Ölüdeniz (literally "dead sea," for its calm waters) is the turquoise lagoon that appears on every Turkish tourism poster. The beach curves around a shallow, sheltered bay where the water shades from pale green to deep blue. There is an entrance fee for the national park section of the beach, which keeps it cleaner and less crowded than the free public beaches nearby.
The lagoon is 15 km south of Fethiye, connected by frequent dolmuş minibuses. It gets genuinely crowded in July and August — go early morning or in the shoulder season for the best experience. The surrounding area has been developed with hotels and restaurants, but the lagoon itself remains beautiful. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent along the shore.