Contents
- What they all have in common
- Comparison table
- Banana: the classic and most family-friendly
- Big Mable: everyone in the water at once
- Mable: the middle way
- Sofa: swinging while leaning back
- Ringo: spin, spin, spin
- Phantom: the hardest and the most screaming
- Quick choice by group
- Falling in and how to hold on
- Final word
It’s perfectly normal to be confused reading the names on the beach sign: banana, ringo, mable, big mable, phantom, sofa… They are all inflatables towed on a rope behind a boat, but how you sit on them, how many people can ride and how much you get thrown around differ a lot. In this article we compare the towables we run every day on Belcekız Beach one by one and help you choose the best one for your group.
- Calmest and most family-friendly: Banana
- Large group: Big Mable (2–8 people)
- Medium thrill: Mable and Sofa
- For those who love spinning: Ringo
- The hardest ride: Phantom
What they all have in common
None of these activities requires experience. You put on a life jacket, get a short briefing, grip the handles on the inflatable and the boat tows you in the open bay. The captain drives according to the group’s age and wishes, so the same inflatable can be a different experience for different groups. Falling into the water is a natural part of these activities and usually ends in laughter.
Comparison table
| Activity | People | Position | Intensity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banana | Group | In a row, like riding a horse | Low | Families, first-timers |
| Big Mable | 2–8 | Lying / kneeling | Low–medium | Large family and friend groups |
| Mable | 2–4 | Lying / kneeling | Medium | Small groups, couples |
| Sofa | Group | Seated, back-supported | Medium | Those who don’t want to lie down |
| Ringo | 1–2 | Seated inside the ring | Adjustable | Those who love spinning |
| Phantom | 2–4 | Lying | High | Healthy adults looking for adrenaline |
Banana: the classic and most family-friendly
You sit in a row on the long banana-shaped inflatable, as if riding a horse. You hold the handles in front of you and put your feet in the spaces at the sides. The boat moves in straight lines and wide curves; the group usually ends up in the water at the end of the ride after a deliberate move by the captain. The intensity is low, so it is the right start for families with children and first-timers.
Big Mable: everyone in the water at once
Big Mable is a giant inflatable for up to eight people. If you are a large family or group of friends, it lets everyone have fun on the same ride at the same time. As with the Mable, you hold on lying down or kneeling, but its size makes its movement more stable.
Mable: the middle way
The Mable, also spelled Marble, takes 2–4 people. It bounces over the waves; noticeably livelier than the banana, but not as hard as the phantom. A balanced choice for couples and small groups of friends.
Sofa: swinging while leaning back
As the name suggests, you sit on it as on a couch, with your back supported. It is a comfortable alternative for those who don’t want to hold on lying down or tire their back and arms. When the boat speeds up and turns, the feeling of the sofa lifting off is great fun.
Ringo: spin, spin, spin
You sit inside a ring-shaped inflatable. The ringo’s character is spinning and swinging out as it crosses the boat’s wake. Because the intensity can be adjusted by the boat, it can be a calm ride or a lively one; tell the captain beforehand.
Phantom: the hardest and the most screaming
On the phantom, a 2–4 person inflatable, you hold on lying down, and it gives the hardest ride of all the towables. Lifting off and swinging out in the curves are pronounced, and you need to hold on strongly with your arms. Ideal for healthy adults looking for adrenaline; not recommended for anyone with back, neck or joint problems.
Pregnant women, people with back, neck or lower-back problems, those who have had recent surgery and those with serious heart or blood-pressure conditions should especially avoid the harder activities (phantom, mable, ringo). Always tell the team if you have any doubts about your health. For our rules, see the safety and rules page.
Quick choice by group
- Family with small children: Start with the banana; if the children enjoy it, move on to the Big Mable. Detailed tips for families are in our Ölüdeniz with kids guide.
- A group of 8 friends: Big Mable gets everyone in the water at once.
- Couple: Mable or Sofa for a calm ride, Phantom for adrenaline.
- Teenagers: Phantom followed by Ringo is one of the most popular combinations.
- Non-swimmers: A life jacket is mandatory, but falling in is part of these activities. Read our guide for non-swimmers first and tell the team.
Falling in and how to hold on
- Grip the handles with your fingers fully closed, not just with your palm.
- Keep your elbows slightly bent; with straight arms your shoulders take the jolts.
- When you fall, bring your arms in front of your face and let the life jacket bring you to the surface.
- Push yourself slightly away from the inflatable as you fall so you don’t land on the others.
Leave glasses, jewellery and your phone on shore. To capture your group’s laughing moments, ask for professional photos or a drone video from the boat.
Final word
The right choice depends on your group’s ages, how many you are and how much you want to be thrown around. If you can’t decide, tell us at our stand on Belcekız Beach how many you are and what you’re hoping for, and we’ll choose the best inflatable together.
Planning water sports in Ölüdeniz?
