Turkey charter

[Roger52]

We are chartering a yacht for the first week of June from Sunscape leaving from Marti Marina at Keci Buku. Having looked at charts/pilot book etc we have in mind the following destinations, Dirsek, Panormitis, Bozuk Buku (Loryma), Bozburun, and Kocabahce. There are other options but these seem to offer a reasonable mix and places to get provisions. Any comments etc on these or other suitable places would be welcomed. We prefer to anchor/line ashore.
Is there any problem going to the Island of Simi from Turkey and back to Turkey?
I am aware of the need for the transit log and understand that it has to be completed at the outset with crew details and intended destinations but not clear what happens when you change your mind and go elsewhere. The pilot book says changes must be authorised by the harbour master at the time of the change. How does this work in practice or do they not bother with charter boats?

 

[mjcoon]

...
Is there any problem going to the Island of Simi from Turkey and back to Turkey? ...

I think you'd be best abiding by whatever your charter company stipulates on that aspect. They'll be miffed if the yacht gets impounded and may take it out on you!

Mike.

 

[Whiskey Bravo]

I think you'd be best abiding by whatever your charter company stipulates on that aspect. They'll be miffed if the yacht gets impounded and may take it out on you!

Mike.

+1. We were told on no account even anchor off Simi. Been to most of the other spots which were fine.

 

[PeterR]

Is there any problem going to the Island of Simi from Turkey and back to Turkey?
I am aware of the need for the transit log and understand that it has to be completed at the outset with crew details and intended destinations but not clear what happens when you change your mind and go elsewhere. The pilot book says changes must be authorised by the harbour master at the time of the change. How does this work in practice or do they not bother with charter boats?

We have chartered with Sunsail in the area on and off for about 15 years. The first time we were advised at the Sunsail briefing of a convoluted process of getting to Simi which involved phoning up someone when close to the island who came out by boat to meet us and disappeared with our passports which were processed by a mate in the Greek police without putting a Greek stamp in. (Getting a Greek entry stamp without a Turkish exit stamp carried dire consequences) Despite the highly dubious nature of all this the process worked as advertised and cost nothing provided we ate at a relatives cafe.

We have been back to Simi twice since (the last time three years ago) each time with the same briefing. Namely, visiting is still not officially sanctioned but the reps had never heard of any trouble from either Greek or Turkish officials. However, none of the charter fleets had ever been there. We did not seek out the Greek authorities and they did not seek us out although it was clearly evident that all the charter boats in the harbour were from Turkey.

We did have one fright as we headed over there. A Greek frigate was cruising slowly down the coast of Simi and suddenly a Turkish gunboat came charging towards us at 30 knots plus. We had already put up the Greek courtesy flag and after rapidly consulting the plotter replaced it with the Turkish one. He passed our stern at about 3 boat lengths but was much more interested in making his presence known to the frigate than to us.

You do have to get a cruising permit which used to be free but now costs about 85 euros. That does not require any details of destinations but only covers voyages within Turkish waters. The full formal procedure for going to Greek harbours is so laborious and expensive it is not really on for a charter. If your agent advises against going it would be foolish to try. More likely will get the same sort of brief as we did, i.e. there have not been any problems in recent times but on your own head be it.

 

[Roger52]

Thanks for the replies to date, sounds like Simi may not be a good idea but there any plenty of alternatives. Any thoughts on the planned destinations or better options would be appreciated. We can't wait for a week's decent sailing in the sunshine.

 

[Norman_E]

To go to Simi legally you have to check out of Turkey, which can be done at either Bozburun or Datca. Once in Simi you need to have a Greek cruising log and crew-list. You have to go to the Harbourmaster on one side of the harbour, then to the port police on the other side. Check out is the reverse. You then have to check back in to Turkey and buy a new Cruising log. For an overnight trip it really is not worth the hassle, even if your charter company allow it.

My advice is to be totally flexible about your itinerary. Your cruising log provided by the charter company will cover a suitable area and you do not have to enter your itinerary on it. Check the weather forecasts to give yourself a nice sail, and recognise that all the places on the Turkish coast are nice. In addition to your list, Selimiye, Sailors Paradise (the bay east of Dirsek) the narrow inlet at Pencik on the north side of Hisaronu Korfesi, Sogut (south of Bozburun) are all nice places. You might even want to venture as far as Palamut though you may well find that you face a headwind getting there.

Though you prefer to anchor I do suggest that on a holiday you sample some of the nice restaurants locally, many of which have jetties. I recommend the Octopus at Sogut, for a quality experience and the best showers ashore, but there are plenty of others for you to find. When you get your boat, try to get a copy of The Bay Express, which is a good guide to bay restaurants, published annually, hopefully the charter company will have a copy.

 

[mjcoon]

Though you prefer to anchor I do suggest that on a holiday you sample some of the nice restaurants locally, many of which have jetties. I recommend the Octopus at Sogut, for a quality experience and the best showers ashore, but there are plenty of others for you to find. When you get your boat, try to get a copy of The Bay Express, which is a good guide to bay restaurants, published annually, hopefully the charter company will have a copy.

+1 for Octopus at Söğüt; also has WiFi. If you take a short walk up the road that leads from there directly inland you might speculate (or ask) what this feature is: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/61204290

Mike.

 

[Norman_E]

+1 for Octopus at Söğüt; also has WiFi. If you take a short walk up the road that leads from there directly inland you might speculate (or ask) what this feature is: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/61204290

Mike.

It was built years ago, and about 2 years back it was up for sale. The story I heard is that someone walled the plot, intending to put up a hotel, but did not have permission. He did build some things including a little "house" at the back of the plot that had squatters living in it last time I looked, and what appears to be an outdoor bar area.

 

[maxy]

Norman is quite right with his information. We operate out of Orhaniye and allow our yachts to visit Greece. Personally I like Symi, but don't think it's worth the hassle of checking in and out. You will need a DEKPA (last cost we had was €30) although recent reports are saying they require you to go to Rhodes to get one (an even bigger difficulty getting in the harbour these days). Last week we heard both the Port Police and Immigration Police (on either side of the harbour) are each charging €15 and are on the quayside waiting for you, but we have not been able to confirm this yet. I wouldn't worry about checking in if you are only going to Panormitis. Make sure you have provisions as the only restaurant was still not open in early July last year.

Ignore the pilot books, you do not need to pre-declare where you will visit.

Your sailing route chooses nice places but not a great deal of distance. If you wish to sail in slightly more wind, you could consider, Datca (seaside town, busy but some very good restaurants e.g. Culinarium) Palamut (either Limon restaurant or even better Le jardin du Semra on the east side of the harbour) Closer to Orhaniye is Selimiye, a lovely peaceful Turkish holiday village. The Cheesy Beef dish at Aurora restaurant is one of the best anywhere in the area. Octopus at Sogut is the most highly rated restaurant with our clients, although the Captain's Table is all good. There are many to choose from in Bozburun, but if you want proper coffee try Osman's restaurant where you'll meet Scottish Lynn.

Absolutely get a copy of the Bay Express available in most restaurants around the area or download their excellent iPad app. It's not cheap but it is 600mb and full of fantastic photos.

Most important is just come and enjoy the area, we've sailed almost all the Med and overall it's still our favourite place.