The environmental disaster in Anapa has already spread all over the news. The spill of refined petroleum products caused a heated discussion on the Web, followed by numerous rumors and speculation. How long will it take to clean the beaches? When will the coast become safe for vacationers again? We hasten to reassure you, everything is not that bad, but it’s too early to talk about 100% readiness of resorts for the beach season.
Let’s figure out when it will be possible to relax in Anapa, what environmentalists say on this topic, and what other directions the Black Sea has prepared for 2025.
How dangerous is the fuel oil spilled into the sea? Which regions have been affected the most?
Yes, the situation around the tanker accident is unpleasant, and we need to talk about it directly so as not to aggravate the situation. Fuel oil is an extremely viscous substance of dark brown or black color, remaining after the distillation of petroleum products. Depending on the chemical composition, it can be lighter or heavier than water, which makes it difficult to predict the behavior of an oily stain trapped in the sea.
There are three dangers of fuel oil for humans and animals:
- Toxic fumes — they cause respiratory tract damage and symptoms of food poisoning, including nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
- Skin contact — from allergic reactions to chemical burns.
- Ingestion with water — accidental ingestion of contaminated water will negatively affect the mucous membrane and gastrointestinal tract.
Important: It is no longer safe to be near a spilled stain. The first stage of protection is a respirator mask with an FPP2 valve or higher.
At the time of writing this article, five points with critical pollution of water and beaches have been officially recorded.:
- The Kerch Strait is the epicenter of the tanker incident. Work on pumping fuel oil from sunken ships is carried out here on a daily basis.
- Anapa — the coast of the Black Sea resort was the first to be hit, volunteers and special services
- Areas of Varvarovka and Blagoveshchenskaya village — the coast is not polluted, but a mass death of dolphins and seabirds has been confirmed.
- Sevastopol — due to the wind and undercurrents, a lot of leftover fuel oil washed ashore, beaches are being cleaned in an emergency mode.
UPD: On February 1-3, 2025, divers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations with special equipment examined the bottom of the Black Sea south of the affected Anapa towards Novorossiysk. No traces of spilled petroleum products or signs of water contamination were found near the resorts of Maly Utrish and Durso at a distance of up to 250 meters from the shore.
When will the Black Sea be safe for tourists again?
A simple question: is it worth going to Adler and Sochi, everyone is worried today. There have already been posts in resort communities that tourists are massively refusing to book trips, but you should not panic. To begin with, all cities south of Anapa are located in a relatively safe zone, northerly winds do not blow here so often, which means that oil stains can be avoided.
Now there are two scenarios that environmentalists are talking about.:
- Optimistic. We need to wait for the spring warming. The pumping of fuel oil by emergency vessels does not stop for a single day, but with the end of winter, its remnants will begin to reach the warmed water surface locally. Then it is already possible to accurately predict the scale of the consequences. The approximate completion dates for the cleaning work are mid—April before the start of the beach season.
- Pessimistic. Similarly, we are waiting for spring and the establishment of a stable and comfortable plus temperature in the resorts. If the coast is not cleared before the start of the holiday season, the regional authorities will impose restrictions. Some beaches will remain closed indefinitely.
Advice from seasoned tourists: To be safe and not worry about safety, choose sandy beaches in the summer of 2025. They are much easier to clean from any man-made pollution than pebbles. The sand is taken out, and the coast is leveled with gliders, and the stones need to be washed for a long time.
Which resorts on the Black Sea were not affected by the oil spill?
You can’t go to Anapa until the official announcements are made, so where else can you go if you can’t imagine summer holidays without your native resorts in the Krasnodar Territory? There are actually many options, and so far tourists are advised to choose areas closer to the southern border — there is definitely a minimum risk of stumbling upon a dirty beach.
Big and Small Utrish
Bolshoy Utrish is the resort village closest to Anapa, which is now being closely monitored. In general, this destination is proudly called the capital of the Black Sea “savages” — the public does not come here for the sake of fashionable hotels, but for camping in tents, hiking in the Bolshoy Utrish nature Reserve and the atmosphere of an eco-resort. If desired, you can rent a room in a mini-hotel or recreation center.
Кабардинка
Gelendzhik’s younger sister, that’s what the locals call Kabardinka. The resort village appeared on the shore of Tsemesskaya Bay, and just like its “brother” occupies the entire picturesque coast. In Soviet times, sanatoriums appeared here, now in the summer people come here for free beaches and stunning views. One of the entertainment options is the local aquarium, where they like to go with young children.
Abrau-Durso
The wine capital of Russia on Lake Abrau and the seaside village of Durso unexpectedly entered the TOP destinations for newlyweds. And it’s not just about the sparkling wine factory with guided tours and tastings. This secluded place is perfect for a honeymoon. The only Champagne Spa in Russia was built here, whose services are easy to guess by name, and the building of the old factory was turned into a modern art museum.
Gelendzhik
Gelendzhik once had the not-so-enviable title of “Sochi for the Poor,” but now it’s unlikely that anyone will have such associations. It is the second most visited, and local views have been favored by film and TV series directors for at least ten years. Bear Cave, Butterfly Museum and Safari Park — places,where thousands of guests want to go. Not so long ago, diving centers with scuba training began to open in the city.
Arkhipo-Osipovka
is a picturesque suburb an hour’s drive from Gelendzhik, famous for its pale blue sea water, harsh views and clean sandy and pebble beaches. Today, Arkhipo-Osipovka is a dynamic resort, which is chosen by young people and fans of long hiking tours in nature reserves. There are also two attractions around, the first is the ancient dolmens of the Bronze Age. The second is… the nudist beach behind Hedgehog Mountain.
Dzhubga
If you ask experienced tourists where it is cheap to relax on the Black Sea coast, many will name the beaches of Dzhubga. The village is small, the Tuapse highway passes through it, but this cozy place has found its own tourist. To begin with, there are several sandy areas with breakwaters, the sea is shallow, and the entrance to the water is shallow. Active entertainment includes a water park with a lazy river and a climbing wall.
Tuapse
For many years, Tuapse was not considered a resort at all, but with rising prices for Sochi destinations, tourists suddenly learned that there is also a sea with beaches and affordable hotels. Fans of Soviet cinema definitely go to the filming location of the “Diamond Hand” — Kiselyov Rock. The locals are devoid of southern pathos — the guests are greeted like relatives, they will tell you where it is cheaper to eat and where to go.
Lazarevskoye
The gateway to Greater Sochi is the village of Lazarevskoye, where those who do not want to see crowds on the beaches prefer to relax, although it has been difficult in recent years. The sea here is noticeably cleaner than in the urban area, but the ecology is more for adults — almost everywhere the descent into the water is steep, there are separate zones for children. The village has its own party life with a promenade, a Ferris wheel and two nightclubs.
Sochi and Adler
So, despite the online pessimists, no one is going to cancel the Sochi holiday season in 2025. Yes, the authorities have put the city services on full alert, but the main destination of the Russian south is still waiting for tourists. After all, if you can’t swim in the sea, you can always devote your holidays to excursions — what’s not a reason to take a walk in the Arboretum or the Olympic Park?
Abkhazia (Gagra, Pitsunda, Gudauta, New Athos)
Travel packages to Abkhazia also remain relevant, especially since there has been no news about any fuel oil spills along the shores of Gagra or Pitsunda. It is worth planning a trip to the sunny republic closer to the middle of summer, when the hot weather will be stable. For excursions or pilgrimages to New Athos, choose the beginning of autumn — the heat will subside, and the landscapes around you will be transformed.
Where to go in summer in Russia: other beach destinations instead of the Black Sea
So, if you are looking for a place to go to the sea other than the Black Sea, we hasten to make you happy — there is always an alternative. Whatever the environmental situation, the expanses of your native country allow you to travel all summer and find a place to swim. Yes, the climate is not as welcoming everywhere as in the Krasnodar Territory, but nature is no worse.
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Baltic Sea
When is the season: from the end of June to August.
Popular resorts: Svetlogorsk, Curonian Spit, Yantarny, Zelenogradsk (Kaliningrad region). Kurortnoe and Komarovo (Saint Petersburg).
There are different ways to relax on the Baltic Sea. Some people remember Igor Sklyar’s smash hit and go to St. Petersburg Komarovo for a week, while others prefer the westernmost Russian region. The only nuance in the climate is that the shoal does not warm up to a comfortable temperature until the beginning of July, although no one forbids excursions along the Curonian Spit with a visit to the ancient streets of Kaliningrad.
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The Sea of Azov
When is the season: from May to early September
Popular resorts: Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Yeysk, Golubitskaya village, Temryuk, Taganrog.
The Sea of Azov is commonly called the “children’s sea” because of its safe depth and popular family resorts. In recent years, the region has become the main alternative to the Black Sea resorts, and some Yeysk has turned from a provincial backwater into a candy for full-fledged summer holidays. Taganrog has become famous for its urban beaches and the signature green hue of the sea waters.
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The Caspian Sea
When is the season: from the beginning of July to September.
Popular resorts: Astrakhan, Makhachkala, Izberbash, Derbent, Kaspiysk, Lagan.
The Caspian Sea, smiling in the southern sun, has experienced many epochal pages of history, but now tourist yachts, rather than warships, are more often seen here. Who would have imagined a quarter of a century ago that Dagestan would turn into a developing resort republic? And today, the beaches of Izberbash, the Kaspiysk embankment and ancient Derbent have become top destinations. Kalmykia and Lagan are also not far behind.
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Sea of Japan
When is the season: from July to early September.
Popular resorts: Lazurnaya Bay, Glassy and Shamora beaches (Vladivostok), Russian Island. Livadia, Volchanets, Okunevaya Bay (Nakhodka).
Fans of good music have probably heard about Shamor Beach thanks to the Mummy Troll group, and Vladivostok’s bright Glass beach with “pebbles” made of wave-turned garbage has been made famous by bloggers of all stripes. The only disadvantage of the resorts of the Sea of Japan is the unpredictable summer weather. The rains constantly spoil the plans, but if you’re lucky, enjoy the cleanest water and the unique atmosphere.
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Sea of Okhotsk
When is the season: from early August to mid-September.
Popular resorts: Aniva, Prigorodnoye, Cape Velikan (Sakhalin), Oktyabrsky (Kamchatka).
Vacation on the Sea of Okhotsk, as they say, is not for weaklings. Dry geography says that here is the coldest coast belonging to the Pacific Ocean, which means that even in the middle of August, not everyone is comfortable swimming. However, the beaches of Sakhalin or the southern coast of Kamchatka are beautiful even without swimming. Locals, by the way, sunbathe almost all summer — the eternally crowded Sakhalin Aniva beach will not let you lie.
