These are really only suggestions. Discover what you would like to do, what best fits to your type of sailing.

Tours around the peninsula of Çeşme

The northern route toward Ayvalik

The southern route toward Kusadasi

Gulf of Izmir

Sea of Marmara

If you only have a week’s time, you would either explore only the area around Çeşme, or visit Karaburun, the coves and ports at the entrance to the Gulf of Izmir, or choose only the north or the south route. With two or more weeks you can plan a combination of different tours in the entire region.

In any case, even several weeks of sailing is not enough to even begin to fully explore the region.

Tours around the peninsula of Çeşme
(Horn/Hoop II, p. 22 et seq.) around 100 to 150 sea miles.

If you only have a week and do not wish to complete a longer tour, you can explore the area around Çeşme in more detail. Illdirgolf offers many ports and coves. Pay attention to the shoals and around the lighted little Alev Ada island upon entering. On Karaada, the “donkey island”, there are three deep narrow coves which provide shelter from the northern wind. The island is occupied by wild boars and donkeys, most of which stand on the shore of the middle cove and wait for the bread crumbs from day-trippers who moor on the small pier.

		Further berthing possibilities protected by islands can be found below the castle mountain where the ancient Erythrai rests, a less intact ruin which must have played an important roll in Ancient Greece. You may also find several beautiful and secluded spots by Gerence Körfezi.
Erythrai - Akropolis (GR)

At the noble hotel Erythrai, there are two excellent fish restaurants (and a swimming pool, in case your children feel like it).

Drei Häfen bieten sich an: das kleine Ilica, die Nobelmarina Altin Yunus (Swimmingpool; vereinbaren Sie über Funk Kanal 16 einen Arbeitskanal und fragen Sie, ob ein Platz frei ist) und das wunderschöne, absolut sichere Dalyanköy. Dalyanköy wird zur Zeit zu einer Marina mit ca. 200 Liegeplätzen ausgebaut. Bisher gibt es jedoch noch keine Marinastrukturen. Wenn Sie einen Liegeplatz bei den Fischlokalen bekommen, sollten Sie mit Heckanker anlegen. Die Fischrestaurants sind die besten der ganzen Gegend, und die Leute kommen bis von Izmir, um hier zu speisen.

At the noble hotel Erythrai, there are two excellent fish restaurants (and a swimming pool, in case your children feel like it).
Three ports are available: the small Ilica, the noble marina Altin Yunus (swimming pool; make a reservation over the radio) and the wonderful and absolutely safe Dalyanköy. Dalyanköy is currently being developed into a marina with over 200 mooring berths. There are however currently no marina facilities. If you get a mooring berth at a fish restaurant you should use a stern anchor. The fish restaurants are the best in the area and people come from as far away as Izmir to eat here. From here, the side trip to Greece is offered. Actually, you need to register in Chios. If you enter the wonderful port of Ormos Mandraki on Oinousa, you are however generally not controlled. Nothing more can happen than being sent back to Chios. Actually, boats with the EU flag have the right to stay one night in a Greek port without registering. The port of Mandraki is unbelievably beautiful and safe; there are several taverns but also loud discos. Oinousa maintains, aside from its port, several attractive coves where you can anchor.

Also very beautiful are the ports of Langada and Marnaro north of Chios. To the west of Chios, we were very pleased with Limnia, the quiet and absolutely safe port of the picturesque and impressive Volissos, hidden on the slopes below the massive Genoesian castle. The food is excellent and reasonable in the port taverns. Our favourite cove is the Emporio, just before the south tip of Chios. Here, you should not miss the excellent food or the ambience and the friendly landlady in the tavern Porto Emporio.

Back on the Turkish side, you can head toward Teos-Sigacik. Heading out from Çeşme /Chios towards Sigacik you will find a port and more berth spots.
		Sigacik (TR)

Starting after the cape, the sandy beaches (Gold Beach) of Altinkum stretch for several kilometres, where you can anchor on the north side in the daytime. Be careful when approaching; there are a few rocks in the water.
The port of Alacarti is now finished. Be careful when approaching of the shallow water area on the west shore and the many surfers who live in this well-known surfing region. Unfortunately, the port is abandoned, being two kilometres away from the pretty town, where a huge Saturday market for fruits, vegetables, milk products, herbs, and many other scrumptious foods of all colours lure you in.

From here to Sigacik, there are coves almost every two to three miles. The first one is the spacious Mersin Körfezi, whose shoreline is bare and not very attractive.  Much more attractive and much safer is the Sarpdere/Zeytineli Liman, with three protrusions that offer wind protection from all directions.  
Before the cape is the deep-cut cove Kirkdilim Liman. In the back corner is a safe berth. It is believed that a German submarine hid here during the last war.
Immediately after the cape, there is a forked cove, Gök Liman, where, despite the many fish farms, it is easy and safe to dock. Horn/Hoop II describe two additional coves, where I personally have never been.

Below the castle hill of Teos, you will find the two sister coves, Teos and Malkaya Liman (careful with shoals).

The north route toward Ayvalik
(Horn/Hoop I, S. 22 et seq.) approx. 160-190 sea miles

If you only have a week’s time, then you will have to be disciplined to finish this tour. If you have two weeks, your can afford a side trip to the Gulfs of Izmir, Candirli and Edremit.

		On the second day, you should venture into the area around Foca. From Oinousa, you can reach the peninsula Karaburun even during Meltemi. You can make a lunch break in a protected spot (for example, by the town of Karaburun) and then make the short trip to Foca.
Karaburun (TR)

If you have more time, you should not exclude the wonderful coves and quaint fishing villages of Izmir Körfezi.

In Foca, you can berth in one of the many coves, which are protected by the offshore islands or in the port of beautiful Foca itself. In the large southern basin, protected from the historic Genoesian castle, there is generally a berth on a mooring. The basics of a marina are offered, notably electricity and water. If there is no space, you can freely anchor in the harbour. There are plenty of restaurants in the northern port all the way to the foot of the fort. We were especially impressed by the small fish market hall in the northern port, and especially by the nimble fish gutter and scaler, who also prepared our bream.

On the third day, I would head toward Bademli – more specifically the wonderful berth between the island Kalem and the mainland (B in Horn/Hoop I, p. 140 et seq.) where you will find snow-white sandy beaches, forested shores and hot springs. There are supply possibilities. According to one customer’s testimony, with extreme care, you can enter the silted harbour basin in Bademli and will find a berth, in three meter deep water, a berth next to a fisherman’s tavern.

As an alternative, you can go to Candirli or Dikili, if you prefer a port. Candirli Körfezi awaits sailors, offering several nice ports and coves, which you can visit if you have more time.

On Wednesday at the latest, you should reach the Ayvalik archipelago and, according to preference, dock in one of the many coves or in the small ports of Alibey or in the developed marina in Ayvalik. The archipelago is very beautiful – and the evening view, which we saw from the tower ruins on Madenada, looking over the island and cove maze, was breathtaking and made up for our maquis-scratched legs. Actually, one day is not enough for this sailing highlight!
On Thursday, I would plan a berth in the Agias Ermogenis cove in the entrance to Kolpos Geras on Lesbos (see the first paragraph at the top). In the taverns below the Eucalyptus trees, one eats superbly. You can pay in Euros, as in most of the taverns and shops, in Greece as well as in Turkey.

The south route toward Kusadasi
(Horn/Hoop II, S. 35 et seq.) approx. 150 – 180 sea miles

The direct route from Çeşme to Kusadasi is 70 sea miles; generally with good winds, you are there in 10 to 12 hours. But for sailors, it is the same as mountain climbers: The path is the goal. I would take a side-trip to Sigacik (see above) and go to the coves described under 1.

		If would like to continue to Kusadasi from Sigacik, you should definitely not miss the Doganbey (TR) cove by the outlet cape by Sigacik Körfezi. Next to a sandy beach on the shore, this cove also offers two hot springs in the bay, while the basin on the northern side of the island Bölme, which is not mentioned by Horn/Hoop, is also very impressive.
Cove of Doganbey (TR)

You can even go into the small grotto here! This cove could, by the way, also serve as your overnight berth, if you don’t wish to continue to Sigacik.

We were also pleased with the anchoring cove Cam Limani, which is also suitable for overnight berthing during normal wind conditions.

Kusadasi (Kus Adasi = Bird Island) has one of the largest marinas in Turkey (swimming pool!) with everything a sailor desires. You will also find one of the two fuelling stations in our region, where you can fill your yacht up directly (next to Hotel Altin Yunus).

Kusadasi is one of the tourist towns of Turkey. Almost daily, cruise liners from around the world dock here. The ancient Ephesos is only a few kilometres away. It certainly belongs to the most impressive and well-kept of ancient towns and you shouldn’t miss it. Our partner agency, Gino, is located close to the marina – which, thanks to the huge sign on the roof of the multi-storey building, can’t be missed. You can easily organise your trip to Ephesos through Gino.

Of the restaurants in Kusadasi, the fish restaurant Ali Baba on the harbour, which offers a gourmet menu, was particularly impressive. If you value a table by the water, you should make reservations.

Once in Kusadasi, then you should, of course, see Samos (Horn/Hoop II, p 182 et seq.). The registration in Samos town (Vathy) is no problem, whereas many customers report of problems in the Pythagoreion, which is actually more striking than Vathy.
		Kusadasi (TR)

Please take note that, during a strong Maltemi, extreme downbursts can occur on the south side of Samos.

If you only have a week’s time, you need to start the return trip at this time. Even in the case of Maltemi, you can safely dock at Cape Doganbey. Should you wish to sail further towards Sigacik, the summer wind blows directly in your face. You can easily traverse or use the motor over the few miles since no large waves form in Sigacik Körfezi.

Heading out from Sigacik, you experience a half wind and rough routes – perfect for the blister. Along the Çesme Peninsula, there is a wind with strong gusts, which accelerate out from the shore. Because you sail along the lee side, the waves are minimised.

As for overnight possibilities, there are the coves further along the Turkish coastline mentioned above, or our favourite cove, Emporio on Chios (see above).

Izmir Körfezi (Gulf of Izmir)
(Horn/Hoop I, p. 148 et seq.) approx. 120 sea miles to Urla and back

You could visit this corner of the region if you only have one sailing week, or along with a tour to the north, when you have two weeks. Please use the chart D 1083 for navigation!

The focus is on the quaint fishing villages on the Karaburun Peninsula: Yeniliman, Karaburun, Kaynarpinar, Mordogan, and Urla Iskelesi. In these ports you will find tranquillity, good fisherman’s taverns, and a beautiful area with sparkling clean water. The municipal office is helpful in advising on day trips into the surrounding area.

Sea of Marmara and Istanbul
(Horn/Hoop I, p. 33 et seq.) approx. 250 sea miles from Istanbul

Çesme

Region information

Price list 2009

Our yachts

Weather forecast