One of the most picturesque destinations on the Turkey coast is the Blue Lagoon in Oludeniz, famous for its turquoise blue waters and lush surrounding landscape.
Visiting The Blue Lagoon in Oludeniz is more than just packing your towel and bathing suit, there happens to be a lot to see and do in and around the lagoon.
To help you make the most out of your trip to the Blue Lagoon, we’ve prepared this guide which details all the activities and attractions there, how to get there, and where to find the best views.
Planning a trip to Fethiye/Oludeniz last-minute?
Make sure you book your tours, places to stay, and airport transfers ahead of time to ensure availability!
Here is our recommended airport transfer in Fethiye/Oludeniz:
- Airport Shuttle From Dalaman Airport To Fethiye or Oludeniz (Best way to get into town!)
Here are our recommended tours in Fethiye/Oludeniz:
- Paragliding in Oludeniz (The best way to experience the beauty of The Blue Lagoon!)
- 12 Island Boat Trip (A must-do in Oludeniz)
- Oludeniz Turkish Bath (Great for relaxing!)
Here are our recommended places to stay in Fethiye/Oludeniz:
- Endemik Hostel in Fethiye (Where we stayed, a quieter location near the bus stop, perfect for couples)
- Blue Star Hotel (near Oludeniz Beach, quiet location)
- Morina Deluxe Hotel (located in Oludeniz Town, perfect for nightlife enthusiasts)
- Butterfly Beach Glamping (the only glamping experience in Butterfly Valley!)
About The Blue Lagoon in Oludeniz
But first, a little bit of background about the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is renowned for its mesmerizing shades of turquoise, azure waters, along with its soft sands and tranquil atmosphere.
The lagoon owes its vibrant blue hues to a combination of factors, but mostly due to the combination of calm Mediterranean waters paired with the reflection of the white sand underneath the waters.
You may also hear Oludeniz by its nickname “The Dead Sea”, which is due to how calm the waters are in the lagoon, even during stormy nights. It also has a high saline content, though it doesn’t have as high a concentration as the Egyptian Sea.
The lagoon’s calmness is also what makes it famous. It used to be a quiet camping spot until the hidden gem was revealed to the world and now it’s a bustling beach that attracts thousands per day.
Despite being overpopulated, the lagoon is still beautiful. Because it’s sheltered by a series of mountains, it’s shielded from strong winds and also gets plenty of shade in the afternoon, making it a great place to bask in the warm climate, while the shallow waters make it safe for families with children.
The lagoon is a national nature reserve, and while there are no entrance fees, it officially opens at sunrise and sunset to allow for maintenance and cleaning.
It’s this level of sustainability that has earned The Blue Lagoon in Oludeniz and Oludeniz Beach blue flag status.
Geography of The Blue Lagoon
Although the beach on the lagoon is sandy, it’s also quite narrow. The sandy beach continues around to the mouth of the river, but where it connects to Ölüdeniz Beach, it turns into a pebble beach.
The lagoon looks shallow, but it actually reaches a depth of around 40 meters in the north, and to around 5-1 meters in the south.
The mouth of the lagoon, also known as the Kumburnu Strait, is about 50 meters wide and reaches 8-9 meters in depth.
Things to do at The Blue Lagoon
Paraglide over the lagoon
One of the top things to do in Oludeniz is go paragliding. It’s said that Oludeniz is one of the best launch sites in the world, since you launch from over 6500 ft (1960 meters), giving you a flight time of around 25 minutes.
From above you get an incredible birds-eye view of the lagoon and the adjacent Oludeniz beach. It’s from this viewpoint that you can see why it’s one of the best beaches in Fethiye.
Go scuba diving
Scuba diving is another popular activity in Oludeniz. With its crystal clear waters, vibrant marine life, and stunning underwater landscapes, Ölüdeniz is a paradise for scuba diving enthusiasts.
The area boasts a variety of dive sites suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced divers. You can witness colorful coral reefs teeming with tropical fish or intriguing caves and fascinating shipwrecks. There is something to captivate every diver.
Rent a peddle boat or stand-up paddleboard
If you don’t want to just swim in the lagoon, how about taking out a paddle boat or paddle board? This is a great way to get away from the bustling beach and enjoy the calmness and tranquility of the lagoon from further away.
You will find rentals for paddle boats and stand-up paddle boards from the north side of the beach near the mouth of the lagoon.
Rent a jet ski, fly board, sea scooter, speed boat, parasailing, or banana boat
While you cannot ride a motorized watercraft on the lagoon, you can walk across to Oludeniz Beach and rent a jet ski, fly board, sea scooter, or speed boat should you want to get out on the ocean while you’re there.
You can also go parasailing or zoom around on a banana boat. There is no shortage of watersports available just across from the lagoon, so if sitting on the beach all day isn’t for you, head over to one of the boat tour stands and see what they have.
Hike up the Lycian Way for Amazing Views
If you’re looking to get the iconic shot of the Blue Lagoon from above, then you’ll want to hike the last section of the Lycian Way, which is reachable from the town of Oludeniz.
The hike is only about 20 minutes until you reach the viewpoint of the lagoon, and it’s fairly easy underfoot with little elevation, so any member of the family can do it.
We did this hike at sunset, but it would be better at sunrise when the sun rises behind you, so you can really get a good impression of the turquoise hue of the lagoon.
Facilities at The Blue Lagoon
There are plenty of facilities at the Blue Lagoon that make it accessible for all visitors. First of all, there is ample parking, though you should note the parking lot has a sandy surface so you’ll want to drive slowly.
Inside the Blue Lagoon complex, you’ll find markets, ice cream stands, and stores selling beach toys and towels etc. It has a couple of toilet blocks, including accessible bathrooms for the disabled and families with children.
There is also a shuttle golf cart for those with mobility issues. You can find details about this at the main entrance to the Blue Lagoon complex.
There are also several showers with fresh running water to wash off the salt, which are located near to the entrance of the lagoon.
On the beaches, you will find many sunbeds and umbrellas, which you can rent for a small fee.
You will also find many restaurants, bars, and even a Starbucks, where you can get refreshments.
You can also download a Lagoon Card for payments at the markets, stores, and bars. However, they do accept cash and credit cards, so we don’t see the point in using this card.
The lagoon is accessible by walking down one long stone path, which is where all these facilities are located, so you won’t ever get lost trying to find a bathroom or refreshment stand.
How to Get to The Blue Lagoon
To get there, you must first travel to Fethiye, which is accessible by dolmus (minibus) from Dalaman Airport.
The bus goes direct to Fethiye bus station, and from there, it’s a short walk to the bus stop for the minibus to Oludeniz. You can find the bus stop outside the petrol station next to the bus terminal (just look for the petrol sign).
The bus to Oludeniz goes through the town and straight to the beach. It drops you off at the end of the strip, which is a short 5-minute walk from the entrance to the Blue Lagoon.
The bus from Fethiye runs every 5 minutes and you can pay cash or card. Be sure to check the front of the bus says “Oludeniz” as there is another bus on this route that goes to Kayakoy and looks identical to the Oludeniz bus.
Opening Hours and Entrance Fee
It’s free to visit the Blue Lagoon though you may be asked to pay to use a sunbed or umbrella. The beach opens from sunrise to sunset, so hours change depending on the season.
For rough guidance, you can expect the lagoon to be open from:
- January – May: 8.00am – 9.00pm
- June – August: 7.00am – 8.00pm
- September – January: 8.00am – 10.00pm
On Christmas Eve it closes at 4pm and on New Year’s Eve it closes at 6pm. There is a man who comes along the beach every day asking people to leave.
FAQs about The Blue Lagoon
Is the beach at the Blue Lagoon white and sandy?
Although pictures show a pristine white sand beach, it is actually more of a golden brown color, but it is still soft, clean and sandy.
Is Fethiye and Oludeniz the same?
Fethiye is the city and Oludeniz is the town. They are located just a 10-minute drive (or 14km) from one another and there are buses that operate every 5 minutes, so they are often considered the same place. However, geographically they are two separate destinations.
Can you swim in the Blue Lagoon Turkey?
Yes, you can swim in the Blue Lagoon in Turkey and you absolutely should! Its calm and gentle waters make it ideal for families with small children who love to splash in the shallow waters. However, the salt can stick to your skin so we recommend you wash off with fresh water from the showers after.
Before You Go
So there is everything you need to know about the Blue Lagoon in Oludeniz. As you can see, there is a lot you can do here besides sunbathing on the beach or swimming in the cool waters.
The lagoon is a lively and bustling place, but even amongst the crowds, you can still see the beauty of it.
Before you go, we have just a few words of advice; make sure you visit at the end of the day. After about 5.00pm, you will see people leaving and the atmosphere becomes less noisy and more peaceful. You still have three hours before closing, but it’s just more enjoyable when the sun isn’t beating down on you.
Also, expect it to be commercialized. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a beach with a huge Gillette Shaver billboard on it, which can take away the magic of the place.
