Best Anchorages Around Kaş & Kekova
The Kaş-Kekova area on Turkey's Lycian coast is one of the most spectacular sailing destinations in the Mediterranean — sunken Lycian cities, Byzantine castle villages, and fjord-like bays. These 10 anchorages have been verified for depth, bottom type, and wind protection, each with a tailored anchor alarm radius recommendation.
Kekova Island North Shore — Archaeological Restriction
The north shore of Kekova Island contains the famous submerged Lycian city (Batık Şehir) — an important archaeological site protected under Turkish heritage law. Anchoring on the north shore of Kekova Island is strictly prohibited. Violations are enforced by the Turkish coast guard with significant fines. You may view the ruins from your dinghy (motor slowly) and snorkel nearby, but no anchoring and no direct swimming over the ruins without authorisation. Anchoring in Kekova Roads on the mainland (north) side of the channel, or at the west/east ends of the strait, is perfectly permitted.
About the Kaş & Kekova Region
Prevailing Wind
NW/W meltemi in summer (June–September), typically 10:00–18:00, 10–20 knots. The meltemi is weaker here than further north — the Lycian mountains provide some buffering. Occasional Lodos (SW storm) in spring and autumn.
Best Season
April–June and September–November for settled conditions and fewer charter boats. July–August is peak season — busy bays, particularly Kaleköy and Kekova Roads. Gökkaya Bay and Üçağız stay quieter.
DEKPA Requirement
Turkish transit log (DEKPA) is required for all foreign vessels. Coast guard checks at Kaş harbour are frequent. Ensure your documentation is complete and current before entering the area.
Base Ports
Kaş Harbour is the main entry point from the west. Finike Marina (22nm E) is the main full-service base. Greek island of Kastellorizo (Meis) is 3nm SW of Kaş — border clearance required.
10 Verified Anchorages
Kaş Harbour
(Antiphellos)Fair HoldingKaş is the main town on Turkey's Lycian coast, built on the site of ancient Antiphellos with a spectacular Lycian rock tomb cut into the cliff above the harbour.
Depth
4–18m
Bottom
rock
Alarm Radius
50m
Crowds
Busy
Full anchoring guide →
Kekova Roads
(Kekova Boğazı)Good HoldingKekova Roads is the magnificent sheltered channel running between Kekova Island and the Turkish mainland, one of the most iconic anchorages on the Lycian coast.
Depth
4–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
55m
Crowds
Busy
Full anchoring guide →
Üçağız
(Ucagiz)Excellent HoldingÜçağız (ancient Teimiussa) is a small fishing and tourism village on the mainland shore of the Kekova area, with a completely enclosed inner lagoon providing 360-degree protection in all weather.
Depth
2–6m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
35m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Kaleköy
(Simena)Good HoldingKaleköy is the magical village of Simena — a car-free hamlet of whitewashed houses clinging to the hillside below a Byzantine/Crusader castle, accessible only by sea.
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
35m
Crowds
Very Busy
Full anchoring guide →
Gökkaya Körfezi
(Gokkaya Bay)Excellent HoldingGökkaya Körfezi (Big Bay) is a spectacular deep-water fjord northwest of the Kekova area, ringed by high limestone mountains that block wind from almost every direction.
Depth
8–25m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
65m
Crowds
Quiet
Full anchoring guide →
Tersane Adası
(Tersane Island)Good HoldingTersane Adası (Shipyard Island) is the western end of the Kekova Island complex, named for the Byzantine-era shipyard (tersane) ruins visible on the shoreline.
Depth
3–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
45m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Üfakdere Bay
(Ufakdere)Good HoldingÜfakdere is a quiet sandy bay a few miles east of Kaş town, offering a clean sand bottom and calm water in settled northerly conditions.
Depth
4–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
55m
Crowds
Quiet
Full anchoring guide →
Limanağzı
(Liman Agzi)Fair HoldingLimanağzı is a dramatic deep-water fjord on the approaches to Kaş, with steep limestone cliffs rising directly from the water.
Depth
10–30m
Bottom
rock
Alarm Radius
60m
Crowds
Quiet
Full anchoring guide →
Çukurbağ Peninsula
(Cukurbag)Good HoldingÇukurbağ Peninsula anchors the western approach to Kaş Bay, offering a natural anchorage on its west side that provides good shelter from the north and northeast — the predominant summer meltemi direction.
Depth
5–15m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
55m
Crowds
Quiet
Full anchoring guide →
Küçükçakıl Bay
(Kucukcakil)Good HoldingKüçükçakıl (Small Gravel Bay) is a beautiful sandy and pebble cove a short sail east of Kaş town, backed by pine trees that sweep to the waterline.
Depth
3–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
50m
Crowds
Quiet
Full anchoring guide →
Monitor Your Anchor in Kekova Waters
Safety Anchor Alarm watches your GPS position continuously and sounds an instant alert if your boat drifts outside your set radius — so you can sleep while the Lycian stars shine overhead.
Download Free for iOS