Olympos Beach Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Long sandy beach anchorage below the ancient Olympos ruins and the Çıralı village. Good holding in clean sand. Open to S and SW — fair-weather anchorage. The Chimaera eternal flames are a 45-minute hike up the valley behind the beach.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Olympos Beach 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 4–12m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (84m chain at 12m 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 Olympos Beach are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to S and SW and SE winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 60m radius before going below for the night.60m in the sandy beach anchorage. Good holding in clean sand. S/SW exposure means overnight stays require settled northerly forecast. In the stable summer meltemi pattern, this is a comfortable overnight with the added magic of the eternal Chimaera flames visible on the hillside after dark.

May–October. July–August is moderately busy but the beach and valley remain relatively tranquil compared to resort bays. The Chimaera is best visited at dusk or after dark — plan to arrive in the afternoon and walk up in the evening.

Navigation Hazards

• S/SW/SE exposure — unsuitable for overnight in any southerly forecast; monitor carefully
• Sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting area — avoid disturbing marked nesting sites on the beach
• River mouth at south end of beach has shifting sandbar — keep 200m from river mouth
• The valley behind can funnel thermal winds in the afternoon — can cause sudden gusts at anchor

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required
• Anchoring fee: Free
• Restrictions: Çıralı is a protected sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting beach — no beach lighting at night during nesting season (May–September) and no disturbance to nest areas marked with stakes. Archaeological site (Olympos): entry fee applies ashore. No vehicles on the beach.

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: Çıralı village (0.5nm)
• Restaurant: Small restaurants and pensions in Çıralı village (15-minute walk from beach) — organic produce, fresh fish, excellent home cooking
• Provisions: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. Walk up to the Chimaera flames after dark — the eternal natural gas fires burning from the hillside rocks are extraordinary and have been burning since antiquity
2. Visit ancient Olympos ruins in the morning before the heat builds — Lycian tomb-cut cliffs, Roman theatre, and Byzantine church
3. Sea turtle nesting is active May–September — respect the marked areas and avoid bright lights on the beach at night
4. Çıralı village is one of the most authentic and unspoiled villages on the coast — small family pensions and gardens
5. Check the forecast carefully before anchoring overnight — S/SW exposure is the limiting factor