Safety · Destination Guide
Ayvalik and Cunda
Northern Aegean day-boat diving, deep red-coral habitats and Cunda island culture
Safety · Destination Guide
Northern Aegean day-boat diving, deep red-coral habitats and Cunda island culture
Plan guided recreational dives within qualification, limits and weather. The island-and-coast region is partly marine nature park and includes protected underwater heritage. Verified local emergency hospital support is in Ayvalik; a documented hyperbaric unit is at Balikesir Ataturk City Hospital, not established in Ayvalik town. Use 112 for emergency dispatch, including coast guard coordination. Operators must demonstrate authorization, appropriate staff, safety equipment and current lawful site access.
Use a currently authorized TSSF center and instructor. Check certifications, dive plan, gas, emergency oxygen, local currents, no-decompression limits and boat pickup. A local trial scuba dive is supervised and depth-limited to 5 m under the cited federation regulation. The district has named deeper pinnacles: do not visit them simply because a tourism list calls the region suitable for all levels.
Open-water viewing is not permission for cave, cavern or wreck penetration. A September 2026 local report mentioned newly permitted historical wreck diving, but this research does not establish the exact licensed wreck, GPS boundary, heritage conditions or public operator access. Never disturb artifacts or enter a restricted cultural site.
Freedive only with an attentive, trained rescue partner or qualified instructor. Avoid solo apnea and hyperventilation. Swimmers should follow the captain and remain away from boat traffic and anchors. Wind and sea state override published calendar windows.
Ayvalik State Hospital publishes an emergency department and switchboard +90 266 312 17 44. Balikesir Ataturk City Hospital publishes a hyperbaric oxygen treatment center; the TSSF chamber directory also lists +90 266 460 40 00, but its chamber listing notes a June 2021 information basis. Neither page establishes continuous chamber availability or a safe self-transfer. In suspected decompression illness, arterial gas embolism or other serious dive injury, call 112 immediately, tell dispatch about the dive, give first aid and oxygen if trained, and follow medical direction. Do not independently choose a treatment facility or dive again. Verify insurance that includes diving and emergency transfer.
Some named coral sites are deep
Deeper pinnacles can exceed normal recreational limits and may have strong current. Certification, gas planning, supervision and legal site status control the actual itinerary.
Park and archaeological access is not automatic
Nature park status and newly reported wreck access must not be mistaken for public permission to dive, penetrate a wreck or remove artifacts. Confirm exact site permissions.
Wind and changing day-boat routes
Boat operators choose islands and protected sides for conditions. Rough surface water and storms can cancel or reroute planned outings, even in summer.
Freediving supervision not verified
No directly validated named local apnea instructor, rescue program or fixed site was established. Never train alone or regard scuba supervision as a substitute.
Ayvalik Islands Nature Park includes protected sea and land. The Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks documents installation of 50 moorings to reduce anchoring damage to Posidonia seagrass and invasive sea-grape impacts. Stay neutrally buoyant, keep fins and gear off fragile coral and seagrass, avoid touching or collecting marine organisms, and never remove historical material. Use authorized moorings or follow park-approved instructions; do not assume anchoring is permissible merely because boats pass an island. Site-specific access and fishing/spearfishing rules require a separate legal check. Do not feed fish or other wildlife.
Do Not Do This
Avoid entering when some named coral sites are deep. Confirm local briefings before committing.
| Contact | Role | Phone | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey unified emergency dispatch | Ambulance, coast guard and other emergencies | 112 | 24 hours; official national emergency number |
| Ayvalik State Hospital switchboard | Local emergency department and medical assessment | +90 266 312 17 44 | Hospital lists an emergency unit; confirm service access via 112 in an emergency |
| Balikesir Ataturk City Hospital | Hospital listing a hyperbaric oxygen treatment center | +90 266 460 40 00 | Chamber availability and acceptance unverified; use 112 for routing |
| Balikesir Nature Conservation and National Parks Directorate | Park access, protected-area questions and local office referral | +90 266 261 62 83 | Office hours not verified; not an emergency line |
| TSSF federation | Dive center authorization and regulatory clarification | +90 312 310 41 36 | Federation office hours; not a medical emergency line |