Swimming underwater and immersing oneself in this powerful, boundless, and unruly element was a dream of Leonardo da Vinci. The era of accessible diving, which today is perceived as both entertainment and sport, was opened by the inventor of the scuba gear, Jacques-Yves Cousteau. In Kyrgyzstan, diving is a relatively young form of leisure, but it is incredibly captivating. The presence of a high-altitude lake with unique natural, temperature, geographical, and tourist conditions creates all the opportunities for the successful and rapid development of the diving industry in Kyrgyzstan.
The main reason to choose Lake Issyk-Kul as a diving destination is its almost crystal-clear water. The second important positive factor is the warm waters of Issyk-Kul. It never freezes, maintaining acceptable temperatures even in the harshest frosts. During the summer, under the direct rays of the hot eastern sun, the water warms up so much that being in the water becomes much warmer than on the shore, where you are cooled by gentle yet capricious sea breezes. The ichthyofauna of Issyk-Kul is endlessly diverse and interesting: it is home to the languid osman and the swift marinka, the popular chebak and chebachok among fishermen, as well as the familiar bream and carp. Currently, there is active breeding and adaptation of Sevan trout, which scientists were working on even during the Soviet Union. At present, more than twenty species of fish inhabit the waters of Issyk-Kul. Underwater fishing has long become one of the services offered by companies that organize educational and tourist trips to the attractions of Issyk-Kul.
Undoubtedly, numerous legends about sunken cities of antiquity, about Christian treasures and the burials of great khans, keep the curious minds of tourists restless, who are ready to don underwater gear just to find answers to their questions, literally from the seabed. But the most intriguing fact is that such submerged remnants of cities and settlements really exist. During periods of changing landscape characteristics, the lake overflowed its banks, flooding coastal villages. Now these are the very pilgrimage sites for underwater diving tourists. On the lake bed in these areas, remnants of ceramic and brick items, bronze jewelry, and household items made of various materials, as well as animal and human bones, are often found. Archaeological excavations are frequently conducted here, but to date, too little has been studied, and one can only guess how many secrets and discoveries are still hidden in the depths of one of the deepest lakes in the world.
The main problem for diving in such locations remains the not-so-good visibility. The sandy or muddy bottom creates insurmountable challenges for full immersion, but tourists still attempt to find their Atlantis here.
Perhaps one of the most enticing dive spots in Issyk-Kul is the sunken trout farm. This metal structure resembles a small ship. With protruding rock formations, overgrown with algae and inhabited by small colonies and schools of fish, it creates a mystical stop for underwater swimming enthusiasts.
If you decide to take the plunge and try diving in Issyk-Kul for the first time, you won't be mistaken. Professional instructors and the latest equipment will turn your bold endeavor into a real hobby. After all, it is so fascinating to discover the underwater world and feel like a small but true part of it.
