The 7 hectares (17 acres) islet is located 200 metres (660 ft) off shore from the main land facing a small settlement with the same name.

Administratively it is a part of İmamuşağı village of Silifke district of Mersin Province.

Although there is no settlement on the islet, it was inhabited in the late antiquity.

Stadiasmus Maris Magni of the second half of the 3rd century mentions the λιμὴν Νησούλιον (harbor, of the small island)[1] According to an inscription of the 6th century the name of the settlement on the islet was as Άστερήα and it was probably a wealthy village, ruins of which are partially preserved .

In the bay and around the island the popular sports activity is diving