One of the best to see with children Sedir Island in Marmaris

the beach of the famous Cleopatra Island

Cleopatra Island is a heaven on earth!!!
Sea, sand, ancient ruins of Greek time, the smell of olive trees, the sun and of course the feelings that make you are in a place that is heaven :))

They say, Cleopatra and Antonius had lived a tremendous love on this island.
So that Antonius did whatever to please the very beloved Cleopatra, the famous queen of ancient Egypt. He obtained the wonderful sand of Red Sea and 60 ships transferred it over to Sedir Island. This was to adjust the comfort of Cleopatra in this lovely turquise colored water.

the lounge behind the beach

The sand that made the island very famous nowadays. This is not similar with the one that you can find at every beach.
The sand does not differ from each other as they all have the same sphere with the same measurement, incredible ha ;)) The sand can be burned by fire or can be multipled by soda. If you ever observe the sand by a magnifier, you will find that the sand moves.

"Mummy, are these alive, can they eat us?"
"Hımm, no my dear, do not worry, look everybody is sitting on it." as I said this I looked around and noticed that the ladies at the seaside are washing themselves with it.
I guess they wanna look beautiful as Cleopatra ;))

from the beach

Cleopatra Island (known also as Sedir Island) is the biggest of the triple island group stated at the Gulf of Gokova of southernwestern of Aegean Sea. There are olive trees and bushes all around the island. The sea with its famous beach is an adorable view to swim with. You can also visit the historic Greek city ruins, which had been named as Kedrai at the ancient times.

wooden path all around the island

theatre of the ancient ruins

It is not easy to walk around the ruins as the restoration has not finished yet. But this is good as you can touch the old city's stones and feel the daily life.
Just imagine how it had been at the ancient times to watch a theatre or watch the war between the best gladiators. The ancient boats putting spices or silk to the port. The debates done for liberty and for law under the shade of the statues at the agora. See the mass activity of trade at the bazaar on one side of the island  and on the other hand watch the beautiful view and smell the Aegean Sea...

ruins

ruins

I suggest you to read the ancient history of Cleopatra Island before your visit.
And of course do not forget to read my sightsee mom notes just to be aware how the conditions are at the island ;))

Must know about Cleopatra Island

• I suggest you to visit the island in the morning, as at noon time the boat tours stop at the port of the island and gets very crowded.
• Each one of the sand is under the protection of government because of its specialities (since the sand is unique on earth). Therefore you cannot enter the beach with your flip flops :)
• Children can easily swim at the bay since the sea is shallow. The temperature of the sea is also suitable for even babies.
• Since the water is so beautiful, children do not want to come out. Therefore must have hats and sunscreen.
• Before our visit to island we knew that there are no restaurants or cafes at the island. Therefore I made a picnic basket for children. We found a picnic table and enjoyed our lunch under the olive trees. I suggest you too...
• However if you have no chance for that, do not worry there is a cafe at the island. You can have the necessary things from.
• There are shower, cabins  and restrooms at the island, very close to the island's cafe.
• There are free beach umbreallas and lounges behind the beach.
• I suggest you not to take valuable things with you to island. However if you must, then there are lockers you can ask from the cafe. (Lockers cost 5 TL for a day)
• The walking path around the island is made of wood. You can use the baby strollers comfortably.
• Along the walking path you will find the historic points and of course the information as well. This tour takes not more than an hour. 
• You can enter the island for free if you have a museum pass or a credit card form İşbankası .
• If you prefer private vehicle to Cleopatra Island, I suggest you the Çınar Restaurant for dining.  You can have breakfast and otantic meals which are well priced as well.
• Have your children ever picked mountain strawberries with beautiful smell? If not, you will find strawberry fields on the road. Of course not for free, goshhh.
• Favourite suggestion is do not forget your camera!!

one of the island of the triple group

Admission fees and visiting hours

Visiting hours: 10:00 am- 19:00 pm

Admission fees

Adults: 15 TL

ticket boot

Transportation

• You can have daily boat tours from Akyaka or Marmaris. These tours are also stopping at Cleopatra Island and as other bays as well .

• If you are going by your vehicle, take the highway from Marmaris to Datça. You will see the signs to Cleopatra Island on the way. After 5 km, you will reach to Çamlık village and after that to Çamlık port. Park your car and get on the boats cruising to the island. 

Transfer fee to island by boat for adults: 20 TL
Parking: Free

parking area at Çamlık port

the view of Çamlık port from the boat

My aim of visit to Cleopatra Island with the children was not only swimming at the turqouise colored sea, but to understand or make them feel the historic ruins as well.
To make them understand how rich these Anatolian grounds are.
Of course the sand, the sea and our picnic made the trip more enjoyful.

 the cock and chickens made the picnic fun

Visiting the Cleopatra Island will always be ranked at top of my list of places to visit in Turkey with children!!

the view from the theatre