Does Turunc have sandy beaches?

On the southwest coast of Turkey lies the sleepy village of Turunc, near the port city of Marmaris that draws half of the British tourists coming to Turkey each year. Turunc itself is developed in tourism and there are lots of activities to keep you busy for a few weeks. If you want to spend your holiday by the sea, Turunc have few sandy beaches and a beautiful bay overlooks clear blue waters that you can either swim in or try one of the water sports on offer.

Turunc Beach

Turunc beach is covered in sand, shingle and pebbles and the sweep of its bay is 300 m long and 10 m wide. Jelly (plastic) shoes are recommended for going into the sea if you have sensitive feet – as you wade into the water the sea bed is mostly pebbles. Even in the very hot months of July and August, the bay has a refreshing breeze to make it more comfortable. It has been awarded a Blue Flag, which means the beach and the sea are very clean. The sun umbrellas, sun beds and cushions are free to use and most of the beach has nearby bars and restaurants.

Icmeler Beach

Icmeler beach is sandy and it has all the facilities available at Turunc beach. It’s longer, around 6 km, but quiet and pleasant. The bus journey from Turunc takes about 30 minutes and they leave on the hour from early morning until around 12pm. The alternative is the 20 minute ride by water taxi, which runs on the hour from 9 o’clock in the morning to early evening, stopping at a jetty on Icmeler beach before continuing to Marmaris. Otherwise, there are car hire companies in Turunc or the more expensive option of taking a private taxi.

Marmaris Beach

If you continue your boat journey for another 20-25 minutes you will reach Marmaris beach, which is also sandy and well equipped but busier than the other beaches. Marmaris Urban beach is cosmopolitan, near the centre of Marmaris. Uzunyalı, or Long beach, is 10 km and if you walk its entire length you will end up in Icmeler. There are abundant cafes, restaurants and shops along its promenade and from the beach you can see people having fun jet skiing, parasailing, canoeing or riding a fly fish or banana boat.

Iztuzu beach

This is a bit further afield but is fun for a day trip by boat, first going along the Dalyan canal where the Lycian Tombs of the Kings of Kaunos can be seen in the rock face then continuing to the sandy İztuzu beach where you can see loggerhead turtles. Near the beach are the mud baths where you can relax and enjoy the health benefits of the hot pools and mud baths. You can drive or take the bus over the mountains to Dalyan, which takes nearly 2 hours.