Introduction to Kargı Bay and Camel Beach
Kargı Bay features one of the nicest sandy beaches on the Bodrum Peninsula, and it’s also great for swimming.
It’s a popular destination for daily excursion boats (when you see the boat trips advertising visits to Camel Beach – you’re heading to Kargı), but this bay is also accessible by road.
I tried finding the coastal route from Bağla to Kargı, but missed the turning and ended up going back to the main road leading towards Ortakent, this is probably the reason why this beach isn’t as crowded as some of the other beaches in the area.
Next time I visited, it was the last stop on a day-boat trip from Turgutreis. We docked at Camel Beach, where Kargi’s main attraction are located. A few mellow camels who earn their keep by taking visitors up and down the beach. The good news is that the segment of the beach used for Camel rides is very separate than the main beach.
Camel Beach is at the southern end of Kargı Bay. Just follow the small footpath that follows the coastline, around the southern tip of the bay, and you’ll arrive at the boat jetties where some the day boats dock. Here, on a small postage size piece of beach, you’ll find the camels, a few trinket stores, and a restaurant/cafe.
Location
- Kargı Bay is sandwiched between Ortakent-Yahşi to the north and Bağla Bay to the south.
- Approximate distances to Kargı Bay:
- 54km from Milas-Bodrum Airport
- 15km from Bodrum
- 5km from Ortakent
- 14km from Turgutreis
Getting There
- The popular way of reaching Kargı Bay (and Camel Beach) is via a stop on a day boat trip, from boats with departure points between Turgutreis and Bodrum
- There isn’t a major coastal road that runs parallel to Kargı Bay, so you have to reach it by veering off onto the side roads and make your way to the bay
- The south coast route dolmus now makes a stop at Kargı
Things to do
- Camel Ride. Video of the Camel Rides on Camel Beach.
- Explore Ortakent-Yahşi beach. Walk towards the Lighthouse that’s located at the north end of Kargı Bay, and you’ll make your way onto Yahşi end of the beach.
- Water Sports or Turkish Bath at the local Javelin Hotel & Spa
- Enjoy a day at the beach. On the Beach promo Video of Camel Beach.
Kargı Bay (and Camel Beach) was one of Vikki’s Top 5 picks for the Bodrum Peninsula
Map
© Kargi Bay View, by Ertugrul BURGAZ
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Camel Beach – This beach can be reached by Dolmus from Bodrum Town Centre or boat trips from Gumbet and Bodrum. The beach is unspoilt and for some reason always seems hotter than the other beaches. You can ride the camels there or just sit back and relax!! Theres also a few small shops and a cafe. (Wear your flip flops…the sand is scorching hot here!!!)