Description of the attraction
The northern coast of Gokova Bay stretches for about 44 miles from the resort of Bodrum in the west to the town of Gokov in the east. It is in this picturesque bay that Black Island, famous for its hot springs, or as it is also called "Kara Ada", is located. This long and tall island is two miles from Bodrum and stretches southeast along the coast. Although the island is called "kara" (black), it is densely vegetated and looks quite green. The slopes of the mountain, the height of which reaches 400 meters in some places, is covered with a beautiful and fragrant pine forest.
Numerous cruise yachts stop at the caves with healing hot springs, of which there are quite a few on the island. There is a belief that the healing mud of this particular area owes its long youth and beauty to the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. Therefore, almost all women who come to this island must apply this "healing ointment" to their bodies. After taking a mud bath, you can rinse in the bubbling mineral springs, and after leaving the cave you should swim in the crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea. The warm mineral waters of the springs flow down from the cliffs and are ideal for swimming. They are said to even change color.
There are three anchorages on the island. The first of them is Mud Bay. It lies on the northern side of the island and locals often take tourists here on boats, who are happy to inspect and experience on their own skin the mud and mineral springs located here. In the bay there is a building of an old hydropathic institute, opposite which, in calm weather, you can anchor and then go down to the springs by boat. The local mud is believed to relieve sciatica and arthritis pain and is very nourishing for the skin. Many cosmetic companies prepare their preparations on the basis of these beneficial muds.
The middle bay is located on the southern coast of the island, two-thirds of the way from its western edge. The bay is very quiet, so you can anchor off the coast anywhere. True, there are times when very strong gusts of wind come here.
The final bay is located in the southeast of the Black Island, opposite the small island of Yassikaya. It is even better suited for parking than the previous one. On the eastern side of the bay, wind gusts are noticeably weaker, so it is there that it is better to anchor.
Behind the Black Island, at a distance of 45 minutes from Bodrum, there is another bay. The wind is constantly blowing in this bay, which is very refreshing in hot summer. It is an excellent diving site for both experienced and novice divers. Rock formations begin at a depth of five meters and go down to twenty meters. Starfish, moray eels, orphos, octopus and many other beautiful small fish are sure to meet on your way. You can even find fragments of antique amphorae here.
On the Black Island you can stay for a few days - there is a small hotel and a restaurant.
