Did you know that Kalkan is often likened to the Italian Riviera with its stylish “Beach Clubs” dotted around the bay? Visit any one of the beach clubs, all with seaside sunbathing rock or wooden platforms, access to the sea and cafes/restaurants. Each has its own unique atmosphere and some you will be able to reach by charming water taxis from Kalkan harbour, indeed part of the Kalkan holiday experience is finding your favourite.
Whilst they each have their advantages, it's worth noting that Kalkan Beach Park has a small beach with shallow water, making it more suitable for small children or older people.
Please note, that most of the beach clubs will charge for the use of the sunbeds and umbrellas and water taxi service. On some occasions, this fee may be taken off your food and drinks bill.
Yali Beach Club
Yali Beach Club is located on the west-hand side of the bay. Created from wooden platforms suspended over the sea there is direct sea access from ladders into the water. The beach club is open 7 days a week with a bar/restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. Several evenings a week, Yali also hosts special live Jazz evenings for which reservation is required. Yali Beach Club is more suited to adults and couples than young children.
How to get there? Head down towards the harbour by the Pirat Hotel. When you reach the bottom take the small road running in front of the Pirat Hotel by the Liman Cafe. Continue along this road until you reach the Yali beach club. Approximately 500m or a 10-minute walk.
Caretta
Caretta is a part of the Caretta Hotel, located west-hand side of the bay, a little further on than Yali Beach Club. This beach club has many different levels with shaded and open areas all furnished with sunbeds and umbrellas. There is a bar and restaurant at the top of the beach club, and at the bottom are steps leading into the ocean.
How to get there? Head down towards the harbour by the Pirat Hotel. When you reach the bottom take the small road running in front of the Pirat Hotel by the Liman Cafe. Continue along this road past Yali Beach Club and just a little further on is Caretta. Approximately 510m or a 10-minute walk.
Indigo Beach Club
Indigo Beach Club is located on the harbour wall within an easy walk of the town centre. The upper level offers shaded terraces with a restaurant/bar and the lower level sun beds and parasols for sunbathing. Direct sea access is via ladders into the water and mid-summer water sports are also available such as ringoes, jet skis and banana boat rides. In the early evening, it is a great place for a drink or a bite to eat, whilst looking back at the lights of the town.
How to get there? Head down towards the harbour by the Pirat Hotel. When you reach the bottom just walk through the harbourside car park. At the end take the small flight of steps onto the harbour wall. The upper level of the beach club is directly on your right.
Cakil Beach Club
Cakil Beach Club is located just past Indigo Beach Club, just a short walk into Kalkan Old Town. This beach club is affiliated with Pirat Hotel and is just a 3-minute walk away from the hotel's grounds. There is a large deck furnished with sunbeds and umbrellas. there is a ladder from the deck that leads directly into the sea. Also on the deck is a shaded restaurant that serves a variety of cocktails and food for you to enjoy.
How to get there? Head down towards the harbour by the Pirat Hotel. When you reach the bottom just walk along the harbour side road and it is situated just past Indigo Beach Club and Aristos Watersports.
Palm Beach Club
Palm Beach Club is located on the east side of the bay with stunning sea views out to the islands and into the harbour. Palm Beach has wooden platforms suspended above the water and attractive garden areas making it feel slightly cooler in mid-summer. It is suitable for adults and children alike. The beach club offers sun beds and seating on many levels, including some grassed areas with shaded Ottoman seating. There is a table tennis area and a lovely cafe/restaurant overlooking the sea. Facing west across the bay it offers the very last of the evening sun and is the perfect place for a sundowner before heading home. Palm Beach is one of the most comprehensive Kalkan Beach Clubs with something for everyone.
How to get there? Palm Beach is accessible on foot from the pathway running above the local beach but you will need decent footwear. Most visitors prefer to use the water taxi service running from the lighthouse cafe. There may be a fee for the use of the water taxi.
Patara Prince
Patara Prince Beach Club is part of the Patara Prince Hotel (also called Club Patara) Resort. Located on the east side of the bay, just past the Palm beach club, this is one of Kalkan’s largest and oldest beach clubs and is open to non-guests for a daily fee. The Beach Club boasts rocky platforms with sun beds into the sea, as well as two seawater pools on the shore edge – including a round adults-only pool. The bathing platforms may not be suitable for small children with some unsecured walkways close to the water. This beach club gets very busy in July and August with Turkish guests staying at their properties and hotel.
How to get there? Club Patara is accessed by the water taxi service running from the lighthouse cafe. There is a charge for the use of the water taxi.
Kalkan Beach Park
The Kalkan Beach Park, also often known as the “Kisla Beach Club”, is located at the far end of the bay. This beach club is particularly popular with the locals and busy on Sundays. The Club has created a beach for easy access to the water as well as a pontoon. The restaurant, with its circus tent-style roof, serves up pizzas and chips, drinks and ice creams.
How to get there? Kalkan Beach Park is best accessed by the water taxi service running from the lighthouse cafe. There may be a fee for the use of the water taxi.
Green Beach
This beach club is a part of the Green Beach Hotel. Their restaurant offers a wide selection of food and drinks with many cocktails to enjoy. On the deck of the beach club, there is access to the sea where you can go snorkelling around the rocks, there's also a large pool on the deck if you don't want to go into the sea. The sunbeds and umbrellas are free to use while you're there too.
How to get there? By car or Taxi if you take the road below the D400 and follow the signs down.
Zest
Zest beach club is again located on the east side of the bay between Palm Beach and Patara Prince. One of the largest beach clubs it offers seaside platforms as well as a seawater pool and restaurant. Spread over many levels those who have difficulty with steps may find this one a challenge.
How to get there? Zest is accessible from either the road, by taxi or by the water taxi running from the lighthouse cafe.
Villa Mahal
Villa Mahal Beach Club is located on the east side of the bay also. One of the more up-market beach clubs it offers a waterside restaurant and water sports. Sunbathing platforms lined with olive trees offer space to relax and soak up the sun, and ladders from the terraces go straight into the sea.
How to get there? Mahal can be accessed by the water taxi service which runs from the lighthouse cafe for which there is a charge.
Kalamar Beach Club
The Kalamar beach club is one of Kalkan’s most established beach clubs located over in Kalamar Bay. The club offers sun beds, umbrellas and the use of kayaks and pedaloes within its daily charge. There is a cafe/restaurant, toilets and showering facilities. Local water sports and dive companies generally operate from this beach club during the main summer.
How to get there? If you are staying in Kalamar Bay then you can walk down to the beach club, if not you will need to take a taxi from the town centre.
Kulube
The Kulube Hotel and small beach club are not so well known yet has one of the prettiest locations nestled into a small cove at the end of Kalamar Bay. The beach club has some very laid-back rock bathing platforms with ladders into the sea, there is also a waterside restaurant, toilets and showering facilities. It is said that the water in this cove is the warmest in the bay, with locals swimming here even in December! Use of the beach club is at the hotel’s discretion (depending on the level of hotel guests on the day) but for a very reasonable daily fee.
How to get there? If you are staying in Kalamar Bay then you can walk down to the beach club. If not you will need to take a taxi to the Kulube Hotel. Pass the seaside hotel reception, then walk down to the main pool area and take the steps further down to the waterfront. Alternatively, you can access the beach club lower down at the seafront by following Karanfil Sokak. This is a small track in front of the villas that leads to a little parking area. There on the left is the gate that takes you through to the seafront of the Kulube.