Alaçatı Bay Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Alaçatı Bay has 2 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics. Choose the zone that matches your boat size and the expected overnight conditions.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Alaçatı Bay 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 2–4m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (28m chain at 4m 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, Spade, Delta. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Alaçatı Bay are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to SW and W and NW winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 40m radius before going below for the night.40m in the outer NW anchorage. Draft must be under 1.8m for the outer area; under 0.8m for anything further into the bay. Do NOT anchor in or near the windsurf race course area (marked by buoys May–Sep). The meltemi accelerates through the bay to 25–35kt in July–August — this is by design for the windsurfers but makes anchoring uncomfortable.

May–October. The meltemi is strongest July–August and the windsurfing race season is most active. May–June and September–October offer calmer conditions for non-windsurfers. Avoid July–August overnight anchoring unless you enjoy being rocked all night.

Navigation Hazards

• Extremely shallow inner bay: draft limit 0.8–1.0m — keelboats must stay in the outer anchorage
• Windsurf/kitesurf race area buoyed May–Sep: do NOT anchor within or near the race course
• Meltemi accelerates to 25–35kt through the bay Jul–Aug — anchorage becomes very uncomfortable
• Windsurfers have right of way — motor slowly and keep a sharp lookout at all times
• Sandbanks shift seasonally — always use depth sounder when approaching

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required
• Anchoring fee: Free
• Restrictions: Draft limit: 0.8–1.0m inner bay, 1.8m outer bay. Keep clear of windsurf race course area (buoyed May–Sep). Windsurfers and kitesurfers have absolute right of way — motor vessels must yield.

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: Alaçatı town (1.5nm)
• Restaurant: Beach bars and restaurants at the waterfront; Alaçatı town (3km) has excellent dining
• Provisions: None on site — Alaçatı town (1.5nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Use this as a lunch stop rather than an overnight if you have a deeper-draft boat — the meltemi makes overnight uncomfortable
2. Shallow-draft multihulls or centreboarders can explore further into the bay
3. Alaçatı town (3km by road) is one of Turkey's most photogenic villages — boutique hotels, excellent restaurants, cobbled streets
4. May and June before the PWA event are the best months for a cruising visit
5. The PWA Alaçatı Pro windsurfing event (typically June) is spectacular to watch from the anchorage