If its diverse landscapes, incredible history and a rich culture you’re after, Turkey is a great place to travel. The friendly locals and myriad of cities to explore make it the perfect country for the traveller that likes to get off the beaten track with the possibility of immersing yourself into the culture of the country. With a Mediterranean climate, Turkey experiences hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. The capital of Istanbul offers hospitable locals, rich history, incredible sun sets, authentic restaurants and an extraordinary cultural experience on every corner! Whether you’re drifting along in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, discovering endless classical ruins in Ephesus or diving the historic World War One wrecks of Gallipoli, this country will be sure to impress!
Diving Destinations in Turkey
General Information
- Entry Requirements
- Money
- Language
- Electricity
- Time Zone
- Clothing
- Climate
- Water Temperature
- Departure Tax
- Tipping
- Luggage Allowance
Australians travelling to Turkey require a visa for stays up to 90 days. This online visa needs to be organised prior to departure and costs USD$60 as of 15 June 2016.
Australian passport holders require a valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond their intended stay. All travellers must have return or onward tickets and sufficient funds for their stay. For more information and for holders of other passports, please refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website for the latest travel advice.
The local currency is the Turkish Lire (TRY). One AUD equals approximately 2.18 TRY. Many hotels accept Euros, USD and have international ATM’s however be sure to check before you depart with your specific hotel/ town.
Turkish is the most widely spoken language in Turkey. English is spoken by younger people however it will help learning some basic Turkish phrases before arriving in the country.
230V/ 50hz and uses the two pronged plug type.
GMT + 11 (1 hour ahead of Sydney).
Light casual clothing is recommended. Women should dress modestly in public places.
There are significant differences in climate throughout Turkey, depending on which area you are. The coastal regions are known for their mild climate, where as the inland Anatolia plateau experiences a dryer climate with hot summers and cold winters. Therefore, the best time to go will depend significantly on the region in which you will be travelling.
Similarly to the climate, the water temperatures in Turkey very significantly with the seasons and region in which you are diving! Gallipoli, where much of our diving is completed has an average water temperature of 20 – 24 degrees.
None as of 30 June 2016.
As a general rule of thumb, you are expected to tip 5 – 10% in restaurants, cafes and bars throughout Turkey. Hotel staff expect between 5 and 20 Turkish Liras for their services and taxi driver fares should simply be rounded up.
There are a number of airline carriers flying to Turkey including Emirates, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways. The general baggage allowance international travel is 30kgs plus 7kgs carry on, however this often changes on domestic flights and varies from airline to airline. We recommend that you check your airline carrier’s website or call us to check current weight limits prior to departure. Should any weight limits be exceeded, excess baggage charges may apply.
