Paradise Bay on the Lycian Way

✍ Kostiantyn Klynov

Cennet Koyu - Balartı - Paradise beach - Paradise Bay - Paradise beach

The name of the bay is eloquent and speaks for itself. By the way, this toponym appeared on maps relatively recently. Located on the coast, south of Kabak Bay, the beach attracts all lovers of romance, solitude and wild beach holidays.

Where is Paradise Bay?

Türkiye, Mugla district, Fethiye district, below the village of Alinca
GPS coordinates 36.44162319° 29.13130950°
Paradise on Google map

There are no special attractions on the beach or around it. The beach itself is pebble, about 300m long. And up to 50 meters wide. In principle, this is truly a heavenly place, since due to the remoteness and complete absence of any roads, not everyone can get to this place.

Fresh water

Another difficulty is the virtual complete absence of normal water sources in Paradise Bay. Both on the beach and at the transitions to it.

Previously, there was a water pump (hand pump) on the beach, but it worked unstably and, as usual, provided semi-salty water. It disappeared from the beach a few years ago (broke?) but survives on some old maps - be careful.

In winter and during heavy rains, a stream may TEMPORARILY flow along the valley floor. This water must be disinfected - at least boiled!

During the “season” there are good chances to buy fresh water at the local amateur campsite “Cennet”. This can be either bottled (5 times more expensive than in the store) or “draft” water from the tap. Or it may turn out that the campsite is closed and there is no water. This is a convenient but unreliable source.

The most reliable way to provide yourself with fresh water in Paradise Bay is to deliver it here from Kabak (on foot or by boat). This is exactly what we do when we walk the Lycian Way.

Where to put the tent?

In theory, you shouldn't camp on the sand because of sea turtles. However, many tourists, taking advantage of the lack of control, set up tents right on the beach. A little higher, in the forest, there are a huge number of sites for tent camps. If you go another 200 meters inland from the sea, you will find yourself in the same Cennet campsite (GPS coordinates 36.44291783° 29.13351966°). Often you can buy not only water from its owner))

Recently, due to its wild popularity, Paradise has long been no longer a place of solitude. And when you come to it, you will meet quite a lot of camping tourists, and as a rule, compatriots. The “cab drivers” will bring even more for one day... But don’t worry, there’s enough room for everyone.

How to get to Paradise Bay?

There are three real options: on foot from the north, on foot from the south, and by sea from the west.

By sea. The simplest option. On the beach in the bay Kabak, you “enter into a criminal conspiracy” with local sea drivers. Small (capacity 4-6 people) motor boats usually operate in this area. You can negotiate, they will take you and then take you back. The course takes 15-20 minutes. Boarding and disembarking a boat is a separate issue! It all depends greatly on the weather and the breaking waves. Be prepared to get wet up to your waist and hide phones and other equipment away in advance.

On foot from the north. From Kabak Bay, right at the southern end of the beach, where there is a sign for the “Lycian Trail”, a well-trodden path to Paradise begins. Marking with yellow-red marks. There are no signs “to the beach”, there may be handicraft signs for the “Cennet” camping site, which is located to the east in the forest behind the beach. At the very beginning of the path, still in sight of Kabak Bay, there is a relatively difficult section, you need to climb a little. Then, at an altitude of about 200 meters, there will be a small crossing with a sign and a fork in the paths (signpost to Alindzha). The right path goes to Paradise, and further along this path, navigation is not a problem. The distance along the track is about 3 km. The total travel time is 2-3 hours.

On foot from the south. From the ruins of the village of Kalabantia, a path goes north. It starts from the sign placed by the Fethiye municipality, in the thalweg of the ravine. The main task is to find the passage of this path in the ruins. At the end of the season this will not be a problem, and there are markings with yellow-red stripes. The trail emerges from the ruins with a climb. Further to the north, first with a decrease, then again a climb to 80 meters and finally a descent to Paradise. Distance about 1.5 km. The total travel time is 1-1.5 hours.

Shipwreck in Paradise Bay

Last fall, Paradise became a “landmark.” At the end of September or early October, a small ferry washed up on the beach. The ship "Pulsar" is half submerged, lying on the ground in the surf zone, on the left side. What happened and what this vessel did with the home port of Bodrum is not known in this place...