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A boat trip on the Koycegiz lake near to Dalaman is an interesting adventure which contrasts with the cosmopolitan atmosphere most tourists will experience on the resort beaches close to the main towns and hotel complexes in this part of Turkey.

The inland areas around Dalaman are very picturesque and Koycegiz Lake, lying 5 miles inland, is a beautiful place for a boat trip. The lake can be reached by following waterways inland from Iztuzu beach, but the marshlands can be shallow in many areas, so boat trips typically depart from Dalyan town. For a quieter start to your trip you could depart from Koycegiz village at the northern end of the lake, which is much quieter and has fewer boats, but is a little more difficult to get to on public transport. Once you get there, however, there is a peaceful lakefront promenade and a choice of outdoor cafes. It is a wonderful place to watch the sunset when the lake is calm and mirror-like.

One of the more popular destinations for the boat trips are the graves of the ancient city of Kaunos, which are embedded high in the cliff faces and easily visible from the river. On land, visitors can see the ruins of the town itself where a old street, baths, a harbour and amphitheatre still remain.

Further down the winding waterway, between the reeds, the boat excursions eventually reach the sea, in front of which sits a wide sandbar offering protection from the open water. The sand bar is a popular stopping point for boat cruises along the coast so there are always a mix of people here. Crowds are rare, however, as the beach is only connected to the land at one end by a narrow road and most of the visitors arrive by boat and only spend part of the day there. A small cafe at one end of Iztuzu beach provides refreshments, and if you are able to stay until later in the day, it is often the best time to enjoy this location.