Iztuzu Beach & Caretta Caretta Turtles Situated in the Ortaca district of Muğla in southwestern Turkey, İztuzu Beach is a breathtaking 4.5-kilometer stretch of sandy coastline close to the town of Dalyan. Often referred to as Turtle Beach, it serves as a vital nesting site for the endangered loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Between May and October, the area attracts many visitors, as this is the peak season for turtle nesting activity. The loggerhead sea turtle is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, which is why İztuzu Beach has been under official protection since 1988. It lies within the boundaries of the Köyceğiz-Dalyan Special Environmental Protection Area, providing a secure habitat for this vulnerable species to nest and thrive. The golden sands of İztuzu play a vital role as nesting grounds for loggerhead sea turtles. For this reason, global conservation initiatives have been in place since the 1990s to safeguard their eggs and ensure the turtles can breed in peace and safety. Every year, at the start of summer, loggerhead turtles return to the beach where they were born to lay between 50 to 150 eggs. After about two months, hatchlings emerge and begin their perilous journey to the sea. While they are naturally equipped to survive, only around one in 1000 will reach adulthood. Caretta caretta turtles nest on nearly 20 beaches across Turkey annually. If you need more details or have any questions about İztuzu Beach & Caretta Caretta Turtles, feel free to get in touch at [email protected] or simply send us a message via WhatsApp, and we’ll get back to you promptly.