A hospital, research centre and classroom
DEKAMER is the Sea Turtle Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Dalyan–Iztuzu. Its purpose is to treat injured and sick turtles, return suitable animals to the sea, monitor nesting and improve public knowledge. Calling it a “turtle hospital” is useful shorthand, but visitors should remember that it is a working conservation facility, not an aquarium or petting attraction.
The centre’s programme includes animal care, nest monitoring, tagging and research. Some activities happen in tanks and visitor areas; sensitive treatment and night fieldwork remain the responsibility of trained teams.
What a visitor may see
The number and species of patients change. A visit may include viewing rehabilitation tanks, reading educational information and hearing why turtles arrive with boat-strike, fishing-gear or pollution-related injuries. No article can promise a particular named turtle, release event or medical procedure on a future date.
Seeing a patient is different from seeing a wild turtle. The educational value lies in understanding threats and recovery, not in getting close. Do not tap tanks, touch animals, use intrusive flash or ask staff to stage movement for a photograph.
Hours and access must be checked live
At the time this article was reviewed, DEKAMER’s official contact page listed visitor hours every day from 10:00 to 18:00. Operating needs, weather, conservation work or official decisions can change access. Treat the centre’s own website and phone information as the source of truth, especially outside the main season.
A Sarigerme Tours Iztuzu and turtle hospital programme must also be checked for the exact stop, transfer, duration and pickup applying to your date. A blog is not a live timetable.
How to behave at a rehabilitation centre
- Speak quietly and supervise children.
- Follow barriers and staff instructions.
- Do not touch, feed or place objects into a tank.
- Avoid flash and do not block working staff.
- Ask before photographing people or clinical work.
- Use questions to learn about prevention, not only to seek a dramatic story.
Connect the visit to the wider coast
DEKAMER makes most sense when placed within the Iztuzu landscape: a protected nesting beach beside a lagoon system used by wildlife and people. Visitors can carry the lesson back to Sarigerme by reducing plastic waste, keeping nesting sand dark and clear, and refusing any boat activity that feeds or chases turtles.
Verify details on DEKAMER’s official visitor page, read its research and conservation work, and use the protection guidance before visiting.
For guests planning a Sarigerme holiday, first-time visitors and travellers comparing local day trips.
Explore the area mentioned in this guide on the map.
FAQ
Is DEKAMER a zoo or aquarium?
No. It is a working research, rescue and rehabilitation centre whose animals are patients.
Are the visitor hours always 10:00–18:00?
Those hours were listed when this guide was reviewed, but visitors must verify the official page because access can change.
Will I be allowed to touch a turtle?
No such interaction should be expected. Follow barriers and staff instructions and treat animals as recovering wildlife.
