All about Bakal Spit in Crimea

In the northwestern part of the Crimean peninsula is one of the most beautiful landscape parks of the peninsula called Bakalskaya Spit. This is a large ledge of the sandy shore, which goes into the sea. The length of the spit is several kilometers. This place is a protected area. Spit is currently a conservation area.

Bakalskaya spit was formed as a result of falling asleep with sand leaving the bay. It is a natural sandy dam between the bay and the open sea. For the creation of a sand spit, for many millennia, heavy and gale winds "worked". One version says that the name "Bakalskaya Spit" comes from the Turkic word "bak" - a frog. And indeed, the shape of the braid resembles this creature. But it is possible that the name of the spit also has Siberian roots, because there is something similar to the name of the most famous lake in Siberia - Baikal.

The climate in this part of Crimea is temperate continental. Therefore, the summer season is dry and hot. The sunniest months are June, July, August. The average water temperature during this period is + 20ºС. Most of the summer days are sunny, so for those who like to soak up the sun, the braid will be an excellent choice.

The swimming season here opens in May and ends in the second half of September. At the base, the sand spit is quite wide. The farthest and narrowest section of its width is not more than 50 meters. The shape of the braid resembles a half ring encircling the bay. In fact, it is a large sandy beach.

The total area of ​​the spit is about 1.5 thousand hectares. This is directly a spit - about 300 hectares, Lake Bakalsky, whose area is 810 hectares, and a coastal aquatic complex (410 hectares). The lake, the base of the spit, as well as its extreme point are protected areas. Tourists are charged a fee for visiting this area.

The main part of the spit has no vegetation. This is due to strong winds, the scorching sun and soil. An exception is halophytes that prefer a soil with a high salt content. But at the entrance to the scythe, at its base, you can observe a kind of carpet of crimson grass. On the shores of the lake solonchak vegetation grows. This is wormwood, hodgepodge, kermek, katran, and others.

This is a unique place, so if you come to Crimea, then you should definitely visit this reserve. The main natural feature of the spit is that it is washed from different sides by different currents. On the one hand, this is the open sea, and on the other, the waters of a shallow bay. This is the main attraction of the spit.

Currently, due to hydrological processes, namely: severe winter storms, as well as human activities (illegal sand production), the spit is in danger of extinction. Although the authorities made a number of attempts to preserve it - the construction of local anti-erosion coastal structures.

This place is also interesting for fishing enthusiasts. Such types of fish as sterlet, hamsa, horse mackerel, red mullet, mullet and others are found in the waters. There is also a Black Sea shrimp. In this area, in the waters of the Black Sea, you can also find dolphins. And in August, thanks to jellyfish, water in some places turns purple. Tourists are also offered activities such as diving and spearfishing.

It is worth noting that Bakalskaya Spit is an amazing and enchanting place of nature. Since 2000, this region has the status of a landscape park. The area of ​​this park is about 1.5 thousand hectares. About 15 species of various birds inhabit the territory. And during the period of seasonal migrations there are about 150 species of birds and waterfowl.

The beaches and water are clean, so the place is great for families with children. The only negative is the undeveloped tourism infrastructure. Food and drinking water can be purchased in the nearest village - Guarding. And it is located from the spit at a distance of about 8 kilometers. Although all this is compensated by enchanting landscapes, as well as silence and tranquility reigning in this place.

The sunsets are also enchanting and bewitching. The sea seems to connect with the sky. And all this in reddish-purple hues. Therefore, if you at least once rested on the Bakalskaya Spit, then this vacation will remain in your memory for many years.

Bakalskoye Lake, which is located at the base of the spit, is also part of the regional landscape park. The reservoir has an oval shape. The southern and eastern banks of the reservoir have a reddish color. This is due to the fact that red-brown clays predominate in the soil. West and north are sandy shores. It is these embankments that separate the lake from the sea.

This lake is not only a conservation site. The mud of this lake is very useful, as it has a high content of salts and minerals. Therefore, mud procedures are recommended for people with skin diseases, intestinal disorders, joint diseases, as well as various kinds of gynecological diseases in women.It is worth noting that the waters of the bay are also healing due to the presence of a large number of algae in them. Therefore, the water has a high iodine content.

Bakal Lake is a typical estuary lake. It is located in the extended part of the spit and is separated from the Black Sea by two sandy isthmuses - spits. The water level in this pond is replenished by groundwater, as well as by storms and precipitation. There are seasons when the lake almost dries up, and in some summer periods, fishing was even carried out on Lake Bakalsky. Now on the shores of the pond you can find about 50 species of nomadic birds, namely: lapwing, shiloklyuvka, sandpiper, sea cock and others.

On the spit there is also a spring with mineral water. In Soviet times, there was an idea to put the production of mineral Bakalsky water on stream. But this remained the idea. Perhaps there were no "good and sensible" organizers, maybe the remoteness and climatic features of the region became the whole reason. And there is a certain benefit from the lake - this is a real “storehouse” of edible salt.

10 years ago, the cape called Sandy was the final or extreme point of the spit. But storms and people "turned" the cape into an island that separates from land. The distance today is about 2 km. The main guests of this place are now birds. They chose Sandy as the best place for nesting.

The cape also houses the lighthouse, which was built in 1934. This is a 1st class lighthouse. According to the design of the lighthouse building, it is a pyramidal tower, the height of which is 22.8 meters, white. And the complex also included the building of a siren and a warehouse for the storage of fuels and lubricants, a bell, a building of a dormitory and outbuildings, radio masts. The decision to build a lighthouse was pleasant on the basis that Cape Peschany was considered quite dangerous for sailors.

The shore where the lighthouse was built is in the erosion zone. As a result of storms and erosion, the lighthouse tower was a few meters from the water. The fuel and lubricants depot was washed and the tower was in danger of destruction. The lighthouse is currently not working.

You can get to the spit by public transport. From Simferopol, Yevpatoria and the village of Razdolnoye there is a regular bus. You can also drive your own car along the E97 highway, which passes through Kerch, turning in front of the Voinka village onto the T0107 highway. It is best to walk from the village of Stereguschoe to the spit. So you can also enjoy the charming scenery of the western coast of Crimea.

How to go: by public transport or to get to the spit on your own - of course, depends on you. But I would like to warn that the quality of the road surface in the region is not the best yet. But the delights of relaxing on your own car allow you to forget about the schedule and plan your time at your own discretion.

The tourist and entertainment infrastructure on the spit is not very developed. Therefore, this place will be especially valuable to lovers of wildlife and camping. But also on the territory of the spit there is a campsite where you can live in a triple wooden house, or put up a tent. There is also a parking lot for trailers. You can rent a house and stay in nearby villages, for example, in the village of Steregushchey. Here in the private sector there are mini-hotels where you can choose housing for every taste and even quite budget.

Although there is no interesting architecture and historically significant monuments, objects of cultural heritage on the Bakalskaya Spit, which are present on the southern coast of the Crimean Peninsula, there is something more. It is in this place that a person will be able to reunite with wild and pure nature, feel himself a part of it. And also be filled with vital energy, inspired by new exploits and the conquest of new heights in life.

See how to get to the Bakalskaya Spit in the next video.