Hoynat Island

Hoynat Island (Hoynat Adası) is a small rocky islet rising from the Black Sea just off the coast of the Perşembe district of Ordu, within the boundaries of Ramazan neighbourhood and immediately beside the Hoynat Tunnel on the Perşembe-Fatsa coastal road. Lying less than 100 metres from the shore and covering only about 700 square metres, it is one of the very few coastal islets along this stretch of the Turkish Black Sea, and its layered natural and historical character makes it one of Ordu's quiet yet memorable stops.

History & Archaeological Value

The islet has never been permanently inhabited, but the remains of a fortification wall and a cistern still visible on its surface show that it once served sailors as a shelter, hideout and supply depot. These historic castle and cistern remains led to its registration as a Second-Degree Archaeological Site in 2004 by the Samsun Regional Council for the Conservation of Cultural and Natural Heritage, underlining both its protection and its scholarly value.

Nature & Bird Sanctuary

What truly distinguishes Hoynat is its ecological importance: it is the only known nesting and breeding site of the European shag (crested cormorant, Gulosus aristotelis) in Turkey. Home also to large colonies of yellow-legged gulls and other seabirds, the islet functions as an informal bird sanctuary and is a rare draw for birdwatchers and nature photographers on the Black Sea coast. Waves breaking against its cliffs, the green slopes framing the tunnel and the deep-blue sea behind combine to make it an extraordinary photographic subject, especially at sunset.

Visiting, Access & Best Time

Agencies favour Hoynat because it delivers strong visual reward in a short time. As a natural pause on Perşembe coastal-road tours, most visitors spend about 30-60 minutes here, viewing the islet from the roadside scenic point and the terraces above the tunnel. On guided Black Sea itineraries it is usually combined the same day with Cape Jason and its church, central Perşembe, the Çaka/Vona Cove and Ordu's Boztepe. The best time to visit is the calm, clear stretch from late spring to early autumn (May-September), with July and August marking peak domestic-tourist density. Tour buses use the roadside pull-offs and the scenic car park; because there is no land access onto the islet itself, observation is entirely from the shore, and the flat seaside viewpoints are suitable for visitors with reduced mobility.