Koycegiz - Turkey

Koycegiz is a town and district of Mugla Province in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The town of Koycegiz lies at the northern end of a lake of the same name - Koycegiz Lake which is joined to the Mediterranean Sea by a natural channel called Dalyan Delta. Its unique environment is being preserved as a nature and wildlife sanctuary.

In Koycegiz there is a 2 kilometer long promenade along the waters edge, a small sandy beach and a 50 acre Municipality Camping Area surrounded by Sigla trees. Koycegiz Lake is calm up until noon for canoeing but by afternoon cool breezes blow making it suitable for windsurfing. The Water Sports Club supported by the Koycegiz Municipality organizes races and many courses at a Water Sports Camp - A Training Center with a 9 bed capacity serving the participants.

In Koycegiz there are 2 towns and 18 villages within the district. Special Environmental Protection Department was established in the district with 24 staff serving. Koycegiz -Dalyan Environmental Protection Project under the Solid Waste Storage facilities are under construction. At the edge of Koycegiz Lake is Sultaniye where natural hot springs have been directed into pools holding this hot water for bathing. The water temperature is usually around 38 degrees celcius unless the level of the lake rises to blend with the spring water. The sulphur rich air around these is said to be a cure for asthma and other lung ailments. A little further down the road are hot streams coming straight out of the side of the mountain and flowing into the lake. Many people drink these waters for all kinds of ills and pains.

In between the two busy tourist centers of Marmaris and Fethiye is the quiet Turkish town of Koycegiz . Year-round Koycegiz offers a laid-back and refreshing break from the chaos of Mediterranean south coast tourism. During the winter it is an ideal place to relax and breathe lungfuls of fresh mountain air.

Koycegiz is a little agricultural and fishing town located on the plains at the edge of Koycegiz Lake at the western end of the Taurus Mountain Range. Surrounded by orange groves and cotton fields, the town is a quiet getaway from the frantic traffic and polluted air of Turkeys larger cities. Located right on the edge of the lake, it is the perfect starting point for fishing and boating trips, windsurfing, hiking, or just taking it easy during the hot summer months. There are boats moored on the lake during the spring and summer months on which you can take full-day cruises around the lake and down the channel to Iztuzu Beach - the protected nesting ground of Loggerhead Turtles between March and September.

The ancient city of Kaunos dating from 2400 BC is on the same route from Koycegiz Lake to the beach as well as Lykian burial tombs on the face of the rock cliffs across the river from Dalyan. Kaunos was built by Kaunos - the son of Miletus. His twin sister Byblis fell in love with him and he banished himself in an attempt to flee this illicit passion.