Help me feel excited about oludeniz

[Embarrassednamechangeadoddle]

Just booked a last minute deal here for October, for our family (with 2 primary age children).

Now found out….water park is closed the week we go, transfer from the airport is 3 hours (THREE!!!!) and we arrive in the airport at 11pm!!

Im not really dreading the holiday and feel like it’s going to be a horrendous experience. OurDD is a terrible traveller and has ADHD so managing sitting still waiting is horrific.

Im being sold about the activities (boat trips/turtles etc) however that would be great if I was alone/a couple. Last boat trip I did with DD was only an hour and was awful…she just wants to move and not be confined.

Anyone been to this area of Turkey?
Can you tell me anything or give me any experiences that might help me feel more positive?

The beach in Oludeniz is beautiful, with this amazing blue lagoon. The sea is usually still warm enough in October to swim in, and it’s a lovely beach to swim from.

Which hotel are you staying in?

The sea does look beautifully blue. (I need to repeat that over and over in my head). Is it quite a calm bit of coast?

The hotel has some terrible reviews. That’s part of what I’m worried about too. But I’m hoping my low expectations will
mean that isn’t a shock. Most of the reviews seem to mention the food too so I guess we can eat out.

Did you do any good activities there?

Been 6 times!

Love love love the place. Definitely recommend eating out over hotel food if you can, it's quite cheap in comparison to here.

3 hours I guess is a coach transfer included in a package? If you're able to, a private transfer would be well worth it, just over an hour & they usually provide you with ice cold water, wifi etc.

The lagoon is beautiful, a bit like a lake, it has a few different beach clubs, recommend seahorse beach. Usually you can go to reception & ask to go to whichever beach club and they'll call the mini bus to come and get you (this is free & usually comes fairly quickly)

The main beach is also lovely, but more pebbly so I prefer the lagoon which is pure sand. I haven't been in October but should still be a nice temp for swimming!

End of season is end of oct I believe so will be winding down a bit but most will be open still.

I'd recommend looking for some of the Oludeniz groups on Facebook, there's so much good info on those that'll be helpful for you, especially for boat trips etc.

If you don't mind heights the cable cars up babadag are brill as well!

The lagoon is great for swimming in its right at one end of the beach, it’s really calm and not too deep. The beach around the lagoon is usually immaculate because it’s technically a National park I think - you do have to pay to get in but it’s not a lot of money, and it really is lovely in there.

There are some nice places to eat along the beachfront and then in the centre of Oludeniz there are lots of restuarants and bars.

There are canoes / kayaks on the beach I think. There is a little funfair in the centre, not sure if it will be open in October. There are two water parks, not sure if they are both closed? It’s worth looking into a trip to Fethiye too as it’s only about 20 minute drive away

Scenery, scenery, scenery, I love it there.
What airport are you flying into?
I haven’t been in October though so do check the hotel pool is heated.

Book a private transfer it will be much quicker!

Never been to Turkey in October though, is this half term? I'd be worried that the pools won't be warm enough for swimming by that point.

We're going to Turkey at half term with 3 young GC's . We've booked a private transfer from the airport. Will make things a lot easier. Turkey is a fantastic place to holiday with young kids. You'll have a great time

we Will book a transfer as it seems the length of transfer was because of all the drop offs.

We will hopefully be ok with weather as we chose to go out of summer because we are all terrible above 28c ish. Says 25c average high.

Oludeniz is beautiful you’ll have a great time

There's LOADS of Facebook groups for it - see if you can join some and explore the page a bit. It's the kind of place people return to time and time again and I think three hours is the MAXIMUM time it will take for transfer
Other option is a private transfer for about 80/90 quid - again lots of options for this from the Facebook groups

It is lovely. The blue lagoon was hellish and crowded over the summer. But there lots of lovely places to visit. We found Trip Advisor was a good bet for reviews etc. They will try and sell you a jeep safari. Depending on your DD you might want to give it a miss. The water fights got a bit rough and some of the sightseeing was through v cold water. The cable car is spectacular though.

Some restaurants I'd recommend:

Lemon tree
Mimosa
Hangout
Bella gusto
Sultans

What airport are you flying into? Dalaman Airport is only an hour from Olu Deniz?

Thanks everyone. I’m starting to feel better. Think I was in a dip after a difficult day with the kids and wondering how on earth the flight will be etc.

Thanks for the restaurants suggestions.

@Charlingspont yes I think I misunderstood. Airport is only an hour away but includes transfer is 3 hrs so we will get another faster option. That’s made me feel a lot better!