Ölüdeniz Paragliding: A Tandem Flight from Babadağ, the Blue Lagoon and Kayaköy
Take off from a mountain almost two thousand meters high, float over the turquoise lagoon and land on the beach among the swimmers.
Photo: rheins / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
- Duration
- Full day (about 7 hours)
- Region
- Fethiye
- Walking
- Easy
- Starts
- Around 9:00
Best for Returning visitors
Tour code FET-D01
The essence
Our Ölüdeniz paragliding day starts with the drive up Babadağ, the mountain that rises almost two thousand meters straight from the beach. There, a licensed tandem pilot straps you in, and after a few running steps you are in the air, high above the Blue Lagoon. Depending on the wind, the flight lasts about half an hour, and you land on the beach among the swimmers. Then you swim in the sheltered water of the lagoon and have lunch by the sea. Finally, in the afternoon, we visit Kayaköy, the stone village its Greek families left in 1923.
Highlights
- A tandem flight with a licensed pilot from Babadağ
- The view over the Blue Lagoon and the whole coast
- Landing on the beach of Ölüdeniz
- A swim in the sheltered water of the Blue Lagoon
- Kayaköy, the ghost village above the sea
Program
-
Morning
Up Babadağ
The drive up the mountain road to the take-off point, with the coast falling away below.
Opening hours & dress code -
Mid-morning
The flight
A tandem flight of about half an hour over the lagoon and the beach.
Opening hours & dress code -
Midday
The lagoon of Ölüdeniz
A swim in the sheltered lagoon and lunch by the sea.
-
Afternoon
Kayaköy
A walk among the empty stone houses and churches of the old Greek village.
Opening hours & dress code -
Late afternoon
Back to your hotel
The drive back to Fethiye or Ölüdeniz.
In depth
Above the beach of Ölüdeniz, a mountain rises almost two thousand meters from the sea. Every day, colorful wings drift down from it and land on the sand among the swimmers. Ölüdeniz paragliding is a highlight of the Fethiye coast, and you need no experience at all: a licensed pilot flies, and you only enjoy the view.
Up the Mountain for Ölüdeniz Paragliding
We pick you up in the morning and drive up the road to the take-off point on Babadağ, the Father Mountain. On the way, the coast falls away below you, and the lagoon turns to a small turquoise drop. At the top, your pilot explains the flight, checks the wind and straps you into the harness.
The Flight: Ölüdeniz Paragliding Over the Lagoon
You run a few steps down the slope, the wing fills with air and the ground is suddenly gone. For about half an hour, you float over the forests and the sea. Below you, the Blue Lagoon lies behind its long, white spit, and on a clear day you see far along the coast. If you wish, the pilot also turns a few spirals. At the end, you come down over the beach and land on the sand.
A Swim After Ölüdeniz Paragliding
From the beach, we walk to the Blue Lagoon, a protected nature park where the water stays flat even when the sea is rough, good for a long swim. Lunch is at a restaurant by the beach.
Kayaköy, the Ghost Village
In the afternoon, we drive over the hill to Kayaköy. Today, hundreds of stone houses stand empty on the slope, without roofs. Their Greek families left in 1923, in the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. Later, we climb to the old church, and then we drive you back to your hotel.
From our guides
- ShoesWear closed shoes. You need to run a few steps at take-off.
- Cooler on topIt is several degrees cooler on the mountain. Bring a light jacket.
- Air GamesEvery autumn, Ölüdeniz holds an international air festival, with pilots from all over the world.
- LagoonSwim in the lagoon early, before the day boats arrive.
Our suggestion Fly from Babadağ in the morning, when the light on the lagoon is at its best.
More Than Ölüdeniz Paragliding
For a day at sea, see our Fethiye 12 Islands boat tour, and for more adventure, our outdoor adventures. From the same coast, our Lycian Way hike walks above Butterfly Valley to Kabak.
Before you go
-
- Entry
- Cable car from Ölüdeniz; paragliding with licensed tandem pilots
-
- Open
- Beach open at all times; the lagoon nature park has its own hours
- Closed
- Paragliding depends on daily weather
- Entry
- Ticketed; we arrange your entry to the Blue Lagoon nature park
-
- Entry
- Ticketed historic site
Hours can change on religious holidays. Your guide confirms them the day before.
What’s included
Included
- A professional licensed guide, in the language you ask for
- A private vehicle and driver for the day, with pick-up from your hotel
- A 10 GB eSIM for one traveler in your group, our gift, valid for 30 days (data only)
Not included
- The tandem flight, paid to the licensed flying company unless agreed in your program
- Photos and videos from the pilot
- Meals and drinks
- Entrance to the Blue Lagoon nature park, unless agreed in your program
- Tips
“I visited Istanbul with my mother, and I can honestly say that working with Soner and his team was one of the best decisions we made for our trip.”
From your guide
What to wear
Above all, closed shoes for the take-off run and long trousers. It is cooler on top of the mountain.
Best time
In general, the morning, when the wind is lightest. The flying season runs most of the year, weather permitting.
Photos
Also, most pilots film the flight with a camera on a stick, so you can keep your hands free.
Practical
Updated:
- Starts
- Around 9:00. We collect you at your hotel.
- Ends
- Your hotel in Fethiye or Ölüdeniz
- Meeting point
- Your hotel lobby
- Walking
- Overall, easy: a few running steps at take-off and short walks in Kayaköy.
- Accessibility
- Tell us your needs. The pilots decide on weight and health limits for each flight.
- Not suitable for
- Guests who are pregnant or have heart, back or neck problems
- Cancellation
- If the wind is wrong, the flight moves to another time or day.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ölüdeniz paragliding safe?
You fly in tandem with a licensed, experienced pilot, and flights go up only when the wind and weather allow.
Do I need experience for Ölüdeniz paragliding?
No. The pilot does the flying. However, you need to run a few steps at take-off and at landing.
How long is the Ölüdeniz paragliding flight?
In general, about half an hour, depending on the wind and the take-off point.
Can children fly?
Often, yes. However, the flying companies set their own age and weight limits, so ask us first.
What if I am afraid of heights?
Tell your pilot before take-off. Once you are in the air, the flight feels gentle and slow.
What is your cancellation policy?
Every trip with us is private, so we agree the cancellation terms with you by email before you book, and you find them in writing in your booking confirmation. The deposit is non-refundable.
Do we visit Kayaköy after the flight?
Yes. After a swim in the lagoon and lunch, you walk among the empty stone houses and churches of the old Greek village.
