Değirmen Bükü Anchorage Guide
Also known as: English Harbour, Degirmen Buku, Değirmen Büyük
Değirmen Bükü — historically known as English Harbour — is the largest anchorage complex in the Gulf of Gokova: a 3km-long, 800m-wide inlet carved into the southern shore. It is not one anchorage but a family of sub-coves, each with distinct character. Okluk at the northern end has the restaurants, water, and electricity; Çanak (the original British Naval anchorage) is quieter and more secluded; Hırsız Bay offers pure solitude among pine trees; and Longöz, the innermost inlet, winds through forest to a freshwater stream. The overarching characteristic of the entire complex is all-round shelter — even when meltemi hammers the northern bays, Değirmen Bükü remains completely flat. The holding throughout is excellent mud.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
36°55.6'N, 28°09.9'E
Depth
6–12m
Bottom
mud
Holding
ExcellentProtected From
N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
Exposed To
None (all-weather)
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free (anchoring); some restaurant pontoons charge ₺150–250
Permit Required
No
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
At typical 8m depth in Okluk sub-cove: 7:1 scope = 56m chain, swing radius ~70m. Recommend 75m. The 3km-long enclosed bay provides remarkable shelter — even in meltemi the inner coves are completely calm.
Okluk Sub-Cove: 75m recommended — Best-sheltered and most-serviced sub-cove.
Çanak (British Port): 65m recommended — Smaller cove historically used by the British Navy.
Anchoring Zones
Değirmen Bükü 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.
Zone 1: Okluk Sub-Cove
- Depth: 7–12m
- Bottom: mud
- Holding: Excellent
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
- Recommended alarm radius: 75m
Best-sheltered and most-serviced sub-cove. All-round protection in 7–12m over excellent-holding mud. Two restaurants with pontoons offering water and electricity.
Zone 2: Çanak (British Port)
- Depth: 6–7m
- Bottom: mud
- Holding: Excellent
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
- Recommended alarm radius: 65m
Smaller cove historically used by the British Navy. 6–7m over mud. Quieter than Okluk with equally good all-round shelter. Stern line ashore recommended.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Değirmen Bükü is primarily mud with reliable holding when properly set. Use the following approach:
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 6–12m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (84m chain at 12m depth).
- 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.
- Set firmly in reverse. Apply moderate throttle astern for 30–60 seconds. The chain should tighten without the boat moving backwards.
- 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, CQR. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Değirmen Bükü are excellent — 360-degree protection means minimal boat movement.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 75m radius before going below for the night.At typical 8m depth in Okluk sub-cove: 7:1 scope = 56m chain, swing radius ~70m. Recommend 75m. The 3km-long enclosed bay provides remarkable shelter — even in meltemi the inner coves are completely calm.
One of Gokova's most popular overnight anchorages. The enclosed bay is comfortable in almost all conditions. Contains five sub-coves: Okluk (restaurants/services), Çanak/British Port (quiet/historic), Hırsız (solitude), Longöz (nature/forest).
Navigation Hazards
- SEPA zone — no discharging of any kind
- Busy with gulets in peak season; anchor spacing is important
- Posidonia seagrass in some areas — anchor only in clear sand/mud patches
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: Not required
- Anchoring fee: Free (anchoring); some restaurant pontoons charge ₺150–250
- Restrictions: Gökova SEPA regulations apply throughout the bay. No discharging. No anchoring on Posidonia seagrass beds.
For a full overview of Turkish anchoring rules, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Available
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Karacasöğüt (3nm)
- Restaurant: Two waterfront restaurants in the Okluk sub-cove with pontoon moorings, water, and electricity hookup.
- Provisions: None on site — Karacasöğüt (3nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Explore all sub-coves on first visit — each has a different character; Okluk for services, Longöz for nature, Çanak for history
- If Okluk is full with gulets, anchor in Çanak — same excellent shelter, fewer neighbours
- Set anchor alarm before sleeping — the bay seems so calm that it's tempting to skip it, but it's still good practice
A note on this guide: The data in this guide has been researched from multiple sailing sources and is provided in good faith. Anchorage conditions — including depth, holding, and local regulations — can change. Before visiting, always check current weather forecasts, NAVTEX and VHF weather bulletins, and consult your up-to-date charts. Conditions at anchor can deteriorate quickly, especially with the summer meltemi. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Değirmen Bükü
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously through the night and sounds a loud alarm the moment your boat drifts outside your set radius — so you can relax and enjoy the anchorage.
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