1. OSMAN'S BOAT TRIP
Osman's boat trips run from Kas, providing a transfer to and from, breakfast, lunch and a snack, with free water and the option for additional soft drinks and alcohol! He has two boats, one run by himself and the other by his eldest son, a true family business.
The first boat trip sails around the island, stopping at several locations, each with the chance to swim in crystal clear waters. The best stop of all though is the sunken city, where you can snorkel around the area sighting small parts of history you would never know were below and coming in contact with ancient ruins many will never get close to. After a full day of swimming, sunbathing and drinking, you can watch the sun set beyond the mountains and enjoy a not-so-smooth ride back to Kas harbour.
The second boat trip is my FAV! In-between swimming in the blue water cave and snorkelling with Max the turtle, you can enjoy the best Turkish spread while catching a nice golden glow. However, the best part is by far the final destination... an evening on the Greek Island Meis! A quaint island, lit by the yellow glow of the sun, filled with oceanfront restaurants and small boutiques. The perfect destination for a romantic evening.
2. BEACH CLUB
Those days when you're on holiday and you just want to lounge around the pool, have a few drinks and a light bite for lunch, spend the evening getting ready and then head into town for an evening out are a necessary part of a week away. However, sometimes the same pool with the same menu can get a bit repetitive, which is why visiting Kalkan's beach clubs is on my MUST DO list!
Kalkan Beach Club offers day beds, numerous sections dedicated to swimming, diving boards, sun bed service and water sports. To get to the club, you must take a short boat ride from the harbour (included in the sun bed price).
Kalamar Beach Club offers similar amenities, including a trampoline on the water and an underwater scuba school with chairs set up at the bottom of the ocean floor! Beach, burger and bellinis!
3. WATERSPORT
The divide between water sports being fun or dangerous is a lifelong argument, but for me, I will stand by the risk and jump straight in! From rubber doughnuts to parasailing around the Mediterranean ocean, what is there not to love?
At Kalkan beach club, there's the option to jet ski around the island or be dragged around the water on a giant inflatable ring tied to the back of a speed boat, the choice is yours. The inevitable laughter of trying to escape being thrown in the water backwards is definitely one for the memory bank, and what better time to do it than in a hot country with the best people?
4. A DAY TRIP TO ÖLÜDENIZ
These recommendations are subject to my opinion, and I know this comes fourth on the list, but personally, I would recommend spending a full day, or two, or three in Ölüdeniz. The town has so much to offer, with bars, shops and pirate boats and the best part for everyone visiting Kalkan on a tighter budget, it is a lot more price friendly.
For some light lunch, a visit to Cloud 9 must be tempting. A cheaper restaurant with the best (if I do say so myself) chicken wraps and chips! The beachfront restaurant has a clear view of the ocean and the mountains, which provides front-row seats to watch paraglider's land not so gracefully.
I can't forget about the Babadag cable car, a simple must do for the best views. I think the pictures simply speak for themselves.
Just a five-minute taxi ride up the hill, you can also visit Hisarönu. If nightlife and good food with the option to buy a few semi-decent fake jumpers at 1 am is your idea of the perfect evening away, it's just one more reason you should take my day trip recommendation.
P.S. Instead of taking the standard route, request the mountain way...you won't regret it!
5. MY LAST NIGHT'S DINING RECOMMENDATION
Kalamaki Dragon Chinese Restaurant. The single greatest Chinese food in Turkey! Owned by a lovely couple, the restaurant serves fresh cuisine, with something perfect for everyone. The Street kittens that surround the outside dining bring free entertainment, and with no empty glasses in site, I cannot fault it, and for that reason, I believe it is an unmissable stop during your visit to Kalkan.
I know it can't just be me that falls in love with every fur baby they meet on Holiday as well, so here is a small section of appreciation to the lovely companions I met in Kalkan. If anyone is looking to adopt and re-home a street animal from Turkey, please check out
https://kapsaonline.com
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