My guest blogger brings you a few recommendations for active holidays on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast.

Icmeler
Best for: Water sports

The gorgeous blue waters that lap this part of Turkey’s coast are very inviting, but if you want to do more than just swim, I’d recommend booking a holiday to Icmeler. The resort caters for all kinds of water sports, including windsurfing, kite boarding and jet skiing.

What I particularly like about the set-up in Icmeler is that there’s a protected section of water for swimmers, so you can bathe safely while those out on boards or jet skis won’t need to worry about navigating around groups of people in the water.

There is a kite-boarding centre situated in Icmeler and, if you base yourself here, you’ll also be within easy reach of another top spot for the spor, Urla. Both of these locations have shallow waters with steady, but not overly strong, winds making them ideal for beginners.

Dalyan
Best for: White water rafting

Turkey has a number of hotspots for white water rafting but, on the Turquoise Coast, the Dalaman River is the best option. This is easy to reach from Dalyan, a resort located on the banks of the river, slightly inland.

There are two main routes to take – one of which is suitable for beginners on grade three rapids, while the other has grade four rapids. White water rafting is a lot of fun, especially if you’re travelling with a group of friends.

As well as tackling the rapids, you’ll pass several waterfalls and amazing rock formations as you drift along. Typically, you’ll spend around three hours on the river, with plenty of thrills and spills along the way.

Kas
Best for: Mountain biking

Kas is a pretty little seaside town that boasts a very relaxed atmosphere. This doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t look forward to trying exciting activities during a stay here. In fact, the town is ideally placed for mountain biking, as there are numerous trails along the Turquoise Coast that are within easy reach.

The terrain in this area is quite hilly, providing plenty of exhilarating ascents and descents for keen cyclists. You can book a guided tour with one of the operators in the area or hire equipment and head off on your own.

Although cycling is possible all year round, the best months for the sport are considered to be between February and May and October and November.

Olu Deniz
Best for: Paragliding

For a real thrill on your holiday, have a go at paragliding. There’s nothing quite like swooping through the air and looking down on the spectacular scenery along this part of Turkey’s coast.

The sport has been popular in the area for a number of years and the best place to head to if you want to have a go is Mount Baba. There are three runways located at various heights on the peak’s slope and, if you’re new to the sport, you can have a tandem flight with an experienced instructor rather than booking a course to go it alone.

Once you take off from the top of the mountain, you’ll have around 45 minutes of flight time before you land on the long stretch of sand next to the Olu Deniz lagoon. To find hotels and holiday packages in Olu Deniz and elsewhere on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, click here.