Paragliding in Fethiye: Everything You Need to Know

Paragliding from Babadağ over the Blue Lagoon of Ölüdeniz is consistently rated as the world's best tandem paragliding experience. With over 100,000 flights per year and a near-perfect safety record, it's the number one activity visitors to Fethiye book — and for good reason.

The flight takes you from 1,969 metres above sea level, soaring over pine forests, turquoise waters, and ancient Lycian ruins, before landing gently on Ölüdeniz beach. It's 25-45 minutes of pure, breathtaking freedom. No experience required.

How Much Does It Cost?

What to Expect: Step by Step

1. Hotel Pickup (8-9am or 2-3pm): A minibus collects you from your hotel. Morning flights tend to have calmer conditions; afternoon flights have better thermals (longer flight).
2. Drive to Babadağ: 45-minute scenic drive up the mountain on a winding road. Your ears will pop. The views on the way up are already incredible.
3. Launch Site (1,969m): You'll meet your pilot, get a brief safety talk, put on your harness, and connect to the tandem glider. The whole prep takes about 10 minutes.
4. The Run: You and the pilot run together towards the cliff edge. After 3-5 running steps, the wind catches the wing and you're airborne. This is the scariest part — it's over in seconds.
5. The Flight: Pure magic. You'll soar at 1,000+ metres above the Blue Lagoon. Your pilot may do spirals, wingovers, or acrobatics if you've opted for it (and your stomach can handle it).
6. Landing: A gentle beach landing on Ölüdeniz public beach. Your pilot handles everything — you just lift your legs on approach.

When to Fly

Best Season

April to November is the flying season. Peak conditions are May-October. Flights may be cancelled in winter months due to weather. In high summer (July-August), morning flights are preferred as afternoon thermals can be very strong.

Morning vs. Afternoon

• Morning (sunrise-11am): Calmer air, smoother flight. Better for nervous first-timers. Slightly shorter flights.
• Afternoon (2pm-sunset): Stronger thermals = longer flights. More potential for acrobatics. Can be bumpier. Sunset flights are spectacular but book well ahead.

Safety & Requirements

• Age: Minimum 4-5 years old (varies by operator). No maximum age — people in their 80s fly regularly.
• Weight: Maximum 100-120 kg (varies by pilot and wing size). Be honest about your weight when booking.
• Health: Not recommended if you have serious heart conditions, recent back surgery, or are heavily pregnant. Motion sickness pills can help if you're prone to it.
• Fear of heights: Surprisingly, most people with height phobia are fine once airborne. It doesn't feel like being on a cliff edge — it feels like floating.
• Safety record: Extremely safe. All commercial pilots must be licensed by the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK). Fatal incidents are exceptionally rare.

What to Wear & Bring

• Closed-toe shoes — Essential for the running take-off. No flip-flops or sandals.
• Long trousers or leggings — The harness can rub on bare legs.
• Warm layer — It's 10-15°C colder at the summit than the beach, even in summer. A light jacket is enough.
• Sunglasses — The pilot usually provides goggles but bring sunglasses too.
• Secure your phone — Use a lanyard or leave it with the pilot. Dropping phones is common and expensive.
• Empty stomach — Don't eat a big meal before flying. Light breakfast is fine.

How to Book

There are over 50 licensed operators in Fethiye. The quality of your experience depends almost entirely on your pilot, not the agency. Here's how to get a good deal:

• Ask your hotel — Most have a preferred operator and can negotiate a better price.
• Book 1-2 days ahead — Don't leave it to the last minute in peak season (July-August).
• Check reviews — Look for specific pilot names in Google/TripAdvisor reviews.
• Avoid the cheapest option — If someone offers €50 flights, question why it's half the market price.
• Negotiate the photo/video — This is where the markup is. Try to get it included in the package.