Babadağ Paragliding Site, Ölüdeniz
A mountain rising straight out of the sea and a landing area at sea level. That is what makes the site special, and what makes it demanding.
Last updated 2026-09-01Babadağ rises directly out of the sea. The takeoff sites sit between 1200 and 1900 metres and the landing area is at sea level. That difference means almost the whole flight happens over water and along the coast. It is what makes the site special: there is nothing between the mountain and the sea.
On this page
The shape of the mountain
| Takeoff altitudes Five sites |
1200, 1700, 1800 and two sites on the summit |
|---|---|
| Landing Belcekız |
Sea level, four areas lined up along the shore |
| Aspects Range of directions |
South, west, north and east. There is an option for every main direction |
| Cloudbase Typical |
2500 to 3500 m |
| Flying site Defined boundary |
4.5 nautical mile radius |
The sites facing different directions is the biggest advantage here. At most flying sites a change of wind direction ends the day; here it usually just changes the site. For which site works in which direction see takeoff sites.
How it flies
Babadağ holds three kinds of flying at the same time.
| Type | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Sled run | A direct glide from launch down to Belcekız. In calm hours it is the easiest flying here and the right choice for a visiting pilot's first day. |
| Soaring | Holding height in the lift band in front of the slope. Once the sea breeze establishes you can stay up along the face for a long time. |
| Thermals and XC | Climbing in thermals and heading inland for distance. The most productive months are May, June and October. XC routes |
The known fixed thermal source is just to the right of the 1700 takeoff. You can look for your first climb there, but other pilots will be doing the same, so watch the turn direction and the traffic as you enter it.
Who can fly here
To fly the takeoff sites under your own responsibility you need a minimum of P3. P2 pilots may only fly from the altitude and within the wind limits approved by an instructor.
Technically Babadağ is not a difficult site. The takeoffs are wide and paved, the landing area is large and the weather is predictable on most days. What makes the site demanding is not the air itself but the three things below.
What makes it demanding
| Factor | What it does |
|---|---|
| Traffic | One of the busiest tandem sites in the world. On peak days there are many wings on the takeoff and in the landing area at once. For a free flight pilot the main risk is the crowd, not the weather. |
| The sea breeze | It builds as the day goes on and in summer pushes against the 25 km/h limit around midday. A day that is flyable in the morning can close in the afternoon. |
| Limited landings | The alternatives to Belcekız are far away. You have to decide the moment you realise you will not make it back. |
The most common mistake pilots new to the area make is looking at the calm morning conditions and flying the same plan in the afternoon. Judge the conditions of the hour you are actually launching in. The rhythm of the day
A plan for your first day
If this is your first time flying the site, work through it in this order:
- Complete your registration. The gate does not open without it. Flight registration
- Read the rules, especially traffic and landing priorities. Local rules
- See the landing area from the ground. Walk the areas before you look at them from the air. Landing areas
- Pick a calm hour. Fly early morning or late afternoon, do not wait for the middle of the day.
- Start with a sled run. Glide straight down to Belcekız without hunting thermals, and experience the area and the approach once.
For site selection see takeoff sites, for how the air behaves see local weather, and for current conditions see live wind.