Real estate in Turkey is becoming increasingly popular among overseas citizens. People come here to stay for vacations and permanent residence, purchasing or renting apartments in Turkey, and booking hotel rooms. Previously, our foreigners preferred a more relaxed vacation. Nowadays, tourists have significantly changed their resort habits.
Currently, more and more people are visiting this country not just for the beaches and all-inclusive hotels but also for active recreation. Tourists сan paraglide above the sea and the coast, dive deep to the seabed, and explore forests and gorges. In this article, we will discuss the well-liked water activities available in Turkey.
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Rafting
Rafting is an extreme sport that involves navigating mountain rivers with waterfalls and rifts. You can go rafting in any weather, but beginners are advised to choose sunny and calm days. It is recommended to bring a change of clothes to feel comfortable after the activity.
You can book a rafting tour at your hotel, where there is often a dedicated guide. It is also easy to find a group to raft with through travel agencies.
The cost of guided tours at hotels is higher compared to travel companies: €55–65 versus €20–40 per person.
Rafting is available in almost any Turkish resort. For example, if you are staying in Fethiye, Marmaris, or Dalyan, you should choose the Dalaman River for rafting. This river has a fast flow and is closer to these locations, saving you travel time.
Vacationers in Side, Antalya, Belek, Kemer, and Alanya are better off rafting on the Kopruchay River.
Kayaking
Kayaking involves navigating a narrow boat made of polyethylene and plastic using a double blade paddle.
If people raft down the river in giant inflatable rafts, usually in groups, kayaking is the drop to one to two or three individuals sitting in one boat down the body of water. Another key distinction is that rafting includes going down lush waters with rapids, whereas kayaking does not require "violent" stream of water and can be done on a quiet river, lake, or sea.
It is recommended for beginners to take lessons from an instructor before attempting kayaking. For the activity, the city of Kas is a great destination. From there, you can travel along the Mediterranean Sea to Kekova Island near Demre, where you can see the partially submerged ancient settlement called Dolihisten.
Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing is a water sport where a surfer maneuvers on waves while controlling a kite. The kite flies and the surfer moves around on the waves to catch the winds. Hydro boots are required for successful maneuvering for kitesurfers. They will protect your feet from any sharp objects that may come across, such as corals. Wearing a wetsuit is recommended to avoid catching a cold because you will be constantly blasted by the wind during the movement. All equipment is available for rent at the kite stations.
The villages of Alacati and Akyaka on the Aegean coast are well-known as kitesurfing places. The wind conditions in these locations are ideal for the sport. Lessons at a kite school cost around €50.
Windsurfing
Windsurfing involves controlling a board with a mounted sail. The village of Alacati, located 6 kilometers from Cesme, is a popular destination for windsurfing.
Regular winds blow here in the summer, when there are hardly no tourists due to the heat. Wind and coolness are felt while carving through the water, thus individuals are not concerned about the high air temperature.
In Alacati, you will ride on shallows with a depth of 1–1.5 meters and a length of 400 meters. A bottom like this, along with consistent winds, is uncommon, hence beginners choose to learn windsurfing here. Alacati also has absolutely smooth water with no sea stones protruding from the water. Windsurfing is considerably more enjoyable in the autumn because the wind blows from the sea, raising the waves.
The beach is where you may rent windsurfer equipment. There are a total of five such points. The station, which is located in the Alacati lagoon, has instructors speaking foreign languages.
A beginner will pay around €200 for five days of two-hour instruction at local surf centers. Equipment rental is included in the fee, in addition to training. The first trial hour will be delivered at no cost to you.
You have the option to swap boards whether the equipment is rented online or already in place. The rental staff will assist you in determining the appropriate sail size for the weather conditions.
Snorkeling and Diving
Many people are familiar with diving, but what about snorkeling? These sports are similar but not identical.
Snorkeling involves swimming with a snorkel to observe marine life from above, while diving involves deep diving with scuba gear.
Snorkeling allows you to observe fish, turtles, live reefs, and even shipwrecks. These activities can be enjoyed in various locations such as Marmaris, Kemer, Kas, Bodrum, Kalkan, Manavgat, Sichan Island near Antalya, Ayvalik, Canakkale, and Mersin.
Equipment rental costs around €10, and the dive itself starts at €30.
Regatta
Some travelers visit Turkey to relax and participate in regattas. These yacht races can last several days and involve multiple boats.
Both professional and amateur sailors can participate in these races. In non-professional contests, all individuals are often given the opportunity to participate, regardless of their level of experience or citizenship. To join a regatta, participants must register and pay an organizational fee. Amongst the members of a team, it is common to find individuals who are strangers to each other, including both accomplished athletes and seasoned yacht champions, alongside beginners who have just embarked on their first yacht journey.
All organizational concerns must be settled on the shore in order to spend time at the resort with benefit and enjoyment; it is also preferable to arrange accommodation in advance. We assist in the search for apartments and villas in Turkey for both permanent living and holiday. On our aggregator website, you will find numerous possibilities for decent homes in various parts of the country.