Active Pursuits

Diving

In addition to a wide variety of colorful plant and sea life, the Gulf of Antalya is also a graveyard for several unlucky World War II fighter planes and at least one groundbreaking shipwreck. Maybe the Meltem, the winds that blow in from the Caucuses, or the rocky coastline have something to do with it, but the results are some of the most fascinating dive sites along the coast. Dive concessions are on-site at all the major hotels and resorts all up and down the region's coastline. You don't have to be a guest to sign up but a day's notice is generally necessary. Yunus Diving, now located within the Beach Park on Konyaalti Beach (tel. 0242/238-4486 or 241-9204), offers a 2-hour discovery dive, 2-hour licensed dives, and wreck dives starting from around 40YTL ($35/£16; not including equipment rental but including the oxygen tank).

Golf

A relatively new phenomenon in Turkey, the game of golf is now catching like wildfire. Officials expect to double the number of courses by 2008 to 21, up from 11 in 2005 (three are in Istanbul and the remainder are in Antalya). Several clubs have created their very own sweet spot along the shores east of Antalya, in the secluded hills of Belek. To get to any of these, take the Antalya highway east and watch for signs for Belek on the right. All of the clubs and resorts are clearly signposted. You can book in advance by contacting the golf clubs individually, or by booking (often at a discount) through www.bookyourgolf.net. Book Your Golf also has a comprehensive listing, with descriptions of the courses, on its site. (Note: Keep your eyes peeled for the opening of LykiaLinks, Turkey's first seaside golf course to open in the region of Antalya, in September 2008 [www.lykiagroup.com]).

The most popular of the Antalya courses is the PGA Sultan Course at the Antalya Golf Club, in Belek (tel. 0242/725-5970; www.antalyagolfclub.com.tr) -- a par-71, 450 yd "challenge" designed by European Golf Design and David Jones. Greens fees range from 70YTL to 90YTL ($61-$78/£28-£36), depending on the season. Golfers under 16 play for 50% off.

The Gloria Golf Club (tel. 0242/715-1520) was the first and only resort to have its very own golf course. Michel Gayon is responsible for the design of two 18-hole championship courses; there's also a 3-hole practice course for beginners. Greens fees start at £30 ($60).

The 27-hole Nick Faldo Course at Cornelia Golf Club (tel. 0242/710-1600; www.corneliagolfresort.com) opened in 2006. It's got a dune ridge running through the course, and there are three different 18-hole combinations. Greens fees range from 59€ to 99€ ($86-$144/£42-£71), depending on the season.

The golf-obsessed may also want to check into the Kempinski Hotel The Dome (Uckumtepesi Mevkii, Belek; tel. 0242/710-1300; www.kempinski-antalya.com), sister property to the esteemed Çiragan Palace in Istanbul. It's a palatial retreat with two PGA-endorsed courses, and plenty of luxurious tidbits (including a ridiculously decadent spa, beach, and kids' club) for non-golfing companions.

Hiking/Camping

Kate Clow, a British woman based in Antalya, turned a labor of love into a hiker's dream. She's mapped and marked a comprehensive network of ancient dirt roads and blissfully solitary footpaths. The first long-distance trail, called the Lykia Yolu (Lycian Way), connects Antalya and Fethiye; Kate has created a companion guide to go along with it. The second network of trails begins along the coast around Antalya and heads over the Toros Mountains into the Lakeland around Egirdir and on up to Antioch in Pisidia, in some cases trodding the ancient Roman roads used by St. Paul on his missionary journeys through Asia Minor. For more on the trails or for information on trekking trips, log on to www.lycianway.com or www.stpaultrail.com. If you want to rough it just a little less, Medraft Turizm, Yesilbahçe Mahallesi Portakal Çiçegi Bulvari, Hüseyin Kuzu Apt. 14/3, Antalya (tel. 0242/312-5770; www.medraft.com), runs 3-day jeep "safaris" up into the Toros Mountains above Antalya, with overnights in their own mountain lodge. The price per person, all inclusive, is $550 (£275).

Kayaking/Rafting

The mountainous geography and numerous rivers in the Antalya region create exhilarating white-water rafting appropriate to all levels. The Manavgat River flows through a series of lengthy gorges, but the grades 4 and 5 rapids are accessible to experienced paddlers only.

The Köprü River, located halfway between Antalya and Side with Grade 1 and Grade 3 rapids, is no less breathtaking but a bit more suitable to beginners. This is an ideal family day out, even if you have no experience whatsoever. Medraft Turizm, Yesilbahçe Mahallesi Portakal Çiçegi Bulvari, Hüseyin Kuzu Apt. 14/3, Antalya (tel. 0242/312-5770; www.medraft.com), organizes day trips for all levels, with top professional and experienced guides, from $50 (£25) per person per day, including transfer, a full day on the water, and lunch.

A Trip to the Mountaintop

Antalya beckons with that rare experience where it's possible to choose between a beach tan or the ski slopes. To make this even more of a reality, in 2006 Turkey inaugurated the new Tahtali cable car, which cuts a vertical b-line from the resort of Tekirova (near Kemer) up to the summit of Tahtali Dag, 2,363m (7,753 ft.) above sea level. In 2007, the summit restaurant opened, but it'll take a bit longer before the ski slopes are complete (construction began in April 2008). So for now, the cable car's the thing, along with the breathtaking vistas that open up to passengers of the cable car during the almost 10-minute ride up the mountain -- itself a protected area. The cable car runs every half-hour in both directions from April through October, hourly in winter. The cost round-trip is 40YTL ($35/£16) per person.