Koycegiz Lake and the Thermal Springs
This is the upper half of the classic day trip taken on its own: up the river, out into the open lake, and ashore at Sultaniye for the sulphur pools and the mud. No beach, no long lunch, back in town with the afternoon still in front of you.
- Duration
- Half day, about four hours
- Departure
- Morning, or early afternoon
- Departs from
- Dalyan quay, town centre
- Returns
- Early afternoon on the morning run
- Group
- Shared boat, or private
- Season
- April to October
- Price
- Prices are on our sister site
It suits people who have already done Iztuzu, people staying a fortnight who want to break the days up, and anybody who looked at the full-day itinerary and decided it was a longer sit than they wanted.
The route, stop by stop
- Up past the tombsAbout 15 minutes
The boat turns upstream from the quay and runs under the cliff. From here you are looking almost straight up at the tomb facades, which foreshortens them badly. The photograph everybody has seen is taken from the town side.
- Into Koycegiz LakeAbout 40 minutes
The river widens, then opens completely. The lake is large and shallow, and on a still morning the mountains behind it come all the way down into the water.
- Sultaniye thermal springsAbout an hour and a half
On the lake shore, a long way round by road and a short way by water. The pool water runs at around 38 to 40 degrees and smells strongly of sulphur, which is the point rather than a fault.
- The mud poolPart of the same stop
Coat yourself, stand about while it dries and tightens, then rinse it off. Wear something you have already written off, because the grey never entirely leaves pale fabric.
- A swim in the lakeAbout 20 minutes
Fresh water, noticeably cooler than the sea and a relief after the hot pool. The boat puts a ladder down. Not every boat makes this stop, so ask.
- Back down the riverAbout 50 minutes
The same water in different light, and generally with fewer boats on it than on the way up.
Included
- The boat both ways with skipper
- Shade on deck and a swim ladder
- Drinking water
Not included
- Thermal pool entry at Sultaniye
- Lunch
- Towels
Who should not bother
If you are in Dalyan for one day, take the full day trip instead. This one leaves out Iztuzu, and Iztuzu is the part people are still describing at home in November.
And if open sulphur water and a communal mud pool sound unpleasant to you, they will be, because that is essentially the entire itinerary. There is no third thing to fall back on.
What the mud does and does not do
Claims get made about it. What can be said honestly is that the water is naturally warm, the mud dries tight and flaky in the sun, it comes off in the rinse, and people come out of it in a very good mood. Anything past that is not ours to promise.
One practical note that catches people every year: sulphur tarnishes silver. Leave your jewellery in the room rather than in the pool.
What to bring
- An old T-shirt or swimsuit for the mud
- Towel
- Flip-flops
- Sun cream
- Cash for pool entry
- Water
Frequently asked questions
Is it the same mud pool as the day trip?
Yes, the same springs at Sultaniye. This trip simply gives you longer there and leaves the beach out.
Can we swim in the lake?
Yes. It is fresh water and cooler than you expect after the hot pool, and most boats will drop the ladder somewhere on the way back if you ask.
Does the smell stay on you?
Faintly, for a few hours. It washes out of swimwear in one go. It does not wash off silver, which is why the jewellery stays behind.
Is it suitable for older visitors?
The boat is flat and steady, but the pool steps are wet stone and there is a fair amount of getting in and out. If that is a problem, say so when you book rather than on the jetty.
You may also want to read
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The whole river in one day: tombs, sulphur pools and the long stop at Turtle Beach.
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Two hours on flat water while the light goes, and the tombs lit from below on the way home.
Trip detailsIztuzu Beach Shuttle Boat
The plain way down the river: no stops, no lunch, and the whole day on the sand.
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