Our recreational beaches have all the facilities of those in other countries: showers and toilets, sunbeds and umbrellas, snack-bars, cafes and refreshment stalls and of course a lifesaver... though he may have gone to visit his relatives! So make sure that children wear their water-wings. There are no dangerous currents or known whirlpools to be found off the beaches mentioned below. All are accessible by car and some have parking regulations and/or entrance fees. Some offer picnic facilities and watersports.

Oludeniz Beach; four kms of shingle and sand reach from east to west ending in a sand bar. From the main beach you can swim out just a few meters to survey the surrounding hills and watch the gliders dropping down to land. You can hire a canoe to paddle out watching the sea-bed. The sea shelves down quite fast. If you are looking for shallow warmer seas you should walk along to the lagoon just one kilometre past the dolmus* stop. If you have written your postcards, drop them off at the Post Office en route. The lagoon is a UNESCO world heritage area and so there is a small entrance fee. The sand-bar stretching ahead fringed with pine and shrubs. Paddle, swim and snorkel in the lagoon's warm waters. Hire a paddle-boat to explore alone or decide on some more strenuous water sports. You may just decide to spend the whole day here especially if you have young children, choosing a snack from the local buffet at lunch-time. Facilites include sunbeds and umbrellas, showers and toilet facilities, paragliding, water-sports, beach cafes and bars. The beach is kept immaculately clean by a polite team of workers.

Explore StNicholas Island; climbing up the steep path where on the summit stands a basilica dedicated to St Nicholas. This and much of the area surveyed by the University of Osaka between 1980 and 1990. From the basilica a processional way runs right down the hill to the embarkation quay opposite Cold Water Bay. This coastal area was visited by early pilgrims on their "touristic" journey to Jerusalem. Little was written on the area. It was deserted after the beginning of 7th Century AD until 13th Century AD when the island was known as "Isola di Perdiaki". Now known to have two churches dedicated to "St Nicholas" (one being he who inhabited Myra was probably present at the first council of Niceaof 325 AD. The island is called "St Nicholas" or "Aya Nicola". The local boatmen think of it as a pirate island (Korsan Adasi) - more exciting - and maybe true between 7th and 13th Centuries.

Kumburunu is the name given to the end of the Oludeniz sandbar, which stands at the mouth of the Blue Lagoon. There is an entrance fee for visitors whose cars can park near the beach itself. A good buffet serves snacks and refreshments. There are sunbeds and umbrellas. The sand is fine and the waters are shallow. Water-sports such as ringo, banana and water-skiing are available most days. Canoes and paddle boats can be hired. There is good snorkelling if you swim across the entrance of the lagoon area to the rocks on the opposite verge.

Gidrak Beach; if you decide that the Oludeniz beaches are too organised then take a taxi or walk 2 km to the Gidrak Beach, where you may be quite alone with the mountains behind and the swelling sea in front. The beach is a warren of coloured pebbles and shingle. Sunbeds are provided with umbrellas and large Red Pines provide shelter in the buffet area. You can even choose to bring your own picnic which you to lay out on the forest tables provided.

Butterfly Valley; once a hippy, venue is a steep-sided gorge, rich in rock fish. There is no road access; however daily boat trips anchor in front of the shingle beach for half an hour.

There is overnight accommodation for backpackers with sleeping bags. Boat services run to and from Olu 3 times a day from near the Oludeniz Post Office. If the sea is choppy it is advisable not to wait till the evening return trip to Olu.

Gemiler Beach; below Kaya and opposite St Nicholas Island. Dolmus services run as far as Kaya Village. The beach is 5 km further, reached by a winding asphalt road. You might do well to take a taxi from Oludeniz.

There is an entrance charge. Water sports and jet-skis are available. The beach is sandy with a small jetty, backed by a few basic restaurants. Since the shingle beach is only 500 meters in length it does tend to get crowded in summer months.

One can hire a motor boat to cross to St Nicholas Island where it is also possible to bathe. There are seldom waves. Avoid the island at midday when daily boat trips moor there. Local boats motor round offering "gozleme" pancakes and melons filled with vanilla ice-cream…delicious.

Gemile Beach (Kabak Cove) located12 km from Oludeniz, reached by a winding asphalt road via Butterfly Valley passing the attractive little village of Faralya. Dolmus services run 4 times a day. There is no direct access to the beach which is a 20 minute walk from the car park. The valley is very attractive and of great botanical importance. The beach itself is shingle and shaded by pine-covered slopes to the east. Du to proximity to the Lycian Way many walkers visit. It is also popular venue for yoga courses. With numerous campsites and more recently a larger complex, the beach area may become crowded in high season. The restaurants are passable, though you might enquire about prices before eating. There are also restaurants and pensions further up from the beach.

Lagoon Beaches There are private beaches reached by taking the asphalt road past the entrance to Kumburunu towards Hotel Meri. Sugar Beach is one of the most popular, while Seahorse promotes beach weddings. Summer water temperatures are in the higher 20's.

Calis beach runs along a narrow sand strip some 3 km north of Fethiye. There is a good dolmus* service from the centre of town, and dolmus boats in season, which carry passengers to and from Calis canal into the centre of Fethiye. Even when Fethiye feels hot, Calis has the cool "meltem" breezes off the sea. The beach has the usual facilities and is backed by a confusion of small hotels, bars and cafes.

Koca Calis Beach This is the continuation of the Calis beach though much quieter. There are windsurfing and kite-surfing facilities with tuition provided. It is possible to walk along the beach from here to Yaniklar or Katranci Bay (2-3 hours), from where dolmus* can be caught back to Fethiye.

Gunluklu Beach Some 19 km out of Fethiye off the Izmir highway, shaded by the endemic Liquid Ambar trees. It has a sandy beach with camping facilities.

There are also local wild beaches which do not have lifeguards! They all have names but none have road links. They could be called undeclared, undeveloped and or even undiscovered beaches, due to their rocky terrain. Our wild beaches should be valued for their untouched beauty and preserved nature.

They are accessible by boat so if visiting do make sure the boatman does not leave rubbish behind.

Wild beaches near Oludeniz... Bes Tas (5 stone) beach, Camel beach, Karacaoren beach…these are all visited on daily boat trips. Balatli beach and Innsuyu beach are both in the outer gulf on the southern side.

There are also several small coves which can be reached off the road to the Gemiler Beach.

You can view top ten things to do tours, actvities and daily trips in and around Oludeniz at Oludeniz Activity Centre