Cleopatra's Beach
Sedir Island, Turkey

 Cleopatra Island where the sand is said to be the best in the world.
 

The Island of Cedrae (Sedir Adası): located at the bottom of Gökova Bay, the Island of Cedrae (the ancient city of Credrae) is a most interesting site both from the archaeological and geological point of view. The place can be reached by boat either from Gökova-Akyaka or from Çamlıköy.

Numerous towers in regular ashlar, the temple of Apollo succeeded by a church, a well preserved theatre, an agora and the remains of the harbour can be seen on the island.

The sand on the shore of the island is worthy of notice. The carbonate in the spring waters flowing into the sea envelops the fine sand particles, forming what is called oolite or pisolite, according to their size. Within the region of Ula, the calcium carbonate accumulates on fine particles with each movement of the waves, and the intake by these particles of carbonate increases. This phenomenon is unique within the climatic zone around Turkey and in the surrounding seas.

It is said that Cleopatra owed her beauty to these sands. That is why the island is also called the Island of Cleopatra.

Sedir Island is the site of an ancient Roman resort town (existing ruins include an enormous amphitheater and old city wall). But its Cleopatra Beach is purportedly made up of rare ooids (round calcium carbonate particles) from Egypt. According to legend, Cleopatra refused to step on any land other than Egypt, so Mark Antony imported Egyptian sands to Turkey so she could visit.