The marina construction boom in Turkey has now brought the pretty little town of Datca a modern facility a little further south, in addition to the busy town harbour. It will have around 400 berths and - as is customary in Turkey - offer all yacht-related services, as well as a swimming pool, restaurants, bars and much more. Dredging work is currently underway for the large breakwater, which will protect the harbour from the strong southerly gales in winter and the resulting swell.
This is precisely why the facility is a welcome alternative to the city harbour for sailors, which can only be used in the western, poorly protected part facing south. The remaining spaces are occupied by boats and gulets belonging to the locals and the coastguard. Although it is a short walk from the new harbour along the coast to the old town, the diversions can be worthwhile, at least in the high season: In the town harbour, a disco sometimes plays music at the moorings until late into the night.
Commissioning is not expected before 2014, Pictures of the excavation work can be found on the website of YACHT Turkey correspondent Udo Hinnerkopf.
Andreas Fritsch
Editor Travel
