Marmaris Beaches 2026: Içmeler, Turunc and the Bay Islands

Marmaris town’s own beach (İçliman) is narrow and pebbly — it serves its purpose for a quick swim but is not the reason to choose Marmaris as a beach destination. The good beaches are at Içmeler (8km, direct minibus) and Turunc (15km, sea taxi or mountain road), or accessible by boat through the enclosed bay. The bay’s geography — surrounded by forested mountains with calm, protected water — creates excellent swimming conditions throughout.

Marmaris town beach (İçliman)

Type: Narrow pebble and sand Entry: Free Location: Along the town waterfront

The town beach stretches along the Marmaris waterfront promenade — narrow, easily crowded, and not particularly clean in peak season. Adequate for a quick swim after a late morning in the castle; not suitable as a beach day destination.

Water quality: Generally acceptable; the bay is largely protected from open sea pollution.

Içmeler (8km west)

Type: Sandy beach, sheltered bay Entry: Free public sections; beach clubs ₺150–300 Transport: Minibus from Marmaris (every 15 minutes in summer), ₺15, 15 minutes Quality rating: ★★★★

Içmeler is the most accessible good beach from Marmaris — a 1.5km sandy beach in a sheltered bay, with beach clubs providing sunbeds, umbrellas, and water sports. The atmosphere is somewhat more relaxed than Marmaris town, and the beach quality is genuinely better (proper sand, calmer water).

Beach clubs: Multiple operators on the main beach. Sunbed hire: ₺150–300 including umbrella. Water sports available: jet ski (₺300/15 min), parasailing (₺350/ride), pedalo hire.

Practical: Içmeler is a small resort town in its own right with hotels, restaurants, and a beach promenade. Worthwhile as a half-day or full-day trip from Marmaris; also a good alternative base to Marmaris town (cheaper and calmer).

Turunc (15km south)

Type: Sandy, sheltered cove Entry: Free; beach clubs ₺200–350 Transport: Sea taxi from Marmaris marina (₺60–80, 20 minutes); or minibus via mountain road (30 minutes, ₺25) Quality rating: ★★★★

Turunc is a small village with a naturally sheltered sandy beach — more relaxed than Içmeler, with a local fishing harbour and significantly less tourist infrastructure. The sea taxi from Marmaris marina is the most pleasant access route — 20 minutes across the bay with views of the forested mountains.

The village: Turunc has several small restaurants (fish and meze), a handful of pensions, and a calm atmosphere that is quite different from Marmaris town. Worth arriving for lunch and staying for the afternoon.

For swimmers: The sheltered position means calmer water than the open bays.

Kumlubük and Orhaniye

Distance: 30km by road; accessible by boat Type: Sandy beaches in sheltered inlet

Two adjacent villages at the far end of the Marmaris bay — Kumlubük with a long sandy beach, and Orhaniye with the extraordinary Kizkumu sandbar (a natural sand bank extending 1.5km into the bay, accessible by wading in shallow water). Both accessible by day boat from Marmaris.

Kizkumu sandbar: One of the most unusual swimming experiences near Marmaris — a sandbar in shallow warm water, surrounded by the bay. Day boat trips from Marmaris include this stop (₺250–400/person).

Bay island coves (boat access)

The Marmaris bay contains several small islands and protected coves accessible only by boat — these offer the clearest water in the area. Day boat trips from the Marmaris marina typically visit 4–6 swimming stops:

Phosphorescent Bay (Fosforlu Koyu): Accessible primarily on night boat trips — bioluminescent plankton makes swimming water glow at night. ₺200–300/person for the evening trip.

Nimara cave: A sea cave accessible by boat; the cave interior has turquoise-lit water from below. Included in some day boat itineraries.

Keçi Adası (Goat Island): A small island with a cove beach and clear water — standard stop on bay tours.

Day boat trips from Marmaris

Standard day tour: ₺250–400/person, departures from 10am, multiple swimming stops, lunch included.

What to expect: Captain’s tours from the marina visit the bay coves systematically — 8 hours, approximately 4–5 swimming stops, lunch (typically grilled fish or chicken) on board. Social atmosphere; good if you like group boat trips. Private boat hire: ₺3,000–5,000/day for groups.

Beach comparison

Beach	Type	Distance	Entry	Getting there	Rating
İçliman (town)	Pebble/sand	0km	Free	Walk	★★
Içmeler	Sand	8km	Free/₺150–300	Minibus ₺15	★★★★
Turunc	Sand	15km	Free/₺200–350	Sea taxi ₺60	★★★★
Kumlubük	Sand	30km	Free	Day boat	★★★★
Kizkumu sandbar	Sand/water	30km	—	Day boat	★★★★★
Bay coves	Various	15–30km (boat)	—	Day boat ₺250	★★★★

Practical notes

Aegean water temperatures: 26–28°C peak in August; swimmable through October (22–24°C). Slightly cooler than the Mediterranean coast further east.

Peak season crowds: July–August brings very high visitor numbers to Içmeler and the day boats from Marmaris. Içmeler is still manageable; Turunc remains relatively calm due to the more limited transport.

Best season for beaches: June and September–October — warm water, manageable crowds, lower prices. The shoulder season is genuinely excellent.

For coastal towns accessible from Marmaris, see Marmaris coastal towns. For comparable Aegean beaches, see Bodrum beaches.