Ölüdeniz lagoon is Türkiye’s signature coastal image and graces the covers of many a glossy travel magazine. Most that cruise the Mediterranean coast of Türkiye will pay a visit to the bay as it is spectacular. Still, aside from anchoring out in the depths and watching the paragliders pull their aerial stunts and land on the seafront, you are probably unaware of the history of the area and the sad legend that surrounds it. Well, read on, as there’s more to Ölüdeniz than meets the eye!
ABOUT OLUDENIZ
Ölüdeniz is located in Muğla Province, on Türkiye’s south-west coast not far from Fethiye. Travellers discovered the area in the sixties when it homed little more than a few basic camping sites. They were drawn to the bay by stories of a spectacular beach with a hidden lagoon, and as the word got out, the resort slowly sprang to life to deal with the tourists. Campsites made way for hotels in the nineties, and the beachfront gradually grew into a thriving and sophisticated resort. Today it’s packed full of boutique hotels, trendy eateries, beach bars and souvenir shops. Some now describe the area as “overly commercial”, and yes, it may have lost much of its original hippy charm. But Ölüdeniz is still worth visiting as the sight of the paragliders pulling tricks at sunset is pretty hard to beat, and the resort is relaxed and worthy of a stroll or a sundown cocktail in one of the better beachside restaurants.
OLUDENIZ: THE HISTORY
Ölüdeniz, when translated means “dead sea” and it is so-called because of the salty calm waters of its hidden lagoon. The first settlers in the bay are likely to have been Christians who set up churches in the area during the time of St. Paul, around 50 AD. There was once a number of churches in the region, but earthquakes, sea bandits and mass development sadly left most of the churches lying in ruins or destroyed. The only remains that can be seen are that of St. Demetrius, its ruins now the central feature of Ecclesia Hotel, a modern boutique hotel connected to Buzz Bar, a contemporary beachside bar and restaurant right in the centre of Oludeniz seafront.
As the years went by, trading ships passed through the bay, and the lagoon became awash pirates. Thankfully, the only pirates we see today are dressed-up like Jonny Depp beckoning tourists onto pirate ships that shuffle them around the local bays to enjoy swim-stops.
The lagoon is now protected, and its famous sandbank surrounded by glorious bands of the turquoise sea is now a National Park. No yachts are allowed into the inner lagoon, only pedalos and paddleboards grace its shallow waters. Around the inner shores, you can now find private beach clubs, glamping style cabins and a hotel.
If you are planning to cruise to Oludeniz, superyachts will need to drop deep anchor out in the bay and move on as winds pick up. Take your tender to shore as there is no jetty or marina in the bay. There are a few more sheltered line anchorages tucked into the side of the headland that are suitable for gulets and smaller yachts, but space is limited. CONTACT ONUR for assistance.
OLUDENIZ: THE SAD LOVE STORY
Most of the Turkish coast is surrounded by myth and legend, and Oludeniz is no exception. According to local legend, the main beach in Ölüdeniz came to be called Belcekiz due to a heartbreaking love story of a local girl and the son of a sailor.
The story suggests that many years ago, a father and son used to sail along the coast and regularly stop-off in Oludeniz bay. The father used to drop anchor in the deep exposed waters of the bay and send his son to shore to fetch fresh drinking water.
During one of his trips to land, the son spotted a beautiful girl on the beach, and her name was Belcekiz. The two fell in love and each time the boy came to the bay, he would see his love, and they would dream of someday spending the rest of their lives together. Belcekiz showed the son the lagoon and pointed out its hidden entrance behind the rugged cliffs of the headland. But the son never told his father of its existence or of his feelings for Belcekiz.
Sometime later, on one of their trips to Ölüdeniz, a freak storm swept over the bay putting their ship in jeopardy. As the winds howled and the swell picked up, the son told his father of the lagoon and tried to get him to steer the ship towards the entrance. The father, having never heard of the place before, chose not to believe his son and thought the cliffs were too treacherous and steering towards them would inevitably destroy their ship. A scuffle broke out, and the father accidentally pushed his son into the sea where waves took him under.
The father was devastated, and as he desperately scanned the sea for signs of his son, the wind pushed the ship towards the cliffside where he saw the entrance to the lagoon. Belcekiz saw what happened from the cliffs overlooking the shore and became so distraught that she flung herself over the edge. This sad tale led locals to nickname the lagoon the “dead sea”. It also led to the stretch of the main beach becoming know as Belcekiz. Some even believe the many shades of blue around the sandbank are the tears of Belcekiz lighting the way to the entrance, and guiding ships to the safety of its inner depths.
PARAGLIDING IN OLUDENIZ
One thing you can’t miss on any cruise to Oludeniz is the sight of the paragliders. As you come round the headland and look up, you spot many colourful canopies drifting above the bay or pulling aerial trickery down to the landing strip along the beachfront. It really is a sight to behold, especially each October when Oludeniz holds the International Air Games attracting crazy Red Bull and arco-pilots to the village.
Paragliding is an extreme sport, but an enjoyable one for any adventure seeker. Solo pilots and their groups come to practice their sport throughout the year, and tandem paragliding is one of the most adventurous excursions we offer along the coast. Badadag Mountain, with its impressive 1,969 m high summit towering over the bay is where the majority take-off. Most assume you jump off the cliff, but they would be wrong as you actually run a few paces down a paved hillside with a pilot strapped securely to your back before you’re airborne. If you or your guests would like to feel the G-force and go tandem paragliding, please CONTACT SENEM as it can easily be arranged.
