All about Fox Bay in Crimea
Fox Bay is one of the most popular nudist beaches in Crimea, where both locals and guests from all over Russia and foreign countries seek to get there. Situated in a secluded bay, this free vacation spot looks incredibly picturesque and romantic. And the description of the beach in Koktebel in Crimea allows you to get an idea of the features and traditions of local recreation. In search of an answer to the question of how to get there, vacationers usually turn to the local population. But if you carefully study all the important points in advance, you can navigate the terrain yourself.
Even its name Fox Bay was far from accidental. But disputes about its origin are still ongoing. Local residents most often mention the old name "Lysaya" associated with the sparse vegetation of the coast. Romantics are inclined to believe that the view from the mountains to the Lighthouse Hill and the bay is similar to the silhouette of a fox. But a more plausible option seems to be the connection of the toponym with the sea fox - an invertebrate that lives in this water area.
Description
Fox Bay is a bay located on the Black Sea coast of the Crimean Peninsula. Geographically, it is located between two well-known mountain ranges - Meganom and Kara-Dag.
Due to the fact that this coastal area in Crimea has not been subjected to mass development and, according to the latest geological surveys, such plans are completely excluded in the future, local beaches remain “wild”.
Tourists from Russia and the republic itself come here to relax away from prying eyes, to communicate with representatives of various informal subcultures and how to spend their time.
On the territory of Fox Bay, or Liski, as people who come here from year to year call it, they managed to form their own "settlements" with the appropriate names: Nyushka, Jamaica, Cuba, Piccadilly, Uganda, Jackalka, Zelenka... It is along them that the streams of people with different interests are distributed, and such communes coexist quite peacefully, as far as possible.
The territorial affiliation of Fox Bay today is the Echki-Dag park, with a total area of 1561 hectares. The landscape and recreational area, formed in 2008, is located in the expanses of Sudak and Feodosia and includes a full-scale system of ravines and valleys, caves and natural underground sources.
In Echki-Dag, unique specimens of fauna are presented in the form of invertebrates, wild plants, characteristic both for the nature of the Crimea, and found only here.
The popularity of Fox Bay among the population of the CIS countries is undeniable. Fans of "wild" rest come here, who do not want to overpay for the opportunity to have a good rest on vacation. For many years, the beach has been one of the centers of attraction for the informal community, serving as a resting place for nudists. But not only the lack of strict control of the authorities attracted thousands of tourists here.
In Fox Bay presented a unique natural landscape, there are no harmful enterprises and other objects that pollute the atmosphere. The water area is also quite clean, since there are no large port facilities nearby. But the state of the beach itself, due to the lack of centralized waste collection, raises serious criticism. The area is rather heavily polluted, especially during the peak season, and its sanitary condition is far from ideal.
Features of the landscape
Fox Bay is a relatively narrow strip of coastline with a length of about 5 km. The coast is hidden from view by a mountain range called Echki-Dag or "goat mountain". The peaks located on its territory are 570 and 670 m above sea level and are considered one of the most impressive in the area. The coastal relief can hardly be called simple - it is uneven, with significant differences in height. In the mountains, there are both sheer cliffs and plateaus or hills.
Noteworthy sights of Fox Bay and Mount Echki-Dag include the famous "Ear of the Earth" - a cave over 100 meters deep located in the rock. There are also two springs with clean fresh water, which make it possible to obtain it for personal use by tourists inhabiting the coast during the season.
The territory of Fox Bay is rich and gray volcanic clay, used in balneology and cosmetology. Due to the difficult terrain in the vicinity of the beach, it is not recommended to move at night or in a state of altered consciousness.
Supply and infrastructure
Among the distinctive features of Fox Bay is its completely “wild” status. For various reasons, the coast has not been built up here, there are no centralized residential areas, communications and roads. Infrastructure is presented only:
- spontaneously formed tent cities;
- a network of dirt paths and paths;
- temporary shops in the summer;
- garages and boathouses installed without the permission of the authorities.
The beach of Fox Bay is sandy and pebbly, quite convenient for rest and setting up tents.
The coastal strip is rocky and not so comfortable for vacationers. The sea, due to the peculiarities of the bay, which has the shape of an irregular crescent, is not too calm, there is excitement.
It is worth considering that due to the lack of full-fledged communication and trade everything necessary for life on the coast of Fox Bay, vacationers have to carry with them. Firewood, tents, water, food should be taken in advance.
What to see for tourists?
People go to Fox Bay for a beautiful tan and full-fledged "wild" rest. It is not surprising that the geography of visitors varies from local or "indigenous" tourists to those who are called "mattresses" in resort areas. But the unusual geographical position, in addition to solitude, also gives a lot of other advantages that are not available in other Black Sea resorts.
The coastline with a difficult topography makes it possible to accommodate a significant number of tourists even on a relatively small section of the beach. The sand here is rather coarse, gray in color; large stones are found under the water. There is no shortage of shade here, but for water and fuel for a fire, if the season has not yet begun, you will have to go to the mountains.
Interestingly, on the first visit for tourists there will be an "administrative" division of the beach area into separate sectors. Among them:
- Jackal. The most profitable site for accommodation - there is greenery, shrubs, trees, but it is located at a sufficient distance from the sea.
- Zelenka. It is located in the coastal strip, but has a shady area with pistachio trees and oaks. It is almost impossible for a beginner to take a place here - the territory from the beginning of the season has been chosen by old-timers.
- Jamaica. Its territory can be easily identified by the national flag of the country of the same name, as well as by the abundance of informals of all kinds. The beach here is best suited for swimming, but it is difficult to place a tent - there is not enough free space.
- Piccadilly. A lively area with spontaneous trade and teahouses. All the roads and paths of the bay converge here.
- Chukotka. A traditional gathering place for musicians, it is here that the most interesting events take place at night, concerts are organized.
- Nyushka. Parking place for nudists. A traditional beach "for friends" and at the same time a tent camp.
There is also a division into other areas - in Fox Bay you can find such informal place names as Pistachio Grove or Cuba. In general, a walk around the neighborhood will definitely not be boring.
Excursion holidays and attractions
To visit Fox Bay and not visit the Echki-Dag massif would be a big omission. Local peaks - Kara-Oba and Kokush-Kaya, are low enough and accessible for visiting even for people with a low level of physical fitness. A magnificent view of the legendary Kara-Dag, the bay and the rocks surrounding it opens up from above. On the nearby Holy Mountain there is the Karadag ecological trail - a popular tourist route.
Not far from Fox Bay is located the village of Solnechnaya Dolina. This place fully justifies its name. The sun shines here for over 300 days throughout the year. The unique climate made this piece of Crimean land ideal for growing grapes. The wine-making region today creates the best conditions for obtaining an excellent product.
Local wines have a pleasant taste and are highly valued by the population and tourists. Some grape varieties grow exclusively in this area. No wonder that excursions and independent visits to the Sun Valley remain the favorite entertainment of tourists.
It is not necessary to leave the territory of the Echki-Dag mountain range to see something truly unusual. Karst formation 132 meters long - the so-called Ear of the Earth, goes into the rock almost vertically.
The winding and narrow natural well attracts extreme lovers, but special equipment is required to visit it.
One of the main attractions of the Crimean southern coast Cape Meganom, has an expressive domed shape. It is no coincidence that these places attract fans of extreme recreation. There is a lift descent through a hole in the rock, ideal for diving. At a depth of 7 meters, at the lowest point, you can swim to the cemetery of anchors at the bottom of the sea.The most impressive object has a mass of 2 tons.
Located approximately in the middle between Solnechnaya Dolina and Lisya Bay, the movie town is an abandoned scenery for the filming of a movie. This attraction appeared relatively recently, in 2004, during the filming of the picture under the working title "Live fish", which never appeared on the screens. Picturesque ruins and arches look very impressive against the background of mountains. But every year vandals leave less and less chances for its long existence.
The volcano and reserve Kara-Dag is an extinct fiery mountain. It is considered truly legendary, and a visit to its surroundings allows you to fully appreciate the full power of this natural formation. The park of the Kara-Dag reserve offers organized walking tours that allow you to visit the dolphinarium, an aquarium with unique representatives of the marine fauna.
Is on the territory and museum of exotic fauna, and representatives of various animal species from the Red Book living in the wild.
When is the best time to go to rest?
The choice of the season for visiting Fox Bay is a serious problem for many vacationers. Despite the rather cold weather in the low season in Crimea, there are enthusiasts who choose this time to travel to the coast. But people who are far from tourism usually want to know if it is possible to relax there in winter and what is the state of the beaches in the summer.
Of course, no one forbids visiting Fox Bay from October to May. But there are no tent camps or serene holidaymakers here in winter. Too cold wind blows from the sea, and in general the coast looks rather inhospitable. But as a place for walking, searching for and collecting shells and unusual stones, its shores are ideal. The only difficulty is the lack of access roads, even by taxi you can only get to the beginning of the dirt road.
In the summertime, here, surrounded by cliffs overhanging the coast, a unique atmosphere of freedom and tolerance is created. Representatives of various informal movements peacefully coexist nearby. The absence of the status of a nature reserve makes these territories accessible for visiting and living.
During the high season, there are activities for everyone on the territory of Fox Bay.
Lovers of a good tan will be able to cover their body with it, giving up bathing suits and other conventions. Fans of music, fire shows and new acquaintances will also find their place on the coast of this resort place.
For connoisseurs of "green" recreation, Lisya Bay will be the best alternative to noisy hotels. There is one more important point: at the stage of familiarization with local regulations, you can rent an apartment in the village of Kurortnoye, where you can leave your valuables, a car, or spend the night in a storm.
How to get there?
Fox Bay can hardly be called an easily accessible object. Geographically, it is considered part of the village of Kurortnoye, located in the urban district of Feodosia. Geographic coordinates: 44.898862, 35.162640. By road from Feodosia, you can get here through Pionerskoye, Nasypnoye and Yuzhnoye, having traveled just over 36 km. From Sudak, you can get there by car through Dachnoye or Koktebel, driving further to Krasnokamenka and Schebetovka, at the same time seeing local sights.
Traveling through Kurortny requires you to turn right 2 km before the entrance to the village itself. From this section of the road to the beach there is a dirt road, the passability of which depends on whether a grader passed here at the beginning of the season. In the absence of such preparation, only an SUV with a high ground clearance can drive along a track washed out after rains in winter.
If you plan to move by public transport, it is better to leave from Feodosia, you can take a fixed-route taxi to the stop "Biostation".
Then you will have to walk about two kilometers on a dirt road to Echki-Dag.
From Sudak the path will be somewhat more difficult and long.Direct communication here is only with Shchebetovka. From this village there is a minibus to Kurortnoye, located in close proximity to the beach.
On foot you can get to Fox Bay along the coast. Distance from Kurortny village is about 3 km. Also, subject to availability of funds, you can use a rented boat departing from Koktebel.
Reviews about the place "Fox Bay" from tourists who have already been there can be found in the video below.