Located in a gorgeous natural setting and within easy reach of some amazing historical sites, Kalkan is a wonderful destination for all types of holidaymakers. Although the town is renowned for fine dining and high-class villas, it is also perfectly placed for adventurous types. If you are an adrenaline enthusiast, you will actually find that a week or two in Kalkan will allow you to get your fill of excitement with lots of great activities.
What activities can I do on my doorstep?
Being perched on the edge of heavenly turquoise coves means that there are fantastic water sport activities within easy reach. Indigo Beach Club is home to Aristos Water Sports, a longstanding company in Kalkan which serves various beach clubs from their main hub at Indigo. If you are a lover of heights, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of Kalkan whilst parasailing above the bay.
For speed heads there are some zippy inflatable rides that will have you sliding over the waves. There are also jet skis for hire which make for great fun racing from one side of the bay to the other. You can even learn a new skill. Take lessons in wake boarding, knee boarding or water-skiing if you really want to be challenged. Prices for the activities vary greatly but you can contact Aristos through their social media pages for detailed information.
For a gentler activity you could try snorkelling around the rocky coastline. The waters are crystal clear and attract a variety of interesting local marine life. Don’t be surprised to see loggerhead turtles and balloon fish tracing the contours of the underwater rocks.
What extreme activities are available nearby?
Quad biking in Patara
This four-wheeled adventure is a great way to experience the sites of Patara’s town and national park. However, you should expect to get very dusty! You will be guided along the relatively easy trail through the hills of Patara and down to the riverside following the pathway until the river meets the beach. From here the real fun begins. As you speed along Patara’s golden sands and head for the slopes of the sand dunes you will feel your adrenaline pumping. The exaggerated sandy slopes make for a great playground and the spectacular views will leave you speechless.
Be sure to have your sunglasses with you as you will need some protection from the dust and sand. There are two trips available daily. You have the option of morning or afternoon slots and the tour takes around 3 hours to complete. The whole experience including transfers is £35 for a single quad and £50 for a double quad (2022 season rates). You can book a tour via Volume Travel who are located in the Old Town.
Paragliding
Not for the faint-hearted, a tandem paraglide flight over the Lycian town of Kas is a sure way to get your adrenaline going. Just a 30-minute drive away from Kalkan, the neighbouring town of Kas is home to Kas Paragliding. After receiving a safety briefing, you are taken up to the runway in the foothills of Asas Mountain. Your flight will lift you into the thermals starting at around 650 metres above sea level. Then you glide through the sky above the deep blue shoreline.
A flight lasts about 25 minutes, and you will have unrivalled views of the Lycian coast. You should keep in mind that customers are not A flight lasts about 25 minutes, and you will have unrivalled views of the Lycian coast. You should keep in mind that customers are not allowed to take their own recording equipment on a flight. So take a little extra cash with you for videos and photos that are captured by the team. No previous experience is necessary for this activity as you will always have a professional paragliding pilot with you. But a strong sense of adventure will definitely help! The cost is approximately £60 per person (2022 season rates) and the whole experience will last between 1 to 1.5 hours weather depending. Companies like FlyLycia Paragliding offer experienced and professional service.
Saklikent Gorge
A short venture inland from Kalkan’s turquoise coast will lead you to the natural wonder of Saklikent National Park. Famed for its striking canyon, which is 18 km long and 300 m deep, a trip to this park makes for exciting adventure. It’s also a welcome relief from the baking heat of summer as the canyon is deliciously cool and shady with icy cold water. You can walk the canyon from as early as the month of April as most of the snow from the Taurus Mountains has melted and passed through the gorge on its way to the Xanthos River. The word Saklıkent in Turkish means the “hidden city” which is certainly apt for the gorgeous and peaceful natural setting of Saklikent Gorge.
The walk through the Gorge leads you through shallow waters over slippery rocks. You should wear clothes that you are happy to get wet and make sure you have appropriate footwear (rubber-soled sea shoes). Because there is a high risk of slipping and losing your footing, we don’t advise this trip for smaller children. Once you have completed the 4 km stretch on foot you can get really wet and cruise down the Xantos rivers rapids in a one-man raft.
A trip to Saklikent is usually combined in a day long tour. This includes a visit to Patara beach and to the historical site of Xantos or alternatively to Islamlar village. This tour usually starts with a 9 a.m. pick up and ends at approximately 6 p.m. The cost varies per person depending on which company you book with but starts at approximately £22 per person (2022 season rates). Make sure you only use fully licenced tour companies such as Adda Tours or Define Tours both of which are located in Kalkan.
Scuba Diving
For an impressive array of underwater spectacles, the coastline at Kas is brilliant. The short 30-minute car journey from Kalkan to Kas harbour is well worth the visit for an incredible diving experience. With a large variety of dives, from shipwrecks to caves, and reefs scattered with ancient pottery, Kaş has something to offer for every diver. As the season runs from April through October (peak season is considered from June to September) you will have chance to partake in this out of world experience whatever time of the season you visit. The local marine life is amazingly diverse. It includes barracudas, stingrays, moray eels, loggerhead turtles, nudibranchs, groupers and many other species.
Famous Diving Sites at Kas
Surprisingly, there are more than 20 diving points in Kas. So each time you venture out you can see something new and exciting. The most famous one is the ‘Flying Fish Reef & Airplane Wreck’. What makes this site so outstanding? A submerged airplane wreck from World War II has become home to an abundance of marine life. There’s also a lot of unexploded ammunition scattered around. Barracuda, stingrays, octopus, Moray eels, and massive groupers swim among the reefs but watch out for the jackfishes and triggerfishes because they bite. If you’re lucky, rare snails may make an appearance from their shelters within the reef. However, this dive is suitable for experienced divers. If you want to visit the aeroplane wreck you must be an expert diver. At a depth of 50- 65 metres anyone attempting this dive must have at least 100 logged dives.
The most popular site, partly due to its accessibility for divers of all levels, is the ‘Lighthouse & Ottoman Wreck’. This site is home to a is to a recreated ancient shipwreck. It dates back to the Ottoman Empire (circa 1300 BC) and sits on a reef just a few meters below the surface. The wreckage was discovered and excavated at Uluburun then re-submerged in 2006 at a depth of 22 meters. The ship and its ancient artifacts are surprisingly intact. Triggerfish, groupers, and the occasional passing fleet of barracuda visit from nearby reefs—but watch out for jellyfish. Dives go 25 meters here, making it perfect for divers of all levels.
A dive session will cost you from £40 per person (2022 season rates). Prices include use of all equipment, instruction and boat tour to diving spots. You must be 14 or older to go on a diving trip.
How can Kalkan Holiday Property Help?
We understand how valuable your time on holiday is, and you want to make the most of your visit. That’s why we offer around the clock service to all guests staying at our properties. We will be happy to help you plan your itinerary and arrange a variety of activities. Whatever your question our friendly team will be happy to advise, just contact us for more information.