Göltürkbükü Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Western Gölköy sector offers slightly better holding than the central bay. Variable sandy/stony bottom — anchor set is less reliable than south coast bays. Use a buoyed trip line in case of rocky bottom. Stony holding requires verification before leaving the boat.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Göltürkbükü is primarily sand and rock with variable holding that requires extra attention. Use the following approach:

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 5–8m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (56m chain at 8m 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. Snorkel to verify. Given the fair holding here, it is strongly recommended to snorkel down and visually confirm the anchor is buried in sand, not resting on rock.

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

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Göltürkbükü are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to N and NW and NE winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 100m radius before going below for the night.100m large radius for this north-facing bay with stony bottom. Meltemi swell comes directly from the north and causes unpredictable swing in the variable holding. Always verify anchor set before going ashore. A tight alarm is essential; this anchorage demands active overnight vigilance in July–August.

May–June and September–October for overnight stays. July–August: day stop only recommended in strong Meltemi conditions. The social scene peaks in August.

Navigation Hazards

• North-facing bay with full Meltemi exposure — N/NW/NE swell is the primary hazard for overnight stays
• Stony bottom with variable holding — essential to verify anchor set; use a buoyed trip line
• Very high boat density in July–August; limited swing room
• Jet skis and water sports during daylight hours
• Breakwater berths fill by midday in peak season

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required
• Anchoring fee: Free
• Restrictions: Breakwater berths available for a fee (143m outer breakwater, 55-boat capacity, fills quickly). Bay anchoring is free but holding is variable.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Available
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Gölköy village (0nm)
• Restaurant: Outstanding upmarket restaurants including Maçakızı; among the best dining on the peninsula
• Provisions: None on site — Gölköy village (0nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Treat Göltürkbükü as a lunch or dinner stop in July–August — arrive 13:00, depart before 17:00 Meltemi builds
2. For overnight, use the western Gölköy sector, use maximum scope, and verify the anchor set carefully before going to the restaurant
3. Set a 100m anchor alarm and post an anchor watch in July–August — the stony bottom and Meltemi make dragging a real risk
4. May–June and September are the ideal months to overnight here with settled conditions and the restaurants at their best
5. A stern line to the western point significantly improves overnight stability in the right conditions