Unique places in Russia, about which you are unlikely to hear: island Popova

Popov island

Under cover of darkness, a detachment of Russian sailors landed at the coast of the Strait of Stark. Pirates - people dashing, they say that they executed more than a dozen prisoners. We must act quickly and quietly. At stake is 80 000 rubles in silver - the money for the defense of Vladivostok. Crossing pass, sailors reached the bay Alekseeva. We are waiting for a fight, but the battle did not happen.

Pirates were dead drunk. Extraction of the king's ship was not only silver but also some good barrels of vodka. Mariners tied the robbers and was taken to the mainland. The pirate bins found swords, tridents, shotguns and revolvers - not only found the money ...

A photo: 1, 2, 3

A beautiful legend, is not it? It tells everyone who comes to the island Popov. Fully Is this fiction or something still true - is unknown.

Historical information about this piece of land in the Sea of ​​Japan is very poor. It is only known that the island is in the middle of the XIX century discovered first the French and then the Russian court.

In the 1860s, the island came the expedition, led by Lt. Col. Babkin. They mapped the coast and gave the island the name "Rynda" - in honor of the corvette, which sailed. But this island bore the name long: soon it was renamed in honor of Admiral Andrei Popov.

Andrey Popov (1821-1898 gg.) - Russian naval commander and shipbuilder. In 1860 - head of the Pacific squadron. He played an important role in the transition of the Russian fleet from sailing ships to steam. Under his leadership, it was built battleship "Peter the Great" armored frigate "General-Admiral" and "Duke of Edinburgh", as well as many other ships.

In the twentieth century the island served as the army and industry. There housed the command and ranging point and emplacements 901-th battery. They were built bunkers and basements for storing ammunition. In 1930-1940-ies these fortifications protected the sea approaches to Vladivostok. Furthermore, in the Soviet times the island was famous for Popov factories for the processing of fish and seafood.

A photo: 1, 2, 3

What to see on the island Popov?

The main attraction of the island named after Admiral Popov - nature. Scenic seascapes fall in love with itself at a glance.

Grand Bay Peter decorate about two dozen islands. The largest and most famous of them - Russian. The second largest - the island Popov. Apart their separate Strait Stark.

Popov island area is 1240 m, 780 of which are covered with wood, about 300 engaged pasture and beaches, and the rest - populated by area (settlements Popov and Stark trap).

The landscape of the island consists of small valleys and hills. The highest point is 158 meters above sea level.

Popova Island is located 20 km from Vladivostok, and has three bays: Alekseev in the north-west coast, on the west and the Western Border in the south-east.

Thousands of years ago, he, like the other islands of the Gulf of Peter the Great, was part of the mainland. But now, in what direction you look - everywhere water.

This explains the flora and fauna of the island. Plants there mostly undersized: salty breezes do not provide a high drag. Botanists say that the order of the island of 29 plant species listed in the Red Book lists of different levels.

A photo: 1, 2, 3

Get acquainted with the unusual, a little wild flora of the island may be in its southern part, which is one of the areas Far East Marine Biosphere Reserve, FEB RAS.

Far Eastern Marine Biosphere Reserve, FEB RAS - the object of marine natural heritage. It located in the Gulf of Peter the Great Bay and covers the waters of an area of ​​64 311.6 ha. It consists of four areas with different levels of protection. The reserve is home to over 5000 species of plants and animals.

Popov island is a museum preserve "nature of the sea and its protection", there are guided tours on several routes.

Rare provincial museum boasts such interesting exhibition like this. Area showrooms is 260 sq. m, which are located not only banal stands, but also aquariums, swimming pools - many of the exhibits are alive!

The Sea of ​​Japan is considered one of the richest in species diversity. In the museum you can see:

• giant octopus;
• Kamchatka crab,
• Far Eastern trepang;
• Gray mussels;
• scallop;
• large laticauda (sea snake poison);
• and dozens more fish and coral.

A photo: 1, 2, 3

In addition, in the territory of the museum from 2010 acts archaeological and ethnographic complex, dedicated to the life of Aboriginal people of the Far East. This outdoor exhibition, which is the reconstruction of homes and outbuildings people who once inhabited the island in the Gulf of Peter the Great. What did they do? As we settled in life? What dream? How to fall in love and raised children? During a walk through ethnopark itself conjure the answers to these questions.

A photo: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

In general, the nature of the island Popova so unusual for residents of central Russia and Siberian that automatically start to talk about it in superlatives. Picturesque scenery, clean air, unique animals. But :) and the indigenous inhabitants of Primorye confirm that there is in the island Popov something special. It is no coincidence they consider it one of the best in the region, places of recreation.

Things to do on the island Popov?

The main attraction on the island Popov - is the sea. The island is good for a beach holiday. The season lasts from May to September.

The best place for those who like to swim and sunbathe - Bay Border. In people it is called "French Beach". Why? Probably, white sand and warm sea (in the summer the average water temperature - 25 ° C) associated with locals to the Cote d'Azur.

Someone who likes to rest savage tents, campfires, guitar. Some people prefer cozy cabins at recreation centers. If you are the first, the Venture a West coast of the bay. There you will be able to break camp and to feel at one with nature. If, secondly, you can easily rent a house in one of the camp sites.

They were on the island of six: three in the waters of Boundary Bay, two in the Bay West and one in the Bay of Alekseev. Each provides a different level of comfort: somewhere there are suites, and in some cases much gives shovel. For information about placing conditions can be found on the Internet.

You can also stay in one of the so-called mini-hotels villages Popov and Stark. In fact, it's just houses that few locals pass travelers. On the island is home to just over a thousand people, there is practically no work, therefore welcome any burnishing during the tourist season.

A photo: 1, 2, 3

By the way, in the villages there are shops and cafes. It is possible not to worry about food supplies, and if get bored, visit the local disco.

Another popular pastime on the island - diving. The best place to dive is considered bay Alekseeva. There is a pebble beach and clean water.

In this case, we recommend that you visit the museum "sea of ​​Nature", and then scuba diving. Then you can explore the marine world more consciously. But most visitors are immersed in the marine strata not because of scientific reasons - people are hoping to find a pirate treasure.

In addition, on the island of notable fishing. Best biting in June and July.

Lovers of outdoor activities to get bored there is generally not necessary. Remember the strengthening of 901-th battery? Gun yard, cellars for weapons firing positions and strengthening - all this is now abandoned and quite suitable for stalking.

Stalking - a form of industrial tourism. His goal - to study areas, buildings and military engineering structures. Stalkers get aesthetic pleasure, studying the abandoned objects.

Also of extreme entertainment on the island Popov - windsurfing, hang gliding and rock climbing. For the last good Passing Cape, which locals poetically called the "Dragon's Lair".

How to get to Popova Island?

Administratively the island Popov refers to the city of Vladivostok, but to get to it by car or bus will not work - then he and the island. Therefore, you can reach it only by sea.

A photo: 1, 2, 3

On a ferryboat

The ferry usually leaves at 13 o'clock local time with the marine station in Vladivostok. However, the summer schedule may differ from the winter - specify the time at the box office.

Phone Reference: (4232) 49-65-58.

Attention! At the height of the season ticket for the ferry much hype - it is better to buy them in advance.

The ferry can swim and with a private car, but a lot of sense in this: all roads are unpaved.

catamaran

From Vladivostok to Popov Island (and back) runs daily catamaran "Moscow". The schedule is available here.

In addition, if you have your own boat, then get to the island Popov is not a problem.

Why you should see the island Popov?

Island... When your world - it is a small piece of land in the middle of the water, the reality is perceived differently. Multi-storey houses, cars, traffic lights - all the bustle of the city is still somewhere far away. On the island you are one on one with nature.

Holidays on the island Popov - is, on the one hand, a delight for the body. For days breathe fresh sea air, sea bathing in a clean and roasting in the warm sun. And on the other - it is aesthetically pleasing. Island charges the special energy. About the places they say "the eyes rejoices."

A photo: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

See there really is something to: breathtaking views from the island. For example, one can enjoy two brothers. This is the rock in the middle of the sea, who are brothers, huddled together. And these amazing natural sites in the Gulf of Peter the Great set.

If you are tired of the routine of stone jungle, the island Popov - what you a must see!