Turkey — Lycian Coast

Best Anchorages Around Kaş & Kekova

The Kaş-Kekova area on Turkey's Lycian coast is one of the most spectacular sailing destinations in the Mediterranean — sunken Lycian cities, Byzantine castle villages, and fjord-like bays. These 10 anchorages have been verified for depth, bottom type, and wind protection, each with a tailored anchor alarm radius recommendation.

Kekova Island North Shore — Archaeological Restriction

The north shore of Kekova Island contains the famous submerged Lycian city (Batık Şehir) — an important archaeological site protected under Turkish heritage law. Anchoring on the north shore of Kekova Island is strictly prohibited. Violations are enforced by the Turkish coast guard with significant fines. You may view the ruins from your dinghy (motor slowly) and snorkel nearby, but no anchoring and no direct swimming over the ruins without authorisation. Anchoring in Kekova Roads on the mainland (north) side of the channel, or at the west/east ends of the strait, is perfectly permitted.

About the Kaş & Kekova Region

Prevailing Wind

NW/W meltemi in summer (June–September), typically 10:00–18:00, 10–20 knots. The meltemi is weaker here than further north — the Lycian mountains provide some buffering. Occasional Lodos (SW storm) in spring and autumn.

Best Season

April–June and September–November for settled conditions and fewer charter boats. July–August is peak season — busy bays, particularly Kaleköy and Kekova Roads. Gökkaya Bay and Üçağız stay quieter.

DEKPA Requirement

Turkish transit log (DEKPA) is required for all foreign vessels. Coast guard checks at Kaş harbour are frequent. Ensure your documentation is complete and current before entering the area.

Base Ports

Kaş Harbour is the main entry point from the west. Finike Marina (22nm E) is the main full-service base. Greek island of Kastellorizo (Meis) is 3nm SW of Kaş — border clearance required.

10 Verified Anchorages

Kaş Harbour

(Antiphellos)Fair Holding

Kaş is the main town on Turkey's Lycian coast, built on the site of ancient Antiphellos with a spectacular Lycian rock tomb cut into the cliff above the harbour.

Depth

418m

Bottom

rock

Alarm Radius

50m

Crowds

Busy

Protected: N NE EExposed: S SWRestaurantWater

Full anchoring guide →

Kekova Roads

(Kekova Boğazı)Good Holding

Kekova Roads is the magnificent sheltered channel running between Kekova Island and the Turkish mainland, one of the most iconic anchorages on the Lycian coast.

Depth

412m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

55m

Crowds

Busy

Protected: N NE NW E WExposed: SFree anchoring

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Üçağız

(Ucagiz)Excellent Holding

Üçağız (ancient Teimiussa) is a small fishing and tourism village on the mainland shore of the Kekova area, with a completely enclosed inner lagoon providing 360-degree protection in all weather.

Depth

26m

Bottom

mud

Alarm Radius

35m

Crowds

Moderate

Protected: N NE NW E W S SW SERestaurantWater

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Kaleköy

(Simena)Good Holding

Kaleköy is the magical village of Simena — a car-free hamlet of whitewashed houses clinging to the hillside below a Byzantine/Crusader castle, accessible only by sea.

Depth

38m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

35m

Crowds

Very Busy

Protected: N NE NW WExposed: S SERestaurantWaterMooring buoys

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Gökkaya Körfezi

(Gokkaya Bay)Excellent Holding

Gökkaya Körfezi (Big Bay) is a spectacular deep-water fjord northwest of the Kekova area, ringed by high limestone mountains that block wind from almost every direction.

Depth

825m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

65m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: N NE NW E W SExposed: SWFree anchoring

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Tersane Adası

(Tersane Island)Good Holding

Tersane Adası (Shipyard Island) is the western end of the Kekova Island complex, named for the Byzantine-era shipyard (tersane) ruins visible on the shoreline.

Depth

310m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

45m

Crowds

Moderate

Protected: N NE NW WExposed: S SEFree anchoring

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Üfakdere Bay

(Ufakdere)Good Holding

Üfakdere is a quiet sandy bay a few miles east of Kaş town, offering a clean sand bottom and calm water in settled northerly conditions.

Depth

412m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

55m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: N NE NWExposed: S SW SEFree anchoring

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Limanağzı

(Liman Agzi)Fair Holding

Limanağzı is a dramatic deep-water fjord on the approaches to Kaş, with steep limestone cliffs rising directly from the water.

Depth

1030m

Bottom

rock

Alarm Radius

60m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: N NE NW E WExposed: SFree anchoring

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Çukurbağ Peninsula

(Cukurbag)Good Holding

Çukurbağ Peninsula anchors the western approach to Kaş Bay, offering a natural anchorage on its west side that provides good shelter from the north and northeast — the predominant summer meltemi direction.

Depth

515m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

55m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: N NE NW EExposed: S SW WFree anchoring

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Küçükçakıl Bay

(Kucukcakil)Good Holding

Küçükçakıl (Small Gravel Bay) is a beautiful sandy and pebble cove a short sail east of Kaş town, backed by pine trees that sweep to the waterline.

Depth

310m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

50m

Crowds

Quiet

Protected: N NE NWExposed: S SE SWFree anchoring

Full anchoring guide →

Monitor Your Anchor in Kekova Waters

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 while the Lycian stars shine overhead.

Download Free for iOS