SCUBA Juy/August 2023 issue 137

TRAVELSPECIAL

That day we had a third dive which was really just an extra deco stop . The SS Milo had been used to supply troops in Anzac Cove , but sank in 5m during the evacuation . Much of the wreck is covered with sand and seagrass but there wasn ’ t much to get excited about .

On our way to the hotel on that final evening we visited the Underwater Museum at Kabatepe . The museum is beside a lighthouse at the top of the cliffs and is dedicated to the wrecks and the conflicts along that stretch of coast . In many ways it would have been useful to have visited the museum at the beginning of the week , it may have helped us to understand the wrecks better underwater .

There are extensive renovations being carried out on many of the ancient fortifications along that part of the coast . The tourist board is hoping to attract visitors to this beautiful but forgotten part of Turkey that is steeped in so much history .

The team on Turkish TV

The view from Kabatepe

Essentials

Dive equipment : ByemDive has an extensive range of gear for visitors to hire , though most of our party took their own kit . If you want to keep your luggage to a minimum you could just take your mask and computer . Their dive tanks are steel , the majority are 12-litre but they do have a few 15-litre . Most of our group dived in 5mm or 7mm wetsuits . This was fine underwater , but the strong winds made me long for my drysuit between dives .

Accommodation : There is plenty of hotel accommodation in Eceabat . We stayed at TJ ’ s Hotel located near the marina and ferry port . TJ himself speaks excellent English and is a member of the local tourist board . The hotel has its own 24 seater coach and driver which was a great asset during our stay .

Getting there : We flew from Heathrow to Istanbul with British Airways . Turkish Airlines offer a similar service but BA has a far more generous allowance for hand luggage , very useful if you are taking dive kit and camera gear . Private coach transfer from Istanbul takes about four to five hours .

When to go : We visited in mid- October . Conditions above and below the water would have been better in the summer .

Blown out : There are a lot of military cemeteries , monuments and museums throughout the region , most with free admission . The ferry service adjacent to the hotel gives rapid access to Canakkale on the opposite side of the Dardanelles Straits . Canakkale is a very vibrant and modern city , with extensive shopping centres and restaurants ; a marked contrast from the peace and tranquillity of Eceabat . The countryside and coastline are largely unspoilt and there are some beautiful walks among olive groves , vineyards , fig and pomegranate trees . Unexploded ordinance regularly makes its way to the surface so do avoid picking up anything that looks ‘ dodgy ’!

SCUBA Juy/August 2023 issue 137 | Page 58

Essentials

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