Foça Limanı Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Foça Limanı has 2 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics. Choose the zone that matches your boat size and the expected overnight conditions.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Foça Limanı 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 5–12m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (84m chain at 12m 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, Mantus. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Foça Limanı 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 Büyük Deniz outer anchorage. If you can take the shallow draft into Küçük Deniz inner harbour (max 4.5m keel draught), reduce to 40m — protection there is essentially complete. Monitor VHF 16 for İzmir commercial shipping advisories even when anchored in the outer bay.

April–November. Best in May–June and September–October when meltemi is manageable and the town is pleasantly busy. July–August is warm and lively but NW winds make the outer anchorage uncomfortable; use the inner harbour. The Foça municipality hosts the Folk Dance Festival in June — a wonderful coincidence for visiting sailors.

Navigation Hazards

• Büyük Deniz outer bay is exposed to NW/N meltemi — can build to 25+ knots in July–August; relocate to Küçük Deniz or use marina
• Shallow bar at the Küçük Deniz entrance — do not enter if draught exceeds 4.5m; sound carefully on approach
• Mediterranean monk seal caves on the rocky shoreline north of Foça — no-wake zone enforced by coast guard
• İzmir Bay commercial shipping lanes pass north of Foça — monitor VHF 16 at all times
• Submerged rocks on the north side of Büyük Deniz — stay away from the cliff faces

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required
• Anchoring fee: Free
• Maximum stay: 10 days
• Restrictions: Foça Special Environmental Protection Area (ÖÇKB): no anchoring within 50m of rocky sea cave entrances used by monk seals. Keep idle speed within 200m of cave sites. İzmir commercial shipping lanes — monitor VHF 16.

For a full overview of Turkish anchoring rules, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.

Facilities

• Fresh water: Available
• Fuel: Available
• Restaurant: Excellent waterfront fish restaurants and meyhanes lining the harbour quay
• Provisions: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. For the best overnight shelter, Küçük Deniz inner harbour is the choice if your draught allows — aim to anchor before 17:00 when fishing boats return
2. Walk the old town at dusk — the Genoese castle walls and Ottoman-era stone houses are spectacularly lit
3. The monk seal reserve caves are visible from the headland north of town — a short morning walk rewards with seal sightings (be quiet and keep distance)
4. Best provisioning in the town centre market (open daily) — excellent local olive oil and goat cheese
5. Evening meltemi drops quickly in Foça compared to the open İzmir Gulf — makes sunset anchorage very pleasant