Marmaris National Park is located at an altitude of 29,206 hectares, just 6 km from the city of the same name and is a place of rich flora and fauna. It has specially protected areas and plays a significant role in yacht tourism due to its receding coastline. State Highways 550 and 400 reach the National Park.
Around the borders of Marmaris National Park are beautiful quiet and untouched beaches, this natural attraction extends close to the popular Paradise Island (Cennet Adası), the ancient Caribbean cities of Physicos and Amos. It has picnic areas, camping, horse safari tours are also available. About half an hour drive from Marmaris there are impressive beaches with interesting landscapes along with the sea. It is worth, for example, going to Cleopatra Island, where perhaps the best sand in the world.
Fauna and Flora in Marmaris National Park
Marmaris National Park is mainly made up of red pine. In certain areas of the area, there are endemic types of trees. Red pine, oak, cypress trees form a beautiful landscape together in the valley.
Marmaris National Park has rich wildlife. In addition to the goats that live between Marmaris-Koycegiz, there are also mammals such as bears, foxes, pigs, red squirrels, weasels, hedgehogs, lynx, martens, jackals, etc. The many birds that live in the region attract the attention of tourists. In addition to the eagle and falcon, the areas here also host migrant birds, increasing the diversity of the fauna.
Special Protected Areas in Marmaris National Park
Gökova is an ecological special protection area. This region plays an important role in yacht tourism. Red pine forests are of great value in the region, where all Mediterranean plants can be seen together. High-quality forests are concentrated on the slopes of Mount Kiran on the northern coast of the Gulf of Gökova with rich flora. This region is also great in terms of animals. There are many wild species, which mainly live in the southern part of the bay.
The Bozburun Peninsula Specially Protected Area is a region that has remained untouched due to transportation difficulties. The areas outside of populated areas are designated as cultural and natural protected areas. Datca and Bozburun have been developed as major centers, in keeping with the architectural styles in the region.
Wetlands in Marmaris
In accordance with the International Ramsar Treaty, all waters, marshes, reed beds of no more than 6 m are defined as wetlands. These are the coastal and stream systems of the Gokova region in the Akyaka district, Aksapaynar and Gokce village, Akbük and Hisaronu streams in the Gulf of Hisaronu.
Endemic Plants in Marmaris National Park
The list of plant species in a region is called flora. If the plant variation is very specific and limited to only one area, then such fauna representatives are called endemic. Marmaris National Park, Gokova National Park, Datka-Bozburun Specially Protected Areas are famous for their endemic diversity.
The protected areas of Gokova are rich in wildlife, as it is home to bear, fox, wild boar, red squirrel, weasel, hedgehog, lynx, marten, wild goat and jackal, a wide variety of birds including eagles and falcons. The slopes of Mount Kiran north of the Gulf of Gokova contain high-quality forest concentrates, and the protected area of the Bozburun Peninsula has remained largely untouched due to road and transport difficulties. The park also contains marsh and reed beds that are popular with a variety of migratory birds.
