Snake Island
Snake Island is the ideal place for tourists-hermits who are fed up with the traditional beaches of Odessa. It is a small island which is situated in the northwest of the Black Sea, 80 miles from Odessa. Its area is only 20 hectares which are separated by 25 kilometers of seawater from the mainland.
The island got its name because of grass snakes who are washed ashore from the Danube by a strong current. Snake Island has a long and interesting story. The first mentions about this land date back to the 7th century BC. According to an ancient Greek legend, the goddess Thetis raised this island from the bottom of the sea to make the last shelter for her son Achilles.
There are two ways to get to the island. You can hire a yacht from Odessa or a helicopter from the nearest town - Vylkove city. To see all the beauties of the island, you should travel around the land on a ship.
The climate on Snake Island
The best decision about when to visit the island is in the spring and summer seasons. During this period, the temperature is warm enough (+20-26 degrees). The local climate is steppe, like on the mainland. But like any island, the air here is humid.
To exclude all the inconveniences, it is important to find out about the weather before setting off. Often, there is storm wind.
Sights
The main tourist attraction is the nature of Snake Island. A small rock of unusual form leaves unforgettable memories of its views. That’s why this place became popular among photographers.
Around the island, you can find the remains of the sinking ships. Earlier, there were military conflicts near the coasts of the land.
The only man-made place of interest is a local lighthouse. They say it was built from the debris of the temple of Achilles, which was built in ancient times by Greeks.
What animals can you meet here?
Despite the small size of the rock, there is a high number of different species of fauna. Mainly they are the birds that rest there between long flights. In the spring, the number of birds reaches 200, many of which are registered in the Red List. Thus, this place is popular among ornithologists. Birdwatchers and simple nature lovers from Ukraine.
The name of the island tells us about the big number of snakes, but it isn't exactly telling the truth. Of course, you can meet some grass snakes during your stay, but their population here isn't as high as it might seem. Moreover, these snakes are safe for people.
Don’t forget about water inhabitants! There are more than 50 species of marine animals, several kinds of crabs, and shellfish. Sometimes you can also see dolphins.
The rest of the animals are brought by people from the mainland. They are dogs, cats, and mice. On the sheer cliffs, you can sometimes see two species of bats.
As for the flora, there isn’t dense vegetation because of the climate and rocky soil. Generally, the island can present only shrubs.
What can you do here?
A holiday on the island is more preferable for nature lovers. You can also visit a museum with a range of interesting exhibits, but that's it.
On Snake Island, you can:
- Visit wild beaches. There are 4 of them, and every one is unique. It is a real pleasure to swim here as you won’t find people for kilometers here.
- Get up to the lighthouse. You will see a magnificent bird's-eye view of a picturesque landscape.
- Take many photos. The vacation on the island is useless without a photograph in the hands. It will be a real waste to visit this land and not to take photos with you.
But the most interesting activity here is diving. The main part of the rock is under the water creating a huge range.
There is the biggest ship graveyard in the Black Sea. On the bottom, you will find various civil and military ships. Every year people find something new here.
The famous Snake Patroclus lays next to a rocky area. This ship is an ancient transport that sank in the second half of the 4th century BC. Unfortunately, all diving equipment is unavailable here. Thus, you need to take your own if you want to explore the bottom of the sea.
Conclusion
Excursion to Snake Island is a unique possibility to view the beautiful landscapes you never find in Ukraine. By the way, a tour to Snake Island is quite cheap while it gives an unforgettable experience.
For people who want to be away from people and unit with nature, it's a perfect place. Everyone who has visited Odessa should pass near the island on the yacht. Such fascinating views you won’t find anywhere else across the Black Sea. This place is a true heaven for divers and fishermen.
Our experienced team is always ready to help you with an excursion to this place. Specialists from Dream Yachting Time will take care of the route to visit all the most interesting places. We have both sailing yachts and motorboats to travel fast and safely. You can visit Snake Island at any season besides storm periods.
Map
