photo by Matt Czarnocki, via flickr
At night, the action of the port city of Kusadasi takes to the Irish pubs and dance clubs in the downtown entertainment district. By day, however, the momentum swings to the sea, where nearly every water-born sport and activity carve out a home on along the long coast: parasailing, waterskiing, boating, wind surfing—you name it. All watersports in Kusadasi benefit immensely from the Aegean sun, which bathes the city in sunshine 300 days per year. First timers on a Kusadasi shore excursion should indeed take advantage of the city’s large reservoir of guides and instructors, usually found in droves around the beaches and hotels.
Below the Water
As seductive the top side of the sea is, the real beauty lies below the surface, where dramatic underwater landscapes sit on volcanic fissures emitting hot water. Threading all of it is an abundance of marine life, including mullet, seabream, turbot, moray eels, octopus, and occasional dolphins. Snorkeling and scuba diving training is easy to find and covers all levels, with shallow, clear water for beginners and caves and volcanic springs for the more experienced.
Above the Water
The wide open expanse of water gives speed boats enough time and space to send passengers up to 850 feet with the right equipment. Parasailing via parachute is the most popular method of getting airborn and offered by several providers in and around the beaches as well as regional travel agencies. They usually pick up and drop of customers at their hotel.
On the Water
Kusadasi lies on the northern edge of the yachting and cruising routes running along the scene-stealing south Aegean coast. Its marina is one of the biggest in Turkey, which makes it the number one stop of cruise ships and a favorite of yacht owners (up to 380 of them). Gulets, bareboats, and catamarans can be chartered for daily and multi-day trips with dozens of local companies in economic, luxury, and boutique levels.