Özdere Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Family resort bay with clean sand throughout. Anchor in the N section of the bay for best protection from summer meltemi. Exposed to S and SE — avoid overnight if southerly swell is present. Swimming zone buoys restrict the inshore anchoring area.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Özdere 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 4–10m, 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, Delta, Spade. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Özdere are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to S and SE winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 65m radius before going below for the night.65m in the N bay anchorage. Good protection from the NW meltemi direction. S/SE exposure is the main overnight risk — if southerly swell is running, this anchorage can become uncomfortable. In typical settled N/NW summer conditions it is a pleasant overnight with good facilities nearby.

May–October. July–August is peak resort season — busy days but manageable evenings in the anchorage. May, June, and September–October are significantly calmer with fewer tourist boats.

Navigation Hazards

• S/SE exposure — southerly swell makes the anchorage uncomfortable; use only when N/NW winds are dominant
• Heavy jet-ski and speedboat traffic during the day in July–August — stay alert
• Swimming zone buoys restrict available anchoring area — check buoy positions before setting anchor

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required
• Anchoring fee: Free
• Restrictions: Swimming zone buoys restrict inshore anchoring — stay outside the buoy line. No anchoring in jet-ski operating area (marked by orange buoys in summer).

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: Özdere resort town (0.3nm)
• Restaurant: Full range of resort restaurants, cafes, and bars along the beachfront
• Provisions: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. Better used as an afternoon stop or overnight in N/NW conditions — avoid if any S is in the forecast
2. Supermarkets in the resort area make provisioning easy — good stop before a longer offshore passage
3. The evening beachfront promenade is lively and pleasant — good for a shore walk after anchoring
4. For a quieter alternative nearby, consider İldır Bay to the south (less development)