İztuzu Beach Archaeological Site

Address: Iztuzu Beach (Dalyan), Ortaca district, Muğla Province, Turkey

Hours: Beach open year-round (seasonal restrictions around nesting sites May-September)

Admission: Free (beach access); some parking and boat trips have fees

Iztuzu Beach is a long sandy spit on Turkey’s southwestern Aegean coast in Muğla Province, notable as an important nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). It functions as both a public recreational beach and a protected wildlife area.

The sandbar stretches for about 4.5 kilometres and forms a barrier between the Köyceğiz-Dalyan lagoon and the open Mediterranean. The seaward side offers typical beach swimming while other sections are managed to protect turtle nests; boat transfers from the nearby town of Dalyan are a common way to reach the beach.

Conservation measures were introduced in the late 20th century to limit development and protect nesting habitat, and management continues with seasonal restrictions, volunteer monitoring and protected zones along the spit.

The beach sits near the town of Dalyan in Muğla Province, separating the Dalyan/Köyceğiz lagoon from the Mediterranean Sea on Turkey’s southwestern Aegean coast.

• Length: Around 4.5 km long sandbar running between the Dalyan/Köyceğiz lagoon and the Mediterranean, with both seaward and lagoon-facing sides.
• Turtle nesting season: Nesting activity for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) occurs in spring and summer, roughly May to September, and parts of the beach are subject to seasonal closures and night-time restrictions to protect nests.

What to See#

• Iztuzu sandbar: Around 4.5 km long sandy spit separating the Köyceğiz-Dalyan lagoon from the Mediterranean Sea and forming a continuous beach with distinct public and protected zones.
• Nesting and public zones: Western and eastern sections include designated turtle-nesting areas and supervised public-access strips with seasonal restrictions to protect nests.

Iztuzu Beach is reached most commonly by a 15-20 minute boat ride from Dalyan (boats leave from the Dalyan riverfront). By car, the beach is about a 20-30 minute drive from Ortaca; parking is available near the beach access points.

• Arrive by boat from Dalyan early in the morning to avoid crowds and to watch Caretta caretta tracks in the sand.
• Respect protected nesting zones - parts of the beach are cordoned off during nesting season (May-September).
• Bring a hat and sunscreen; shade is limited on the sand.