the Dalyan Delta

The unique Dalyan environment Where is Dalyan? A brief history of Caunos Places of interest nearby Links to other Dalyan sites

The Dalyan area is one of the last remaining areas of Mediterranean wetlands. A nature reserve, Dalyan's wide beach is a sanctuary for the loggerhead sea turtle and some 120 species of birds. Colonies of storks are just one of the hundreds of species of birds that frequent the Dalyan delta throughout the year. Many of these can be best seen from a boat chartered from the quay in Dalyan.

As Dalyan means "fishery" in Turkish, fishing comprises a large sector in the local economy. Grey mullet spawn in Lake Koycegiz, their progress downriver providing the villagers of Dalyan with an important food source. The town itself has become a small multinational resort with a large number of bars and restaurants. Whilst busy in the summer, it never becomes overcrowded. Turtle beach has no large hotels to dominate the landscape. Whilst the climate in Dalyan is tempered by the surrounding sea and mountains, July and August are usually the hottest months. To check today's weather in nearby Dalaman (20km from Dalyan) then click here.