Ayvalık İç Körfezi Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

The sheltered water between the Ayvalık islands provides near-complete protection from all wind directions. Sand and mud bottom with reliable holding. The islands block virtually all swell. Navigate carefully — multiple shoals exist between the islands; use up-to-date electronic charts at slow speed.

Setting Your Anchor

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

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 5–15m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (105m chain at 15m 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 İç Körfezi are excellent — 360-degree protection means minimal boat movement.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 50m radius before going below for the night.50m in the inter-island channel — minimal swing needed given the all-round protection. The sheltered nature of this anchorage makes it the best choice in any strong wind forecast (especially Poyraz NE or meltemi NW). The critical caution is navigation — the channels between the 22 Ayvalık islands are shoal in places. Proceed at low speed with depth sounder active at all times.

May–October. The all-round shelter makes this a reliable anchorage in any wind condition. An excellent bolt-hole when strong Poyraz (spring) or meltemi (summer) is forecast. Summers are warm and very calm inside the archipelago.

Navigation Hazards

• Numerous shoals throughout the Ayvalık archipelago — electronic charts essential; proceed at slow speed with depth sounder active
• Fishing boat routes through the channels — give way and keep clear
• Very limited facilities — bring all provisions from Ayvalık or Cunda before entering the archipelago

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required
• Anchoring fee: Free
• Restrictions: Electronic charts mandatory — numerous shoals between islands. Proceed at slow speed. Keep clear of working fishing boat routes through the channels.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Ayvalık town market (2nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest provisions at Ayvalık town market (2nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Ayvalık town market (2nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. This anchorage is the best storm refuge in the entire Ayvalık region — use it whenever strong Poyraz or meltemi is forecast
2. Navigate slowly and watch your depth sounder continuously — the channels are well-marked on electronic charts but depths change
3. Excellent birdwatching from the cockpit — the small uninhabited islands are breeding sites for cormorants, herons, and waders
4. Provision at Ayvalık town before entering — nothing is available inside the archipelago
5. Arrive in the afternoon when the meltemi or Poyraz has died and the channels are easier to read