Whilst diving in the Aegean and the Med in the 90’s, Murat Draman heard that some of the big-eyed fish hiding under the rocks had actually come from the Red Sea. Since then, impressed by this region and having decided to base his professional activities here, he had the opportunity to follow his interest in the amazing biodiversity and dynamics of Kaş underwater. Draman says that having the privilege to dive 12 months a year in Kaş-Kekova Marine Protected Area and being a stakeholder in this region made him see it as a duty to record and document his observations.
A closed sea, the evolution of the Mediterranean is affected profoundly by invasive species. The Kaş region, given its geographical position, is influenced by those coming through the Suez Canal. Since its earliest days, this “lessepsian” migration has attracted the interest of scientists, locals and divers alike. They are following the changing biodiversity with curiosity and sometimes with concern.
With this book, without a presumption of being scientific or complete, but rather tentatively an aesthetic approach, Draman offers his underwater observations on Red Sea species seen in this region between 2000 – 2015 with 128 photographs of 58 species. Commentaries are kept as short as possible, aiming at providing some species-specific or local information, through the eyes of a diver. Dr. Baki Yokeş made a valuable contribution to the book with his scientific highlights.
It’s hard not to be amazed by nature’s creatures, but those that are underwater are harder to reach and mysterious: impossible to reveal those fabulous colours without the flashlights of underwater cameras.
With the observation forms at the end of the book readers are invited to a citizen science application by reporting new species.
You can order your copy from www.redseainthemed.com.
WWF interviews Dragoman owner Murat Draman
For many diving is just a hobby – for some a fervent mission. Murat Draman operates his business Dragoman in the MPA of Kaş-Kevova, Turkey, away from the places most visited by tourists, to teach people who want to discover its underwater natural treasures how to respect and protect them. [Read more…] about WWF interviews Dragoman owner Murat Draman
Go Sidemount with Dragoman
The PADI Sidemount Diver Specialty Course teaches you how to configure and use one or two cylinders mounted at your sides instead of on your back. Experience a different way to streamline in the water, reduce lower back strain and take advantage of the increased gas supply for longer dives.
Sidemount diving is configuring the diver’s cylinders under the diver’s arms, rather than on the back. This configuration is well suited to a lot of different environments and implies excellent advantages for divers with limited mobility that prefer sidemount over wearing back mounted cylinders. Sidemount is also popular for cave diving and single cylinders are easier to haul when divers must carry gear through rough terrain to the water’s edge.
The benefits of sidemount diving include:
Adjustability: enhance your streamlining and body position while better controlling environmental contact.
Access: easy access to the regulator first stage(s) and tank valve(s) which are positioned in front of you instead of behind you.
Back relief: by mounting cylinder(s) on their sides.
Maximize time: a comfortable option to increase air supply and maximize bottom time; especially when using enriched air (nitrox).
Redundant gas supply and delivery system: handle a low or out-of-gas problem by switching to the second cylinder; handle a regulator failure by switching to the second regulator.
Here at Dragoman we conduct our PADI Sidemount Courses with Apeks Sidemount Regulator Systems and Apeks WSX-25 Sidemound Harness Systems.
This course includes a practical application session, one confined water dive and three open water dives.
Lycian Plateau Birdwatching Tour
After our delicious bird-watching tour last month we wanted to repeat it! This time we will go up to the Kaş Plateau, and watch birds at Avlan and Girdev Lakes. We will pass cedar forests and breathe the fresh air of the plateau. We will also visit Elmalı’s Ottoman heritage houses and hamams. Of course, we will also try Elmalı meatballs on a skewer. Doing all this, we will have the opportunity to observe many different birds in their own habitat.
With the guidance of the experienced Bird Watcher and Ornithologist Cem Orkun Kıraç,
27-28 May 2017
(2 days, 1 night)
399 TL
%10 discount for children and LİKKUŞ members!
Guidance services + transfers + 2 lunch + suppers + accommodation and snacks
Number of participants
Min: 10 persons Max: 17 persons
No experience or foreknowledge is necessary to take part in the tour.
For reservations and more detailed information please contact Dragoman office at 0242 836 36 14. Facebook registrations will be ignored and registrations done at the office will be valid. Registrations will close at 18:00 on 24th of May 2017.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
05:00 Meeting at the office and leaving for Lake Avlan.
07:00 Arriving at Avlan and briefing about bird-watching
07:30 Lake Avlan bird-watching
12:00 Resting and picnic time
13:00 Leaving for Elmalı and visiting of the historical sites
17:00 Arriving at the hotel and free time
19:00 Supper time
20:00 Bird Dia Presentation – Birds in Equatorial Africa, Cem Orkun Kıraç
Day 2
06:00 Leaving for Lake Girdev
07:00 Arriving at Lake Girdev and bird-watching
12:00 Leaving for Gömbe
13:00 Lunch in Gömbe and going back to Kaş
16:00 Presentation to recognize birds and skills to differentiate species and handing in Dragoman LİKKUŞ Bird-Watcher Certificates
17:00 Free time
Please click to see the list of birds available to watch during this season.
Our new PADI Instructors…
Following the PADI Instructor Develepment Course (IDC) conducted by our PADI Course Director Ozan Atabilen between the 17th and 28th of April, the PADI Instructor Exam (IE) was completed between the 30th of April and the 1st of May in Fethiye.
All our instructor candidates have completed this process successfully to become PADI Open Water SCUBA Instructors (OWSI).
We wish success to Bora Ömeroğulları, Hakan Akkuş, Togay Tanyolaç, and Tolga Yücel in their new careers, and congratulate Ozan.
Lifeguard Courses in Kaş
A new job opportunity!
You can find a job at hotels, swimming pools, resorts, beaches, beach parks and aqua-parks as a lifeguard.
You can participate at the bronze and silver lifeguard courses organised by Dragoman.
To participate at course which will be hold by Akdeniz Lifeguard Center you have to;
– Be a good swimmer
– graduate at least from primary school
– be at least 18
For detailed information, reservation and special opportunities please contact us.
PADI IDC + EFR Instructor Programme
If you want to continue your diving career as a “PADI Instructor” and be part of the diving industry by organising course programmes, we would be happy to see you at our PADI Instructor Courses (IDC).
Dates for the PADI IDC + EFR Instructor Course;
2-14 April and 17-29 April
PADI Instructor Exam (IE) Dates;
30 April – 1 May Fethiye and 3-4 May Bodrum
Candidates who want to participitate at the PADI IDC programme can choose one of the courses and exam dates above.
PADI IDC (Instructor Development Course)
PADI IDC (Instructor Development Course) is run by a PADI Course Director and after completing the course you earn the right to take IE (Instructor Exam). The participants of this course must be professionals who have enough experience and knowledge about diving. PADI Professionals or professionals divers trained in an equivalent course are eligible for taking this course. During the course old skills and knowledge will be refreshed and taken to the maximum level. In addition to this, the participants will be trained in different topics such as PADI System and Standarts, Diving Theories, Diving Skills, Shallow Water Training, Open Water Trainings, Lecture Presentations, and Presentation Methods, Sales and Marketing. Successfully completing the course and passing the IE the participants will become PADI OPEN WATER SCUBA INSTRUCTOR and will be eligible to arrange PADI training courses and give divers PADI certification. For more information and course periods please contact our office.
For detailed information, reservation and special opportunities please contact us.
Lion fish in Kaş
We got the last Red Sea lessepsian lion fish on camera.
Murat Draman at the WWF newsletter
Kaş Kekova protected marine area was the subject of the WWF newsletter and Dragoman Outdoor founder Murat Draman was quoted at the article with the headline “Making tourims work for nature”.
“Of course the richness of the ocean, of the Mediterranean Sea, is a plus for the existence of our business. But the same resource is used by the fishermen, the tour boats, by others who have businesses in Kaş, like restaurants and hotels. All of us interact with this environment,” says Draman.
By limiting development along the coast and protecting key habitats, the goal is to maintain the town’s unique appeal, attract tourists who are interested in enjoying nature and culture, and rebuild fish stocks for the long term.
Turkey Free Diving Championship
Dragoman boat hosted 2 days of the Turkey Free Diving Championship.
The Turkey Free Diving Championship in was held in Kaş, on August 20-23. The Championship brought together to disciplines of Free Diving; Fin Fixed Weight and Cube Apnea. Şahika Ercümen, wold record holder in free diving dove to 72 meters and breaking her own record got the gold medal.
Click to watch the video.