occupy the deeper, more structured areas of the reef. The sandy areas between reef formations deserve careful attention from observant divers. Cuttlefish are frequent visitors to these clearings, their extraordinary ability to change color and texture making them endlessly fascinating to watch. Flatfish blend into the substrate with remarkable effectiveness, and garden eels may be spotted extending their slender bodies from their burrows in the sand, retracting instantly when approached too closely. These sand-dwelling species add a dimension to the dive that the rocky reef alone cannot provide, rewarding divers who divide their attention between the two habitats. For photographers, Sancaklı Bay's combination of clear water, diverse subjects, and good lighting makes it a highly productive site. The sheltered conditions reduce the surge and particle disturbance that plague photographers at more exposed locations, while the abundant marine life provides willing subjects in a variety of sizes and behaviors. Wide-angle compositions benefit from the visibility, and the reef's varied topography offers interesting backgrounds for marine life portraits. The setting of Sancaklı Bay enhances the diving experience with a beauty that extends well above the waterline. The pine-covered hillsides that surround the bay drop steeply to the water's edge, creating a natural amphitheater of green and blue that feels far removed from the tourist bustle of nearby Ölüdeniz. The boat ride to the site offers views of the dramatic Lycian coastline, ancient Lycian rock tombs visible in the cliffs above, and the crystalline water that has made this stretch of Turkey world-famous. Sancaklı Bay is the kind of dive site that reminds divers why they fell in love with the underwater world in the first place. Its combination of natural beauty, accessible conditions, and genuine marine life interest makes it a cornerstone of the Fethiye diving experience.