Kargı Bay

Kargı is a south-facing bay about 4 km southwest of Datça. Being so close to town, it's a favourite with anyone who wants to get away from the centre without a long drive. Behind the beach you'll find beach clubs, café-restaurants and places to stay, and in summer the bay is lively from morning to evening. After the in-town feel of Kumluk, this is where you settle in for a longer, more holiday-paced day.

Days at Kargı tend to be long: a morning swim, the midday heat spent in the shade, then back in the water in the late afternoon. Sunbeds and umbrellas at the beach businesses usually cost extra, but there's room on the public shore for your own towel. In July and August, especially at weekends, the bay gets busy, so arrive early if you want a quieter corner.

When the summer meltem picks up from the north in the afternoon, north-facing shores on the peninsula can get choppy, while south-coast bays like Kargı are often calmer. Conditions still vary from day to day, so take a look before you swim. And since town is so close, you can stay until late afternoon and still finish the day with dinner at the harbour.