Salty Feet 👣

Founder

Eylul Kusat

I’ll be your guide on this journey—and your dive instructor! I grew up spending my summers on the coast of Kalkan, right in the heart of Turkey’s Mediterranean paradise. My family has been running a dive school here for over 25 years, so you could say the sea raised me.

While other kids were learning to walk, I was learning to dive. Since I was little, I dreamed of becoming an instructor, and now, I get to share this incredible underwater world with you. Whether you're a first-time diver or a seasoned explorer, you’re in safe hands.

READ MORE...

My love for the ocean started before I can even remember. At five years old, I took my first breath underwater using my father’s second air source, wide-eyed and mesmerized by the world below. Since then, diving has been a part of me—it’s where I feel the most alive.

Growing up in Kalkan’s diving scene meant that the sea was my playground, my classroom, and my home. I saw firsthand how the ocean could transform people, giving them a sense of freedom, calm, and wonder. I knew I wanted to be the one to guide others into that magic.

At 20, I took a detour from the sea and moved to Ghent, Belgium, to study at LUCA School of Arts. That’s where I discovered immersive installation art and realized that diving and art share the same essence: they transport you, make you feel weightless, and connect you to something bigger than yourself.

After years of living between Istanbul’s energy, Kalkan’s peaceful waters, and Ghent’s creative pulse, I realized how powerful it is to slow down. In a world that moves so fast, I wanted to create a space for people to escape the hustle of everyday life and reconnect with a more mindful, unhurried rhythm—where the sea, nature, and simple moments remind us what it means to truly be present.

A Family Legacy...

Kalkan Dive Centre

The center is owned by my uncle, Altan, and his wife, Vicky. They built this business from the ground up and have been running it together for over 25 years. Altan’s diving journey began in the Caribbean, where he worked on a cruise ship and fell in love with the underwater world. Dreaming of bringing PADI diving to the Mediterranean, he found his way to Kalkan, where he met Vicky—a British travel expert bringing visitors to this beautiful coastal town.

Together, they built more than just a business; they built a community. In the early years, they offered water sports, guided tours, and other adventure activities, helping shape Kalkan’s reputation as a vibrant travel destination. Today, their focus is on diving, catering, and accommodation, creating a full experience where guests can explore the underwater world, enjoy great food, and relax in a welcoming atmosphere. As one of the first to contribute to Kalkan’s tourism, Altan and Vicky’s passion for the sea and hospitality continues to make this place special.

CAPTAIN

Ender Kusat

Captain Ender (my dad) keeps our dive boat running smoothly and is also an experienced underwater tour guide, leading divers through the stunning dive sites around Kalkan.

Growing up, my dad worked in different places, always encouraging me to explore, travel, and keep discovering. I’m deeply grateful for the incredible world he introduced me to—the breathtaking marine life, the beauty of nature, and the endless sense of adventure.

While he worked on the boat, I was never far behind—snorkeling alongside him with my mask and fins. The ocean was my playground, and he was my guide. Then, at age 7, I finally got my own scuba gear and could truly dive into the world he had been showing me from the surface.

Diving with him was more than just an activity—it was a way of life, a connection to the sea, and the beginning of a lifelong passion that I now share with others.

INSTRUCTOR

Emre Kusat

Emre (my cousin) and I grew up together at the beach club, always on the move—chasing the air bubbles from our fathers, collecting seashells, discovering marine life, and, of course, eating way too much ice cream. Not much has changed.

Now, as grown-ups, we invite friends from all over the world to experience the magic of coastal life with us. Whether it’s diving, boat tours, sunset chasing, quad biking, BBQ nights, or simply embracing the slow rhythm of the sea, we love sharing the life we grew up with. We still feed our inner child and help others reconnect with theirs—stepping away from the hustle of everyday life to rediscover a sense of adventure.

We became PADI Instructors together, traveled across Asia, and kept chasing our dreams side by side. While I moved to Belgium, Emre took his passion for food to Bulgaria to study Culinary Arts. From there, he worked and traveled across Australia, cooked in restaurants in Bilbao and Malta, and kept exploring the world.

But no matter how far we go, we always find our way back to Kalkan—our anchor, our home, where the sea and our family always welcome us back for another unforgettable season.

DIVEMASTER

Lidya Kusat

Lidya, Emre’s sister and my cousin, is the youngest of our crew—but don’t let that fool you! She just turned 18, but she’s been part of the ocean life since she was little. Back in the day, she would swim around the beach club wearing a mermaid tail, freediving effortlessly like she truly belonged to the sea.

Last summer, she trained with us as an intern and officially became a Divemaster. She’s an incredible assistant—calm, reliable, and always full of energy. Kids adore her, and she brings so much fun to every dive!

Right now, she’s working on getting her captain’s license (following in her dad’s footsteps!) and has big plans to work on cruise ships while also pursuing her passion for fashion in her free time.

One thing’s for sure—wherever she goes, she’ll always find her way back to the sea