--- title: Kefken Island slug: kefken-island-66f1b url: /detay/kefken-island-66f1b type: article language: English entity: primary: Kefken Island type: article disambiguation: Explore Kefken Island, Turkey's unique Black Sea gem! Rich history, stunning nature. categories: - name: Travel And Tourism slug: seyahat-ve-turizm url: /kategori/seyahat-ve-turizm tags: - Kefken Island - Historical Significance - Natural Beauty - Black Sea - Tourism author: Murat Şen created_at: 2025-09-10T11:17:02.649203+03:00 updated_at: 2025-09-16T10:53:14.255463+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/09/10/3dfgqBuT3hmtQE2I11pgyFfzbGvFPn3h.jpg --- # Kefken Island ## KURE Information Cards ![7b3b4530-218f-4147-86ca-6e71dbeac69a.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/09/10/u6FXIaAlHJriEJYA9CCRfCSTjaZZaVyv.jpg) *Kefken Island* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Area(s)(Text) | 110 square kilometers | | Location | Kocaeli / Türkiye | | Historical Period(s) | Hellenistic Roman Byzantine and Ottoman | | Historical Structures | Castle ruins and walls Harbor Stone quarry | | Sea | Black Sea | ## Article Content **Kefken Island** is the only island in the [Black Sea](/en/detay/sea-of-marmara-f9404/llms.txt) with human settlement, located off the coast of [Kefken](/en/detay/kerpe-13a5e/llms.txt) town in the [Kandıra](/en/detay/karamursel-district-3f1de/llms.txt) district of [Kocaeli](/en/detay/kocaeli-province-61bc9/llms.txt), Türkiye. The island, which covers an area of approximately 110,000 square meters (52 acres), is protected as a **first-degree natural and historical conservation site** due to its natural and historical significance. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/09/10/EcZFEQYsFgktLms0JIyX2UrgFvnUvwYO.jpg) *Kefken Island - (Kültür Portalı)* ### **Geography and Natural Features** [Kefken Island](/en/detay/kefken-adasi-ed6a7/llms.txt) is situated about 0.8 km from Kandıra, right in front of the steep cliffs along the Black Sea coast. There is a large fishing shelter on its western side. The island can be reached by boats from Cebeci in about 8–10 minutes. Surrounded by shallow waters, it is a popular spot for amateur underwater fishing, especially for sea bass and mullet using spearguns. The nearby coastlines also feature natural beaches and coves, such as Kapri and Midye coves. ### **History** Kefken and its island have been inhabited since the **Epi-Paleolithic Age**. The region has been under the rule of many civilizations throughout history: - **Bithynians**: They named the region “Tynias” and left behind traces of Hellenistic culture. - **Roman Period**: The region came under Roman control in 74 BC and the island was known as “Apollonia.” - **Byzantine Period**: Known as “Daphnousia” or “Thallusa,” the island became a bishopric center under the Byzantine Empire in the 1200s. - **Genoese Period**: The island, an important colony in the Black Sea, was referred to as “Finogonya.” The Genoese built castles and walls on the island and strengthened the harbor for trade. - **Ottoman Period**: From the 16th century, the island came under Ottoman rule and became part of the Kandıra district. The Ottoman Empire used Kefken Harbor to supply timber and ship materials for the Imperial Shipyard (Tersane-i Amire), and shipbuilding activities were carried out on the island. Military supervision in the area was also increased during this period ### **Cultural and Architectural Heritage** The island hosts architectural remains from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, including walls and nearly 40 ancient water wells. The ruins of a castle built by the Genoese attract many visitors. There are also cultural artifacts and remnants of a stone quarry from the Ottoman era. Shipyard activities that continued in the Kandıra and Kefken region until the 19th century further emphasized the area's maritime significance. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/09/10/qBpgU4FOH6fNnaUGoPVDG8dI7S8jc0Ag.jpg) *Kefken Island - (Kültür Portalı)* ### **Kefken Island and Surroundings Today** Although Kefken Island is still used for coastal safety operations, it is expected to open to tourism. Currently, the only residents are a family engaged in fishing, living in a house inherited from their ancestors, and officials from the General Directorate of Coastal Safety and Ship Rescue Operations who staff a maritime control center on the island. Kefken and its surroundings are among Türkiye’s notable tourist destinations, thanks to their natural beauty, famous **Pink Rocks (Pembe Kayalar)**, coves, and rich pine forests. The area draws nature photographers, amateur anglers, and nature lovers alike with its pristine environment and historical ruins. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/09/10/PgR2xMvJcRERg9iWYx24rbdT16YAixE9.jpg) *Kefken Island - (Kültür Portalı)* ### **Transportation** Kefken Island is 18 km from Kandıra, 55 km from [Sakarya](/en/detay/sakarya-province-e985a/llms.txt), 64 km from İzmit, and approximately 165 km from Istanbul. It can be reached by road or via sea transport through the Black Sea. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Anadolu Ajansı, “Tarihi ‘Kefken Adası’ Turizme Açılmayı Bekliyor,” Anadolu Ajansı, 3 Ekim 2016. Erişim tarihi: 26 Ağustos 2025, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kultur-sanat/tarihi-kefken-adasi-turizme-acilmayi-bekliyor/657157“Kefken Adası,” Kültür Portalı. Erişim tarihi: 26 Ağustos 2025, https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/kocaeli/gezilecekyer/kefken-adasi“Kefken,” Kocaeli Ansiklopedisi. Erişim Tarihi: 26 Ağustos 2025, https://www.kocaeliansiklopedisi.com/Default/MaddeDetay/875