Göcek Gulf

Fethiye Bay, on the western side of the bay, is one of the most beautiful bays of the Turkish coastline, where dozens of excellent coves are hidden among large and small islands and mountains covered with rising and falling trees.

Under this heading; we will cover the area from Ağa Limanı (36°37'06"N - 28°52'57"E) northeast of Kapıdağ Peninsula to the town of Göcek (36°45'11"N - 28°56'08"E) at the foot of the mountains in the north.

It is one of the most important centers of yacht tourism with its large and small, sheltered coves in deep water.

Its coasts are geographically within the areas of Göcek and Dalaman towns. Generally, they are pristine points with no access. Those on the west of the bay also have roads connecting to Dalaman and Göcek.

Within the area of a maximum of 10 miles from south to north and a maximum of 3 miles from east to west, there is access to all kinds of needs. Since the region is an intensive tourism area, many facilities are transported into the region.

The high depths in the bay descend to levels that allow anchoring and sheltering in coves. Generally, in coves that are closed to all weather conditions, even if conditions become harsh, there is the possibility of transitioning to nearby sheltered points.

Important locations to be careful of in the region;

1) The 2 rocky islets half a mile east of Büyük Yassıca Island and surrounding debris.

2) The small island and its debris northeast of Büyük Yassıca Island, immediately close to the island and extending 100 meters toward Göcek Island.

3) Yılanlı Island shoals (Topburnu Shoal) between Boynuzbükü and Yassıcalar in Göcek Bay. This shallow area extends over an 800-meter length in a south-north direction. Although some places may allow passage, caution is required. There is a light (Fl (2) 10s 6.5m 5M) to mark this dangerous area, which is right on the navigation route within the bay.

The region is under the influence of the typical Mediterranean climate. Hot and dry summer season and mild winter months are the main elements that generally characterize the regional climate. The temperature averages of the region, which is located in the hottest climate zone, are quite high values. The average temperature is around 30 degrees. 

Due to the geographical situation of the settlement (mountains being perpendicular to the sea), inland areas receive more precipitation than the coast. Humidity ratio is lower compared to other coastal cities. The regional vegetation consists of maquis on the coast and Conifer forests at higher elevations. These forests are Pinus nigra (Black Pine), Pinus bruita (Red Pine) and Cedrus sp. (Cedar) forests. On the coasts there are heathlands, olive groves, oak groves and citrus. Additionally, Liquidambar orientalis (Sweetgum tree) forests growing in stream beds, deltas and places where groundwater is high are among the endemic species.

The meltemi wind enters through the low hills of Kapıdağ Peninsula and spreads towards the north of the gulf. It curves into the coves and turns south in front of Göcek Town.

On days when the meltemi is strong outside, it creates squalls in places open to the west. At night it blows from the north. It creates an effect according to the position of the coves. Very strong squalls can also occur.

The gulf can be entered comfortably from any point. The depth is considerable, it does not pose a danger.

For motor yachts entering the gulf, it is beneficial to approach from outside the gulf until east of the location they will reach, in order not to be affected by the speed limits inside. Again, if the same motor yachts prefer to go at high speed, they need to conduct their navigation from outside the Gulf.

In the coves, electricity is hardly available at all. However, there is no problem in terms of water. There are many fountains and water sources.

While some coves have different restaurants and piers from each other, some have only nature itself. The choice is up to the yachtsmen.

Due to being a large yacht tourism area, the traffic of daily and weekly commercial boats is heavy, especially in July and August. You can find the bay visiting hours of daily boats, particularly from the pages related to the bays.

Göcek Gulf is under "Special Environmental Protection". Additionally;

The law "GÖCEK GULF AND GÖCEK-DALAMAN BAYS PROTECTION AND USE PROCEDURES AND PRINCIPLES", which came into force on 04/05/2010, has regulated the ways yachts and yachtsmen benefit from the gulf.

Accordingly:

1) In the Restricted Use Areas located in Göcek Gulf and Göcek - Dalaman bays, boats without storage tanks for waste water cannot stay overnight.

 2) Boats entering Göcek Gulf and Göcek - Dalaman bays must moor to mooring points, marina, pier, mooring buoys and buoys.

In Göcek - Dalaman bays, it is prohibited for boats to tie to trees. Boats can only be moored to piers, quays, buoys and between mooring buoys where they exist. In areas without buoys, anchoring can only be done provided that the boat is tied to a mooring point on shore.

Based on this law that came into force in 2010, buoys were placed in many locations. 

In the specified locations, dropping anchor and tying to trees is prohibited. You can see the bays with buoys from the relevant bay pages.

3) In Göcek Gulf and Göcek-Dalaman bays, broadcasting music on boats in violation of the Noise Pollution Regulation is prohibited. Social activities to be held on boats can be conducted on the southern shores of Katrancı Island.

"As seen in this article, noise pollution is not permitted in the bays."

 4) In Göcek Gulf and Göcek-Dalaman bays, lighting barbecues in the open on deck is prohibited at the anchorage areas of ships and inside the bays.

 5) Vessels coming to Göcek Bay and Göcek–Dalaman Coves; must deliver their waste water, sludge, ballast water and dirty ballast, as well as their garbage to the waste reception facility and/or waste reception vessel in Göcek Bay. Discharge into the sea is not permitted under any circumstances. 

6) Solid waste; must be deposited in the containers placed at yacht anchorage points, Kille Cove and Sarsala Cove.  Solid waste shall not be left in any cove other than these points.

Regarding these matters, both Göcek Municipality and Turmepa vessels collect liquid and solid waste either through their periodic voyages or by coming in person when called by telephone.

Within Göcek Bay and Göcek-Dalaman Coves, for navigation, life, property and environmental safety requirements, the transfer of petroleum and other hazardous substances from vessel to vessel and from shore tanker to vessel, except for waste reception operations, is strictly prohibited."

7) In Göcek-Dalaman Coves, water sports excluding jetski may be conducted within the scope of the Tourism-Oriented Sporting Activities Regulation, provided permission is obtained from relevant institutions and organizations.

8) Within Göcek Bay and Göcek-Dalaman Coves, except for vessels receiving pilotage services and water sports, other vessels or watercraft may travel at a maximum speed of 6 nautical miles.

9) Anchoring of vessels is prohibited except in the anchoring areas determined by the Harbor Master's Office and specified within these Protection and Use Principles.

In this context;

In the area defined as Göcek Bay (including north of Göcek Island) and

36°44'32"N-28°55'42" E (OSMANAGA)

36°44'58"N-28°57'94" E   (GCKADAKZ) 

anchoring of ships and watercraft is prohibited in the area between the coastline and the line formed by these points, except for the anchoring areas specified in the Göcek Port regulations.

C) For the protection of seagrass meadows in Göcek Bay and Göcek - Dalaman coves;

a) Göcek Island

36°44'12"N-28°56'20"E

36°44'14"N-28°56'10"E

36°43'25"N-28°56'00"E 

the area between the line formed by these points and the coast and

36°43'40"N-28°56'57"E

36°43'52"N-28°56'46"E 

the area between the line formed by these points and the coast

b) Kış Limanı

36°40'39"N-28°54'43"E

36°40'44"N-28°54'43"E 

the area between the line formed by these points and the coast

c) Kurşunlu Cove

36°38'16"N-28°51'59"E

36°38'00"N-28°52'21"E 

the area between the line formed by these points and the coast

ç) Sarsala Cove

36°39'56"N-28°51'32"E

36°39'33"N-28°51'28"E 

the area between the line formed by these points and the coast

d) Sıralıbük Cove

36°40'47"N-28°51'55"E

36°40'27"N-28°51'57"E 

anchoring is prohibited in the area between the line formed by these points and the coast, vessels may moor to existing piers, quays, buoys and moorings.

e) Yassıca Islands and Zeytinli Island

36°42'44"N-28°55'57"E

36°42'32"N-28°55'46"E

36°42'00"N-28°55'28"E

36°41'34"N-28°55'34"E

36°41'51"N-28°55'58"E

36°42'39"N-28°56'07"E

anchoring is prohibited in the area enclosed by these coordinates. Mooring to buoys and moorings is permitted.

However, at Yassıca Islands Dil Burnu location;

36°42'39"N-28°56'03"E

36°42'38"N-28°56'01"E

36°42'37"N-28°56'01"E

36°42'35"N-28°56'01"E

Day trip excursion boats, which are marine tourism vessels, are free to moor to the buoys and moorings located at these coordinates between 10:00 and 20:00, and other vessels between 20:00 and 10:00.

CHART     : 

3122

For health-related issues in the Gulf, the facilities in Göcek town are adequate in every aspect. Additionally, a fast boat capable of 40 knots speed and its personnel, belonging to a private health institution based in Göcek town for intervention in cases occurring in the bays, provide service 24 hours.

Regarding underwater problems that boats may experience, diving service can be provided from a center located in the Yassıca Islands.

In Göcek, which is the center of yacht tourism, there are many stores selling yacht supplies and workshops specialized in their fields.

Göcek also hosts the most well-equipped and most beautiful marinas.

Although transportation in the region is provided with limited means from some bays, Göcek is a town full of options in terms of road and air transportation. The runway of Dalaman International Airport, which is considered virtually within this region, is 7 kilometers west of the gulf as the crow flies.

Göcek Gulf is one of the most important places that must be seen and experienced.

Emergency telephone numbers where boats not complying with the rules in the use of bays can be reported;

Coast Guard     : 158 /0252-614 84 60

Gendarmerie               : 0252-645 10 23

Forest Fire      : 177

Health Center          :  112 / 0252-645 11 77

Fast Medical Boat   : 0549-554 43 30

Göcek Municipality   : 0252-645 10 30

Turmepa                : 0252-645 31 47

Diving Service   : 0539-814 21 92