Day Trips by Boat
Lining the wharves of most medium- to large-size towns are private captains touting day trips through neighboring waters. A typical excursion tools along the coastline to the south to Turunç, Umlu, Cadirgan, and Çiftlik bays, and to Cleopatra's (Sedir) Island, made famous for the pearly white sands the exotic queen had shipped over from Egypt. Day-boat excursions also leave from Bozburun and Datça, past scenery more beautiful than the last, where you can swim, snorkel, or just plain snooze, all for about 20YTL to 30YTL ($17-$26/£8-£12) depending on how well you bargain, lunch included. A second itinerary out of Marmaris heads a little farther out into the Mediterranean to Dalyan (later in this chapter), where, at Iztuzu Beach, you'll switch from your gulet to a motorized fishing boat for the classic tour up the Dalyan River, including a stop at Kaunos and the mud baths. Prices for this trip are a little higher, at about 30YTL ($26/£12) per person.
Certified divers with their own boats, easily spotted by the rack of wet suits and diving equipment onboard, line the wharf near Iskele Meydani. Diving expeditions leave early in the morning; for any day-boat trip, it's important to reserve at least the evening before. Cost of a day out is about £40 ($80), including equipment, insurance, guides, and lunch. There's also the reputable European Diving Centre (www.europeandiving.co.uk), with outlets in both Marmaris (tel. 0252/455-4733) and Fethiye (tel. 0252/614-9771). EDC also offers a 1-day dive for beginners, a 3-day PADI dive course, and a 5-day PADI open-water course.
Exploring In & Around Marmaris
These days, Marmaris is top-heavy with cheap tourism, and it shows. But a short drive out of town reveals the original appeal that drew visitors in the first place. Leaving their mark along the peninsula is a slew of ancient civilizations, some woven into the daily fabric of humble villages, tourist marinas, and magnificent beaches. North of Marmaris on the road to Mugla is Gökova, another stop on the yachting trail, dotted with clusters of picturesque wooden houses built in the two-story Ottoman style.
Just outside of Marmaris is the lovely resort of Içmeler, magnificently situated in a sheltered cove at the base of rippling pine-covered mountains. The fit and ambitious may want to sample a portion of the scenic trail that runs all the way from Içmeler to Degirmenyani, about 19km (12 miles) west. The village of Turunç, farther south, sustains the charm of tradition and the comforts of modernity. A popular stop for yachts, it accommodates its visitors with handcrafted products such as honey, garden thyme, and sage tea. The long and winding road southwest to Selimiye is well worth the effort. Frozen in time, this settlement is an ideal spot for enjoying local fish, village wine, and magical sunsets following a day on Siliman Beach. Take your time traveling south from Hisarönü, though: You can walk on water at the beach of Kizkumu in Orhaniye, just beyond Hisarönü, where a lengthy sandbar extends 800m (2,625 ft.) into the bay. In the heat of summer, you may want to stop off at the waterfall near Turgut village, stroll through the Carpet Weavers Corporation, and relax over gözleme (a crepe filled with cheese, spinach, or both) and ayran (a Turkish yogurt drink).
It wouldn't be fair to finish off this section without mentioning the Marmaris Castle Museum (tel. 0252/412-1459), in the fortress in the old section of Marmaris. Perched above the harbor, the best access is through the bazaar behind the Atatürk statue; follow the signs through the narrow streets up the hill to the museum entrance. The exhibit isn't terribly interesting, but the views of the harbor and castle itself might be worth the 2YTL ($1.75/80p) admission fee. The museum is open daily from 8am to noon and from 1 to 5:30pm.
