Beach Escape

TSummer is still with us and with temperatures in the low 30s and our swimming pool receiving its annual filter maintenance, it was necessary to find some alternative water to sink into.  There are quite a few options but we decided today to go to our nearby "developed" beach, Escape Beach.  It's about 5 minutes drive from the villa.

There are roughly three types of sea swimming options on the island.  Developed beaches which have a whole host of facilities including, loungers, umbrellas, cafes, showers etc.  Undeveloped beaches which range from tiny rocky coves to enormous sandy stretches and may have a few loungers on but no permanent facilities.  Finally, wooden platforms built out over rocky bits of coastline giving sunbathing terraces with steps down into the water.  Something for everyone really.  The developed beaches and the platforms are obviously kept scrupulously clean by the surrounding businesses.  The wilderness beaches might have flotsam and jetsam on them and in the worst case, litter from previous visitors.  That said, some of them are absolutely stunning and you shouldn't be put off visiting them i.e. Alagadi Turtle Beach and Golden Beach in the Karpaz.

Anyway, today we didn't want to run too far so Escape Beach ticked all the boxes.  Another thing to know about the beaches here: whether they are developed or maintained, none of them are private, even the hotel ones.  So, anyone can go to Escape Beach and if you take your own chair or sit on a towel, its totally free.  If on the other hand you park in the private carpark, use the club loungers and umbrellas or the restrooms, showers etc, you have to pay.  It's reasonable, they keep the place spotless.  Adults (young children free) will pay 20 ytl ie about £4.25 per person for access to all the facilities for the day. We pay it happily.

When we arrived at 0930, it was empty but it is a popular beach and gets quite busy later in the day.  When I say busy, there is still lots and lots of space around you.  Benidorm it isn't.   Escape is a perfect family beach, a large horseshoe bay.  The sand is powdery and clean.  The sea is incredibly calm and clear and runs out shallow for about 200 metres.  You have to walk about 100 metres to get to swimming depth!  There are no rocks or pebbles, no sudden shelving.  Just perfect!    Just off the shore is a little island to explore with tiny sand patches and caves.  You can easily wade to it.  The whole bay is roped off at the island level to keep watercraft out especially the large gulets that come in for lunch and a swim most days.  And also no worry from jet skiers. 

We had a lovely day down there reading, swimming, sunbathing...... there is free wifi too and an excellent café that serves up some super looking meals.  The sea was warmer than our pool and delightful to swim or just wallow in.  I'd taken a float down and enjoyed using that. 

Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will have to have another day down there or at another beach before the end of the summer.