Russky Island

Russky Island is the largest in the archipelago of Empress Eugenia, a part of modern Vladivostok, separated from it by the Bosporus-Eastern Strait and one of the most combat-ready frontiers of Primorye, whose coastal forts and batteries for several decades made it inaccessible for curious visitors from the mainland. Today Russky is considered “retired,” and although a couple or three military facilities are still lost in its expanse, the island’s status of special secrecy has been lifted.

.

Cut by cozy bays, overgrown with oak and ash groves, above which rise the sloping slopes of hills, Russky every year is becoming more and more “civilian” and attractive to tourists. The APEC summit held here in 2012 gave a serious impetus to the development of the island’s infrastructure. In record time, a beautiful campus belonging to the Far Eastern Federal University and a unique cable-stayed bridge connecting the shores of the island and Vladivostok grew up on Russky. For today’s Primorsky residents these territories are something like one big beach. In the summer season, the island’s picturesque bays are attacked by city dwellers who come here to swim in the Sea of Japan and briefly abstract themselves from the excessive bustle of Primorsky Krai’s capital.

.

Video: Russky Island

Contents

History of the island

The development of the island began almost simultaneously with the construction of the main Pacific outpost – Vladivostok. From the very beginning these territories were under the wing of the military, engaged in strengthening coastal defenses, but very soon in search of a better deal on Russky pulled and the civilian population. Savvy Primorsky residents quickly appreciated the advantages of farming on fresh, non-wasting soils and convenient location of the island (practically next door to Vladivostok), so by 1895 the number of Russky’s peaceful population exceeded 3000 people.

.

Since 1898, the island gradually turned into one huge citadel. A turning point in its fate was the construction of a canal that connected Novik Bay with the Bosporus-Eastern Strait, resulting in the detachment of a small piece of land from the main part of the land – Helena Island. In 1899 the first stone of the future Vladivostok fortress was laid on Russky. The scale of construction turned out to be without exaggeration grandiose: in the shortest possible time 6 full-fledged sea forts, 27 batteries, as well as countless ammunition depots grew here.

.

Modernity

By the end of the 20th century, Russky’s army heritage had passed into the category of museum exhibits, so anyone can walk around the once-closed military facility today. Of course, there are still a few secret places on the island, against which it is still forbidden to take selfies, but otherwise these territories can be considered quite peaceful.

.

Transportation between the island and Vladivostok is carried out via the Russian Bridge. However, until 2012 it was possible to get here from the mainland only by ferry, because of which the journey stretched for several hours. The giant cable-stayed construction made the island more accessible and promoted it well, so in summer season Russky beaches are filled with vacationers, and in winter ice fishing fans “hang out” in its frozen bays. The buildings constructed specially for the APEC summit also served these places well. After the grandiose event, the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University “privatized” the new buildings and the landscaped park zone, and the island itself got a nice promenade.

.

Best time to go

Like all territories within the monsoon climate zone, Russian Island is characterized by humid warm summers and long harsh winters. The tourist season here lasts from May through September, with August being the hottest and most hectic month. In the last month of summer, the water temperature in Peter the Great Bay finally reaches +22…+25 °C, which attracts seaside vacationers to its rocky beaches.

.

From September to October, the island is visited mainly by lovers of walks along forest paths and aesthetes who know a lot about bright autumn landscapes. Rainfall at this time is usually not annoying, and there are still plenty of sunny days. Starting from mid-October, the weather begins to show its stroppy character, the island gets sharply colder, and in November the snow caps are already painted on the local hills. January on Russky is cold (average daily temperature -10 °C), but not gloomy, on the contrary, clear. Most bays by mid-winter are covered with a thick crust of ice that can support the weight of an adult.

.

The most inappropriate period to visit the island, along with late fall, is unconditionally considered the first half of spring, which in these parts is cold, unfriendly and slushy. In addition, spring rains and melting snow often erode local dirt roads, blocking access to the most beautiful sites and attractions.

.

Transportation on Russky Island

City buses and shuttles run between Vladivostok and Russky several times a day. The path of most of them passes through the student campus of Far Eastern Federal University and ends at the Primorsky Oceanarium. You can find out the schedule and bus stops on Vladivostok’s official public transportation website: http://www.transportvl.ru/buses/.

.

Those who came to Russky by their own or rented car should get ready for all the charms of local dirt roads. Despite the fact that the seaside authorities every year promise to “lengthen” the asphalt roadbed on the island, so far normal road surface can be found only in its eastern part. So, if your plans include the development of remote bays and beaches, it is better to take care of renting an off-road vehicle.

.

Tourists who prefer eco-transport, can look at the FEFU campus, where there is a bicycle rental shop, owned by the company “Samy Samy Bike” (opening hours from 12:00 to 20:00). To rent a “two-wheeled friend”, it is enough to provide the employees of the rental office with an ID card (a driver’s license will do), or leave a cash deposit of 10,000-15,000 rubles. Riding a bicycle is allowed both on the campus fanboxes and on the roads of the island.

.

Beaches of Russky Island

There are not many landscaped beaches in the capital of Primorye. In addition, due to the unfavorable environmental situation that has developed in recent years, the purity of water in the vicinity of the port leaves much to be desired, so in order to swim and lie in the sun, Vladivostok residents prefer to go to the islands, including Russky.

.

The coastline of the island is formed mainly by large pebbles, alternating with stony areas but, if you try hard, to the sea you can find and sandy approaches, usually embanked. The most convenient places for bathing recognized paid beaches, the cost of “subscription” which varies around 100-500 rubles. On weekends, the number of vacationers on paid sections of the coast is off the charts, but if you are comfort-dependent and do not imagine your vacation without a comfortable lounge chair and the indispensable kiosk with fast food, with human “anthill” will have to put up with.

.

Seasiders who went to the island with small children, often settle in the bay Ahlestysheva. The sea here is shallow, the coast is flat, and the water is heated to the state of steam milk. If you want more glossy landscapes, you can go to Melkovodnaya Bay (Novik Bay area), to which you will have to shake a lot on a dirt road. For kids here are also all the conditions, and the sandy beach, although it is the product of employees of one of the nearby recreation centers, looks quite natural.

.

The beach near Ajax Bay is also favored by the citizens: here vacationers are waiting for paid parking, clean seabed (beach workers regularly collect rakes nailed to the shore representatives of marine flora), shower stalls and other sanitary and hygienic amenities. From the entertainment available to the guests of Ajax, we can name equipped playgrounds for children, as well as rental boats and catamarans. The bay of Novy Dzhigit (Peschanka) looks very cozy. However, according to reviews, this beach is often visited by the military to expel uninvited guests from it, so in case of appearance of people in uniform on the shore, be ready to fold your fishing rods without any hesitation.

.

Not the most convenient, but frankly “lazy” in terms of accessibility option – the beach near the village of Pospelovo. To get here is nothing: across the Russian bridge, turning at the first turn from the gas station. In spite of the fact that there is a parking lot on the territory of the beach, its regulars do not have to hope for a pumped-up infrastructure. By and large, the place is focused on unpretentious vacationer, morally and physically not ready to go on the dirt road in search of a more convenient approach to the sea.

.

The coast near the bay Chernyshova stony-pebble with frequent inclusions of boulders. Here often go “savages” with a tent and other stuff, but it is worth considering that the beach is periodically announced by the “owners”, demanding from guests to pay for the place. In the western part of Russky Island the beaches of Voevoda and Rynda bays are worthy of attention. The coastal edge here is sandy-pebble, but at the bottom of the sea bathers may come across muddy and stony areas. Relax in this part of the island can be as “savages”, and quite civilized: in the vicinity there are several good recreation centers.

.

Where to stay

If infrastructure and comfort play not the last role, it’s better to choose a cozy hotel in Vladivostok, and go to Russky at a convenient time by private car or bus. Those who still decided to try on the role of an islander, you can recommend local recreation centers. In particular, the well-to-do contingent prefers “Novik Country Club”. The institution by local standards pathos and with a favorable location (the area of Novik Bay), so the rates here are appropriate: from 7000 r. for a double room at the height of the bathing season. The hotel-club “Russian Renaissance” with the average cost of a room from 4500 rubles has good reviews. The hotel complex operates from April to September, so that the availability of free places and time of check-in at the administration is better to clarify in advance.

.

If you need not only an overnight stay, but also a set of medical procedures, it is worth looking into the sanatorium “White Swan”, where you can rent a room or “log cabin” (a separate wooden cottage with all amenities). The cost of such a “hut” for a company of 10 people in the high season ranges around 35,000 rubles. However, if you rent accommodation for a period of 2 days or more, the administration of the institution offers a good discount. Approximately the same rates apply in “Rossiyanka” (Malaya Rynda Bay), whose room stock mainly consists of four-bed houses with verandas. In addition, on the island enough bases ranked lower (“Alice”, “U berega”, “Egersheld”).

.

Fans of hiking conditions and complete unity with nature can arrange a free overnight stay in a tent. However, for this you will have to search for wild places, which are not yet rented out. A simpler and more convenient option – to stake out a “beachhead” on one of the paid beaches, where there is a guarded parking lot, toilets and showers and operates rental of necessary beach equipment.

.

Restaurants and cafes

Restaurant in the full sense of the word at Russky only one and it is located at the recreation center “Novik Country Club”. Paradoxically, but the fact is that at the moment it is practically the only institution on the island, where you will serve fresh seafood on the table. The second place where the tourist will be provided with a full three meals a day, sanatorium “White Swan”, however, in order to get this privilege, in the preventorium will have to settle. Tourists, who dropped in on the island for a day or two, can eat in canteens and cafeterias of the FEFU campus: the prices here, compared to other seaside taverns, are quite budgetary. At some recreation centers, too, you will find small cafes, where you can have a decent snack, but the question of food will have to coordinate with the administration: some bases feed exclusively guests.

.

Most of the local stores and catering outlets are concentrated on the territory of the village Ajax. Take into account this fact, going to conquer the wild corners of Russky Island, and stock up on everything you need immediately upon arrival in the settlement. By the way, prices in local shops are much higher than in Vladivostok, so if you plan to get to the island in your own car, don’t be lazy to bring a food ration.

.

Sights

If not to take into account the Russian Bridge, which has recently become Vladivostok’s No. 1 attraction, the main asset of the island that attracts tourists to it has been and remains the retired military facilities. For example, such a strategic construction as Voroshilov Battery ceased to serve in 1997, becoming a part of the Military History Museum of the Talnakh Concentration Fleet. It is worth a look here because there are practically no analogs of this artillery complex in the world (the Sevastopol battery, of course, does not count). On the tour is better to go with a museum guide, who will not only lead to the underground rooms of the complex and tell about their purpose, but also tell an interesting story about how in the 90’s the island’s military pride almost scrapped.

.

Tourists learning the basics of diggerism, will take battery number 367, or rather, its underground labyrinths. All the caves are the product of military designers who planned to place another battery complex on this place, but stopped their work after the beginning of the revolution. Interest in the abandoned object is also fueled by its danger. Cave vaults here tend to collapse at the most unexpected moment, besides, the labyrinths are full of deep pits, into which you can easily fall if you travel along the corridors without a flashlight. In different parts of the island you can come across the remains of military forts that belonged to Vladivostok fortress, with which the most mysterious legends of Russky are connected. Among the best preserved ruins of the former citadel are the forts of Prince Vladimir the Holy (No. 12), Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich (No. 11) and Prince Rurik (No. 9).

.

Of the peaceful sights of the island worthy of attention Serafimovsky male monastery, located in the building of the former church of the East Siberian Rifle Regiment, built in the early XX century. The monastery houses several Orthodox relics, which were shared with it by the churches of the European part of Russia. In particular, the monastery houses portions of the relics of St. Tatiana and St. Sergius of Radonezh, access to which is open to all pilgrims visiting the monastery.

.

The most modern attraction of the island is the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University, which is a cozy campus with its own waterfront and extensive recreational areas. According to the media, there are no analogs of this complex in Russia, and, indeed, there are few campuses in the world that can compete with it. There is a comfortable bus running on the territory of FEFU, which is convenient to get from one end of the campus to the other, and not only those who are gnawing the granite of science, but also ordinary tourists are allowed to come here. So feel free to stroll along the campus promenade and its huge park, not forgetting to admire the charming mini waterfalls and fountains.

.

On the Zhitkova Peninsula is another interesting place – Primorsky Oceanarium. The institution is notable primarily for its unusual design (the building is shaped like a sea shell), as well as 70-meter glass tunnel, which serves as an internal observation deck. At the oceanarium there is a dolphinarium where you can see extravagant performances of marine animals, as well as get a course of dolphin therapy. The ticket price for an adult visitor is 700 p., for children – 400 p., while on holidays the price may be higher.

.

Curious facts

  • Despite its status as a museum complex, the Voroshilov Battery remains an active combat unit to this day. According to military experts, it will take less than a month to bring the guns to full combat readiness.
    • Rumor has it that somewhere on the territory of Russky buried treasures of Chinese pirates – the Hunguz, whose “base” was once the island.
  • At the time of the intervention on Russky there was an American camp for prisoners of war, with the activities of which is associated with several terrible tales and legends.
.

Excursions in the neighborhood

If your stay on the island is long and its main attractions have already been explored, you can change the location for a change and take a parade march around the nearest islets. Just one and a half kilometers from Russky is Skrypleva Island, where you will find the oldest seaside lighthouse, laid in 1865. There is no transportation to the island, except for the boat used by the lighthouse keepers, so you will have to rent a motorboat to get here. But it is easy to get to Shkota Island by wading: a small piece of land is connected with the Russian pebble “bridge”, which has a submerged gap, stretching for several tens of meters. The island is listed as uninhabited, but if you get closer to its top, then traces of human presence in the form of the remains of a coastal battery and the ruins of a military town will be found here.

.

Half a kilometer away from Russky is Popova Island. Of the entertainment available to visitors to this piece of land, it is worth highlighting the Museum of the Far Eastern Marine Reserve and the botanical garden on the Lycander Peninsula. By the way, the staff of the operating Marine Experimental Station of the island periodically organize informative excursions to the natural areas of the reserve for tourists. The cleanest sea and not littered beaches can be found on the island of Reineke. The place is sparsely populated, which is already a significant plus for “savages” and adherents of secluded rest.

.

Active rest

Seaside divers often hang out at Russky. For example, Ivantsova Bay is adored by hunters for underwater treasures like shipwrecks. The same contingent scours the seabed in the vicinity of Karamzina Island – one of the closest neighbors of Ricord Island. In the middle of the XX century, a trophy Japanese destroyer “Hibiki” was sunk near its shores, as well as a couple of domestic transport ships, on which once practiced marksmanship naval attack aircraft. Babkina Bay is taken by beginners who have barely mastered the subtleties of diving. Near Shkota Island and in the area of Cape Vyatlina is worth swimming in search of Far Eastern trepangs and other marine life.

.

You can go boating and canoeing, as well as play beach volleyball at the international rowing center “Sports Club of Russky Island”, located in Novik Bay. If active training is not in your plans, just watch other people’s achievements: the club periodically organizes rowing competitions among professionals. You can also have a good time at the extreme center “Point of Attraction”, operating at the FEFU campus. People come here to skateboard, jump on trampolines and practice acrobatic etudes on a pneumatic pillow.

.

Fishing in Russian

Starting from the middle of December, fishermen rush to Russky Island to try their luck at catching smelt and saffron cod. The most “cool” places are unanimously considered the bays Voevoda (on the territory of the sanatorium “White Swan”) and Novik (area Zelenka, near the village Ekipazhny). However, by the middle of winter, all ice fishing enthusiasts gradually migrate to warmer bays, where the ice cover is established only by January. In particular, it is better to go to Paris Bay for saffron cod and catfish. Smelt bite in shallower places, but, as experienced fishermen say, without krill feeding, the case is likely to be tight. Those who stayed in the Novik area, in January it is more advisable to move to the center of the bay, as well as closer to Cape Doronina (Kochegarka) and the lighthouse (near the Canal settlement). Babkina Bay is not particularly generous for catches, but nevertheless, anglers sit here as well. But the southern and northern parts of the island are not suitable for winter fishing. In the first case, the case will interfere with the endlessly running around the bay ships, and in the second – almost complete absence of ice layer.

.

How to get there

You can get to Russky Island from Vladivostok by your own car (from Patrokl Bay via Russky Bridge or along the Sedanka-Patrokl highway), buses, shuttle buses or cabs. Routes № 15, 63, 74, 75, 76, 77e go through the village of Ajax, FEFU campus, Paris Bay and up to the oceanarium. To get to Voroshilovskaya Battery and Voyevoda Bay, it is better to take bus No. 29d.

.