Beaches of Lycia
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FAQ
Which Lycian beaches are wild and free, and which are organised?
Kabak, Karaöz, Ufakdere and the trail's volcanic beaches are wild, free to enter and barely developed. Ölüdeniz, Çıralı and Adrasan are set up with sunbeds, cafes and parking, and the Blue Lagoon nature-park section charges entry. Kaputaş is free but has loungers and a snack bar up top.
Which spots are reachable only by boat or kayak?
Suluada is reached by boat from Adrasan - the island has no landing beach, so you swim off the deck in turquoise water. Limanağzı, across the bay from Kaş, is easiest by water taxi. Paradise Bay below Faralya is a steep hike or a boat drop-off, and many small coves between Kaş and Kekova open up only from the sea.
Where do caretta sea turtles nest, and what are the evening rules?
The main nests are at Çıralı and along the long beach of Patara, both protected. The laying season runs roughly from May to October. In the evening the beach closes to visitors, and lights from torches and phones, umbrellas stuck in the sand and litter are all banned: light disorients the hatchlings so they cannot find the sea.
Is there shade and are there sunbeds on the beaches?
On the organised beaches (Ölüdeniz, Çıralı, Adrasan, Kaputaş) you can rent loungers and umbrellas and there are cafes. On the wild Kabak, Karaöz and Ufakdere natural shade is scarce, so bring an umbrella or tarp; the pines behind Çıralı and Adrasan offer some shade. The volcanic beaches and boat-only coves have almost none.
When is the swimming season on the Lycian coast?
Swimming is comfortable roughly from May to October. The warmest water is in July to September, when the sea heats up most. May and October feel warmer in the air than in the water, but the beaches are emptier; in winter the sea is cool and most beach cafes are closed.