Dive Site: Kızıl Island

About Kızıl Island

Kızıl Island, known locally as Kızılada, is a prominent dive site situated near Fethiye on Turkey's southwestern coast. The area is renowned for its exceptional water clarity and warm temperatures, making it a favored destination for divers of all experience levels seeking to explore the Mediterranean's underwater wonders. Liveaboard itineraries often include this site, allowing for comprehensive exploration. The underwater landscape around Kızıl Island features captivating structures such as the Kızılada Lighthouse and Kızılada Canyon dive sites. These formations create a dynamic environment, with walls that plunge to significant depths and areas that host a wide array of marine organisms, from schooling fish to various invertebrates. Divers here can expect to encounter a vibrant ecosystem. The clear waters are home to numerous species including large groupers, barracudas, and schools of jacks, as well as octopuses, cuttlefish, and squids. Macro life, such as nudibranchs, shrimp, and crabs, can be found in rocky crevices, adding to the site's rich biodiversity. Exploring Kızıl Island typically involves navigating its distinctive geological features and observing the diverse marine life thriving within its underwater habitats. The excellent visibility common in the Fethiye region, often reaching up to 30 meters, greatly enhances the diving experience, allowing for detailed observation and underwater photography.

Dive site facts: Kızıl Island

Depth

Up to 40 m

Current

Mild

Visibility

Up to 30 m

Water temperature

20–28°C

Entry

Boat

Level

All levels

Dive type

Wall, reef, macro, canyon

Region / port

Fethiye

Coordinates

36.4324° N, 29.1157° E

Conditions & Currents

Currents around Kızıl Island are generally mild, making it suitable for a range of dive levels, but conditions can vary. Dive planning accounts for the prevalent currents to ensure minimal effort against them and a comfortable experience. Visibility is a consistent highlight, frequently extending up to 30 meters, contributing to easy navigation and observation of marine life. While specific thermocline data for Kızıl Island isn't detailed, the broader Fethiye area is known for warm surface waters during peak season, which generally ensures comfortable conditions throughout the dive profile. Divers can expect serene entry and exit procedures, typically from liveaboard tenders or day boats, with the clear conditions supporting relaxed descents and ascents.

Marine life & sighting chances

Loggerhead turtle

occasional

Green turtle

occasional

Hawksbill turtle

occasional

Grouper

common

Barracuda

common

Jackfish

common

Octopus

common

Cuttlefish

common

Squid

common

Moray eel

occasional

Lionfish

occasional

Scorpionfish

occasional

Nudibranch

common

Shrimp

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Kızıl Island often begin near the Kızılada Canyon or Kızılada Lighthouse, typically involving a giant stride or back roll entry from a tender. The profile usually follows the natural contours of the underwater wall, descending along its face to explore the canyon's features and the crevices that shelter macro life. Divers maintain a progressive depth, usually starting around 10-15 meters and potentially exploring deeper sections of the wall down to 40 meters, depending on certification and gas limits. The turn point is determined by air consumption or time, after which the ascent follows the wall, often spiraling gently upwards. The safety stop is conducted at 5 meters, typically with the wall in view, before surfacing near the tender for an easy pickup.

Underwater photography

Kızıl Island offers excellent opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography due to its diverse topography and marine life. For wide-angle shots, consider capturing the dramatic underwater walls and the Kızılada Canyon, especially when schools of barracuda or jacks are present. The clear waters, often reaching 30 meters of visibility, provide ample ambient light for vibrant reef scenes; supplementing with strobes will enhance color and contrast. Macro enthusiasts will find nudibranchs, shrimp, and crabs hidden in the rocky crevices and soft corals, requiring a dedicated macro lens. Good buoyancy control is essential to avoid disturbing the delicate soft corals that adorn the walls and to secure steady shots of shy subjects.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Aladin's Cavern

  A cavern dive where you can surface inside to the 'Turkish Bath'.

• Ilyosta Island

  Offers diverse dive sites including caverns and reefs.

• Adabanko Reef

  Adabanko Reef is an inviting dive site situated approximately two kilometers off the coast of Kuşadası in Turkey's Aegean Sea.

• Tunnels bay

  Tunnels Bay, also known as Small Reef/Three Tunnels, offers a distinctive underwater landscape just two miles from Fethiye harbor in Turkey.

• Oasis reef

  Oasis Reef, also known as Oasis Banko, is a distinct dive site located south of Kaş, Turkey, accessible only by boat.

Getting there & logistics

Fethiye, the main hub for accessing Kızıl Island, is easily reached via Dalaman Airport (DLM), with a transfer time of about 45 minutes, or Antalya Airport (AYT), approximately three hours away. Liveaboard vessels typically depart from Fethiye Port, offering multi-day itineraries that include Kızıl Island and other local sites. Day boat trips are also available from Fethiye for single-day excursions. There are generally no specific dive site fees beyond the liveaboard or day trip cost. While itineraries often focus on the Fethiye region, some liveaboards may incorporate Kızıl Island into broader routes along the Turkish Riviera, occasionally even involving one-way trips to or from distant ports.

Safety & environment

For dive emergencies around Kızıl Island, the nearest recompression chamber is located in İzmir, necessitating significant evacuation time which can be challenging. Divers are strongly advised to hold comprehensive dive insurance that covers medical evacuation and hyperbaric treatment. Site-specific hazards are generally minimal due to mild currents, but always listen carefully to your dive guide for local conditions and potential surge. Adhere to safe diving practices, including monitoring no-decompression limits, maintaining proper buoyancy, and never touching marine life or disturbing the delicate coral ecosystems. Carry a surface marker buoy and ensure your personal dive equipment is well-maintained.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Kızıl Island FAQ

Liveaboards diving Kızıl Island

These liveaboards may visit Kızıl Island on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Okyanus JD

Turkey

12 guests24 m

$155/day