A complete guide to get you flying like a bird during this unforgettable experience.
This tandem paragliding adventure managed by an experienced pilot is one for the adventure seekers to add to their bucket list.
Context
Where is Oludeniz?
Why is Oludeniz a Good Paragliding Location?
Booking Tips
Which Company to fly With
Prices
My Experience
Don't Want to Paraglide But Wish You Could Experience It?
Where is Ölüdeniz?
Ölüdeniz is a coastal village situated in southwest Turkiye, a country with an important geopolitical base as Europe, the Middle East, southwest Asia, and Caucasia intersect. Ölüdeniz is a popular tourist destination due to the stunning mediterranean coast and mountainous landscapes.
Why is Ölüdeniz a good paragliding location?
Takeoff
The village of Ölüdeniz is overlooked by the 1969m tall Babadağ mountain making it a great place for a launch site!
At the top of Babadag mountain there are 2 takeoff zones. One at 1800m, and the other at 1700m. Babadağ is a mountain so is subject to mountainous conditions (winds, cloud cover, cooler temperatures) so the takeoff hight is chosen based on the suitability for the current weather conditions to keep the activity safe.
The orientation of both takeoff platforms face east overlooking the beautiful scenery of Ölüdeniz making it one of the most beautiful take-off sites in the word!
Why not check out my Oludeniz clothing collection?
During the flight
Soon after takeoff, the natural beauty of Butterfly Valley will be below your feet. The valley is home to a diverse range of butterflies is only accessible by foot or boat. Therefore, seeing this secluded valley from above is a privilege.
As you lower, you will clearly see the Ölüdeniz Tabiat Parkı which is home to the UNESCO listed Blue Lagoon. The famous Blue Lagoon is one of Turkey’s most photographed locations. During your paragliding flight you will get breathtaking views of the area and develop a greater sense for the local geography.
Landing
Ölüdeniz beach has a clear landing zone at sea level. Where better to land than next to one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe?
The long stretch of paved beachfront ensures you have a flat-level landing which makes it easy to land on your feet fully balanced. After landing, the company that you took your flight with will have a team on the ground watching you land ready to pack your parachute up.
It is a very organised operation making the whole experience a lot more relaxing than you would think if somebody told you to run off a mountain.
Booking tips
Paragliding in Ölüdeniz is one of the most popular destinations to try this extreme sport. It is one of the most commercial paragliding spots in the world so during peak season the sky gets full of colourful paraglider wings.
Demand is met by professional pilots offering tandem flights everyday during the season of spring through to late autumn, they even offer sunrise and sunset flights.
Flights during winter are less possible due safety reasons regarding wind and snow cover on Babadağ mountain.
During the peak Sumer season (June through to August) Oludeniz's main street gets busy with tourists dropping into paragliding stores spontaneously booking a flight.
Online booking is available so I would recommend this to secure your preferred date. Summer months are stated to be the best time to paraglide due to the minimal chances of cloud cover.
Can I do it?
Anybody can along as you don’t exceed 100kg bodyweight, have any medical conditions that could put you at risk when paragliding, and are older than 4 years of age.
TOP TIP – if you are staying in the area for a while then paraglide as soon as possible so you can stare at the sky for the rest of your trip and relive the amazing experience and understand what others are experiencing in that moment!
Which company to fly with
In terms of which company to fly with there is very little differences. Paragliding companies have offices along Ölüdeniz beachfront and up the main street of the village.
The main companies include:
Gravity
Sky Sports
Deep Blue
Hanuman
Reaction
Focus Tours and Paragliding
Reaction Paragliding
Price
£80-100 (disclaimer: prices of April 2022)
The price includes
insurance
minibus up to Babadağ mountain
access fee to use the facilities at Babadağ mountain
the experience itself!
NOTE – The majority of companies will do a free pick-up service from your accommodation if you are in the surrounding area and bring you to their office ready to go up to the mountain with your group. Alternatively, use the local dolmus (public transport minibus) to arrive at Oludeniz beach where most of the offices are located within a 5 minute walk.
What the price doesn’t include
photos and videos
How can I take photos and videos?
Photos and videos can be arranged with your pilot for usually an extra £20 per person.
The pilots are kitted out with action cameras and will take the photos and videos for you. There is no worry of not getting the perfect picture, they know the best angels!
Once you land, the pilots are efficient at downloading your footage and will transferring it to you there and then.
TOP TIP – It is defiantly worth paying for your footage as it is an experience of a lifetime that you will want to rewatch and show others. It is also ideal having them take the photos so you can just focus on being present and have peace of mind that your valuables are safe!
Some companies do allow you to take your own camera as long as it is strapped to you securely. However, companies will advise you to leave all your belongs in a locked locker back at their office.
Why not check out my Oludeniz clothing collection?
My Experience
You may be thinking ‘that’s crazy you are literally running off a mountain!’…because that was exactly what I thought for years before plucking up the courage to book a flight.
But this was an experience of a lifetime that I cannot recommend enough! Even as somebody who is scared of heights (I know. Ironic), this experience was such a surreal feeling that I wanted to do it again as soon as I landed.
I booked with Gravity. Their stylish office on the beach front allows you to watch videos and sit in the paragliding seat to get a feel of what is about to come. I opted to jump in the morning the very next day so I had less time for the nerves to get to me.
After signing the waiver to do the activity and running through the safety procedures my group was taken up to the meeting point at Babadağ takeoff area in a minibus to meet our paragliding pilots – and wow what an amazing journey.
The windy mountain roads mean you quickly gain height and where you will have a stunning view of the surrounding area. However, it is a bumpy ride and your minibus can be driving right on the edge of big drops at times so it is not for the faint hearted!
Once you reach the top you are paired with your experienced instructor. They were all friendly and want you to love what they do as a living.
As your standing at the take-off point your pilot will provide you with a helmet and instructions on what to do. The busy environment at the takeoff zone creates an amazing atmosphere. You are likely to experience resfeber as you get an adrenaline rush from all the excitement and nerves tangling together.
This is one of the many reasons why I would recommend Ölüdeniz as the best location for your first paragliding experience as it is a popular location for first timers so you are not alone in paragliding for the first time.
When you get the all clear, long story short…they just tell you to run!
TOP TIP – wear comfy clothes and trainers, sunglasses are a good idea too.
NOTE – if you decide you don't want to jump that is okay but the companies will not refund you if you leave it to the last minute.
As soon as the wind picks up your parachute it’s a feeling of no going back – you are in the hands of the wind and your pilot’s expertise. All you have to do is sit back into your bucket seat and enjoy the flight!
The feeling when in-flight is incredibly hard to explain because of how incomparable it is. It is so surreal, it is breathtaking, it is just incredible.
The stunning scenery is mesmerising to the point I forgot I was sat in a seat...held by wires...connected to a parachute.
Constantly the pilot checks on you to see how you are feeling, erasure you, and points out what you can see.
What if you don’t like it?
The pilots can bring you down quicker to reduce the activity time if your are feeling uncomfortable.
Alternatively, if you want more thrill you can ask your pilot to do tricks. Pilots have the skill level to do vertical and horizontal spins if you wish.
The whole flight is surprisingly very calm and relaxing so these little bursts of adrenaline get the heart racing!
My flight time was approximately 25 minutes as the conditions were pleasant and I said a slightly scared yes to trying out some spins.
When you come nearer to the ground your pilot will put your helmet on and explain how to land. Again, long story short…you just run!
As you are coming closer to landing just moving your legs in a running motion is all you need to do to land on your feet.
When the pilot breaks, the parachute catches the air slowing you right down making it very easy for a balanced landing.
It was just incredible and I cannot wait to do it again.
Don’t want to paraglide but wish you could experience it?
Babadağ facilities have you covered!
What’s there?
At the top of Babadağ mountain there is a modern development with new facilities including restaurants, cable car, and a cable chair which can help get you immersed into the paragliding atmosphere.
The stylish restaurant at the takeoff site is built into the mountain providing you with an infinity view of the edge.
With it being located next to the main take-off zone, it is the best way to watch all the paragliders take-off and float into the distance.
Via dolmus
The local bus system runs a service from Ölüdeniz to Babadağ mountain a few times a day and is the cheapest way to get up the mountain.
The bus ride take around 30-45 minutes to reach the top of the mountain. Preferred payment for the dolmus is contactless card.
NOTE – be careful and check what time the last dolmus departure time down from the mountain is if this is your chosen transportation.
Via cable car
Opened in 2021, it is the most scenic way to reach the mountain top with panoramic views all the way up of the amazing landscape.
Via taxi
If you prefer a private way of reaching the Babadağ facilities then taxis will take you up but at a much larger price.
Or just sit on the beach and look up!
Or just sit on Oludeniz beach and look up! The colourful parachutes are clear to see from all around Oludeniz Fethiye, the paragliding atmosphere is unique and one to not miss out on.
Thank you for reading, keep Creating Resfeber!
Why not check out my other travel guides and blogs on Turkiye?
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