Babadağ Paragliding

Babadağ rises to about nineteen hundred metres directly behind Ölüdeniz, and the combination of that height, a steep drop to the sea and reliable thermals has made it one of the busiest tandem paragliding sites in the world - launch ramps have been built at several altitudes up the mountain, and on a good day hundreds of flights go off. The flight lasts twenty to forty minutes depending on conditions and the pilot's thermalling, passing over the Blue Lagoon, the Butterfly Valley cliffs and the coastline before landing on the beach at Ölüdeniz. No experience is needed; passengers are strapped into a harness in front of the pilot and run a few steps off the ramp. A cable car now runs up Babadağ for people who want the mountain without the flight, with viewing terraces and restaurants at the top. Operator standards vary considerably, and checking licensing, insurance and recent reviews matters more here than price does.

What you actually see

• The launch ramps - the built platforms at several heights.
• The flight - the descent over the lagoon and coastline.
• The beach landing - the run-in onto Ölüdeniz sand.
• The cable car terraces - the summit view without flying.

When to go

April to November; conditions are best in the morning, and flights are cancelled in wind or cloud. Midsummer is busiest and hottest.

Honest expectations

Operator standards vary - check licensing and insurance rather than shopping on price alone. Flights are cancelled at short notice for weather. Photos and video from the pilot are charged extra, often heavily.

Nearby

Ölüdeniz and the Blue Lagoon are below; Butterfly Valley and Kabak Bay are along the coast.