Full Description & Details
Serce is a long, narrow bay on Turkey's Turquoise Coast, known locally as Shipwreck Koyu for the Byzantine glass wreck found here. The entrance is tight, about 135 m wide, between two steep rock points that are not visible from a distance. The bay is fjord-like, with steep rock sides and deep water: 40 m at the entrance and 30 m in the inlet. After the entrance, the bay narrows to the north, which is Serce proper, while the southern corner is Akca Bay. The hillsides are covered with olive trees, and the water is cool and clean.
Anchoring is in 4 to 8 m of water, with a seabed of sand with seaweed patches. Holding is good or very good to moderate, depending on the bottom. The bay offers all-round shelter, though a strong prevailing wind can push swell into the bay. The water shelves to the shore on the north and drops to 10 m depth in the middle. Local fishing boats occupy the western shore. You can anchor with a line on shore, or use the restaurant's floating moorings if one is free. There are 15 visitor mooring buoys, seasonal, with a maximum length of 18 m.
Ashore in Akca Bay, at the end of a pebble beach, there is a restaurant and buffet in the trees. You can get limited supplies there. The restaurant has floating moorings and will assist with mooring lines, but it is not open every season. A rough track in the valley leads to Fenaket village, 9 km away, and donkey rides are organised to the village. The Byzantine glass wreck artifacts are on display in the Bodrum Museum.
Reefs off the western point extend about 10 m, so care is needed when entering. Mooring buoys are seasonal, and the restaurant moorings are not available every season. The bay is a well-protected anchorage, but the depth and the seasonal nature of the moorings mean you should be ready to anchor. There is no VHF channel listed for the moorings; contact is by phone at +905342735798.
How to get there
Serce bay lies 1.2 km to the NE of Catal Adalari. The narrow entrance, 135 m wide, is between two high humps and is not visible from a distance. When you get closer, you can see the passage between the steep points towards the mainland behind. Care should be taken when entering as there are reefs off the western point that extend out for about 10 m.
There is no VHF channel listed for the anchorage or the moorings; the mooring contact is by phone at +905342735798. A rough track in the valley leads to Fenaket village, 9 km away. The nearest major town is Marmaris, and the anchorage is on the Bodrum to Marmaris route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the depth and holding like at Serce anchorage?
Depth is 4 to 8 m, with a seabed of sand with seaweed patches. Holding is good or very good to moderate, depending on the bottom.
Are there mooring buoys at Serce and how do I contact them?
Yes, there are 15 seasonal visitor mooring buoys with a maximum length of 18 m. Contact is by phone at +905342735798; there is no VHF channel listed.
Is anchoring allowed at Serce bay?
Yes, anchoring is allowed. You can anchor in 5 to 8 m with a line on shore, and the bottom is firm.
What facilities are available ashore at Serce?
There is a restaurant and buffet in the trees at Akca Bay, with limited supplies. The restaurant has floating moorings but is not open every season.
What hazards should I watch for when entering Serce bay?
Reefs off the western point extend about 10 m, and the entrance is narrow and not visible from a distance. The bay offers all-round shelter, but a strong prevailing wind can push swell in.
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