The Datça Peninsula has roughly 235 km of coastline folded into 52 coves of all sizes. Some are fringed with long sandy beaches, others with pebbles or rock. A few are a short walk or minibus ride from the town centre, while others are easiest to reach by boat. The peninsula lies within the Datça-Bozburun Special Environmental Protection Area, designated in 1990.
This guide, written for guests staying at our hotel in Kızlan, groups the swimming spots by area. Distances are approximate and measured from Datça town centre. Transport and facilities change with the season, so it is worth checking locally before you set off.
Two coastlines: Gökova and Hisarönü
The northern shore of the peninsula faces the Gulf of Gökova and the southern shore the Gulf of Hisarönü. Because Datça sits where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, the northern coves are usually described as Aegean and the southern ones as Mediterranean. Datça town and most of the coves in this guide are on the southern shore.
In summer a cool northerly wind, the meltem, tends to pick up in the afternoon and often eases in the evening. On breezy days, coves sheltered from the north, such as Kargı and Akvaryum, usually have calmer water.
In and near the town centre
Kumluk Beach
Set between the Öğretmenevi (the teachers' guesthouse) and Cumhuriyet Square, Kumluk has sand on the shore and on the seabed. The water is very shallow, which makes it an easy choice for families with young children. In the early evening the restaurants along the front set their tables out on the sand.
Hastanealtı Beach
Named after the nearby state hospital, Hastanealtı lies just east of the Öğretmenevi. Its mix of sand and pebbles is within walking distance of the centre, so it gets lively in summer.
Taşlık Beach and Lake Ilıca
Between Datça harbour and Ilıca, Taşlık is a pebble-and-sand beach where fresh water seeping from the rocks makes the sea slightly less salty in places. Close by, Lake Ilıca is a small spring-fed pool that is still connected to the sea. Its water is warmer than the sea, you can swim in it, and it is believed to have healing properties.
Kargı Bay
Close to the centre, Kargı can be reached on foot or by municipal bus. Sheltered from northerly and south-westerly winds, the bay is usually calm. It has a pebble beach, places to eat and a small jetty.
East of town: beaches on the Marmaris road
Kızlanaltı Beach and Gebekum
Lying between Burgaz and the protected Gebekum area, Kızlanaltı is a beach that draws surfers from Türkiye and abroad. It is served by the Karaincir and Aktur minibuses. Neighbouring Gebekum is a protected fossil dune that supports many plant and bird species, so please keep off the vegetation.
Karaincir and Güllük
On the Marmaris road, Karaincir has fine sand and shallow water and is a popular choice for families with small children. Neighbouring Güllük has coarser sand and shelves quickly, so it suits confident swimmers.
Çiftlik Bay
On the southern shore towards Marmaris, Çiftlik Bay is backed by pine woods. It is home to the holiday settlement known as Aktur, and minibuses run there from the town centre.
Mesudiye and Palamutbükü: coves on the Knidos road
Heading west towards Knidos, you pass the coves of Mesudiye village and then Palamutbükü. Locally, a small sheltered cove is called a "bük", and village minibuses link these coves with Datça town.
Hayıtbükü
Within the boundaries of Mesudiye village and about 20 km from the centre, Hayıtbükü has turquoise water and a sandy shore. The sea is shallow close to the beach, which makes it popular with families. Guesthouses, restaurants and cafés line the bay, and it can get busy in high summer.
Ovabükü
Hayıtbükü's neighbour, Ovabükü has a mixed sand-and-pebble shore and, ringed by green hills, a quieter feel. The two coves are only a short walk apart.
Kızılbük (Gabaklar)
Immediately east of Hayıtbükü, Kızılbük is also known as Gabaklar Beach. Its clear water suits snorkelling, and the surrounding countryside is good for a walk.
Kurubük
On the road from Ovabükü to Palamutbükü, Kurubük has stayed undeveloped, with no businesses or sunloungers. Bring your own water and something for shade.
Palamutbükü
About 25 km from the centre, Palamutbükü is one of the peninsula's well-known beaches. Its long shore mixes pebbles and sand, there is a small harbour for boats, and almond orchards lie inland. In September and October, protected sea daffodils flower on a short stretch of the beach; please do not pick them or tread on them.
Akvaryum Cove
Just east of Palamutbükü, this small cove takes its name ("aquarium") from its remarkably clear water; some sources also call it Gerence. With a mask you can see the stones several metres below. It is sheltered from northerly and north-westerly winds and shaded by pines. You reach it down a steep path from the roadside, there are no facilities, and sturdy shoes help.
The northern shore: coves facing Gökova
Murdala Bay
Reached by an unpaved road beyond Cumalı village, Murdala sits among pine-covered hills, with olive and fig groves nearby. Part of the shore is sandy and part rocky. Allow extra time for the drive because of the road surface.
Çatı Coves
In the north-east of the peninsula, Küçük Çatı and Çatı are two neighbouring coves a short way off the Marmaris road. Framed by pine and oriental sweetgum, these natural harbours are a trusted anchorage for boats when the wind is up.
Coves by sea and boat trips
Many of the peninsula's coves are easiest to reach from the sea, so a boat trip is a practical way to see them. In season, day boats leave Datça harbour with swimming stops along the way; departure times and routes vary, so ask at the harbour. Datça is also a port of call on Blue Cruise routes, and the Carian Trail (Karia Yolu) walking route passes coves such as Kargı, Hayıtbükü and Ovabükü.
Domuz Bükü
Usually reached by boat from Datça harbour, Domuz Bükü has a wide sand-and-pebble beach surrounded by pines. Sheltered from every wind except the southerly, it is a common swimming stop for day boats.
The harbours of Knidos
The ancient city of Knidos stands on Cape Tekir at the western tip of the peninsula, overlooking two harbours. In antiquity the smaller northern harbour served warships and the southern one merchant ships. As well as by road, you can reach the site by boat from Datça, taking in the indented coastline on the way.
Blue Flag beaches
Blue Flag is an international programme that assesses beaches on criteria such as water quality, environmental management, safety and environmental education. In Türkiye it is run by the Turkish Foundation for Environmental Education (TÜRÇEV). Several beaches in Datça have received the award, but awards are reviewed every year, so check the current list on the Mavi Bayrak Türkiye (opens in a new tab) website.
Practical tips
- The midday summer sun is strong: seek shade, wear a hat and sunscreen, and carry plenty of water.
- Many coves have pebbly or rocky entries. Sea shoes make getting in easier and protect your feet from sea urchins that may sit between the rocks.
- The meltem usually strengthens in the afternoon, so mornings are often calmer for swimming. Do not head offshore on inflatables when it is windy.
- The peninsula is a Special Environmental Protection Area. Please respect sensitive habitats such as the sea daffodils and the Gebekum dune, and leave marine life undisturbed.
- Take your rubbish home and swap single-use plastics for a refillable bottle and a cloth bag.
- Minibus and boat timetables change with the season, so check the time of your return journey before you set off.
Useful links
- Datça District Governorship: tourism, coves and beaches (in Turkish) (opens in a new tab)
- Kültür Portalı: Kızılbük and Hayıtbükü (in Turkish) (opens in a new tab)
- GoTürkiye: Datça (opens in a new tab)
- Knidos Archaeological Site (opens in a new tab)
- Mavi Bayrak Türkiye, run by TÜRÇEV (in Turkish) (opens in a new tab)
- Blue Flag programme (opens in a new tab)