A discovery dive is the easiest way to find out whether scuba diving is for you, and Kaş is a very good place to try it. The sea here is warm, clear and sheltered, and sites suited to first-timers lie only a short boat ride from the harbour. No previous experience or certificate is required. After a short briefing and a pool-style practice in the shallows, an instructor takes you on a shallow guided dive, usually to a depth of around six to twelve metres, where you can see fish, rock formations and sometimes a cave opening in good light. The package normally includes pickup arrangements, all equipment, an instructor for one or two participants, and a boat trip to the dive site. Safety is taken very seriously: the instructor will go through hand signals, equalising your ears, breathing technique and what to do if your mask floods. You will be asked to complete a short health questionnaire, and anyone with certain conditions, such as asthma or heart problems, may need a doctor's approval. It is advisable to be honest on the form, since it exists to protect you.
What happens, step by step
The first part is at the dive centre or on the boat, where you meet your instructor, put on a wetsuit and learn the basics. Then you enter the water in a shallow spot and practise breathing underwater, clearing your mask and using your regulator. Once you are comfortable, you descend slowly, with the instructor holding your equipment or hand, and swim along the bottom. Most people find that the feeling of weightlessness is unlike anything else.
Who it suits
Fit adults and many teenagers can join, typically from the age of ten or twelve with parental consent and instructor approval, but ask the centre about minimum ages. You do not need to be a strong swimmer, but you should be comfortable in water. If you wear glasses, ask about prescription masks or contact lenses. Pregnant women, people with certain medical conditions and those who have recently flown should check with a doctor and the centre.
If you like it
Many visitors go on to take a short open water course, which is also offered in Kaş, and then dive as certified divers on later days. A discovery dive may also count toward the first stage of a certification at some centres, so ask. For anyone who does not wish to dive, snorkelling trips and glass-bottom boats are available, and the Kekova boat days are great for sightseeing.
Practical tips
Avoid alcohol the night before, have a light meal, and avoid flying for twenty-four hours after a dive. Bring a towel, sun cream, a change of clothes and a waterproof camera if you wish. Seasickness tablets help in windy weather. Dive operators often have photographers or provide cameras for a fee, so you can bring home a record of your first breaths below the surface.
What you take home
Many centres offer photos or video of your dive for an extra fee, and a short certificate of participation is common. Even if you never dive again, the experience of breathing underwater beside a rocky wall full of fish is a vivid memory, and the calm, clear water of the bay makes Kaş an unusually gentle place to start.
What to expect
The experience
A half-day introduction to diving with a briefing, practice in the shallows and a guided shallow dive with an instructor.
Best time
Late spring to early autumn for the warmest and clearest water.
How long
A morning or half day.
Tips
Fill in the health form honestly, avoid alcohol beforehand and avoid flying for 24 hours afterwards.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Curious beginners who have never dived before.
- Families
- Teenagers can often join with consent. Ask about minimum age.
- Couples
- A shared adventure for two beginners with one instructor each.
- Pair with
- A snorkelling trip, a Kekova boat day or an evening in Kaş.
- Time needed
- A morning or half day.
Good questions
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?+
No, but you should be comfortable in water.
How deep will I go?+
Usually between six and twelve metres, with an instructor beside you.
Is there a minimum age?+
Many centres accept children from around ten or twelve with consent. Confirm when you book.
Can I dive if I have a medical condition?+
Some conditions need a doctor's approval. Fill in the health form honestly.
Will I earn a certificate?+
A discovery dive is an introduction, not a certification, but it may count toward a course at some centres.