Kabak Bay: Fethiye's Valley Where the Forest Meets the Sea

South of Ölüdeniz, where the coast road finally gives up, a forested valley drops down to one of the most loved beaches in Turkey: Kabak. Officially part of the village of Faralya (Uzunyurt) in the Fethiye district, Kabak has stayed stubbornly simple — wooden bungalows and campsites under the pines, a clear-water beach at the bottom of the valley, and almost no concrete anywhere. People come here to switch off, and most come back.

Having sailed this coast for two decades, here's our honest guide: where Kabak actually is, how to reach it by land and by sea, and how to fold it into a boat day along the Fethiye coast.

Where is Kabak Bay?

Kabak lies in Muğla's Fethiye district, at the southern end of the Ölüdeniz–Faralya road — about 25 km from Fethiye town and 10 km beyond Ölüdeniz. The valley sits right on the Lycian Way, next door to Butterfly Valley, its two pine-covered slopes framing the beach like an amphitheatre.

How to get to Kabak

By land, minibuses run from Fethiye via Ölüdeniz and Faralya to the top of the valley; drivers take the same scenic road. From the road head, the beach itself is a 20–30 minute walk down a path that is lovely but steep in places — some guesthouses run shuttle jeeps for their guests. Hikers can arrive along the Lycian Way itself; our Lycian Way walking guide covers the trail. By sea it's far simpler: Kabak sits on the southern boat route out of Fethiye and Ölüdeniz, and arriving by water means skipping the descent entirely — and seeing the valley from its best angle.

What's actually there?

A sand-and-pebble beach with water that turns glassy on calm days, and a valley culture that has resisted the resort formula: campsites, treehouse-style bungalows, yoga decks and small cafés scattered under the trees. No beach clubs, no thumping music. Sunset from the western slope is one of the coast's quiet spectacles.

Kabak by boat: the Fethiye route

The classic day runs south out of the Gulf of Fethiye: past Ölüdeniz, a swim stop at Butterfly Valley, then anchor off Kabak for lunch in clear water; Gemiler Island and its Byzantine ruins fit neatly on the way back. If you'd rather set your own pace than follow a tour boat's schedule, chartering a boat in Fethiye lets you build the day around your group — we'll help pick the boat and time the stops. For more ideas on where to drop anchor, see our guide to the best swimming spots.

Tips for your visit

May to October is the season; in July and August do the path at first light or in the late afternoon. Bring proper shoes, water and swim shoes — shade on the beach is limited. There's little infrastructure in the valley, so stock up in Fethiye or Ölüdeniz. And the unwritten rule of Kabak: it stays beautiful because visitors treat it gently — no fires, no litter, no shortcuts through the terraces.