Best Anchorages in Turkey
Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coastline offers over 2,000 kilometres of sailing, with hundreds of bays where anchoring is free, unrestricted, and often spectacular. Our verified guides cover depth, bottom type, wind protection, and the anchor alarm radius you should set for each location.
Free
Anchoring in most bays
No
Permit required
11 days
Max stay (popular bays)
May–Oct
Best season
Sailing Regions
Gulf of Gokova
20 anchoragesThe Gulf of Gokova stretches west of Bodrum and offers some of the most varied anchoring on the Turkish coast — from the iconic turquoise bays of Orak Island to the all-weather refuge of Alakışla Bükü.
Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Fethiye & Göcek
10 anchoragesThe Fethiye-Göcek Special Environmental Protection Area is Turkey's most celebrated cruising ground. State-installed mooring buoys protect the seagrass; advance booking via TÜÇA mobile app required in peak season.
Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Hisarönü Körfezi
12 anchoragesThe Hisarönü Gulf lies between the Datça Peninsula and the mainland, connecting Göcek with Marmaris. Remote fjord-like inlets, world-class sailing villages like Bozburun and Selimiye, and the spectacular Keçi Bükü (Orhaniye) with its unique sandbar.
Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Marmaris
12 anchoragesMarmaris Bay and the surrounding Bozburun Peninsula coves offer everything from busy resort anchorages to completely wild, roadless inlets. Kumlubük, Turunc, Bördübet, and Serçe Limanı are among Turkey's most varied and rewarding sailing destinations.
Best months: May–Oct
Datça Peninsula
12 anchoragesThe Datça Peninsula (Reşadiye Yarımadası) stretches 70km west from Marmaris into the Aegean. Two contrasting coastlines — the sheltered Hisarönü Gulf to the north and the open sea to the south — flank some of Turkey's most spectacular and uncrowded anchorages, ending at ancient Knidos at the very tip.
Best months: May–Oct
Bodrum Peninsula
12 anchoragesThe Bodrum Peninsula extends 42km into the Aegean, one of Turkey's busiest charter bases. South-facing bays (Aspat, Gümüşlük, Kargı Bay) shelter from the Meltemi; north-facing bays offer access to the upmarket villages of Göltürkbükü and Yalıkavak. Gümüşlük sits on the ruins of ancient Myndos — a 3-knot speed limit and cultural heritage protection apply.
Best months: Apr–Oct
Turkish Anchoring Rules — Summary
Turkey is one of the most sailor-friendly countries in the Mediterranean for overnight anchoring. In most bays, anchoring is free with no permit required. Key exceptions:
- !Fethiye-Göcek SEPA: State mooring buoys required in protected coves; book via mobile app 48 hours ahead in peak season.
- !Swimming zones: No anchoring within 100m of designated swimming areas.
- !Stay limits: Maximum 11-day stay in any single bay during peak season.
For full details, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.