#3 European Rank
Patara Beach
Gelemis, near Kalkan, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea• Best Season: May, June, July, August, September, October
Photo: Abdullah kıyga (CC BY 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.81/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
28°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€23/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Moderate Surf
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces W (265°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Exercise Caution
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces W (265°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
W (265°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 5°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the W-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Patara Beach: Noticeable shorebreak; recommend caution for small children and non-swimmers. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Gelemis, near Kalkan, Turkey
Warm Bathwater
Early August
28.0°C
Air ~36°C
Optimal thermal comfort; zero cold shock
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 28.0°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17.6°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 16.8°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 16.8°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 17.7°C | 28°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 20.2°C | 31°C | Refreshing |
| June | 23.5°C | 34°C | Ideal Swimming |
| July | 26.6°C | 36°C | Warm Bathwater |
| August | 28.0°C | 36°C | Warm Bathwater |
| September | 26.8°C | 34°C | Warm Bathwater |
| October | 24.5°C | 31°C | Ideal Swimming |
| November | 21.7°C | 27°C | Refreshing |
| December | 19.2°C | 24°C | Refreshing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Turkey Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 23 May – 23 Nov (>21°C) · 185 days
Planning around peak water warmth (28°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Patara Beach for the optimal May–June–July–August–September–October swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Patara Beach (Gelemis, near Kalkan, Turkey)
🌊 Water temperature: 28°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/patara-beach-tr/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Good
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.8 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.7 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.2 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.9 / 5
About Patara Beach
Turkey's longest beach, eighteen wild kilometres of dune-backed sand guarded by Lycian ruins and nesting sea turtles.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Road access via Gelemiş village past the ancient Lycian archaeological site of Patara (MüzeKart / entrance ticket).
•Protected Status / Environment: Special Environmental Protection Area (SEPA) and critical nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta); nighttime visitor access restricted.
•Notable Feature: 18 km continuous expanse of fine golden sand dunes, the longest unbroken natural beach in Turkey.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Typical Rate: ~€8/day
EasyPark AppPayByPhone App
EasyPark mobile app is widely supported across blue-line municipal zones.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Morning Shade • Late Afternoon Golden Hours
Faces westward into the open horizon, offering bright afternoon sun and prime sunset vantage points.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
NoFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
YesGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Gelemis, near Kalkan. Accessible via regional coastal roads (36.270°N, 29.312°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Patara Beach involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Warm and open, some surf and current on windy days.
•Protected national park with ancient Lycian ruins and loggerhead turtle nesting.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Gelemis, near Kalkan, Turkey.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Patara Beach?
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Frequently Asked Questions about Patara Beach
What is the water temperature at Patara Beach?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Patara Beach averages 28°C (82°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Patara Beach?
Patara Beach is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Gelemis, near Kalkan, Turkey.
Is Patara Beach good for families with kids?
Patara Beach has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Patara Beach?
Parking arrangements vary locally. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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