Cape Opuk in Crimea: what to see and where is it located?

Many people think that the most suitable moment for a vacation in Crimea is the middle of summer. To verify the opposite, it is worth visiting Cape Opuk in late spring. At this time of the year you will enjoy the magnificent blooming of tulips, clear azure water and beautiful sunsets.

Cape Opuk, which is located in the Crimea, appeared at the end of the twentieth century. It is located in the south of the Kerch Peninsula.

It also includes such objects as:

• Opuk (cape and mountain);
• Lake Koyashskoye (it has a beautiful pinkish color);
• Priozernaya Mountain (rises 45 meters);
• Rocks-ships.

The mountain has an oblong shape, and it is covered with rare vegetation. This array smoothly flows into the cape, which ends with a cliff. Rocks are located in the south of the mountain, and grassy descent in the north.

The security zone was designed in order to preserve these worlds of the southern region of the Kerch Peninsula. Here grows more than 750 varieties of various plants. About half the world of flora is representatives of the vascular type.

As part of the flora, 766 species are distinguished, among which:

• 473 species comprise higher vascular plants;
• 49 - shaggy;
• 113 - lichens;
• 214 - algae.

Endemic species include 48 species of vascular plants. Of these, 23 species are the rarest and are listed in the Red Book.

In spring, bright Schrenk tulips appear there. In the summer, the feather grass begins to grow, and in the fall - the seaside bluehead.

In the adjacent waters rare species of fish live, as well as dolphins (bottlenose dolphins and azovka), of which there are not so many.

A large number of birds live in the area and in the surrounding area. Many birds nest here, 100 species - migratory, 34 - survive the winter on the coast, 32 species are listed in the Red Book (for example, black-headed bunting, long-nosed cormorant).

In the conservation area for a long time and to this day, rare pink starlings are waving their nests. This species has very good genetic memory. Since ancient times, these birds fly to the mountain slopes. In recent years, the population of these interesting birds in the protected area has increased.

Most of the wildlife here is invertebrate. Very large and beautiful butterflies, such as dipper and hawthorn, live there. In quiet and secluded places bats live.

But the conservation area protects not only land, but also sea water. On the rocks you can meet crabs. One of the most amazing animals is the monk seal. Once it could be seen along the coast, but then it was attributed to the extinct. To date, they have reappeared in small bays near the cape. This mammal is very shy and leads a solitary lifestyle.

This reserve is a natural and archaeological site of Crimea. When excavations were made, the ruins of an ancient town were discovered at the foot of the mountain. Also, the city of Kimmerik is a scientific and historical value.

A few kilometers from the cape are “Rocks-ships” (Yelken-Kaya). They were formed from four islands of limestone rock. One of the largest cliffs has a height of twenty meters above sea level. The rocks got this name because they have the shape of a sailboat. There dove their nests doves, swifts and cormorants.

The territory of this facility is protected by the state, and therefore it is strictly forbidden to be there on its own. For violation of this rule, a fine is imposed. And not because it is a reserved place, but because the military training ground is located here.

You can get to this place only if you will be part of an organized excursion, which are conducted by researchers. But still, some unscrupulous people break the rules and visit this place on their own. Visitors to the reserve can explore only three paths: “Between the Sea and the Lake”, “Opuk Tract”, “Coastal”. If you wish, you can sign up for an excursion and explore all the places of interest, and at the same time admire their beauties.

A visit to the reserve provides a small fee, only 200 rubles. There are discounts for certain categories of citizens. Not far from it is a campground. Everyone can stop there and relax. It is forbidden to litter in this place, after you must always clean everything. And if this is not done, then you can get a fine.

Since the territory has a chance to get exclusively as part of the tour, you can sign up for it in nearby cities (Kerch and Feodosia).

If you do not want to visit the conservation area, then you can see the nearby area, as it is also beautiful there. And the easiest way to do this is by bus from the bus station in the city of Kerch. It is enough to take the bus that follows the route "Kerch - Maryevka". It can be reached by car on the same road. The distance is only 35 km.

The summer period is very hot, but thanks to the sea breeze, the heat is not felt so much. If you like to relax in peace and quiet, then wild beaches are perfect for you. There you can swim and sunbathe. For such a vacation, it is better to go there in August or September.

There is a legend about this beautiful place, which tells that a world serpent lives in the sea. And many people say that they saw a monster in the waters, the size of which reaches several meters. But the head of this unknown animal was seen by everyone differently - some with a hare, some with a dog, there were many other options.

Once, a couple of years ago, a man plunged under water to study the flooded tunnels of old quarries. And during this, he was attacked by a very large creature, which had an elongated body of a serpentine shape. The man had a camera with him, he was not at a loss and took off the action. Then these fragments were shown to specialists, and they determined who it was. And this was a representative of a rare species of gray seals. But the people who saw him greatly exaggerated the size of the animal.

About the features of rest at Cape Opuk in Crimea, see the video below.