Keçi Bükü (Orhaniye / Kızkumu) Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Orhaniye, Kızkumu, Keçibükü
Keçi Bükü, universally known by its sandbar's name Kızkumu ('Girl's Sand'), is Hisarönü's most distinctive anchorage — a wide, well-sheltered bay on the northern mainland shore, famous for the narrow ridge of sand that extends 200 metres into the sea from the northern shore, allowing visitors to walk far out into the clear water. Floating pontoon restaurants line the sandbar from May to October, offering cold Efes, fresh fish, and meze directly from the water. Holding is excellent throughout the bay in deep mud. Despite peak-season crowds (30–50 gulets daily from Marmaris), early mornings and evenings are tranquil.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
36°46.7'N, 28°04.1'E
Depth
5–10m
Bottom
mud, sand
Holding
Excellent holdingProtected From
N, NE, E, SE, S
Exposed To
NW, W
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free (anchor out); restaurant pontoons charge for stern-to mooring
Permit Required
No
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
At 7m depth: 7:1 scope = 49m chain, swing radius ~60m. 80m recommended to account for afternoon westerly breeze (rarely over F3 in the bay), restaurant pontoon traffic, and the day-boat congestion in July–August. In the quieter outer bay, allow 100m as boats swing on longer scope.
Inner Bay (Kızkumu Sandbar Area): 80m recommended — The most sheltered part of the bay, behind the famous Kızkumu sandbar — a narrow ridge of sand that extends 200+ metres into the sea from the northern shore, allowing you to walk far out into the water.
Outer Bay (West Entrance): 100m recommended — Wider, more open section at the bay entrance.
Anchoring Zones
Keçi Bükü (Orhaniye / Kızkumu) 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: Inner Bay (Kızkumu Sandbar Area)
- Depth: 3–10m
- Bottom: mud, sand
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S
- Exposed to: NW, W
- Recommended alarm radius: 80m
The most sheltered part of the bay, behind the famous Kızkumu sandbar — a narrow ridge of sand that extends 200+ metres into the sea from the northern shore, allowing you to walk far out into the water. Pontoon restaurants are moored alongside the sandbar throughout summer. Excellent mud holding at 5–8m. Very busy July–August with day-trip gulets from Marmaris. Arrive before 09:00 to secure a position away from the restaurant pontoons.
Zone 2: Outer Bay (West Entrance)
- Depth: 6–15m
- Bottom: mud
- Holding: Excellent holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, S, SE
- Exposed to: W, NW
- Recommended alarm radius: 100m
Wider, more open section at the bay entrance. Deeper mud holding throughout. More swinging room than the crowded inner section. Larger yachts and catamarans often anchor here. More vulnerable to westerly afternoon wind, but rarely significant in summer.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Keçi Bükü (Orhaniye / Kızkumu) is primarily mud and sand with reliable holding when properly set. Use the following approach:
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 5–10m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m 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, Spade. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Keçi Bükü (Orhaniye / Kızkumu) are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to NW and W winds.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 80m radius before going below for the night.At 7m depth: 7:1 scope = 49m chain, swing radius ~60m. 80m recommended to account for afternoon westerly breeze (rarely over F3 in the bay), restaurant pontoon traffic, and the day-boat congestion in July–August. In the quieter outer bay, allow 100m as boats swing on longer scope.
May–June and September–October are the ideal months — settled Hisarönü winds, clear water, and the pontoon restaurants open without the July–August crowds. July–August brings 30–50+ day-trip gulets from Marmaris daily; the inner bay becomes extremely congested from 10:00. Arrive before 09:00 or after 17:00. November–April: restaurants closed, bay quiet, some meltemi risk in November.
Navigation Hazards
- Day-trip gulets from Marmaris arrive in large numbers 10:00–17:00 in July–August — watch for anchor dragging from wash
- Sandbar extends underwater beyond its visible tip — do not approach the Kızkumu sandbar in a dinghy at speed
- Shallow shelf on the northern (sandbar) side — stay in 5m+ water when anchoring near the bar
- Afternoon westerly breeze (F2–3) can make boats lie beam-on to their anchor — check set after wind shift
- Swimming zones active around the sandbar beach — no motoring through the sandbar area
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: Not required
- Anchoring fee: Free (anchor out); restaurant pontoons charge for stern-to mooring
- Maximum stay: 11 days
- Restrictions: No anchoring directly on the Kızkumu sandbar or within 50m of swimming beach areas. Day-trip gulets use the inner bay from 10:00–17:00 — be prepared for wash. Restaurants may request a meal or drinks contribution in return for use of their pontoon lines.
For a full overview of Turkish anchoring rules, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Available
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Marmaris (15nm)
- Restaurant: Multiple floating pontoon restaurants line the Kızkumu sandbar (seasonal May–October). Water available from restaurant pontoons at no charge for customers.
- Provisions: None on site — Marmaris (15nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Arrive before 09:00 in July–August to anchor in the inner bay before the day-boat flotillas; by 10:30 the best positions are taken
- Anchor in the outer western bay if the inner section is full — deeper and quieter, with equal holding quality
- The Kızkumu walk at sunset (after day boats leave, 17:00–18:00) is the experience for which this anchorage is famous
- Check your anchor after the afternoon gulet parade — wash from 20-metre gulets manoeuvring in the bay can cause dragging in lighter-set anchors
- The water clears significantly in the outer part of the bay — snorkel there for better visibility than the disturbed inner bay
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 Keçi Bükü (Orhaniye / Kızkumu)
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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