When we say Maldives, the first thing that comes to our mind will be turquoise waters and white sands. Maldives is the place where I really wanted to live my dream. It is the name of heaven on earth, so its place is also very different. Currency is getting high, I looked at the Maldives, and I said, then, I only see the Maldives in my dreams, and I said that I will find the like of the Maldives in my paradise country, and with this thought, I started to search for places called Maldives in Turkey. Not only did I search, I experienced them all. All of these places are where the most beautiful turquoise waters of Turkey take you to the magical world of Maldives. If you are ready, here is Turkey's Maldives….
1) Salda-Gölü, Burdur
Let's start our list of Maldives, which is a beauty wonder, from the most popular point. This is one of the 2 places in the world that show the characteristics of Mars, and moreover, it is the deepest, cleanest and clearest lake in Turkey. Located in the middle of a magnificent nature surrounded by forests, within the lakes region of the Mediterranean, 4 km from the Yeşilova district of Burdur, this lake is a real Maldives wonder that makes the eyes shine. There are more than one beach in the lake, which has been a natural protected area since 1989. Especially with the cleanliness of the water, the turquoise color and the white color of the sand, it deserves the imitation of Turkey's Maldives. You should definitely swim in these dazzling blue waters. Even when the sun is at its highest, the beach definitely does not burn people's feet, you should walk barefoot on the edge of this lake for healing purposes. When you enter the lake, a velvet carpet is laid and you feel like the guests of the lake walking on that carpet, it was a really unique feeling. What's more, when you take that cotton-like sand and exfoliate your face, your face becomes like cotton. You ask why? Thanks to the magnesium, soda and clay in the lake. It has been proven by scientists that lake water is good for many skin diseases, especially acne. For this very reason, don't be surprised if you see people carrying clay from the bottom of the lake to their homes in buckets. Throw yourself into the clay pools formed by the lake, and be sure to get stuck in the mud. With a depth of up to 185 meters, it is the deepest lake in Turkey and the third deepest in the world, so don't be too open while swimming, the water can become extremely deep and become dangerous all of a sudden. Although this place is too bright to take our eyes off, it is one of the 2 places in the world that show the feature of Mars. The same magnesium-laden rocks in the lake were found on Mars. Wouldn't it be very enjoyable to spend 1 night on Mars? If you have the opportunity, you can camp here for 1 night. Especially at the weekend, local people flock to the beaches of Salda Lake to cool off, so it will be much more enjoyable if you bring your trip to the weekdays.
2) Suluada, Adrasan
– Antalya After Salda, the other booming star of the instagram world is definitely Suluada. Access to the island, which is approximately 1.5-2 kilometers from the coast between Adrasan and Gelidonya Cape, is provided only by sea. There are no settlements or facilities on Suluada, which is a completely natural virgin island. There are 2 beaches on the island. Both beaches have white beaches and turquoise seas, so the term Maldives is unavoidable. The name of the island comes from the freshwater spring on the island and it is said that this spring water is healing. For many years, fishermen have met their freshwater needs from this bay. Do not leave without drinking this water during your trip, it was really delicious. There are many underwater caves around the island. You have the chance to see these caves on boat tours. Especially the reflections of the light and the colors created by the water in this environment were magnificent. The island, which is a natural reef region, is very rich in biodiversity. Since there is calcium carbonate in the rock structure of Sulu Ada, microorganisms called foraminifera living in the sand give the sand its white color. Indeed, this beauty of this natural habitat needs our protection. In spring and summer, daily boats depart from Adrasan to Suluada every day. We went with the captain Adrasan Yusuf and were very pleased. In 2018, tours including lunch are organized for 70 TL per person. Unfortunately, in July-August, there is not even a place to swim on the island due to the crowd of boats. Therefore, June and September will be relatively calm and pleasant. I hope the Adrasan municipality will control the number of boats that will go to the island every day to protect the nature here, and this paradise will pass on to all generations without spoiling.
3) Sedir Adası, Marmaris – Muğla
Sedir Island has the most private and most protected beach in Turkey, and it is forbidden to enter this protected beach with slippers and towels. It is forbidden to leave the island without taking a shower :) Why would you say? Because there are very special golden sands on this beach, which are known to be only in 2 places in the world. This special sand burns in fire, multiplies spontaneously in soda water and moves when viewed under a magnifying glass. Just imagine, one of these sands is in the Red Sea and the other is in Sedir Island. When this special sand meets the sea, a magnificent turquoise color is created with a beauty that does not look like the Maldives. The other name of Sedir Island is Cleopatra Island because according to the legend, Cleopatra wanted to swim in this island and Antonius brought these golden sands from Egypt to her honor by ships and they swam on this beach together. There are also the remains of the ancient city of Cedrae, which belongs to the Roman period, on the island. The ancient theater and agora are worth seeing. You can reach the island from the pier in Çamlı village, 20 km from Marmaris, by paying 15 TL per person. In addition, daily tour boats departing from Marmaris and Akyaka definitely stop by the island. The Museum Card is valid as the island is under the protection of the High Council of Monuments
4) Bademli, Dikili – İzmir
Bademli is an olive village with its unspoilt nature, 10 km from Dikili. It is officially the secret paradise of the Aegean and by far the region with the most beautiful sea in the Aegean. The sea of this region is so clear that it is like a glass aquarium. When the white beaches and the glassy sea come together, that turquoise color that we are accustomed to from Maldives visuals emerges. The green of olive trees creates a background for the magnificent view. There are many bays in Bademli village, but Fame Beach, Pisa Beach, Aquarium Beach, Hanım's Bay, Killik Bay, Zindancık, Ilıca and Hayıtlı bays have turquoise seas that will give you that tropical island experience. Especially if you are tired of the crowd and expensiveness of Alaçatı Çeşme, the beaches of Dikili-Bademli are just for you. It should not be forgotten that the sea can fluctuate in the afternoon depending on the weather conditions and it is difficult to reach the bays.
5) Kalem Adası, Dikili – İzmir
Kalem Island, which is connected to the Bademli Village of the Dikili district of Izmir, is an island hotel like no other in Turkey. It has not lost anything from its natural beauty with its unique fine sand, eye-catching sea and olive trees. His brother is Garip Island, and his neighbor is Lesbos. Since it is privately owned, there is only one hotel on it; Pen Island Oliviera Resort. There is no other facility and camping is prohibited as it is under protection as a protected area. A single hotel with only 30 rooms. This is exactly why Kalem Island is so quiet, calm and peaceful. The beach of the facility faces the direction of Bademli Village; The à la carte restaurant, on the other hand, has a magnificent view of Mytilene in the opposite direction. There are many hammocks, areas and corners where you can relax on the beach and read your book in silence. Apart from swimming, you can go on a historical journey among the artifacts and sculptures on the island, and take a walk in the shade of olive trees. It must be said how romantic the island is. For this reason, it is one of the most preferred places for honeymoon and special day celebrations. After seeing Kalem Island, you won't be able to finish by describing its beauty that gives you a tropical experience. Even if you like diving, the underwater pen island of the blue flag sea is beautiful. You can even get a diving certificate from the Aquatics Center, which is approved by the Turkish Underwater Sports Federation.
