Eskifoca Region

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Revision as of 15:08, 22 May 2010

Eskifoça Region

(Click links for more information)
	38°40′N, 26°45′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Fewer cruiser visit this region, NE of Chios and SE of Lesvos, of than the more popular cruising grounds on the south. Yet, the small harbor of Eskifoça and the several coves of Bademli are delightful.

Charts

Chart of Eskifoça Region
Click for larger view

BA

1665 Nisos Lesvos and Çandarli Korfezi to Baba Burnu

Imray-Tetra

G2 Aegean Sea (North)

G23 Eastern Sporades

NIMA

54382 Nisos Lesvos and Western Coast of Turkey

Turkey

2147 Çandarlı Körfezi

Greek

332 Lesvos Island

Radio Nets

Also see Cruiser's Nets

Submit details of local radio Nets.

Local Weather

The summer meltemi here blows from the NE but it is less strong than in the Central Aegean. In the winter months winds can come from either northerly or southerly directions.

See also Turkey.

Approach and Navigation

Approaches are straightforward without dangers.

Check-in facilities

None.

Offshore Islands and Groups

None.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Ports and Popular Stops

Eskifoça

Chart of Eskifoça - Chartlet
Click for larger view

GPS: 38°40′N, 26°45′E
Eskifoça is the ancient Φώκαια - Phocaea. It is believed to have been founded by colonists from Erythrea and Teos in the 8th century BC. Phocaea soon became an important trading center and its fifty-oared galleys roamed from the Black Sea to the Western Mediterranean. The Phocaeans were great navigators and founded many colonies in the Black Sea, the Bosphorus, Italy, and further west. They were the founders, among others, of Massalia (modern Marseilles in France), Tartessus (near Cadiz in Spain), Alalia in Corsica and Velia in Italy.

Phocaea was taken by the Persians from whom they were liberated by Alexander the Great. In the Hellenistic times they sided with the Seleucids against the Romans who captured and looted their city in 190 BC. During the Byzantine era the city declined although it was the see of a bishop. In the Middle Ages Phocaea was occupied by the Genoese who mined alum, used as a dye in the tanning business. Finally the city was captured by the Ottomans in 1455.

Today the town is a very attractive resort full of restaurants and a good market. The small bay of Eskifoça (Büyükdeniz) is operated like a marina. Most of the moorings to the east of the fishing boats are, however, occupied by local and tripper boats and it is usually difficult to get a berth on the quay. Three new piers, however, are being constructed on the west side of the bay under the headland (next to the lighthouse). Local boats have already moved in on laid moorings on the innermost pier and it is to be hoped that moorings will be available on the other piers soon. Otherwise, go alongside or anchor moor on one of the piers or anchor just east of the innermost pier, where the depths are 5-7 meters and the holding good. Depths in the rest of the harbour are 12-15 meters and the holding less certain.

The smaller harbor to the north of the town, Küçükdeniz, is full of fishing boats and is not an option.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• July 1999 --Istioploos
• September 2009 --Atheneoflymington 08:55, 12 September 2009 (UTC)

Eskifoça

Fishing harbour Click for larger view

The Harbor Click for larger view

Anchorages

Bademli Liman

Chart of Bademli Liman
Click for larger view

GPS: 39°40′N, 26°48′E
Bedemli Liman is one of the most beautiful anchorages in the Aegean Turkey. It is relative isolated and the water is crystal clear blue-green and it is very well sheltered from the meltemi. All of these plus the hamam (hot spring house) on the E shore. What more can a sailor ask?

There are three anchoring possibilities:

1. On the South between the mainland and the large island. Anchor in 3-6 m on a patch of sand. Good all around shelter.
2. On the South between the two islands. Anchor in 2-4 m on sand.
3. On the North inside the cove. Anchor W of the small breakwater in 4-10 m over mud.

NOTE: When the prevailing northerly winds exceed force 4/5, a strong land breeze sets in from the east during the late evening, often persisting until dawn. Gusts of 20-25 knots are not unusual. Ensure your anchor is well in and set for this wind if staying overnight in these conditions.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• July 1999 --Istioploos
• September 2009 --Atheneoflymington 08:59, 12 September 2009 (UTC)

The Anchorage Click for larger view	Bademli South Click for larger view
The Hamam Click for larger view	Sunset in Bademli Click for larger view

Çandarli

Chart of Çandarli - Chartlet
Click for larger view

GPS: 38°56′N, 26°55.8′E
Çandarli is a fairly attractive anchorage in a small village. It provides fairly goos shelter from the meltemi.

The small harbor W of the castle is not really usable. Anchor on the bay E of the castle in 4-6 m. The bottom is mud and provides very good holding.

Note: A visit in September 2007 actually proved the holding very poor. After six attempts with a 30kg Delta anchor in force 5 winds, we abandoned the anchorage in favour of Akce Limani. The mud at Candarli is soft and plough anchors seem to pull straight through it. (Athene of Lymington)

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• June 1993 --Istioploos
• September 2007 --Atheneoflymington 14:40, 26 June 2009 (UTC)

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

None.

Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

There is pump on the quay in Eskifoça but it is not always operating. Ask the "marina" attendant to arrange for fuel delivery by a truck

Water

On the quay in Eskifoça

Electricity

On the quay in Eskifoça

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

List places of interest, tours, etc.

Eateries

• There are many restaurants on the waterfront and on the main street in Eskifoça
• There is at least one restaurant on the beech of Çandarli that serves adequate food

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Good shopping in the open market in Eskifoça

Internet/WiFi

• Internet Café in Eskifoça

Laundry

?

Motorbike & Car Rentals

?

Garbage Disposal

There are bins around the harbor and in some anchorages.

Transportation

Long taxi drive to Ayvalik

Routes/Passages To/From

See Aegean_Sea.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on the Cruiser Log Forum

External Links

• Eskifoça (Wikipedia)

References & Publications

See Turkey.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

See individual ports in this page.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

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