IzTuzu (Turtle) BeachA walk along the beach The beach, commonly referred to as Turtle Beach and also known as IzTuzu Beach, lies at the end of the Dalyan Delta and is a 7km sandbank. At one end the beach is backed mountains and hills covered in pine trees, this accessible by road and public minibus. The other end, referred to as the boat end, is backed by the reed beds that make up the labyrinth that is the Dalyan Delta. The most popular way to visit the beach is via the public Dolmuþ boat trip from the Dalyan harbour, the trip takes around 30 minutes and passes the Lycian Rock Tombs before heading into the reed lined canals. On the trip keep a lookout for the natural wildlife, dragon flies dancing alongside the boat and birds swooping through the reeds. If you wish to spend a different day on the beach why not take a walk along the beach to see the diversity of wildlife in one small area. You can take the boat to the beach and walk to the other end and return by minibus or vice versa. You will get to see the reed beds and views back towards Dalyan, or as the beach nears the mountains the ponds that sit between the beach and the hills. Turtles
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Some tour companies are now offering tours to see a 'tame' Loggerhead Turtle which is located in the lake behind the beach. This is unusual behaviour for Turtles and experts suggest that only sick, injured or confused Turtles would go near humans. At Dalyan Holiday we believe the Turtle should be left in peace, a view shared by Captain June - The Savour of Dalyan's Turtles in a letter to the Land of Lights newspaper published 1st September 2006. |
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The Beach gets the name Turtle Beach from the Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead) Turtles that nest on the beach between May and September. The Loggerhead Turtle is an endangered species and the beach is therefore protected and is closed to the public between 8pm and 8am to allow the Turtles to bred and the young to hatch and make their way safely to the sea. As the nests are made in the sand there are special precautions to take while spending time on the beach, namely not to insert umbrellas or dig in the areas specified. At Dalyan Holiday we are great fans of Turtles and would welcome any like minded people to make a donation to the Marine Conservation Society by 
he mother Turtle comes ashore to lay her eggs in a nest that she digs with her rear legs, during this process the Turtle cries due to the effort involved which also helps to keep the eyes from drying and from the sand. A mother may return to the beach several nights running to lay more eggs. 
When the baby Turtles hatch at night they head straight for the sea, they know where to go thanks to the moons reflection on the water, this is why lights are banned near the beach at night time. It is unknown what happens to baby Turtles in the first years of their lives but one day they will return to the beach to lay their eggs as their ancestors have done for many many generations.