Turkey — Northern Aegean Coast

Best Anchorages Around the Çeşme Peninsula

Turkey's westernmost Aegean peninsula — from the gentrified Çeşme marina to the remote coves of the Karaburun Peninsula. These 9 anchorages have been verified for depth, bottom type, and wind protection, each with a tailored anchor alarm radius recommendation.

About the Çeşme Peninsula Region

Prevailing Wind

Meltemi from the NW/W, blowing hard July–August at 20–35 knots. The Çeşme Peninsula is one of the most exposed stretches of the Turkish Aegean coast. East-facing bays (Çiftlik Koyu, Ciftlik) provide the best meltemi shelter. The Alaçatı wind funnel produces some of the strongest consistent winds in the region — up to 35 knots in the bay.

Best Season

May–June and September–October for settled conditions. July–August is peak meltemi season — strong, reliable winds are great for sailing but challenge anchorage selection. The Karaburun Peninsula anchorages (Mordoğan, Gerence Bay) see fewer charter boats all season.

Alaçatı Draft Warning

Alaçatı Bay is extremely shallow — draft limit 0.8–1.0m for the inner bay, 1.8m for the outer approaches. Keelboats cannot enter the inner windsurf area. The PWA World Cup windsurf race course (May–Sep) is marked by buoys — do NOT anchor within the race area.

Çeşme–Chios Ferry

A regular ferry operates between Çeşme and the Greek island of Chios (8nm). Keep 200m clear of the ferry approach channel at all times. If crossing to Greece, you must formally clear out of Turkey at Çeşme and complete Greek entry formalities at Chios.

Meltemi Warning — Çeşme Peninsula

The NW/W meltemi blows hard on the Çeşme Peninsula from June to September, reaching 25–35 knots in July and August. This is one of the most meltemi-exposed areas of the Turkish Aegean. When the meltemi is up: use east-facing bays (Çiftlik Koyu, Reisdere) which have the land between them and the wind. The Alaçatı Bay wind funnel is designed for windsurfers — it can be untenable for anchored boats. Çeşme Marina provides all-weather refuge but fills fast in high season. Plan passages for early morning (before 09:00) before the meltemi rebuilds after the overnight lull.

9 Verified Anchorages

Çeşme Harbour

(Cesme Marina)Good Holding

Çeşme is a gentrified Aegean town on Turkey's westernmost point, directly across from the Greek island of Chios (8nm).

Depth

4–8m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

55m

Crowds

Very Busy

Protected: N NE EExposed: SW WRestaurantWaterFuel

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Alaçatı Bay

(Alacati Bay)Good Holding

Alaçatı Bay is world-famous as one of the top windsurfing and kitesurfing destinations in Europe, hosting the PWA World Cup.

Depth

2–4m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

40m

Crowds

Busy

Protected: N NE EExposed: SW W NWRestaurantFree anchoring

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Ilıca Bay

(Ilica Bay)Good Holding

Ilıca Bay is a large, open sandy bay 4nm east of Çeşme, best known for its natural thermal springs that warm the water to unusually comfortable temperatures.

Depth

4–10m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

60m

Crowds

Moderate

Protected: N NE E SEExposed: SW WRestaurantFree anchoring

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Sifne Koyu

(Sifne Bay)Good Holding

Sifne Koyu is a small, calm cove located just 2nm south of Çeşme town, offering a quieter alternative to the busy Çeşme harbour area.

Depth

5–12m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

55m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: N NW W SWExposed: S SEFree anchoring

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Çiftlik Koyu

(Ciftlik Koyu)Good Holding

Çiftlik Koyu is an east-facing cove on the south side of the Çeşme Peninsula, providing one of the best meltemi refuges on this exposed stretch of coast.

Depth

5–12m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

50m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: N NW W SWExposed: E SEFree anchoring

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Reisdere

(Reisdere Bay)Good Holding

Reisdere Bay lies southwest of Çeşme and provides reliable protection from the dominant summer meltemi winds.

Depth

4–10m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

55m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: N NW W SWExposed: S SEFree anchoring

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Karaburun North

(Karaburun Kuzey)Fair Holding

The north anchorage off Karaburun village sits at the tip of the Karaburun Peninsula, one of the remotest stretches of the Turkish Aegean coast.

Depth

5–14m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

60m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: N NE EExposed: S SW WRestaurantFree anchoring

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Mordoğan

(Mordogan)Good Holding

Mordoğan is a traditional fishing village on the north side of the Karaburun Peninsula, connected to the mainland by road.

Depth

5–10m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

55m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: N NW W SWExposed: E SERestaurantWater

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Gerence Bay

(Gerence Körfezi)Excellent Holding

Gerence Bay is a large, well-protected natural bay on the inner (east) side of the Karaburun Peninsula, offering some of the finest anchorage conditions on this stretch of coast.

Depth

5–15m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

60m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: N NW W SW SExposed: EFree anchoring

Full anchoring guide →

Monitor Your Anchor Overnight

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 through the Çeşme meltemi night.

Download Free for iOS
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