Kemer Bay Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Sandy bay south-east of Kemer Marina. Good holding in clean sand. The Taurus Mountains behind the town block northerly winds. Open to east and northeast — Poyraz (NE) can build quickly and make the anchorage uncomfortable.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Kemer Bay is primarily sand 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, Spade. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Kemer Bay are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to NE and E and SE winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 65m radius before going below for the night.65m in the main bay. Good holding in sand. The NE/E exposure is the key risk — Poyraz (NE wind) is a feature of the Antalya Gulf and can develop strongly with little warning. Monitor NE/E sector of weather carefully before committing to overnight. Kemer Marina is the safe alternative when conditions deteriorate.

May–October. July–August is very busy with resort traffic. Spring and autumn offer the best conditions — fewer crowds and generally calmer seas. The mountain backdrop is spectacular at any time of year.

Navigation Hazards

• Poyraz (NE) — the dominant autumn wind in the Antalya Gulf; can develop to Force 5–6 quickly; anchorage exposed to NE/E
• Heavy beach and water sports traffic July–August — tour boats, jet skis, paragliders overhead
• Swimming zones restrict available anchoring area
• Thermal winds develop in the afternoon from the Taurus Mountains — can be gusty and unpredictable

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required
• Anchoring fee: Free (anchoring). Kemer Marina: daily fees apply.
• Maximum stay: 11 days
• Restrictions: No anchoring within 100m of swimming zone buoys. Keep clear of Kemer Marina entrance channel. Water sports zone marked by buoys — give wide clearance.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Available
• Fuel: Available
• Restaurant: Full resort facilities — wide range of restaurants, supermarkets, chandlery in Kemer town
• Provisions: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. Use Kemer Marina as backup if NE forecast develops — the marina provides full protection
2. Excellent provisioning base for the Antalya Gulf passage — stock up here
3. The Taurus Mountains behind Kemer are spectacular at sunset — one of the finest mountain-to-sea views in Turkey
4. Phaselis ancient city is 8nm south — an excellent day sail
5. Avoid the centre of the bay in season — anchor toward the north end for less water sports traffic