Akvaryum Bay Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Clean sand bottom with excellent holding. Premier snorkelling site — water visibility frequently exceeds 30m. Day boats from Bodrum charge ₺50 entry fee to anchor; free for overnight stays.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Akvaryum 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 6–10m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m 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, Mantus, Delta. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

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

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 85m radius before going below for the night.At typical 8m depth: 7:1 scope = 56m chain, swing radius ~68m. Recommend 85m. Exposed to westerlies and northwesterly meltemi, so overnight stays require monitoring — alarm is especially important here.

Exceptional snorkelling and water clarity year-round. Avoid overnight in summer when westerlies and meltemi make the bay uncomfortable after sunset.

Navigation Hazards

• Exposed to W and NW — overnight stays require a reliable anchor alarm; meltemi can build quickly after dark
• Day-boat traffic in summer can be heavy; underwater wash from high-speed boats affects snorkellers

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required
• Anchoring fee: Free for overnight; ₺50 day-use fee charged by day boats
• Restrictions: Day-boat operators sometimes charge a bay entry fee during daytime hours. This is informal and not a government regulation.

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: Bodrum Marina (10nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest provisions at Bodrum Marina (10nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Bodrum Marina (10nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Best visited in May–June or September–October when the day-boat crowds thin out and the water clarity is at its peak
2. Set your alarm before going to sleep — the westerly exposure makes this bay more vulnerable to overnight wind shifts than nearby Orak Island
3. The snorkelling is exceptional; anchor in sand and explore the rocky edges of the bay