Ayışığı Plajı (Moonlight Beach) is a sheltered seaside cove in Kemer, Antalya. It sits in a pine-and-palm park known as Moonlight Park (Ayışığı Parkı) just west of the Kemer marina. The bay is crescent-shaped with a golden sandy shore. It has a gently sloping shoreline into crystal-clear turquoise water, making the beach very shallow and family-friendly. The water is usually calm, though occasional boat traffic can stir sediment. Behind the sand, landscaped gardens and the adjacent folkloric Yörük Park (a cultural nature park) provide green shade and scenery.
Moonlight Beach is at Yalı Caddesi No:16 in central Kemer (Merkez Mahallesi), Antalya. Parking is convenient: Moonlight Park provides a free lot right above the beach, and the sand is just a ten-minute walk west from Kemer’s harbor and old town. Public buses from Antalya (airport and Otogar) arrive in Kemer, and local dolmuş (minibus) vans serve the marina area. From the Kemer center one can easily walk through Yörük Park or take a short taxi north on Yalı Cd. to reach Ayışığı Plajı.
Daily visitors find free parking, restrooms and showers at the park. A seasonal lifeguard (cankurtaran) patrols during summer, and guests can rent sunbeds and umbrellas through the beach cafés (there is essentially no unmanned public sand area). Cafés and restaurants along the shore serve meals and drinks, and the operators also rent water-sports gear. For example, kayaks, pedal-boats, jet-skis, banana boats and windsurfing equipment are offered at the beach. On warm days the bay’s clear water invites snorkelers to explore small local fish near the rocks.
Moonlight Beach is busiest in the peak summer season (July–August). Weekends and holidays bring crowding, and prices for sunbeds, umbrellas and food can be high. Travelers note that the entire cove is essentially taken over by paid beach clubs, so many suggest bringing your own towels and supplies to save money. By contrast, visiting in late May/early June or September means fewer people and a more relaxed atmosphere. Even then, expect to pay per lounger or umbrella if you use them, as all seating comes from private operators.
In practical terms, families appreciate Moonlight Beach because of its soft sand and gentle water. The shallow depth extends far out, making it safe for children. (Yörük Park has a playground and shaded picnic area, and the beach itself is wide and well-kept.) However, the walk from parking to sand involves a few steps and ramps, and on the pebbly edges one should watch for sea urchins after storms. Lifeguards are on duty in summer, and flotation toys are common in the bay.
Water sports enthusiasts will find plenty to do. The calm bay is popular for beginner windsurfing and paddleboarding, and snorkeling off the rocks can be fun when visibility is good. Rental operators on the beach also offer jetskis, pedalos and other toys during high season. There are no official kite- or surfing conditions, as the cove is protected from most wind, but some resorts nearby arrange scuba diving tours from Kemer harbor.
Moonlight Beach also serves as a starting point to the rest of the coast. The ancient city of Phaselis lies about 12 km west, with boat tours or the main coastal road linking Ayışığı to its Roman harbor ruins. Continuing westward leads to Tekirova and the Olympos/Cirali area. Conversely, a short walk east returns you to Kemer’s main seafront and town center. Antalya city and its airport are roughly 40 km (about a 45–50 minute drive) to the east along the D400 highway, while Alanya is about 75 km further on.
Overall, Ayışığı (Moonlight) Beach is a mixed-use bay: scenic and swimmer-friendly, but commercial and lively. Its clear shallow water and natural setting make it attractive, yet the full rental of sunbeds and umbrellas by private cafés means it feels like a beach club environment. Budget travelers should come early or off-season to find empty sand or bring their own gear. With lifeguards on duty and facilities provided by the park, it remains a reliable choice for families and day-trippers in Kemer – if they don’t mind the paid services