The pretty, chilled out town of Kaş on the Turkish Turquoise Coast is one of our favourite places to visit. And when you’re looking to spend some time at the beach on hot summer days, you’re spoilt for choice. A day at Limanağzı Bay should definitely be on your itinerary…
Chilling At Limanağzı Beaches
You know us – if you’re a regular visitor to the blog, that is. We’re not very beachy people.
But in the summer months, you just cannot not go for a dip in the azure waters of this part of the Mediterranean coast.
Something Different
Kaş is packed full with little bays and beach clubs. But Limanağzı Koyu – seen diagonally across the bay to the left of Kaş – is a little bit different.
Why?
No cars! We’re talking natural beauty; the whisper of the breeze through the olive trees; calm, crystal clear waters.
Perhaps the best place to have a beach day for nature lovers.
For all the non-hikers out there, you’re going for your day at Limanagzı Beach by water taxi from the harbour in the centre of Kaş.
We’ve got to say, this water taxi ride is one of the reasons we like going over to Limanağzı.
It only takes 15 or 20 minutes but it’s a lovely little sail from Kaş harbour. And a great way to arrive at one of the beach clubs there.
Limanağzı Beach Choices
There’s a choice of five beach clubs (at the moment) in this beautiful sheltered bay:
- Bilal’s Beach – family run and said to be the oldest of the Limanağzı set ups.
- Hakiliki Beach Club
- La Moda Beach Hotel – you can visit the beach club for the day. But, as the name suggests, you can also stay overnight (or longer) here.
- Nuri’s Beach Bungalow – again, you can visit the beach club but Nuri’s is a well established place and you can also book a stay in one of the wooden bungalows, here.
- Yılka Beach
Limanağzı Bay is south facing. So you can make your day at the beach long and leisurely. Soak up the sun and catch one of the last boats back to the centre.
However, don’t be expecting a sandy beach.
Most of the bays in Kaş are rocky. And many of the ‘beach clubs’ tend to be wooden platforms with sun loungers and parasols.
We haven’t been to all of the beach clubs at Limanağzı – maybe we will do one day…
Rustic Charm At Bilal’s
Both times we’ve been over to the bay, we’ve got out of the boat at Bilal’s Beach. So we have to say this is our favourite beach (so far).
Bilal’s has a chilled out rustic feel to it; laid out at various levels over the rocks.
A stone/shingle beach, wooden platforms with sunbeds and wooden köşk areas.
But wherever you are at Limanağzı, the water is amazing for swimming. It’s calm for the kids and there are diving platforms and sea kayaks to keep you occupied.
In high season – July and August – this bay does get busy. So either get there early or reserve a sunbed (you can find all the beaches listed above on Instagram) at your chosen place.
The general scenario is that sunbeds and umbrellas are free as long as you spend their minimum amount per person.
Or you can do what we do.
We’re not sunbathers so we sit in the rustic bar-eating area at Bilal’s and enjoy the scenery, the sounds (cicadas, splashing, the putt of the engines on the water taxis), cold beers and a swim.
There’s also a basic menu. Burgers, köfte, pasta and simple salads.
That doesn’t save us any money – you can soon spend whatever their minimum spend is for sunbeds!
We just prefer to be upright rather than horizontal.
And don’t be put off by the popularity of Limanağzı in June and July during the Turkish school summer holidays. It’s still a very relaxed atmosphere.
Limanağzı Bay On Foot
At the beginning of this article, we said most people will access Limanağzı Bay by water taxi.
But this area is also part of the Lycian way long distance footpath between Fethiye and Antalya so hikers can also get here.
The route goes from Big Pebble Beach (Büyük Çakıl Plajı) and climbs through a residential area, along a dirt road and uphill through a forest of shrubbery and pine trees.
However, as with seemingly everywhere in Turkey, there is quite a lot of construction going on here.
We somehow missed the higher, more accessible path that Lycian Way hikers with their backpacks would take.
Stunning Views
Once in forest clearings on the lower path, the views over Limanağzı and the sea are stunning.
Decent walking shoes and plenty of water is recommended in warmer weather.
Whilst Barry was happy to press on, I couldn’t continue down to the bay, however. Because, just further along, it is a thin rocky ledge along the cliff face past the ancient ruins of a Lycian rock tomb.
There is a drop through the rocks to the sea to your right and a rope for assistance to your left.
Lots of people who are just hiking to the beach rather than continuing along the Lycian Way do take this route.
But be prepared to turn back here if, like me, you decide this is not your thing. If so, a swim and cold drinks will then await you at our favourite beach: Big Pebble Beach.
From the centre of Kaş, passing Little Pebble Beach and Big Pebble Beach, up to the viewpoint and back is 8 kilometres and is around a 2 and a half hour walk.
Limanağzı Bay, Kaş – Useful Information
- Limanağzı Bay has five beach clubs. All of which can be accessed by the water taxi boat which leaves from the harbour in the centre of Kaş in the summer season.
- The water taxis are more frequent in high season. Check times at the kiosk when you’re in town.
- Each beach club has its own atmosphere and different menu options.
- If you want to stay at Limanağzı, Nuri’s Beach Bungalow and La Moda Beach Hotel both have overnight accommodation.
- July and August are the Turkish school summer holidays and Limanağzı is busy with Turkish tourists. If you are visiting during this time and know which beach you want to spend the day at, either get an early boat or make a reservation at your chosen beach.