Oludeniz beach

Oludeniz beaches. Which one is the best for relaxing, sunbathing and swimming?

First of all, you need to know that the Oludeniz resort is located in the western part of Turkey and its beaches are washed by the waters of the Aegean Sea. In addition, tourists will find it useful to know that there are two main beaches close to this resort, as well as a large number of other beaches relatively close. We will briefly describe each beach destination in Oludeniz on the Aegean Sea and make some comparisons.

Overview of Oludeniz beaches

In fact, all Oludeniz (in Turk.  Ölüdeniz) beaches are very different from each other. There are pebble and sandy beaches. They are distinguished by the convenience of entering the water, the presence of underwater currents, the purity of the sand, the ways of organizing leisure activities, the quality of food and service, and, of course, the number of tourists.

A key feature of the Aegean Sea is the amazing purity and transparency of the water. Due to special pebbles that cover the bottom of the beaches, the water in the sea becomes turquoise. By the way, the Turks call it “Tourquoise”. This is the reason for the incredible attraction of tourists from all over the world who want to swim in such incredibly beautiful water.

Let's take a quick look at each of the beaches, the pros and cons of relaxing on it. 

Belcekiz - the municipal beach in Oludeniz

Belcekiz (in Turk. Belcekız Plaji) is the main beach of this resort in Oludeniz (Turkey). The entrance is absolutely free. The recreation area is extensive - it is about 1 km long and 50 m wide. The surface is covered with medium-sized pebbles. And this is a significant inconvenience for children. In 2020, the only locker room on the beach was in a dire state. There is a private company on Belcekiz Beach that provides umbrellas and sun loungers for rent. The cost of renting two sun loungers and one umbrella is 45 Turkish liras (about 3 euro). 

There is an open shower, and you will have to look for a toilet in local cafes, having bought a bottle of drinking water from the barman. A feature of the municipal beach in Oludeniz is the rich aquamarine color of the water - the reason for the many photos and selfies. A little closer to the promenade zone, you can find the landing site for paragliders, who start their flight from Mount Babadağ and slowly circle over the beach, where they quickly land. The surrounding nature is very beautiful - low mountains, overgrown with pine trees.

Blue Lagoon - a reserved beach in Oludeniz

This beach is located on the left, if you face the village. But it will take about fifteen minutes to get there under the scorching sun. Since the Blue Lagoon beach is located in a nature reserve, the entrance costs 7 liras (in 2020). For beginner tourists, photos of the lagoon are attracted by white sand and an incredible palette of water colors - from turquoise to deep blue. However, this is an optical illusion. The water area of the beach is rather green. And the surface is covered with white pebbles. Sand can only be found underfoot in the sea, however, the descent is incredibly slow and convenient for young children.

The lagoon is divided into two parts, in the distant one there are floating craft, mini-boats and kayaks. The rental price is tolerable - about 30 TL. The second part, which is closest to the beach, is given for swimming. The particular location of the lagoon doesn’t allow the sea to create waves and currents here. The water is stagnant, very salty, but not musty.

The space of the coast is densely packed with sun loungers, starting from the water's edge. The passages are very narrow. Tenants are squeezing money out of every inch. The cost of renting two sun loungers and one umbrella is 45 Turkish liras. There are good locker-rooms, showers and toilets. There are a lot of tourists.

Kidrak - the beach near Oludeniz

Kidrak (Turk. Kidrak Plaj) is a beach located a few kilometers from the center of the resort village. You can get to it on foot (but it’s not recommended), by scooter, taxi or dolmus (the most budget option excluding your feet). This place is excellent for a sea holiday and is located on the right side of the Oludeniz village (from the sea). Entry fee is 7TL per person or 18 TL per car (in 2021).

Kidrak beach, located 10 km from the resort and is always open to the winds of the sea. Therefore, the water temperature is always colder than in the Blue Lagoon. In addition, there are very cold-water springs throughout the entire water area. For this reason, some people think that swimming here is less comfortable than on the municipal beach. The territory is covered with pebbles, sometimes fine, and even sand. It is impossible to walk to the end of the beach with bare feet (it gets very hot in the sun). Please bring your swimming slippers. Entry into the water is extremely sharp - it is better not to think about bathing small children. The territory has a well-equipped shower, toilet, and changing cabins. The local cafe is the only one and is expensive.

Butterfly Valley Beach - near Oludeniz

Indeed, this beach has gained unprecedented popularity in the past ten years due to the special surrounding nature, as well as numerous selfies from here, which are posted in thousands on Instagram. Immediately, we note that there is no direct access to this beach. But fortunately, a small boat ("sea taxi") regularly transfers tourists from the pier in the resort to this unique natural location and back. Travel time is about 30-40 minutes, with a round-trip ticket price of 30TL (in 2020). Also, the beach for one hour can be visited as part of a tour of "six or twelve islands."

The beach is sandy and pebbled, only one hundred meters long, sandwiched between high cliffs. Sun loungers and umbrellas are very limited, there are only 15 of them. The entry into the sea is rather smooth, but there are large flat boulders at the bottom, so swimming shoes are required. The water has an inky blue color and is stunningly transparent even at considerable depths. Sea waves are extremely rare, so you can accidentally swim away from the coast for a couple of hundred meters.

The best time to visit the beach is in the afternoon. While in the morning, a small water area is filled with huge ships, the air smells of diesel fuel, and the beach and the sea are filled with hundreds of tourists. Evening and especially sunset time can be considered the most romantic on the beach. 

There are two restaurant bars on the beach. The price is high, but the food is tasty. For lovers of atmospheric recreation, you can buy a place in a tent or bungalow in advance and spend several days, or even weeks, in the Valley. This place is loved by hippies and young married couples without children. If you come to the valley from above (towards Oludeniz - Faralya - Kabak), then you can take impressive photos from above (usually selfies) and even pay for a video from a drone (from 20 euros). Such sightseeing tours can be purchased from street agencies in the resort and even in Marmaris!

Kabak - a beach of free love within Oludeniz

If you want to find yourself on one of the rather secluded beaches near Oludeniz, then discover Pumpkin Beach (turk. Kabak Plaji). Only 10% of tourists are aware of its existence. This swimming place is sandwiched between low cliffs, densely overgrown with emerald-colored pine trees. Previously, the foothills, stretching from the beach up to the Taurus Mountains, were inhabited in the summer by a multi-colored hippie brotherhood. Later they were joined by representatives of LGBT people. Some people say that drugs were freely sold here thirty years ago. Now the descent to the beach is built up with quite decent hotels (2-5 *). Here you can stay for the night in a tent or bungalow with all the amenities (air conditioning, toilet, jacuzzi). Many tourists live here throughout the summer. 

Kabak is a sandy-pebble beach, one hundred meters wide, not very broad. Don't expect sun loungers and umbrellas, showers or locker-rooms. The toilet is only available in a cafe near the sea. Getting to the beach is not easy, so check the road in advance.

Sea waves are rare, the entrance to the sea is shallow, this is an ideal place for children. The bottom is covered with sand and small pebbles. In summer, the surface of the water is strewn with pine pollen.  Therefore, many consider the water to be dirty. Nevertheless, it is imperative to visit this place in order to understand how people rest far from the benefits of civilization (there are no shops or cinemas).