The Turkish coast between Bodrum and Fethiye has more quality anchorages per mile than anywhere else in this guide. Many are accessible only by sea — no road connections, no day-trippers, just a bay, a restaurant on a floating platform, and water clear enough to see the anchor chain on the bottom. These are the ones worth planning around.
Göcek and the Twelve Islands
Göcek is the most complete charter base on the Turkish coast — six marinas, good provisioning, an active town centre. The bay contains a cluster of small islands with excellent anchorages: Göcek Island (restaurant, easy approach, anchor in 5–8m), Tersane Island (Byzantine boatyard ruins, sheltered inner bay), Kızıl Island (simple, quiet, good holding on sand).
Approach: Göcek Bay is straightforward to enter from the south-west. The marinas are marked on all chart plotters. Anchor off the town or take a berth in one of the marinas (VHF 16 then marina channel).
Ekincik Bay
A landlocked bay north of Dalyan — no road access, no development. Anchor in the outer bay in 4–8m on mud and sand; the inner lagoon is shallower and requires local knowledge. The gulet operators use Ekincik as a standard overnight stop; it can be crowded with large gulets in peak season, but the anchorage is big enough for everyone. The dinghy trip upstream to Dalyan takes 45 minutes each way.
Bozburun Village
At the head of Hisarönü Körfezi on the Bozburun Peninsula. A genuine working village — gulet building, fishing, olive groves — that has not been overrun by tourism. Anchor off the village in 4–6m or berth on the main quay. The restaurant on the quay is consistently excellent; the meze selection changes daily depending on what the fishing boats brought back.
English Harbour (İngiliz Limanı), Gökova Bay
A landlocked anchorage on the north shore of Gökova Bay, reachable through a narrow entrance in the cliffs. Anchor in 5–10m on sand; the holding is good and the shelter is complete. Byzantine church ruins at the head of the bay. A single floating restaurant operates in summer. Very quiet out of peak season.
Approach: The entrance is narrow — approach on a westerly heading and enter slowly. Do not attempt in poor visibility or at night without local knowledge.
Kumlubük, near Marmaris
A bay on the Bozburun Peninsula, west of Marmaris, accessible only by sea or a long walk. Pine trees, a small beach, three or four restaurants competing for the gulet trade. A convenient lunch stop on the Marmaris to Bozburun passage. Anchor in 4–6m on sand — good holding.
Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon), near Fethiye
The most photographed spot on the Turkish coast — a turquoise lagoon behind a narrow sand spit, with paragliders descending from the Babadağ mountain above. Access to the inner lagoon requires a national park permit (charged per vessel); the outer bay is free. Very crowded in July and August — arrive at 0800 or accept the crowds. Worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is anchoring free in Turkey?
A: Generally yes in most bays, though national park areas (Ölüdeniz, Gökova Bay) charge entrance and anchoring fees. Some restaurants in popular bays lay free buoys on the condition that you eat at their establishment — acceptable and usually good value.
Q: What's the holding like on the Turkish coast?
A: Variable — sand and weed in many bays. The weed (posidonia) can prevent the anchor from setting. Take time to set the anchor properly and back down on it with the engine before leaving the boat unattended.