Dalyan Boat Trip

A Muddy Marvel in Marmaris – Our Dalyan Boat Trip Adventure

Our Dalyan boat trip from Marmaris turned out to be one of the most unique, surprising, and hilarious days of our Türkiye holiday. From sailing the Aegean to bathing in mud, this tour had everything – sunshine, ancient tombs, racing boats, and one very muddy Elaine. Here’s how it all unfolded, and what you need to know before booking.

Starting Our Dalyan Boat Trip from Marmaris

Despite it being November, the weather was glorious when we boarded our traditional wooden boat in Marmaris. It was warm enough for the boys to jump in for a swim off the back before we’d even had lunch. Speaking of lunch – it was included, but the queue was long even with our off-season group. I wouldn’t fancy that in July! There was the usual holiday photo moment with a parrot – yes, we paid the £7, and yes, we have the evidence. But the real magic began once we got closer to Turtle Beach.

Visiting Turtle Beach on Our Dalyan Boat Trip

We transferred to smaller boats to reach Iztuzu Beach (aka Turtle Beach). This sandy strip is home to endangered loggerhead turtles, and to our delight – we actually saw some! A definite highlight. Though we’d seen YouTube videos of tourists catching blue crabs for cooking, that part must have been out of season. Probably for the best! Learn more about turtle conservation at İztuzu Beach (Turtle Beach), a protected habitat for endangered loggerheads.

The Dalyan River Cruise and Friendly Races

Our flotilla of wooden boats raced upriver – or at least it felt like a race. Each captain had a cheeky grin and a competitive streak. The little onboard bars were open, and the atmosphere was buzzing. At one point, the tour photographer literally jumped between boats mid-river – we were too shocked to even film it!

Mud Bath Fun on Our Dalyan Boat Trip

At the mud baths, only one person from our group braved the plunge – Elaine! She came out looking like she’d wrestled a swamp monster. The showers were… primitive, and we’d made the rookie mistake of not bringing towels. Elaine improvised with some frantic sun-drying, while we wondered how those hotel-supplied towels were going to look the next morning.

Elaine covered in mud at the Dalyan mud baths

Lycian Tombs – Ancient and Awe-Inspiring

After rinsing the mud off (mostly), we cruised along the river past the incredible ancient Lycian tombs of Kaunos. Carved into cliffs around the 4th century BC, they’re truly spectacular. It’s astonishing that more people haven’t heard of this site – maybe it’s best kept as a hidden gem. Discover more about the ancient city of Kaunos and its rock-cut tombs on Wikipedia’s Kaunos page.

Lycian rock tombs seen from Dalyan River

Returning to Marmaris at Twilight

Dinner was available for an extra charge, ordered that morning, and eaten as we floated back through the golden glow of twilight. The whole day felt like an experience from a different era – charming, unpredictable, and very Turkish in the best possible way.

Top Tips for Your Dalyan Boat Trip from Marmaris

Would we recommend it? 100% – even if you don’t fancy the mud.
Bring towels! Even a spare T-shirt would’ve helped.
Wear swim gear under your clothes – there’s lots of jumping in and out.
Travel insurance is your friend – especially if you attempt the slippery stairs into the mud bath!

We paid around £17 per adult, though sadly we were overcharged due to a hotel excursion scam (more on that in another post). The boat crew were fantastic, friendly, and not part of the scam. If you book through town directly, the value is amazing.

Watch the Full Dalyan Boat Trip Adventure

Also check out our chaotic Jeep Safari from Marmaris – mud, shouting, and a lot of water pistols! This Dalyan boat trip from Marmaris is the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation – and an absolute must-do for any traveller visiting Türkiye. And that, friends, is why Sixty Rocks.