The lagoon
Shallow, calm, turquoise water.
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The Blue Lagoon at Ölüdeniz is a calm, protected inlet on the Turkish coast, about 14 km south of Fethiye, ringed by green hills with Mount Babadağ rising above. Ölüdeniz means Dead Sea, for water that stays still even in storms. Its shades of turquoise and aquamarine have made it one of the defining images of the Turkish coast. The lagoon is part of a nature reserve where building is banned, so its edges stay relatively open even as the neighbouring town has grown into a large resort. The main beach holds a Blue Flag. The long Lycian Way begins nearby and has hosted an international trail race since 2010. Babadağ, at 1,969 m, and its stable weather have made this one of the world's best-known paragliding sites. You pay to enter the park and find a strip of pebbles and sand with warm, shallow water suited to children, swimming and paddling, plus sunshades and cafes. The public Belcekız beach next door has no entry charge. A cable car climbs Babadağ for views over the bay or a tandem paraglide with an instructor, and boats leave the beach for Butterfly Valley. Local agencies also run diving and snorkelling trips. The lagoon is 6 km from Butterfly Valley and 4 km from Kayaköy Ghost Village in a straight line. Frequent minibuses link it with Fethiye. It gets very busy in July and August, when temperatures top 35 °C, so come early, or choose May, June or September if you can.
Shallow, calm, turquoise water.
A cable car and paragliding over the bay.
Leaving from the beach in season.
Ölüdeniz Nature Park, Ölüdeniz, south of Fethiye, Muğla
The lagoon lies inside a nature park with an entry fee and calmer water. Belcekız next door is a public beach with no charge, facing the open sea.
Yes. Most flights are tandem with a licensed instructor and need no experience. Choose a licensed company and ask about weight limits and weather before booking.