Sailing CalistaEmecik – 11 July 2024 to 17 July 2024
We left the vibrant anchorage of Datca and had a lovely sail over to Emecik. Emecik was declared a tourism region in 1970. 500 years ago, when the Spanish pirates were passing through Datca, they left the leprosy patients in their ship on the Emecik coast and the leprosy patients who were left to die were healed thanks to the clear air and water of the region.
After a pleasant one hour sail we arrived over in the beautiful bay of Emecik dropping into the anchorage behind Tipheret.
There was just the two of us in the anchorage and we had the bay to ourselves. The water was so turquoise blue and clear.
Lots of sun umbrellas and loungers were spread along on the beach. There were lots of apartments behind the beach front and built up into the hills. Unfortunately the anchorage was very exposed when we visited and with an incoming swell it was rather rolly so we didn’t venture ashore to explore.
Paul and Uli went snorkeling around the rocks the following morning before we lifted anchor and sailed down and across to the other side of the gulf to Orhaniye Bay where it would be more protected.
Orhaniye Bay – 12 July to 15 July 2024
We anchored in 10 metres adjacent to a small island in the bay with the remnants of castle ruins on the top and spent a couple of days in the very protected and calm anchorage of Orhaniye located in the Hisaronu Gulf surrounded by hills of pine trees.
It was a very pretty anchorage and reminded us of Kawau Island, back home in New Zealand.
Friends Tony & Dee who we had met last year up in the Sporades, arrived into the anchorage and we caught up with them over drinks on board their boat Rahopara before we all headed ashore in the dingy for dinner at Kasa Restaurant.
We dingied ashore one morning to check out the small town before it got too hot.
The famous Jesus Beach is visited by crowds each day so we checked it out early in the morning, a natural wonder with a sandy wall rising from underwater dividing the gulf into two deeper parts. The shelf spreads over 600 metres long and 2-3 metres wide where you can walk in less than knee deep water.
There were a number of holiday bungalows set amongst the trees.
With it being morning, much of the walk way was in shade and it was pleasant to stroll under the tree canopy.
The staff were busy preparing the beaches in readiness for the crowds to swarm in and take advantage of the sun loungers.
I couldn’t resist a swing with Calista in the background … In the day time I imagine it would be popular with the children.
I could see myself relaxing here for a few hours with a good book.
On our way out of Orhaniye Koyu we stopped at the fuel dock to fill up our diesel tank, as Turkey is known for it’s cheaper fuel, than nearby Greece, however still not as cheap as back home in New Zealand.
We took on 215 litres @ 46.39 TL/litre before motoring around to the next bay of Selimiye.
Tipheret had left the anchorage before us and went in search of a bay with a little more breeze as they were feeling the heat and wanted somewhere cooler.
Selimiye – 15 July 2024 to 17 July 2024
We cruised around the rather large and deep bay bay looking for somewhere shallow enough to drop anchor and dropped anchor in 20 metres in front of a resort with a swimming area.
We had our morning coffee then lifted anchor and cruised on over to the anchorage near the marina/town quay.
We anchored in about 26 metres depth with 86 metres of chain out, the deepest we have anchored in before. The water was so blue and was a delight to swim in, even if was 30.6 degrees.
We met fellow New Zealander’s who were anchored nearby. Bruce and Sue from “Contempo” and Steve from “Silver Sea”.
We went for a bit of a dingy trip around the foreshore before heading into the town quay to explore the small town.
We seemed to keep bumping into Bruce’s family as we walked around town and stopping off at the same places while out shopping.
We visited several of the grocery shops to stock up on fresh produce and there was good selection. We also bought several varieties of pastries from the bakery fresh out of the oven, delicious.
The next day after Contempo and Silver Sea had already left the anchorage our friends Tony & Dee came into the anchorage and we were invited aboard their boat for dinner. We enjoyed a lovely evening together and a delicious homemade Moussaka. They shared some of their favourite anchorages with us which will come in handy when we head further south in the coming days.
With the water so deep right up to the shore, the boats are able to be moored at the properties.
We couldn’t resist a berry sorbet icecream in 35 degrees heat … having it in a cup lasts longer than being in a cone and melting down your fingers and getting in a sticky mess.
We enjoyed our time in Selimiye but thought it was time to move on to another anchorage which had been recommended by Tony & Dee which would be ideal while there wasn’t the wind coming from the north direction.
Goodbye Selimiye, we loved our time here.
