Dalyan Caunos

With its ancient King Tombs, mud baths, reed-lined river, miles of sandy beach and world-famous Caretta-Caretta sea turtles, DALYAN is one of the best excursions you will experience around the Dalaman region.

Marmaris Dalyan Tour by Boat

DEPARTURE: Tues, Thurs, Sat. Pick up at approx. 08:00 from Marmaris / Icmeler. The boat departs from Marmaris at 09:00. RETURN: Approx. 19:00. Price includes: Pickup and drops off, lunch, riverboats trip, entrance fees to mud bath, guides.

Marmaris Dalyan Tour by Bus

DEPARTURE: Every day. Pick up at approx. 08:00 from Marmaris / Icmeler. RETURN: Approx. 19:00. Price includes: Pickup and drops off, lunch, riverboats trip, entrance fees to mud bath, guides. 

You will be picked up from your accommodation at approximately 08:00 and transferred to the boat. Customers that book ‘Dalyan by Bus’ will remain on the coach (journey time approximately 1.5 hours to Dalyan by road) and continue on to Dalyan.

The boat sets sail at 09:00 (if you prefer to make your own way to the boat please ensure you are aboard before 08:30). The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours following the beautiful coastline. There are sunbeds and seating available on the boat deck for you to relax upon for the journey (first come first serve) or you may sit undercover in the bar area.

The boat is fully equipped with WC’s, showers, drinks bar, snack bar and plenty of seating. Lunch will be served upon the boat at approximately 11:45 before arriving in Dalyan. Lunch consists of chicken, meatballs, spaghetti, salad, bread (vegetarian option available). One drink with lunch is provided.

Additional drinks are purchased from the bar. ‘Dalyan by Bus’ customers will have their lunch on arrival in Dalyan at a local cafe before boarding the riverboats.

On arrival in Dalyan the boat docks at a large jetty to meet the smaller riverboats, these are the only boats authorized to travel up the Dalyan river. The riverboats will travel in a convoy of approximately 10 – 15, water and soft drinks are normally available to purchase from the riverboat captains.

The boats’ first stop is the beach where you can take approximately 45 minutes of free time to swim and relax. The whole beach is a breeding area for the endangered Caretta-Caretta turtles, please pay close attention to warning signs and cordoned off areas. There are WC and shower facilities available on the beach and a café with a seating area. Sunbeds and parasols are chargeable locally.

After free time at the beach, the boats will take a trip upstream through the reed-lined river delta giving you spectacular views of the Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliffs and surrounding scenery. You may be lucky enough to see the turtles swimming in the shallow waters.

After approximately 45 minutes sailing upstream, the riverboats will dock at the ancient Caunos harbor, the remains of which are visible. Here you are free to enjoy the thermal spa, sulfur pools, and mud baths. The mud baths are believed to have healing properties and anti-aging and rejuvenating benefits.

There are many showers and private changing facilities located on the site and a café and snack bar for food and drinks. There are seating areas provided if you wish to just observe. There will be approximately 1 hour of free time.

Book Dalyan-Caunos Tour by Boat Here

The more adventurous may take the opportunity to climb the hillside and visit the ancient archaeological site of Caunos. Please be aware that there are continued excavations at the hilltop Caunos site and an entry fee may apply.

On the way back downstream the riverboats will stop as close as possible to the rock tombs for a photograph opportunity and local guides will give a description.

Please note that if the beach was not visited on the entrance to the river delta the riverboats will stop on the way back from the mud baths, this is dependent on the number of boats and tourists in the area on the day in order to stagger the number of visitors to the protected area.

At the mouth of the river delta (on the opposite side of the sand bar to the sea), small boats selling a local delicacy of Blue Crab will pull up to the riverboats.

The Caretta-Caretta Turtles can often be seen at this time waiting for crab pieces to fall into the river. Keep your cameras ready just in case they appear! Sadly it will then be time to make the way back to the large boat (or coach for ‘Dalyan by Bus’ customers) to begin the journey back to Marmaris.

The snack bar on-board the boat will be open serving hamburgers and fries for the journey (payable locally). Please note that drinks are not included in the price of this excursion.

The itinerary of the day for ‘Dalyan by Bus’ remains the same, lunch will be taken on arrival in Dalyan at a café bar and snacks and drinks are available to purchase before departure back to Marmaris. This is a lovely day. Don’t miss it!

DO NOT FORGET TO BRING: – Sunglasses – Suncream – Swimwear (it is a good idea to wear swimwear under your clothes) – Towel – Camera

This excursion is suitable for children.

Book Dalyan-Caunos Tour by Boat Here