Weather Overview in Dalyan
Dalyan, in the south-west of Turkey in the Mugla Province, has a lush Mediterranean climate characterised by long, hot summers and mild, wet winters. The small town sits on the banks of Dalyan River which joins the large Koycegiz lake with the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. It lies between the well-known resorts of Marmaris and Fethiye.
Summer season in Turkey is typically from May until October, however the remaining months can also be very warm and pleasant. Summer in Dalyan reaches average temperatures of 34°C in July and August, and a little cooler at 31°C in June and September. Water is never far away, be it the river a lake or the sea. From June till October the sea does not cool much below 20°C, seeing an average of around 25°C in peak months. If you’re addicted to the heat you could even slip into the 40°C Sultaniye thermal baths, southwest of Koycegiz Lake. Rain is unlikely and from May till September you can expect to receive ten or more hours of sunshine per day, with July days getting about fourteen hours. While as early as April and as late as November temperatures reaching 20°C are possible, early and late summer evenings are very cool seeing lows under 10°C, and rain is more likely.
Weather-wise Dalyan’s autumn, winter and spring are not very distinct from each other, making a wet season from November till March. Daytime temperatures drop from around a warm 19°C in November to a very cool 13°C in January, rising back up to 17°C by November. However, temperatures are quite erratic and it can become quite cool. At night temperatures can get down to freezing and frosts do occur. January’s lows average at 4°C. Rain is quite likely throughout this period with December and January being the wettest months. The rain usually falls in short, heavy bursts, not lasting more than a few hours. This period also sees reduced hours of sunshine but six or seven hours of sunshine a day are not to be laughed at by the sun-starved dwellers of more northerly latitudes. The sea remains quite warm into December when it averages at around 18°C.
Dalyan’s long hot summers, wet winters and abundance of large bodies of water have made it a fertile area with a highly successful agricultural business. Mugla’s diverse geography and ideal climate make it an area of rich biodiversity. A variety of relatively unspoilt natural habitats are home to multiple species of animal; most famous of all are the loggerhead turtles to be found on Dalyan’s Turtle beach. Mugla’s brackish wetlands, waterways through reed beds, canyons, beaches and secluded bays make up an incredible landscape and a haven for beach bums as well as outdoor-types into wild sports such as hang-gliding, climbing and rafting – all on Dalyan’s doorstep.