Turkey ought to be full of super places to sea kayak. It probably is. Look at a map of the SW coast, and you’ll see endless coves and peninsulas. There is, however, little sea kayaking actually going on. This seems largely for two reasons:
- high taxes on imported recreational equipment make kayaks very expensive
- stupid rules (by the coast guard?)
The tax problem can be overcome with money which is how Ferda and I managed to get out for a half-day tour from Üçağız. However, because kayaks are so expensive, there are few places that have them and of those places few are willing to let the kayaks go without a guide. What this means is: don’t get too excited looking at that incredible map of Turkey’s SW coast. Finding a kayak can be very difficult.
The stupid rules, however, are even more troubling. Turkey is full of stupid rules. Many of them prohibit entering just about every body of water you come across away from the coasts. In this case the rules prevent kayakers from using the coastal water (in some areas) because kayaking is dangerous. I am not kidding. That is the reason given.
They let cars in residential neighborhoods, and they won’t let kayakers in the sea next to Antalya. They claim there’s too much motor boat traffic, making it dangerous to kayak. Yet — I love this — you’re allowed to swim in the same area. This summer I was swimming every morning in Antalya. I was learning how to swim — how to breathe, how to move in a straight line. I tried to stay near the cliffy shore, but sometimes I’d look up and find myself out in the sea, sometimes even near boats. Once or twice it felt perhaps dangerous. You can swim, but not kayak!?
Another place you’re not allowed to kayak is in the Kekova/Kaleüçağız area. In this case, however, the caveat is without a guide. The same reason was given here as in Antalya: there’s too much motor boat traffic making it unsafe for kayaking. Our guide warned us: this is the high season; you’ll need to be very careful of the boat traffic. Well, crowded for Turkey is not crowded like we’re used to in many parts of the world. Sure, there were boats, but it felt most dangerous when we were swimming at our designated swim stop, not when we were in the kayaks.
Continue reading →
