Kabak Beach, Fethiye: What To Know Before You Go

Kabak Beach has been a part of our life for a long time…

But it’s definitely fair to say that, since around 2010, the area started to really take a hold of us.

We fell for it in an even bigger way.

If we’re to look back to try and pinpoint why we’ve got such an affection for here, it’s probably got to be the first time we went to stay overnight at the Olive Garden Kabak.

That Kabak Beach Feeling

We used to go camping a lot in the Lake District when we were living in England.

And that special kind of camping night-time-quietness; that’s what comes back to us when we stay in Kabak.

Turkey’s camping night-time-quietness is crickets and cockerels. The occasional, obligatory barking of dogs. Waves crashing into the bay.

Fresh air wafting around the wooden bungalow.

And stars…

So many stars.

Every year, we used to go and stay over in Kabak, just to escape and chill out.

One time, we decided to stay at sea level, in the bay, at Chakra Beach, to take it all in.

And, because we were itching to sample one of the circular bungalows, too.

We did, and they’re great.

Kabak – What’s In A Name?

But let’s get back to Kabak Koyu, to give it its Turkish name.

Kabak is the Turkish word for vegetables in the squash family.

Looking directly down over the bay from the pathways and accommodation on the high slopes, you can see the shape of Kabak bay resembles a gourd, a close relative of the squash family.

From the small beach, each side of the forested coastline gradually widens out to open sea.

Kabak Vibes

For years, those of a more bohemian persuasion have chosen this tiny bay as a base, previously using the steep, rocky footpath to get down to the beach.

These days, for safety reasons (and to the benefit of the local businesses), there’s also a paved road as well as a dusty dirt lane that goes almost as far as the beach.

Whilst the presence of vehicles has changed things a tad, this little area of Faralya village still has its own unique atmosphere. The bohemian vibe still prevails.

Many people stay in the wooden bungalow camps teetering on the edge of the hillside.

Depending on the camp and the vibe, it’s a bed in a hut. Or it’s an air conditioned, en-suite bungalow – sometimes complete with swimming pool.

Either way, you’re always close to nature around these parts.

And for now, at least, the two manage to mingle. It’s that type of place.

We’ve stayed in both types of accommodation and we can honestly say, even in the height of summer, we’ve never used a fan or air conditioning at night.

In Kabak, the night air gets cooler. And, at some point around 4 or 5 in the morning, we’ve even pulled the sheets over us for more snuggly slumber.

A Bit Of Beach Life, Kabak-Style

If you’re the type of person who loves beach clubs with luxury loungers and shades and beach bars and music…

Seriously, don’t waste your time making the effort to get to Kabak Beach.

This place is not for you.

As we said, there’s a relaxed Bohemian vibe here. No permanent facilities and no natural shade on the actual beach.

It changes year on year. But, sometimes, there are no facilities at all. Other times, you might be able to shade yourself under an umbrella. As in the photo above.

Kabak Beach is generally self-policing with visitors doing their bit to make sure it stays clean.

You’ll see painted signs telling you to take your rubbish with you. There are also signs reminding smokers that ‘the beach is not your ashtray.’

If you want to head to other nearby bays like Butterfly Valley and Cennet Koyu (Paradise Bay), it’s possible to do a speedboat tour.

Not-So-Calm Sea

The photo immediately above is taken from a small stretch of path along the bay.

The sea looks deceptively calm. And very often, we intend to go for a swim after we’ve wandered down to the beach.

Barry usually follows on this intention – and I opt to paddle.

The waves in Kabak bay are strong and the pebbles and boulders plentiful – right at that point where you need to teeter into the water.

I’m not good at teetering, or at getting out of the water gracefully, afterwards.

And, just like Belcekiz Beach at Ölüdeniz, it is impossible to predict whether the sea of Kabak will be calm, clear waters or huge crashing waves. So, if you have small children with you, keep them with you in the water.

The plus point of those huge crashing waves, though?

Even if you’re staying quite a way up the hillside, you can hear them through the night as they sing you to sleep.

Perfect if you’re a nature lover!

Hiking Kabak

The steep cliffs and stupendous views make Kabak perfect hiking territory.

We’re along part of the Lycian Way here, beyond the Ovacık to Faralya stretch, and there are also waymarkers for other footpaths, too.

We’ll hike around more of those one day and add them to our list of walks in the Fethiye area.

If you’re staying above the bay, nearer to the road, the walk down to Kabak Beach – and back up again – can be a short steep hike in itself.

And that can also be a good gauge as to how rough the sea is going to be when you do get there.

Those glorious turquoise waters and white foamy shallows are the giveaway. Big waves await!

NB: The risk of forest fires is very real in the summer months. And, as such, hiking in forested areas is forbidden during high season.

The popular Aladere Waterfall, for example, is closed during this time. Hikers should plan walks for spring and autumn.

Back To The ‘Metropolis’

The first moments of arriving back to Fethiye, even after just one night in Kabak, feel like you’ve stumbled into a sprawling metropolis the size of Istanbul.

Kabak is a tiny kabak-shaped world away from all of that.

Of course, things are changing.

That’s evident from the scores of visitors’ cars parked into any type of suitable (and unsuitable) nooks and crannies along the roadsides. And the makeshift parking areas at the camp entrances.

And from the new camps that are appearing around the hillsides.

People want to be here. And why wouldn’t they? We want to be there, too.

For us though, we just hope Kabak can remain a little oasis of tree house rooms, camps and a beach. Albeit with some extra cars.

Kabak Beach – Useful Information

• Kabak is in the Faralya neighbourhood of Fethiye. If you prefer luxury hotels over tree houses and bungalows, check out the hotels around the village of Faralya
• Kabak is just one of the bays featured on our Fethiye Beaches page, where you can also locate it on the map
• As well as the Olive Garden and Chakra, we have also stayed at Full Moon and Sultan Camp. All have their own individual personality
• In summer, the dolmuş runs between Fethiye and Kabak, via Ölüdeniz, every hour. The dolmuş goes most of the way to the beach, dropping you around 5 minutes walk away, downhill
• If you are going in high season (July-August) and are in your own vehicle, either get there early or don’t drive at all and just get the dolmuş. The road is narrow and parking can be very tricky, especially on summer weekends
• Entrance to the beach is free but there is often a tip box for the upkeep of the beach
• There is now a decent choice of places to stay in and around Kabak

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