Büyük Deniz Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Anchor in the SE corner of Büyük Deniz for maximum fetch reduction from the NW meltemi. Sand and mud bottom holds reliably. Avoid the rock shelf near the headland — stay in the bay centre.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Büyük Deniz is primarily sand and mud with reliable holding when properly set. Use the following approach:

1. 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).
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. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Büyük Deniz are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to NW and N winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 65m radius before going below for the night.65m in the SE corner of Büyük Deniz. This anchorage is fully exposed to the NW meltemi direction — in July–August when meltemi runs 20–25 knots, the anchorage can become quite rolly. Use this as a daytime/lunch stop or in settled spring/autumn conditions only. For overnight meltemi shelter, Küçük Deniz (slug: kucuk-deniz-foca) is the correct choice.

April–October daytime use. Overnight only in May–June and September–October when meltemi is light or absent. Summer (July–August) — daytime only.

Navigation Hazards

• NW/N exposure — meltemi can build quickly to 25+ knots in summer; use only in settled conditions for overnight
• Submerged rocks along both headlands — anchor in the central open sand area
• Monk seal caves on N headland — restricted approach; coast guard patrols enforce no-wake rules

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required
• Anchoring fee: Free
• Restrictions: Foça ÖÇKB protected area — no approach to monk seal cave entrances on the N headland. Keep 200m clearance from cave sites.

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: Foça town market (0.8nm)
• Restaurant: Foça town restaurants within easy dinghy distance
• Provisions: None on site — Foça town market (0.8nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Best as a lunch-and-swim stop before moving into Küçük Deniz for the night
2. The rocky islets (Orak Adaları) to the NW are a monk seal habitat — keep respectful distance
3. Use SE corner for any afternoon wind shadow from the headland
4. Foça town is a 10-minute dinghy ride — well worth visiting for the fish market