By far the most popular beach and consequently the busiest during the summer months is Ayazma on the south coast. Here you will find a long, sandy beach and beautifully clean waters. With gentle waves lapping the shore it is ideal for families particularly those with young children who can safely splash around all day to their hearts content. Umbrellas and sun beds are available for hire (expect to pay approximately 5TL for a day's use). It is also the only beach on the island with restaurant facilities so visitors tend to spend all day at Ayazma dividing their time between refreshing dips in the sea and leisurely lunches at a nearby restaurant. Some water sports are available. Ayazma and the neighbouring beaches at Sulubahce and Habbele are the only ones that can be reached by public transport with a mini bus service operating regularly throughout the day.
To get to the other beaches you will have to travel by car, bike or taxi and some of the small coves are only accessible by boat but they are all definitely worth the effort.
On the north side of the island is Cayir Beach. Here too there is a long stretch of sand but the
slightly deeper waters make it less suitable for children so it is usually quiet and is favoured by the locals in search of peace and relaxation. Poyraz Liman is a beautiful wide bay on the east coast. There are some rocky outcrops in the shallow waters and sea urchins can be seen clinging to the rocks so wearing beach shoes whilst swimming here is advisable. Wonderfully tranquil by day and night but perhaps most beautiful as the sun goes down. As dusk approaches the bay literally comes to life with hundreds of small fish leaping through the water. As the sea shimmers and ripples it really is a marvellous sight...a 'light show' with a real difference!
Aquarium, so called because of the abundance of fish to be found here, is a tiny, picturesque bay in the south. The beach is small but the fantastically clear turquoise waters are a great attraction both for swimming and scuba diving.
If there is a perfect beach then Beylik in the south has to be it. Reached only by a rather lumpy, bumpy dirt track it has a fantastic sandy beach with calm, clear waters but best of all it is usually empty. Relax and enjoy!
For more beach pictures please visit the Beach Gallery.
