Telyakovsky Bay

05.09.2017
Posted by admin

One of the last stops on my Primorsky Krai journey will be Telyakovsky Bay—one of the most beautiful bays in southern Primorye, but, alas, one that became infamous after an incident involving a swimmer who lost his arms after an encounter with a shark in 2011…

Telyakovsky Bay is located in the eastern part of the Gamov Peninsula and is the southernmost bay of the Far Eastern Marine Reserve. The rocky shores of the bay are composed of white granite and covered with Pinus densiflora, a species endemic to the Khasansky District. In late spring and early summer, the shores of Telyakovsky Bay bloom with a carpet of large pinkish-white flowers of Rhododendron schlippenbachii and Rhododendron cuspidatum. The eastern part of the peninsula, facing the open sea, leaves a more vivid impression upon a visit. All these steep cliffs, secluded coves, and pebble beaches unite you with nature and create a romantic atmosphere. A dirt road leads to Telyakovsky Bay, but by car you can only reach the water's edge on one of the boulder beaches. To see all the beauty, you need to walk along the shores, clambering over rocks and swimming around steep sections. The most famous landmark of Telyakovsky Bay is the Island of the Longing Heart. Here, in a natural washout, rests a huge boulder that, under certain weather conditions, produces sounds similar to a heartbeat. The bay has several pebble beaches, very attractive for tourists. Telyakovsky Bay is a destination for those vacationers in Primorsky Krai who value the natural beauty of Primorye over amenities and the amount of sand on the beach. Whether in light fog or sunny weather, the pristine purity of the water and air, the tranquility of the quaint boulders, and the pensiveness of the Gamov pines are perfect for a "Photos of Primorye" album. Telyakovsky Bay is a must-see for vacationers in the village of Andreyevka and Vityaz Bay. An unusual feature of the bay is its location on the border of the Far Eastern State Marine Reserve. On maps, this latitude runs along 42 degrees 35 minutes and divides the bay into two parts. The southern part (around 70%) is not protected and is open to visitors, while the northern part (30%, respectively) is a complete protected area of the eastern section of the Far Eastern State Marine Reserve. Swimming, boating, fishing, and other activities are prohibited there. There is no strict control, but rangers from the reserve's cordon in Spaseniya Bay periodically visit and conduct educational activities.

View of the bay from the quarry

Closer

View of Cape Telyakovsky

This is actually where we set up camp. Despite the fact that there was a warning sign for the Far Eastern State Nature Reserve (the reserve's boundary is right around here). But everyone else does, and what are we, redheads?

The helicopter is looking for either sharks or trespassers.

After setting up camp, we went for a walk to the Island of the Longing Heart.

Here it is, getting closer and closer...

To get to the island, you need to climb down the rocks. Even a child could do it, given that there are thick ropes for this purpose. Even if there weren't, the pine roots are so strong that you could climb down holding on to them!