Kinaliada is readily identifiable by its hilltop antennas. The Island's name means "henna-red", the colour of its sandstone cliffs. Kinali is small enough to explore entirely on foot and lays claim to the islands’ only hamam (Turkish bath), abandoned after it was struck by lightening in the fifties. 

Accessible only to residents and their guests, the eastern shore of Sedefadasi is dense with cypress and umbrella pines, a peaceful haven of natural beauty. The remnants of a monastery built by St. Ignatius in the mid 19th-century lie in the north west of the Island.

To the west of the archipelago, Sivriada and neighbouring Yassiada can be accessed by motorboat from the larger islands. The names Sivri and Yassi respectively mean "pointed" and "flat". Yassi was also know as Hayirsiz or "useless" Island, rather tellingly! Sivri has some ruins, a small port, plus a quarry; stone from which was used in the construction of the new Kadikoy Iskele. 

Tavsanadasi, or "Rabbit Island", is the second smallest of the Islands, with an area of 10,000 square metres. In 1910, the stray dogs of Istanbul were rounded up, transported to and left to die on the Island, so for a time it was also known as the Isle of Dogs.

Kasikadasi or "spoon island", so called because of its shape, is the smallest of the Islands. It has no known history and is privately owned.

Almost too small to be considered part of the archipelago, tiny Vordonosadasi houses a lighthouse and the ruins of a monastery.