Bafa Lake

Two thousand years ago the Soke Plain was actually a large gulf under the sea and sediment from the Buyuk Menderes River gradually filled the gulf turning it into the plain and the lake is what remains of that sea.
The lake has two islands, one of which is not a full island and is linked by sand to the land.  
Fishing is a popular pastime here as there are plenty to catch such as sea bass, bream and eels and once there were numerous carp but as the lake became more salty these have diminished.  

Boat trips at Bafa Lake

There are boat tours available that will take passengers to the islands and to the ancient city of Herakleia stopping for swimming breaks along the way and it is possible to privately hire these boats. The lake islands once housed churches and monasteries, the oldest of which is Yediler Manasiri (the Seven Monastery) and along the banks of the lake there are many restaurants available.