Tasucu / Mersin / Turkey

Tasucu is a small port near Silifke looking out on to the Mediterranean Sea which opens up the gateway to Northern Turkish Cyprus with frequent ferries running to and fro on a daily basis. The small town of Tasucu has a mediterranean feel about it with whitewashed houses and cobbled streets. The beach lends itself to kitesurfing and windsurfing for all levels and abilities. The season runs from April to October although some off season surfing is possible.

The beach is long and sandy to the south of Tasucu. There are not many people here and it is ideal for launching and landing a kite safely. There is a smaller beach at the harbor, downtown, but the wind is not so good here and there are some electricity cables nearby. The beach is never crowded with holiday makers, even in the height of summer, so any time is a good time. You can find this spot about 45 minutes from Mersin, on the road to Antalya and Alanya.

The winds blow mainly from the south east, south southeast and south and these are some of the best directions for the spot. Westerlies, although less frequent, also work well here. The thermals kick in during the summer months and begin to blow around 1-2 pm right through until sunset, often reaching strengths of 18 knots. The best months are May to September for the thermals. The water is crystal clear, choppy and tide independent. The summers are hot here and you can get by with just a pair of shorts, but come the winter months and you will definitely need a full wetsuit.

There is not much here at the beach apart from a couple of bars where you can grab a bite to eat. Tasucu itself has all the amenities that you should need, including a supermarket near to the harbor and a choice of hotels. Nightlife is limited to Turkish style bars. If you fancy exploring the area, there are some superb ruins and archaeological sites all around Tasucu.

The area is pretty safe here so just observe normal safety procedures.