Karaburun North Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Anchor in 6–12m on sand over rock near the village. Holding is fair — the rocky substrate means you need to set carefully and check the anchor has bitten into the sand pockets. Village access on foot is the main attraction. Exposed to S/SW — check forecast.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Karaburun North is primarily sand and rock with variable holding that requires extra attention. Use the following approach:

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 5–14m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (98m chain at 14m 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. Snorkel to verify. Given the fair holding here, it is strongly recommended to snorkel down and visually confirm the anchor is buried in sand, not resting on rock.

Recommended anchor types for this bottom: Rocna, Mantus. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Karaburun North are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to S and SW and W winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 60m radius before going below for the night.60m with careful attention to anchor set. Sand over rock bottom means holding can be unreliable — always snorkel to verify if there is any doubt, and set a generous alarm radius. S/SW exposure makes overnight anchoring inadvisable if there is any southerly in the forecast.

Best June–September in settled N/NW conditions. The remoteness is part of the appeal — very few charter boats venture this far. Always check the forecast before committing overnight.

Navigation Hazards

• Fair holding on sand over rock — snorkel to verify anchor set; never rely solely on the reverse-motor test here
• S/SW exposure — unsuitable for overnight anchoring when southerlies are forecast
• Remote location — nearest marine services at Çeşme (30nm north) or Mordoğan (8nm south)
• Strong meltemi can make the approach from the south difficult — plan timing carefully

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required
• Anchoring fee: Free
• Restrictions: Check forecast carefully — S/SW exposure makes this anchorage unsuitable in southerly weather.

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: Karaburun village (0.3nm)
• Restaurant: Small village taverna in Karaburun — basic food, very local atmosphere
• Provisions: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. Visit the village on foot — a genuinely traditional Aegean fishing community rarely visited by tourists
2. Best in settled summer conditions (June–August) when the meltemi is from the N/NW and the bay is protected
3. Strong meltemi passage tip: depart before 08:00 for the southbound run to Mordoğan or Gerence Bay
4. Water clarity here is exceptional — snorkelling is superb in calm conditions