Erikli & Gulf of Saros

The ancient Greeks called this gulf Melas Kolpos, “the Black Gulf”. So why would a gulf with the clearest waters in Thrace be called “black”? Some say the name comes from the river Melas, meaning “black”, which flows into the gulf; others, from its deep color, which a few steps from shore suddenly turns navy blue and from there almost to black… Anyone who looks out at the sea at Saros understands at once that the name is not an insult but a token of admiration.