Dive Site: Small Reef

About Small Reef

Small Reef, situated near Bodrum on Turkey's Aegean coast, is a long-established and frequently visited dive site, known for its contained yet diverse underwater landscape. It provides an accessible and navigable experience, particularly appealing to new divers due to its manageable size and clear conditions. The site's topography is characterized by rocky formations, a dramatic wall system, and natural tunnels. The main reef top sits around 15 meters, gradually descending. Noteworthy features include three distinct tunnels, with the deepest beginning at approximately 30 meters and another at 20 meters, both offering easy exits. A narrower top tunnel requires more careful navigation, and a cement wreck rests between 18-21 meters, adding further interest. Despite its compact nature, Small Reef supports a healthy marine community. Common encounters include sea bream, wrasse, and groupers. Moray eels and octopus are often found within crevices and rocky shelters, along with damselfish, conger eels, cuttlefish, nudibranchs, lobsters, and scorpionfish. Sea fans also decorate the reef surfaces. Typically accessed by boat, divers can explore down to a maximum recreational depth of 30 meters. The site's structural complexity and concentrated marine life make it an engaging dive location that often encourages multiple visits to fully appreciate its nuances.

Dive site facts: Small Reef

Depth

5–30 m

Current

Mild to moderate

Visibility

18–30 m

Water temperature

17–28°C

Entry

Boat / RIB

Level

Beginner

Dive type

Reef, wall, macro

Region / port

Bodrum

Coordinates

36.4620° N, 29.1040° E

Conditions & Currents

Small Reef typically experiences mild to moderate currents, making it suitable for beginners, though conditions can vary. Surface conditions are generally calm, with average wave heights usually remaining below 0.7 meters, facilitating easy boat entry and exit. While no specific current direction is noted, the varied underwater topography with walls and outcrops can create localized eddies. Visibility is excellent, averaging around 25 meters during peak seasons, though it can reach up to 30 meters. Divers should always consult local dive operators for real-time conditions and plan their dive to account for any prevailing water movement, ensuring comfortable exploration of the reef's features.

Marine life & sighting chances

Grouper

common

Moray eel

common

Octopus

common

Sea bream

common

Wrasse

common

Damselfish

common

Conger eel

occasional

Cuttlefish

occasional

Nudibranch

occasional

Lobster

occasional

Scorpionfish

occasional

Sea fan

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Small Reef typically begin with a boat drop, often from a RIB. Divers usually descend to the reef's top, located around 15 meters. From this initial point, exploration often proceeds northwest, following the contours of large rocky outcrops and gradually descending along the main wall. Divers will encounter intriguing geological features such as three distinct tunnels, with one near 20 meters and a deeper one at approximately 30 meters, both allowing for easy navigation through. A smaller, narrower top tunnel requires more precise buoyancy. The dive may also include visiting a cement wreck found between 18 and 21 meters. The maximum recreational depth typically reached is 30 meters. Divers then ascend, making a safety stop at 5 meters before surfacing, where the boat will be waiting for pickup.

Underwater photography

Small Reef offers excellent opportunities for macro photography, especially along its reef surfaces and within the cavernous sections of the tunnels. A macro lens is highly recommended to capture the detail of nudibranchs, small crustaceans like lobsters, and juvenile fish hiding in crevices. For wider shots of the wall system and tunnels, a wide-angle lens can be effective. Good buoyancy control is essential to avoid disturbing delicate marine life and to navigate the tighter sections of the tunnels. Artificial lighting, such as strobes or video lights, will help bring out the vibrant colors of sponges, algae, and fish, especially in deeper areas and inside the tunnels.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Big Reef

  A larger, more advanced site often combined with Small Reef in Bodrum itineraries.

• PINAR-1 TURKISH NAVY SHIPWRECK

  An artificial reef created from a former Navy Coastguard water-carrying ship, located nearby.

• Airplane C-47 Dakota

  A military transport plane wreck, purposely sunk to create an artificial reef.

Getting there & logistics

Small Reef is located near Bodrum, a major resort town on Turkey's southwest coast. Divers typically fly into Bodrum-Milas Airport (BJV), which has good connections. From the airport, it's a short transfer to Bodrum city where numerous dive centers operate. Most dives to Small Reef are day trips by boat, departing from local ports in Bodrum. Trip durations are typically a single dive or a two-dive day trip, often combining Small Reef with nearby sites like Big Reef. There are no specific permits or park fees mentioned for diving this site, but daily dive boat fees will apply. The site is frequently included in introductory dive packages and open water courses due to its beginner-friendly nature.

Safety & environment

For diving at Small Reef, it is crucial to have proper dive insurance that covers recompression chamber treatment and medical evacuation. The nearest recompression chamber facilities would be in larger medical centers in Bodrum or nearby cities. In case of a diving emergency, evacuation would typically involve a boat transfer back to shore, followed by land transport to a medical facility. Divers should always adhere to standard safety protocols, including buddy system, proper depth and time management, and ascending slowly. Given the presence of tunnels, advanced training or close guide supervision is recommended for tunnel penetration. Always dive within your certification limits and follow the instructions of your dive guide. Visibility is generally good, but local conditions can change, so always be aware of your surroundings.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Small Reef FAQ

Liveaboards diving Small Reef

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

Okyanus JD

Turkey

12 guests24 m

$157/day