Kusadasi
From CruisersWiki
Kusadasi Port of Entry
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Kuşadasi is a major passenger port and yacht marina on the Aegean coast of Turkey, 22 miles ENE of the Greek island of Samos. The town has a long history, being believed to be at the site of ancient Neapolis. During the Byzantine era it was called Ania. It was taken by the Venetians and the Genoese who named it Scala Nuova. Later, it was predominately populated by Greeks who called it Nea Ephesos (New Ephesus). Today it is a booming town, a major tourist area, complete with high-rise hotels. It is a popular stop for cruise ships, which disgorge hundreds of tourists into buses to visit two very important ancient sites Ephesus and Didyma which are only a few kilometers away.
The marina in Kusadasi was one of the first to be established in Turkey and is much frequented by cruising yachts travelling along the Turkish coast between the harbours of Didyma to the south and Sigacik to the north. It is also just 15 miles from Samos if clearing out from Greece into Turkey or vice versa. The marina can sometimes be full during July and August and it is wise to make a reservation if visiting during those months, especially since there are no good anchorages nearby. Shelter in the marina is excellent, since the bay of Kusadasi rarely experiences strong winds, even when a full gale is blowing in Central Aegean and Samos Sea.
Charts
- BA
- 1546 Samos Strait to Güllük Körfezi
- Imray-Tetra
- G32 Eastern Sporades, Dodecanese & the Coast of Turkey
- NIMA
- 54389 Fener Adasi to Samos Strait
- Turkey
- 2231 C) Kuşadası
- Greek
- 422 Naxos to Samos & Opposite Coast of Asia Minor
Weather
See Turkey.
Passages
- Passages between Athens Region and Samos - Kusadasi
- Marmaris to Gökçeada
- Cruising the Turkish Ionian Coast
- Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages
Islands
None.
Communication
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
When approaching Kusadasi from the south or west (e.g. having passed through the Straits of Samos), a yacht should be sure to pass well offshore of the headlands of Karga Burnu and Yalanci Burnu to the S of Kusadasi, both of which have reefs extending some distance offshore. A new W cardinal buoy is now in position off Yalanci Burnu, about one mile SW of Bird Island (the conspicuous island with a small castle on it on the S side of Kusadasi harbour) --Athene of Lymington 14:21, 30 April 2011 (BST).
A course 100 metres W of this buoy will clear all the dangers. Note, however, that there is a further shoal patch around 200 metres due N of the Yalanci Burnu buoy where depths shoal to around 5-6 metres. This is now marked with a isolated danger mark (black/red/black with two black ball topmarks)and a yacht can pass safely 50 metres on either side. Finally, a further dangerous reef near the root of the marina breakwater is marked with another W cardinal mark.
Entrance
Kusadasi is a port of entry into Turkey. The marina staff, for a well deserved consideration, will handle all formalities.
Berthing
Yachts are not allowed in the main harbor but should go to the marina.
Kuşadasi Harbor
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Note: June 2012. This large marina has some space for visiting boats. There is some building work as they are renovating old buildings and building new, but a good place to stop for provisioning (Migros supermarket next door), laundry and visiting Ephesus. --Vigdis
Anchorages
The coast here is wide open to the west, and thus receives all the waves from the meltemi further out to sea, which often bends around into a westerly onshore wind (though usually much lighter than the full meltemi that hits Samos. This makes it hard to find any anchorage nearby. Two options, both at a bit of a distance, present themselves:
Port Saint Paul & Saint Nikolo
Ahmetbayli
Amenities
Facilities | |
---|---|
Water | At the marina |
Electricity | At the marina |
Toilets | At the marina |
Showers | At the marina |
Laundry | Excellent laundry service at the Kusadasi Marina |
Garbage | There are bins around the harbor and in the marina |
Supplies | |
Fuel | At the marina |
Bottled gas | ? |
Chandlers | There is a chandlery at the marina |
Services | |
Repairs | The marina does major repairs |
Internet | In internet cafés and at the marina |
Mobile connectivity | Strong 4G signal} |
Vehicle rentals | Several agencies in town |
Transportation
There are daily ferries to Samos and buses to cities in Turkey.
Provisioning
There is a large Migros supermarket in the marina and other general/food stores along the road outside.
Eating out
- Numerous restaurants in the marina and along the main road into town
- Bebop Cafe in the marina is excellent
- Outside, on the road into town, the Mezgit has a deservedly good reputation
- The restaurant of the Paloma Rina Otel is very good and has wonderful views over the marina and bay of Kusadasi
- For Ottoman specialities, the Ayhan Usta overlooking the marina on the east side is a good value choice
- Several upscale restaurants in Sirince
Tourism
Places to Visit
Ephesus
Ephesus is a major and very impressive archaeological site. The city was at one time the second most important in the Roman Empire, after Rome itself, with a population of around 250,000. Its Temple of Artemis (Diana of the Ephesians), now in ruins, was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The site of Ephesus is located about 1/2 hour drive from Kusadasi near Selcuk and is a "must see." It is best to visit early in the morning because in the middle of the day it is extremely hot. Allow several hours for the visit.
Sirince
Sirince is an picturesque former Greek village about 12 km from Ephesus. There many nice restaurants here. The town is famous for its fruit wines.
Didyma
The Temple of Apollo in Didyma is one of the most impressive ancient temples because of its sheer size and state of preservation. So ambitious was its plan (it would have been the ancient world's largest temple) that it was never completed. The temple and its sacred underground spring were the site of a 6th century BC oracle that rivalled Delphi in importance.
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
- Kusadasi at the Wikipedia
- Kusadasi at the Wikivoyage
- Kuşadasi at the Wikipedia
- History of Kusadasi
- Ephesus at the Wikipedia
- Ephesus at the Wikivoyage
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 Kusadasi and this page's details validated:
- July 1999 --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis
- September 2010 --Athene of Lymington 15:56, 29 September 2010 (UTC)
- July 2013 --LifePart2 Life Part: 2
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, LifePart2 |