Sedir Adası Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Cleopatra Island, Sedir Island, Cedar Island, Cedreae
Sedir Adası — known internationally as Cleopatra Island — is one of the most striking anchorages in the entire Aegean. The island takes its fame from a beach of oolitic sand (rounded grains formed in shallow tropical seas, found naturally only in the Bahamas and Egypt) reputedly brought by Mark Antony as a gift for Cleopatra. The ancient city of Cedreae crowns the hillside above the beach, its ruined theatre and city walls visible from the anchorage. Two coves offer excellent anchoring: the east cove in hard white sand at 8–12m with protection from the west and northwest, and the quieter south cove at 6–9m. Both have exceptional holding over clean sand. The catch in high season is the excursion flotilla — 30+ day boats arrive from Marmaris, Bodrum, and Turunc between 10:00 and 17:00. Overnight stays, after the boats depart and the beach gates close, are exceptional.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
36°59.6'N, 28°12.6'E
Depth
8–12m
Bottom
sand
Holding
ExcellentProtected From
W, NW, N, SW
Exposed To
E, SE
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free (anchoring); ₺100–150 per person beach entry fee if going ashore
Permit Required
No
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
At 10m depth: 7:1 scope = 70m chain, swing radius ~83m. Recommend 85m. East cove exposed to easterlies — if E wind is forecast overnight, use the south cove (75m) or move to Karacasöğüt.
East Cove: 85m recommended — Primary anchorage with Cleopatra Beach.
South Cove: 75m recommended — Quieter alternative to main east cove.
Anchoring Zones
Sedir Adası 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: East Cove
- Depth: 8–12m
- Bottom: sand
- Holding: Excellent
- Protected from: W, NW, N, SW
- Exposed to: E, SE
- Recommended alarm radius: 85m
Primary anchorage with Cleopatra Beach. Hard white sand — exceptional holding. Well protected from the west and northwest. Day-use beach ticket (₺100–150 per person) required for going ashore. Beach gates close at 19:00.
Zone 2: South Cove
- Depth: 6–9m
- Bottom: sand
- Holding: Excellent
- Protected from: N, NW, W, E
- Exposed to: S, SE
- Recommended alarm radius: 75m
Quieter alternative to main east cove. Sand holding equally good at 6–9m. Less visited by day boats. Ancient mole ruins on the SE side — note their position on chart; snorkel anchor placement.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Sedir Adası is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set. Use the following approach:
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 8–12m, 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, Delta. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Sedir Adası are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to E and SE winds.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 85m radius before going below for the night.At 10m depth: 7:1 scope = 70m chain, swing radius ~83m. Recommend 85m. East cove exposed to easterlies — if E wind is forecast overnight, use the south cove (75m) or move to Karacasöğüt.
July–August sees 30+ day-excursion boats anchoring for beach visits; arrive before 09:00 or after 17:00 for peace. May–June and September–October offer the island almost to yourself. Ancient ruins are accessible year-round by boat.
Navigation Hazards
- Submerged ancient mole ruins in the east cove — visible in clear water; snorkel to check anchor placement before leaving unattended
- Very busy with day-excursion boats in July–August; anchor drag risk from motorboat wash
- Beach gates close at 19:00 — shore access blocked overnight
- Illegal to take sand from Cleopatra Beach — unique Saharan oolitic sand, not found naturally here
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: Not required
- Anchoring fee: Free (anchoring); ₺100–150 per person beach entry fee if going ashore
- Restrictions: Cleopatra Beach is a protected archaeological and natural site. Taking sand is illegal and enforced. Beach entry fee required for going ashore; gates close at 19:00. No overnight camping 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: Karacasöğüt (3nm)
- Restaurant: Small café/snack bar at the beach in season. Day-boat excursion boats also sell drinks.
- Provisions: None on site — Karacasöğüt (3nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Arrive before 09:30 to anchor before the excursion boats, or arrive after 17:00 when they leave
- Snorkel the anchor in the east cove — ancient mole ruins lie on the bottom and can foul the anchor
- Beach entry ticket is required for going ashore; no ticket needed if remaining on the boat
- The south cove is the quieter alternative in peak season; fewer day boats visit it
- Do not take sand — this is strictly enforced and the sand is irreplaceable
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 Sedir Adası
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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