Ayvalik

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Revision as of 22:03, 3 January 2012

Ayvalik (Port of entry)

(Click links for more information)
	39°19′N, 26°41.3′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Ayvalik (Αϊβαλί) is situated in an almost land locked lagoon formed by the heavily wooded mainland and the rather bare Alibey Adasi (Moschonisi - Μοσχονήσι). Ayvalik, like a lot of the towns and villages of the Asia Minor Aegean coast, used to be a Greek town until 1923 when the great population exchange between Greece and Turkey took place. It was called Aivali. The name is Turkish and means a place with quinces. It was inhabited in Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine times but only few remains of those times have been found.

Piri Reis Map of Lesvos and Ayvalik
Click for larger view

The modern town was founded around 1580 by a few Greek fishermen looking for a place safe from the Maltese and Barbary pirates. The area was fist mentioned in modern times by the famous 16th century Ottoman admiral Piri Reis in his book Kitab-i-Bahriye. The inhabitants of both Ayvalik and Alibey became very skilled seamen, trading with Romania in the Black Sea, and the region was quite prosperous until the Greek war of independence in 1821. It was then destroyed in retaliation by the Ottomans and the inhabitants fled to the islands of Psara and Aegina. Following the war many of the inhabitants returned and rebuilt the town. Alibey became a shipbuilding center for traditional caiques.

The well known Modern Greek historian, painter, restorer of Byzantine icons, and writer, Photis Kontoglou, was born in Ayvalik. He wrote an extensive history of the region. In 1923, following the tragic Greek-Turkish War the Greek inhabitants were exchanged with Turkish inhabitants from Crete and Macedonia. The present town has 30,000 inhabitants and it is rather pleasant because it is off the usual tourist track.

Charts

Chart of the Ayvalik Region
Click for larger view

BA

1087 Kólpos Petalión to Edremit Körfezi

1665 Nisos Lesvos and Çandarli Korfezi to Baba Burnu Ayvalik

Imray-Tetra

G2 Aegean Sea (North)

NIMA

54382 Nisos Lesvos and Western Coast of Turkey

Turkey

2145 Edremit Körfezi

Greek

332 Lesvos Island

Radio Nets

Also see Cruiser's Nets

Submit details of local radio Nets.

Local Weather

See Turkey.

Approach and Navigation

Approaching the Ayvalik from the west is not hard as the channel between the mainland and Alibey Adasi (island) is well marked, albeit without conforming any international standards. Stay in the middle of the channel and transit it by day.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

If you are entering or exiting Turkey in Ayvalik, it is best to let the marina handle the formalities. Part of the marina fee covers the service of doing all the leg work for obtaining a transit log. Please note, that US passports need a visa which in 1998 cost $45. EU citizens do not require a visa. Both visa and transit log fees are expected to be paid in foreign currency i.e. USD or €.

There are many anchorages in the area but only two harbors Ayvalik and Alibey. Yachts are not allowed in the fishing harbor of Ayvalik but should go to the marina.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Ayvalik Marina (Port of Entry)

Anchorages

Patricia Liman

39°22.5′N, 26°37.8′E - Chartlet
This is a large bay on the NE of Alibey Adasi, also known as Gokçeliman. It provides good shelter.

Kumru Köyu

39°17.8′N, 26°38.4′E - Chartlet
A totally landlocked and very attractive anchorage.

Camic Köyu

39°17.4′N, 26°39.6′E - Chartlet
A landlocked anchorage in the dramatic setting of Çanak Tepe, "The Devil's Table".

Offshore Islands

Alibey

Alibey waterfront
Click for larger view

39°19.8′N, 26°39.5′E - Chartlet
A harbor on the north side of 'The Lake' of Ayvalik on Alibey Adasi (island). The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway and is the site of an old Greek village, now a tourist resort. There are several laid moorings with orange pickup buoys on the quay to the north side of the harbour, one or more of which is usually available to visitors (although an early arrival is advisable, especially in unsettled weather). Electricity can be connected and water is available if needed. Typical cost per night for 13m yacht: YTL 50. Avoid expensive restaurants on waterfront and seek out better value in backstreets.

Maden Adasi

Sunset at Poroselene
Click for larger view

39°22.6′N, 26°35.6′E - Chartlet
Maden Adasi the Greek Poroselene is a small uninhabited island with a lovely cove. Anchor over sand in 5 m. Good protection from the meltemi.

Ciplak Adasi

39°16.8′N, 26°35.6′E - Chartlet
Near the entrance to the Ayvalik Channel is Ciplak Adasi. It is a pleasant place for a lunch stop.

Moska Adasi

39°20.1′N, 26°36.9′E - Chartlet
The anchorage is at the southern end of the channel between Moska or Mosko Adasi and Alibey Adasi. It is good shelter from the southerlies.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

At the marina.

Repairs/Yards

Some basic repairs can be done at the marina.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

Available at the marina fuel dock

Water

At the docks in the marina

Electricity

At the docks in the marina (220v)

At Alibey

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The Fruit Market in Ayvalik
Click for larger view

Ayvalik is delightful little town with many small shops and interesting restaurants.

The important archaeological site of Pergamon is about an hour by car and is well worth a visit, as it is one of the largest and best preserved sites in Turkey.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Many fruits and vegetables in the shops and open markets in Ayvalik

Eateries

• There are many inviting restaurants in town

=Internet/WiFi

In the marina and at Internet cafés.

Laundry

There are token operated machines at the marina.

Banks

There are several banks with ATM machines in town. But, not all of the banks will change foreign money.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

The marina can make arrangements.

Garbage Disposal

There are bins around the harbor and in the marina .

Transportation

There are occasional ferries to Lesvos. Regular flights to/from Izmir.

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 partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

• Ayvalik (Wikipedia)

References & Publications

See Turkey.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

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 09:28, 12 September 2009 (UTC)

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