About Ido Ekinlik Island
Ekinlik Island is a small island in the middle of the Marmara Sea. The island, which is affiliated with Avşa municipality, has a village called Ekinlik. Today, there are hostels on the island. of the island; It has a small market, a few cafeterias and a bakery.
People mostly meet their daily needs in Ekinlik; It is supplied from Avşa Island and Erdek, which are the closest settlements. Additionally, boats selling vegetables and fruits visit the island during the summer months.
Geographical and Natural Features of Ekinlik Island
The settlement on Ekinlik Island is generally in the south central part. The altitude of this region is around 10-20 meters above sea level and it has a slightly rugged structure. The north and coasts of the island are very steep, and the high slope continues into the sea. Since the coastlines in these regions are also rocky; It is not suitable for settlement.
The island, which is not very rich in terms of beaches, has two beaches. One of them is Karabatak beach, which is very close to the island center; The other one is Kumvoli (Voli) beach. Kumvoli beach is a beach located in the western part of the island and is generally free of wind and waves. There are regular boat services from the center of the island to Voli beach, which also has a cafeteria.
Life on Ekinlik Island
Fishing is one of the main sources of income for some islanders. The island, as its name suggests; Although this resource is productive in terms of agricultural activities, it is not used much. Today, Ekinlik; It is a place where local people, most of whom have migrated to big cities, come on holidays.
Ekinlik in terms of tourism; It is ideal for those looking for a place away from noise, surrounded by clean air, sea and nature. The sunset on the island is worth watching from the threshing floor and the rocks. Due to the location of the settlement, especially facing south; On full moon nights, you can't get enough of watching the Moon.
History of Ekinlik Island
In 1300 AD, the island; It was used as a naval base of the Catalans (Spain). This situation ended in 1307 and Greeks, mostly fishermen and boat owners, settled on the island. On the island during the Ottoman period; clothes, food, household items, etc. There were shops selling food and 3-4 restaurants on the beach. The main source of income of the people; commercial shipping, fishing and sponge diving.
The old name of Ekinlik Island is Koutalis. With the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 and as a result of the population exchange, the Koutalis people of Greek origin; He settled in Greece. Another group of those who left the island founded New Koutalis on the island of Lemnos.
After the Greeks left the island, the island; It remained empty and unprotected for 5 - 6 years. In the process, houses on the island were plundered by incoming ships. Later, approximately 30 households from İnebolu were sent to this island for settlement. When they arrived, they found the island and its houses in ruins. They settled in houses that were suitable for habitation and used the wooden parts of the others as fuel in the winter.
Since the epicenter of the 6.4 magnitude Marmara earthquake in 1935 was close to the island; It caused serious damage to the island. Almost all of the houses and buildings, especially those that were unused, were destroyed. The people of Ekinlik were very poor in those years. He was trying to earn his living by fishing with small boats and agriculture.
After the 1960s, some of the islanders owned sand boats. They started to improve their economic situation by extracting sand from various regions of the Marmara Sea. Over time, most of the islanders lived in cities during the winter; He started coming to the island on holiday in the summer.
Constant electricity came to the island in the early 1980s. With the arrival of electricity, development and construction on the island accelerated.
Transportation in Ekinlik Island
Until the 2000s, transportation to Ekinlik island was via Avşa island. The connection of Marmara and Avşa island with Istanbul in the 1960s; It was provided by ships operated by the Maritime Bank. In those years, there was no pier on Avşa Island that was large enough and deep enough for ships to dock. Therefore, ships; Off the island, anchors and passengers were picked up by small fishing boats. This is how passenger transportation was carried out to Avşa or Ekinlik island.
MS Gemlik Ship, which was used for passenger transportation, became unusable as a result of a fire in 1988. The other ship, MS Ayvalık; It was decommissioned in 1990 and dismantled at the Aliağa shipyard.
In the late 1970s; Istanbul and Marmara-Avşa line started; Additionally, Avşa and Uludağ ships started operating. In the late 1990s, these ships were replaced by the ones built by the Haliç shipyard in 1994; He bought the Mavi Marmara ship. In the late 2000s, the Mavi Marmara ship was also withdrawn from this line. These ships traveled between Istanbul and Marmara Island in an average of 5 hours.
In the early 1980s, Erkal Sea buses started to operate on the same line in order to shorten the travel time. Although they are twice as fast, due to high maintenance and operating costs; They were withdrawn from the line in a short time.
IDO Sea Buses and Transportation to the Island Today
In the mid-1990s, much more modern sea buses (İDO) used in the city of Istanbul began to be used on the islands. In short, transportation to Ekinlik island today; GESTAŞ Maritime Transportation Tur. Tic. It can be done with car ferries operated by A.Ş. It is also provided via Erdek and Tekirdağ with engines operated by private enterprises and capable of carrying vehicles.
Expeditions with Gestas; It is two or three times a week in winter and summer. Other motor services that can transport vehicles from Erdekten are; He works from Tekirdağ to the island. In addition to all these, there are regular motorboat services between Ekinlik and Avşa islands. There are scheduled ferry services from Istanbul, Erdek, Tekirdağ and Silivri to Avşa.
From Istanbul to Avşa by sea bus; It can be reached in 3 hours. Transportation from Tekirdağ and Erdek to Ekinlik; It takes approximately 3 hours.
After the İDO Ekinlik Island pier was built, with the presence of İDO voyages; Nowadays, transportation to the island is done without any problems. With the IDO ticket you buy from our website, you can travel between Istanbul and Ekinlik Island in approximately 3 hours; You can travel safely. There are regular and non-stop flights between Bostancı and Yenikapı and Ekinlik Island route.
IDO flights operate regularly and every day, weather conditions permitting. You can get support for all your questions and problems. You can reach the call center, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 0850 222 44 36. You can also easily provide intermediate transportation by taxi by calling a taxi whenever you want.
Transportation by City Buses
Public buses to be preferred for urban transportation; There is a Kent card system at many points. Transportation is provided with city cards. You can buy city cards from the sales points in the garage or make your transportation economical by filling them in as you run out.
Transportation by Taxi
Transportation to your destination by taxi; It is possible around IDO piers. You can reach your destination by calling a taxi. For intermediate transportation routes between the pier and your destination during the journey; Taxis can be a good alternative.
Transportation by Private Vehicle
If you want to reach the pier with your private vehicle, this situation; It's easy on the island. Istanbul piers experience extreme congestion. When you need to travel with your private vehicles, it is beneficial to choose times and hours when traffic is not busy in Istanbul. There is no transportation problem on Ekinlik Island, which is a calm and modern island.
Traveling by ferry may not be suitable on some trips. When purchasing a ticket, you should take this detail into consideration; It will be to your benefit.
İDO Services
İDO services, before and after the trip; Provides transportation support. Ferry times vary depending on the schedule of IDO ferries. Since the services may operate at different hours during summer and winter; It would be appropriate for passengers to obtain information in advance.
By purchasing your ticket now with the assurance of www.bilet.com, you can travel from Istanbul to Ekinlik Island without wasting any time.
