İldır Körfezi Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Remote bay on the NW Çeşme Peninsula near the ancient city of Erythrai. Sand and mud bottom with reliable holding. The bay is well-protected from the N and NW by the surrounding hills. Exposed to S/SE. Very few tourists — a genuine escape anchorage.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at İldır Körfezi 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 5–14m, 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. 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, Mantus, Delta. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at İldır Körfezi are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to S and SE winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 70m radius before going below for the night.70m in the SE bay. Protection from the north and west makes this one of the best meltemi refuges on the Çeşme Peninsula. S/SE exposure remains — check the forecast before committing to overnight. In a settled N/NW summer meltemi pattern this anchorage is very comfortable and extremely quiet.

May–September. An excellent meltemi refuge anchorage when the dominant wind is N/NW. Avoid overnight if southerly swell is running. One of the quietest anchorages in this region even in peak July–August.

Navigation Hazards

• S/SE exposure — do not overnight if southerly is forecast; bay opens fully to the south
• Remote location — no facilities, no shore assistance; carry full safety kit and provisions
• Submerged ancient harbour remains in the NE section of the bay — avoid anchoring close to the village
• Very few other boats in the bay — self-sufficiency is essential

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required
• Anchoring fee: Free
• Restrictions: No facilities — complete self-sufficiency required. Archaeological site ashore — no removal of artefacts. Check for any local fishing boat mooring lines before anchoring.

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: Çeşme town (15nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest provisions at Çeşme town (15nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Çeşme town (15nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Walk up to the Erythrai theatre at sunset for panoramic views over the bay — one of the most dramatic archaeological sites in the region
2. Arrive with a full complement of food, water, and fuel — nothing is available ashore
3. This is a superb overnight anchorage in the July–August meltemi if the wind pattern is purely N/NW
4. Check carefully for any fishermen's mooring lines before anchoring — local boats use the NE corner
5. The remote character of İldır makes it a favourite destination for experienced Turkish coastal sailors