Gökçeada (Imbros) Peynir Kayalıkları: Legend & Travel Guide

After spending years on Gökçeada (Imbros), you get so used to some places that you don't even remember your last visit until a guest asks one summer morning, "Should we go to Peynir Kayalıkları?" But once you board the boat and those beige-yellow rock masses appear around the corner, something inside you says "that's it" all over again.

Locals call this place Kaşkaval Burnu. The name comes both from the traditional cheese of the island and the rocks' resemblance to cheese molds. The Greek-era name "Kaskavalia" also refers to the same cheese.

Where Are Peynir Kayalıkları and How to Get There?

Not accessible by land — this is important

Many people are surprised to learn this. Peynir Kayalıkları cannot be reached by road; the rocks are only visible and approachable from the sea. The nearest departure point is Kuzulimanı — the ferry dock — and from there it's just 5 minutes by boat. From Kaleköy Harbor it's about 15 minutes.

You have two options: either join a daily organized boat tour or negotiate with a fisherman at the harbor. The latter is cheaper (100-300 TL), but you set the time and route. Fishermen go out early in the morning; it's hard to convince them in the afternoon.

Boat Tour Route

Operators based in Kaleköy include Peynir Kayalıkları in a full-day route covering about 9 coves. The tour starts at 10:30 AM or 12:00 PM and returns around 6:00 PM; it lasts 7-7.5 hours in total. Meals are included (fish or chicken option). With 2025 season as reference, prices start from 1,100 TL — 2026 prices will be updated at the start of the season. Along the route, you also pass Marmaros Waterfall, Blue Cove, caves, and Kafelos Cape; about 45 minutes are spent at each cove.

The Legend of Kaşkaval Burnu: The Stingy Woman and the Petrified Cheeses

I first heard the legend from an elderly neighbor in Kaleköy — coming from his mouth, the words carried a different weight. There was once an extremely stingy old woman who owned countless goats and sheep on the island. She dreamed of stacking cheese molds one on top of another to build a tower reaching the sky.

One day, a hungry little girl asked for cheese. The woman refused. Then God sent a terrible storm on the first day of March; the woman and the cheese molds together turned to stone. Today, those layered rocks are called "Peynir Kayalıkları" (Cheese Rocks) for this reason. The message of the legend is clear: stinginess comes at a heavy price.

It's no coincidence that the legend aligns with March storms. The northern wind called "Bora" on the island can be brutal in winter and early spring. During that time, boats don't go out anyway; the rocks are left to themselves.

Geology: Why Does It Look So Strange?

As you approach the rocks, the question is inevitable: how did these form? Each layer really does resemble a cheese mold.

Volcanic Origin

These formations on the northeastern coast of Gökçeada (Imbros) are the product of volcanic activity from the Tertiary period. Composed of andesite and rhyodacite, the rocks have been sculpted by wind, wave, and rain erosion over millions of years into their current artistic shape. In an academic paper published by Springer in 2024 evaluating Gökçeada's geopark potential, Peynir Kayalıkları was listed as an important area in the geoheritage inventory. The color is beige-yellowish; parts in contact with the sea develop a dark patina. The contrast with the blue sea is striking in the morning light.

Diving and Snorkeling: What's Underwater?

The rocks hold a special place among Gökçeada activities in terms of diving. This area is within the boundaries of Gökçeada Underwater National Park — Turkey's first and only underwater national park, declared in 1999.

• Snorkeling: Free and unrestricted. Among the rocks, you can observe seagrass, sponges, and colorful fish.
• Freediving: Possible, no permit required.
• Scuba diving: Requires a special permit under the Underwater National Park.
• Water clarity: You can see underwater even from the surface; visibility is high.

144 species of fish have been recorded in these waters. It's also a critical habitat for the Mediterranean monk seal — one morning while waiting on the boat, a head appeared in the water off the cape, then dove within seconds. It was probably a seal. It didn't resurface; but that brief moment stayed in my mind.

Practical Information

In midsummer, parking is scarce in Kaleköy, especially on weekends. If you leave early in the morning according to ferry schedules, you'll find a spot at the harbor. Don't go in the afternoon — the boat tour will have departed and the harbor will be full.

Best Time to Visit

June-September is the ideal period: water temperature 22-25°C, calm sea, active boat tours. In May and October, crowds are smaller, the weather is a bit cooler, but the harsh wind hasn't arrived yet. From November onward, the sea gets rough, tours become scarce; in winter, access can become nearly impossible due to Bora storms. For photography, early morning or just before sunset provides the best light. Check the weather forecast before you go — you don't want to be caught in a surprise bora. Also, if you'd like to know what to do on Gökçeada in winter, check out our Gökçeada winter guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you reach Peynir Kayalıkları by land?

No. The rocks are not visible from land; they can only be reached by boat from the sea. The nearest departure point is Kuzulimanı, about 5 minutes by boat.

Is there an entrance fee for Peynir Kayalıkları?

There is no entrance fee to see the rocks. However, you need a boat tour (~1,100 TL, meals included) or a private fishing boat (~100-300 TL) for transportation.

Can you dive there?

Snorkeling is free and unrestricted. Freediving is also possible. Scuba diving requires a special permit under the Gökçeada Underwater National Park.

What other coves are included in the boat tour?

Full-day tours include about 9 coves: Tepekoyaltı, Piriç Cape, Marmaros Waterfall, Blue Cove, Caves, Batıllar, and Kafelos Cape are the main ones. About 45 minutes are spent swimming at each cove. If you're curious about other coves on Gökçeada, check out our Laz Cove guide.

Can you visit in winter?

Boat tours largely stop from November onward. Sea conditions become harsh due to Bora storms in winter. The safest period is May-October.

To explore other natural beauties of Gökçeada, take a closer look at Gökçeada's geography.