Sailing Calista10 August 2024 – 14 August 2024
We left the anchorage at Gocek and further out in the bay there was some light winds and we managed to furl the sails out for Michael’s benefit as it was his first time of Calista. Approaching the bays we furled in the sails and started the engine so that we could venture into the bays and check them out. As it was peak season most of the bays were crowded with yachts and launches all stern tied to the rocks. We didn’t feel confident trying to squeeze into some of the spots so we continued on in the hope we would find a spot as someone was leaving. Observing the boats this is what happens, you just need to be in the right spot and the right time.
We motored into the far end of Binlik Koyu where there was several empty spaces and dropped anchor near the jetty pontoon and Michael swam the lines to shore. For his first time, he did an excellent job choosing the appropriate rocks and we were very proud of him. It’s great having him onboard as it is saving me from having to swim the lines.
The end of the bay was very calm and sheltered and the water nice and clear. We couldn’t believe the fish life in and around the rocks where we were stern tied and early the next morning after breakfast the boys went snorkling around the end of the bay. They reckon there were more fish life down where we were than in the rest of the bay, probably because of the restaurant on the pier near to us.
Shortly after the boys had got back from their snorking we decided to leave the anchorage and head around to Hanam in the next bay. Michael was still wet from his snorkling and swim earlier so he jumped in and untied the floating lines.
The bay at Hanam was crowed and we dropped anchor out in the middle of the bay and had morning tea. Afterwards we lifted anchor and with light winds we were able to sail to Fethiye.
While we were having our morning tea, we received a message on the Navily App from a fellow sailer Tim who had sent the above drone shot of the bay we had been in overnight to our email address and wondered if we were still there, as we might like to have the photo he had taken. It was a lovely gesture and we replied with thanks. Turns out on closer look at the photo, we could actually make out the boys snorkling on the opposite side of the bay to where Calista is marked with the arrow..
We arrived into the anchorage of Fethiye and anchored out in the large bay. Most of the other cruisers were anchoring further over closer to the town quay. With a muddy bottom the anchor held exceptionally well, and with good all round protection the anchorage would be ideal for anchoring in rough weather.
That evening we dingied a short distance over to one of the marinas and dined at a restuarant called Yengee. As it had been a hot day of 36 degrees we requested a table under cover where it was a little cooler. The boys had steak and I had some yummy prawns.
The next day we decided we would go ashore and check out the Amyntas Rock Tombs. You could see them high up on the hill above the town as we were approaching Fethiye.
It was still early in the morning and the tourist boats hadn’t yet departed so there wasn’t alot of room for leaving the tender. We continued on past the tourist boats to where the smaller fishing boats were and we found a spot to leave the dingy.
There was a lovely wide promenade around the waterfront with a cycle way running through the middle.
We set off on foot in the general direction of where the tombs were. The boys were debating which direction to go, so Paul got out google maps on the phone and we followed the directions.
After 15 minutes of walking mostly on the flat then the last part up hill we arrived at the entrance. The entry fee to enter the fenced off site was 3.00 euro each.
We chose the early morning to visit the site knowing that the site would mostly be in shade before the sun got higher and the would come over the hill making it unbearably hot. There were quite a few steps to climb up to where the tomb was, and we were greatful for the shade.
The Tomb of Amyntas also known as the Fethiye Tomb is an ancient Lycian rock-hewn tomb and dated back to the 4th century. It is one of the most spectacular tombs in Turkey.
From the top you got a great view of the bay and the town of Fethiye below..
Zoomed in to the anchorage we could see Calista in the distance.
The boys couldn’t resist themselves from clambering over rock ledges to take a closer look at some of the other tombs.
We had a easy downhill walk back into town and didn’t require ringing for a taxi. We stopped at the local Carrefour supermarket where Michael bought some pastries for our morning tea/lunch, then we went back to Calista.
We motored out of Fethiye Bay and past the small island Fethiye Adasi then out into open waters where we encountered white caps coming from the direction we were wanting to head. It was uncomfortable sailing so we changed our minds, furling in the sails and motored towards the headland, which would be sheltered from the winds.
As soon as we approached closer to the headland it was lovely and calm. We motored along the bay of Sahin and eventually found a spot where we could stern tie to the rocks.
Not too far from us our neighbour “Gaja” stayed for the night. She is a 70 m motor yacht with an aluminium hull and superstructure, built in the Netherlands by Heesen Yachts. It can accommodate 12 guests with 16 crew on board. In the evening we saw crew setting up the outdoor movie screen on the foredeck for the younger children.
Even though we couldn’t see the movie displayed on the screen, the sound system made up for it, and I’m sure everyone in the bay could hear the movie
We left shortly after breakfast the following morning as we had a long day ahead of us, as we were heading to Kas some 45 nm away. At one point we were sailing along with our main and genoa out and noticed another yacht coming up behind and that they were catching us. This wasn’t on – this was now a race …
With the light winds from behind Paul decided to get the downwind sail out and show Michael how it performs. Between the two of them they rigged the downwind sail and the other yacht overtook us while they were busy rigging the sail. Once rigged, it wasn’t long before we gained ground on them again and with the increased sail area we had the edge and we soon overtook them and left them far behind. Paul had a big smile on his face.
During our sail we received a message on the Navily App from Justin on the yacht “Times Like These” commenting on the sail and congratulating us, and he said they had some photos to share. (See above)
After a couple of hours of sailing along the wind dropped and we had to start the engine and furl in the downwind sail. It was nice while it lasted.
We arrived late afternoon in Kas and motored down to where the marina is, dropping anchor in the anchorage just outside the Marina. There were quite a few charter yachts which went into the marina. A few months ago we enquired here about the price of a berth and were quoted over $300.00 NZ dollars/night, hence anchoring out instead.
We decided to go into the marina for dinner at one of the restaurants. We set off in the dingy to go into the marina but there was no where to disembark, the foreshore was lined by a wall of rocks and the pontoon gates locked.
We motored around to a large open area nearby and tied up against the wall. It wasn’t long before security approached us and asked what we were doing. Explaining we wanted to go to dinner in the marina they let us through and said we weren’t allowed to leave the marina to walk up into town.
The food and service was great and we enjoyed some amazing kebabs
Plenty of kebabs to choose from, though no pork as they don’t eat pork in Turkey.
After a beautiful day of 36 degrees there was a lovely sunset over the marina as we headed back to Calista.
Leaving the next morning we motored around the corner into the wider part of the bay of Kas so we could have a swim.
We dropped anchor in 24 metres instead of grabbing one of the bouys as we weren’t going to be staying for long. Michael went for a snorkle to see if he could see the shipwreck. Meanwhile we stayed on the boat and had a swim in the lovely 29.6 degrees water. Michael didn’t see the wreck as it was too deep but saw some fish.
After our refreshing swims we left the anchorage to head East to the Kekova Islands.
