DALYAN

Dalyan is located between Marmaris and Fethiye, set inland on the banks of the Dalyan River. The village is tranquil and mostly unspoilt by mass tourism. Each morning, brightly coloured boats make their way down the Dalyan River, carrying their guests to the sandy beaches of İztuzu.

Starting from Dalyan’s harbour, the river bends through beds of bulrushes and pampas grass and takes around 45 enjoyable minutes to reach its destination.

The Dalyan Delta is a protected National Conservation area and is home to over 200 species of birds along with three varieties of turtle, including the Loggerhead Caretta Caretta.

Dalyan achieved celebrity in 1987 when developers proposed building a luxury hotel. As a breeding ground for the Caretta Caretta, the proposal caused international outrage, with English Environmental Campaigner David Bellamy championing the cause. The campaign was a success and the beach is now a protected nesting ground for the Caretta Caretta, with the beach closing between the hours of 20.00 and 8:00 hours during May to October, when the turtles lay their eggs and the hatchlings go out to sea. Wooden stakes are placed in the beach to mark nesting sites.

At the east end of İztuzu beach, nestled beneath the pines, you will find the Dalyan Turtle hospital. The hospital rescues and rehabilitates turtles from across Turkey, who have sustained injuries from boats or fishing lines. There is no entrance fee to visit the Turtle hospital, but donations are welcomes, and there is a small visitor’s centre, where you can buy a souvenir.

A day trip to İztuzu beach usually combines a trip to the turtle hospital, along with a visit to the Dalyan mud baths and thermal springs and is available to book from most local tour operators.