Oludeniz Beaches and Water Sports

(Oludeniz, Mugla Province, Turkey)

Oludeniz boasts literally miles of beaches and plenty of sunny weather, making this an extremely popular Turkish holiday destination. Belcekiz (Oludeniz) Beach is without doubt one of the most stunning beaches in Turkey. With its aquamarine waters and beautiful sands backed by greenery, it is almost picture-postcard perfect.

Awarded a 'Blue Flag' for its cleanliness and facilities, this expanse of pale golden sand is highly rated, extremely clean and good for swimming. Behind the beachfront is a promenade stocked with little shops, cafés and bars. Oludeniz Beach is very much the heart of the town and offers regular cruises and a limited choice of water sports.

General Information

There are several other beaches worth checking out in the Oludeniz area, in addition to the main Belcekiz stretch.

Kidrak, or Paradise Beach, is a mere couple of kilometres away and is perfect for those looking for peace and quiet.

Gemiler Beach is another good option, lying opposite St. Nicholas Island and being pleasantly undeveloped and secluded.

There are several good seafood restaurants in the Gemiler area, while many come here to enjoy an afternoon of snorkelling and swimming. Another popular choice is the Butterfly Valley Beach, which is simply beautiful and accessible only by boat.

Located approximately 5 km / 3 miles to the north of Fethiye, Calis Beach is one for water sports enthusiasts and offers favourable conditions for both windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Sports equipment is readily available for hire close by, where necessary, while plenty of eateries and shops are also readily to hand. Calis Beach is easy to reach from Oludeniz, being connected by water taxis and minibuses.

Not to be missed is Patara Beach, which is regarded as one of Turkey's finest and lies in the Patara area. You can be assured of a quiet spot to sunbathe, since the sand stretches further than the eye can see.

The attractions of Patara are plentiful and include mountainous backdrops, sand dunes and a marshy area, which was formerly the port of Patara. Sunbathers from Oludeniz looking to improve their tan will be pleased to learn that there is little in the way of shade here.