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On the beach we meet many guests who say “I can’t swim, I’ll just watch”. But not being able to swim doesn’t mean giving up on water sports altogether. In some activities you don’t even get in the water; in others you can enjoy yourself comfortably thanks to a life jacket; and some genuinely require swimming ability. In this guide we honestly sort the activities we offer in Ölüdeniz from this point of view.
- Easy to do: Parasailing, speed boat, boat tour, taxi boat.
- With a life jacket, accepting you may fall in: Banana, Big Mable, Sofa, Ringo, Mable.
- Not recommended: Wakeboard, water ski; swimming is recommended for SUP and canoe.
- Always tell the team about your situation; it changes how you’re looked after.
First, what you should know about life jackets
A properly sized and fastened life jacket keeps you on the surface, which is why it is mandatory on all our activities. But a life jacket is not a substitute for “being able to swim”: falling into the water unexpectedly can cause panic in the first seconds for someone who can’t swim. For a life jacket to work:
- It must fit your body; it shouldn’t slide up over your head when you raise your arms.
- All buckles and the zip must be closed.
- If you fall in, the only thing to do is stay calm, lie on your back and let the jacket hold you up.
Activities where you don’t get in the water
Parasailing
Parasailing is the most popular activity among non-swimmers. Take-off and landing are from the boat’s platform, the life jacket stays on throughout the flight and under normal conditions you aren’t expected to go into the water. Many of our guests who can’t swim fly every day. Before your first flight you can read our first-time parasailing guide.
Speed boat and boat tour
A short coastal trip by speed boat or a cove-to-cove boat tour are ways to enjoy the sea without getting in. Swim stops on boat tours are optional; you can stay on board or cool off beside the ladder in a life jacket.
Taxi boat
The taxi boat, used to reach coves such as Butterfly Valley, is a means of transport and doesn’t require swimming. If you’re thinking of visiting the valley, see our Butterfly Valley guide.
Activities possible with a life jacket, but where you fall in
On towables, falling into the water is a natural part of the activity. The life jacket keeps you afloat and the boat comes right to you. If you can’t swim you can still do these activities, but if you’re afraid of water, start with the calmer ones.
| Activity | Chance of falling | For non-swimmers |
|---|---|---|
| Banana | Usually at the end of the ride | Calm, the best start |
| Big Mable | Medium | Reassuring with a big group |
| Sofa | Medium | Seated, stable |
| Ringo | Variable | Can be requested as a calm ride |
| Mable | Medium–high | For those comfortable in water |
| Phantom | High | Not recommended |
We explain in detail what each inflatable is like in our towables comparison.
Activities that require swimming
- Wakeboard and water ski: You fall in again and again and take the starting position in the water. Swimming is essential.
- SUP and canoe: Calm, motor-free activities, but you can tip over or fall in and you move away from the shore. Swimming is recommended.
- Jet ski: A life jacket is mandatory, but if you fall off you need to be comfortable in the water to climb back on. If you can’t swim, tell the team.
First spend a few minutes in the calm, shallow water of the lagoon wearing a life jacket; feeling how the jacket holds you up greatly reduces panic during an activity. Then start with an activity where you don’t get in the water, such as parasailing or a boat tour.
What you must tell the team
- That you can’t swim or aren’t comfortable in the water
- Any heart, blood-pressure, back or neck conditions
- Whether there are children in the group who can’t swim
This information isn’t there to keep you from the activity; it’s needed so we can give you the right equipment, the captain can adjust the ride and the team can act faster if you fall in. For all the rules, see our safety and rules page.
Final word
Not being able to swim doesn’t mean you have to watch Ölüdeniz only from the shore. When you choose the right activity and tell the team clearly about your situation, seeing the lagoon from above or touring the coves is possible for everyone. If you’re undecided, come and ask at our stand on Belcekız Beach, and we’ll find the best option for you together.
Planning water sports in Ölüdeniz?
