Ayvalık Limanı Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Anchor in the northern section of the bay, clear of the town quay ferry and fishing boat traffic. Mud and sand bottom with reliable holding. Sheltered from the dominant N/NW by the island archipelago. Exposed to S/SE swell that can funnel through the southern archipelago channels.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Ayvalık Limanı is primarily mud and sand with reliable holding when properly set. Use the following approach:

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 4–10m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m depth).
2. Drop into the wind or current and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back — do not allow chain to pile on the anchor.
3. Set firmly in reverse. Apply moderate throttle astern for 30–60 seconds. The chain should tighten without the boat moving backwards.
4. Take a GPS bearing. Note your position once set and compare to the scope calculator to confirm you have adequate chain for the depth.

Recommended anchor types for this bottom: Rocna, Delta, Mantus. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Ayvalık Limanı are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to S and SE winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 65m radius before going below for the night.65m in the main town anchorage. The Ayvalık archipelago provides significant shelter from the N/NW. S/SE exposure: the channels through the southern islands can funnel swell in southerly conditions — if S weather is forecast, move to the more sheltered Ayvalık inner bay (slug: ayvalik-inner-bay) among the islands. Monitor VHF 16 for Dikili port traffic advisories.

April–November. Best May–June and September–October. July–August is warm and active — the town is very lively and the fish market is excellent. The Poyraz NE wind can build to 25–30 knots in spring — monitor forecasts carefully.

Navigation Hazards

• S/SE exposure — southerly swell can funnel through the southern archipelago channels and make the town anchorage uncomfortable overnight
• Ferry and gulet traffic at the town quay — keep well clear of the approach channel
• Numerous shoals throughout the Ayvalık archipelago — electronic charts essential; do not navigate on paper charts alone
• Lesbos (Greece) 6nm W — do NOT cross into Greek waters without Greek entry formalities; Turkish Coast Guard patrols this border
• Dikili cruise terminal to the south — keep clear of the approach channel when underway

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required
• Anchoring fee: Free
• Maximum stay: 10 days
• Restrictions: Keep clear of the ferry quay approach channel. No anchoring within the marked ferry turning area. Lesbos (Greece) is 6nm W — do NOT cross without completing Greek entry formalities.

For a full overview of Turkish anchoring rules, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.

Facilities

• Fresh water: Available
• Fuel: Available
• Restaurant: Exceptional waterfront fish restaurants; famous morning fish market on the harbour quay
• Provisions: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. The morning fish market on the quay starts at sunrise — an alarm clock stop before the heat builds
2. Local specialty: Ayvalık tost (a grilled sandwich with kashar cheese and salami) from the harbour-side stalls
3. The old Greek quarter inland from the quay has excellent restaurants and antique shops
4. Best olive oil in Turkey is produced in the Ayvalık region — stock up at the market
5. For the calmest overnight, anchor among the inner islands (slug: ayvalik-inner-bay) rather than off the town quay