Datca
From CruisersWiki
| Datca There are Port(s) of Entry here
| |
 The Region of Datça & Cape Krio |
Datça used to be the pleasant harbour of a sleepy provincial town. In the last few years it has grown into a booming resort with high-rise buildings, bars and discos.Sleeping in the harbor is problematical due to the cacophony of many competing discos and bars. Still it is a fairly convenient port of entry and exit.
The harbour has experienced similar investment and the area designated for yachts has been extended to the west with an area of decking and new stainless steel mooring rings have been installed all along the quay and is now operated as a marina. Datça can now accommodate in the region of 30 – 40 yachts in total. However, it is a very popular port of call and it is wise to arrive early during high season. If the harbour is full, there are good anchorages both south and north of the harbour, depending on wind direction.
Yachts anchor moor to the quay as directed by harbour staff. Water and electricity are available on the quay and are included in the mooring fee which was Turkish lire 70 for a 13m yacht (July 2014).
There are several additional anchorages along the south side of the Datça Peninsula between Datça and Cape Krio.
Charts
- BA
- 1055 Rhodes Channel and Gökova Körfezi
- Imray-Tetra
- G35 Dodecanese and Coast of Turkey
- NIMA
- 54400 Samos to Rodhos
- Turkey
- 311 Marmaris - Fethiye
- 3112 E) Datça Limanı
- Greek
- 451 Leros to Rhodos
Weather
See Turkey.
Passages
Islands
Baba Adasi
A pleasant enough anchorage. Anchor in about 7 metres, good holding. It is safe from the meltemi.
Warning: There are many bees here, and they bite.Communication
- No GSM/GPRS in Kalaboshi Cove
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Care needs to be exercised in the approach from west to avoid the islet and reef extending 50 metres off it just east of Kuru Burnu, the last headland you round before heading into the harbour. On the approach from north or west, the rocky above-water islets of Uzunca Adasi about a mile offshore should be given a wide berth.
Danger: There are fierce gusts of Cape Krio and along the steep slopes to Datça.
Entrance
Datça is a port of entry/exit to Turkey. Unlike many other harbors the authorities are all in one building overlooking the harbor. So, you may, if your are cost conscious, dispense with the marina agents and do the clearance by yourself.
See also Turkey.
Berthing
Datça Harbor
The marina staff are in attendance and will direct you where to moor on arrival. Anchor in 5 – 6 metres and go back to the quay. The holding is good in mud and sand.
It is also possible to anchor off in either the South or North Bay, where the holding is good in sand. The South Bay normally offers better protection in the prevailing winds and is just off the main town beach. The water is clear enough to swim off your boat.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Anchorages
Cove East of Kalaboshi
A pleasant enough cove about 2 nM E of Kalaboshi. Anchor in 7 metres. Good holding. It is safe from the meltemi but a strong and possibly uncomfortable swell enters the cove.
Warning: There are many bees here, and they bite.
Knidos
Knidos or Büyük Liman is a nice anchorage just east of Cape Krio. It is usually crowded but the extensive archaeological site is a "must see" place. This was a place sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. Here was the statue of Aphrodite by Praxiteles that was famous throughout the ancient world. It was not been found.
Anchor on either side of the bay wherever there is space. The holding is uncertain in some areas because of rocks and weed on the bottom, so be prepared to make several attempts. Make sure the anchor is well set before opening the Efes since the gusts can be strong even in moderate winds. Alternatively, go alongside on either side of the restaurant pier, where there is space for around eight yachts (more when rafted up). There is a man there who collects mooring fees (and issues a receipt) and provides access to the water. He may not collect the fee if you eat in the restaurant ashore.
Note: there is a submerged ancient mole located on both sides of the bay entrance, which can be difficult to identify under certain conditions. There are also a number of concrete blocks scattered on the bottom close to the root of the pier, so care should be taken when approaching or leaving it. It is advisable to leave the pier backwards rather than making a circle.
Mersinçik
Amenities
| Facilities | |
|---|---|
| Water | Datca Marina: at the docks |
| Electricity | Datca Marina: at the docks |
| Toilets | ? |
| Showers | ? |
| Laundry | N/A (Not Available) |
| Garbage | There are bins around the harbour |
| Supplies | |
| Fuel | Datca Marina: at the fuel dock |
| Bottled gas | ? |
| Chandlers | None |
| Services | |
| Repairs | N/A |
| Internet | In internet cafés |
| Mobile connectivity | ? |
| Vehicle rentals | In Datça there are everal rental outlets in the town |
Provisioning
Datca Marina [[Datca#Datca Marina|Datca Marina]] a good minimarket right opposite the yacht berths.
Migros [[Datca#Migros|Migros]] upermarkets on the eastern outskirts.
Tansas [[Datca#Tansas|Tansas]] upermarkets on the eastern outskirts.
Other stores [[Datca#Other stores|Other stores]] in the town.
Eating out
- In the town of Datça
-
restaurants [[Datca#restaurants|restaurants]] there are many restaurants; some very reasonably priced specializing in pide (a Turkish pizza) to the right of the main road leading inland.
- 50 metres up the hill from the western end of the yacht moorings
- Papatya [[Datca#Papatya|Papatya]] is excellent and has the best view of the south anchorage.--Athene of Lymington 11:11, 9 August 2011 (BST).
- In Knidos
- restaurants [[Datca#restaurants|restaurants]] there are several overpriced restaurants.
Transportation
Regular dolmuş to Eski Datça. Enquire at the tourist office in the main square for details of other routes.
Tourism
Places to Visit
The walk west from the harbour along the town beach and past an inland freshwater lagoon out to Kuru Burnu is pleasant. A visit to the old village of Eski Datça (dolmus departures every hour from the main square) is a must. The village has been sympathetically restored and is a delightful spot to stroll around, with several cafes offering lunch.
If not visiting by yacht, it is also possible to take a trip to the site of ancient Knidos 15 miles to the west. Knidos was a very important harbor in the antiquity and home of the famous statue by Praxiteles, the Aphrodite of Knidos.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Datca at the Wikipedia
- Datca at the Wikivoyage
- Knidos at the Wikipedia
- Aphrodite of Knidos at the Wikipedia
References
See Turkey.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Datca and this page's details validated:
- 1985 (Knidos, Baba Adasi) --Istioploos
Travels with S/Y Thetis
- August 2002 (Datça Harbor, Cove East of Kalaboshi) --Istioploos; It was extremely noisy at night.
- August 2004 (Mersinçik) --Istioploos
- July 2010 (Datça Harbor, Knidos, Baba Adasi) --Athene of Lymington
- April 2013 (Knidos) --Vadp 19:04, 23 January 2015 (GMT)
- July 2014 (Datça Harbor) --Rocko One; Visited on a Sunday, so relatively quiet. Mooring fee was Tl 70 including water and electricity (13m boat). Tripper boats come in early in the morning and there is the inevitable anchor chain chaos. Best leave early if you want to avoid. The is a small chandlers/fishing shop overlooking the harbour. We used an agent to check in into Turkey and this cost € 100.
| This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
 Contributors to this page |
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Names: Lighthouse, Istioploos, Athene of Lymington |
