sunset boat cruise lake pichola

Lake Pichola Udaipur (Entry Fee, Timings, Best time to visit, Images & Location)

Lake Pichola Udaipur Entry Fee

• No Entry Fee
• 400 per person for Adults
• 200 per person for Children
• 700 per person for Adults
• 400 per person for Children

Lake Pichola Udaipur Phone

02942 424186.

Lake Pichola Udaipur Address : Rameshwar Ghat, City Palace Complex , Udaipur , Rajasthan , 313001 , India

Udaipur Tour Packages

Lake Pichola Udaipur Timings

Note: The Boat Rides Timings are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

True to its title, the City of Lakes - Udaipur is surrounded by a number of lakes mesmerising its visitors with its blue waters and scenic views. One such artificial lake that sits right in the middle of Udaipur city is Lake Pichola, built in the year of 1362 AD.

Named after the nearby village Picholi, Lake Pichola is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Udaipur. Flanked by islands, palaces, temples, mansions, ghats and restaurants, Lake Pichola offers something for everyone. The enchanting views of sunrise and sunset from the lake is something that should not be missed by anyone visiting the lake.

With dimensions of 3 miles in length, 2 miles in width and a depth of 30 feet, Lake Pichola has four main islands namely Jag Niwas, Jag Mandir, Mohan Mandir and Arsi Vilas.

Jag Niwas is home to Lake Palace which is now converted into a heritage hotel while Jag Mandir is home to the famous Lake Garden Palace. Mohan Mandir served as the place from where the king used to witness the Gangaur festival celebration held anually.

Once an ammunition depot, Arsi Vilas has a small beautiful palace which was built by one of the Maharanas of Udaipur to relax while enjoying the sunset on the lake. A sanctuary consisting of a number of birds such as tufted ducks, cormorants, coots, egrets, terns, kingfishers etc. is also built here.

History of Lake Pichola

Mesmerising the visitors with its charm and enchanting beauty, Lake Pichola is an artificial lake built in the year of 1362 AD and one of the popular sightseeing places to visit in Udaipur . It was built by a Banjara tribesman, Pichhu Banjara who used to transport grain during the reign of Maharana Lakha.

The captivating lake attracted Maharana Udai Singh so much that he established the city of Udaipur on the banks of this very lake. Maharana Udai Singh is credited with enlarging the lake further by building a dam on the shore of the lake.

Later, several islands, palaces, temples, mansions, and bathing ghats were developed in the surroundings of the lake over a period of time, making it even more attractive.

One of the most famous attractions in the lake surroundings is Lake Palace that sits right in the middle of the lake, constructed on the Jag island. Mohan Mandir, built by Jagat Singh between the period 1628-1652 and Jag Mandir are other islands that are worth a visit.

City Palace is another famous tourist attraction in the lake surroundings from where boats ply to other parts of the lake from Bansi Ghat. Arsi Vilas which is a bird sanctuary and Sitamata Game Sanctuary on the western part of the lake are other attractions around the lake.

Ornamental arch bridges at various locations further beautify the lake. These bridges are built at places where the lake narrows so that the water can reach the banks.

Image Gallery of Lake Pichola Udaipur

Attractions of lake pichola, 1. lake palace.

Built in 1740s by Maharana Jagat Singh, Lake Palace is one of the most famous attractions of Lake Pichola. Also known as Pichola Palace or Jag Nivas, this palace sits magnificently on the Jag island.

Now a heritage hotel of Taj Group, Lake Palace has over 80 rooms and served as a summer retreat for the Maharanas of Udaipur city. Spanning over 4 acres, the palace covers the entire of the Jag island looking as if it is floating on the waters.

The interiors of the Lake palace are as impressive as the exteriors. With stained glass motifs, fountains and parks, the palace is sure to mesmerise everyone with its architectural beauty.

2. Jag Mandir

Another impressive structure that tourists flock in huge numbers is Jag Mandir that occupies the island with the same name. Jag Mandir also served as a summer retreat and a palace for entertaining the guests of Udaipur city.

The construction of Jag Mandir was started in 1500s by Maharana Amar Singh and was succeeded by his son Maharana Karan Singh. It was finally completed by Maharana Jagat Singh and hence named after him as Jagat Mandir.

In the year 1623, the Mughal emperor Prince Khurram better known as Shah Jahan took refuge of Mewar King Maharana Karan Singh II when he rebelled against Jahangir. Maharana Karan Singh housed him in Gul Mahal of the partially completed Jag Mandir. The palace inspired Shah Jahan to construct the marvellous wonder Taj Mahal.

As one sets foot on the island, elephants carved beautifully in marble white greet them at the entrance. Gul Mahal on this island is a must visit, especially the zenana or women quarters of the mahal.

12 stone palace or Barah patharon ka mahal is another impressive structure worth visiting deriving its name from the 12 stones used to make it. There is also a museum depicting the history of the island.

3. Mohan Mandir

Comparatively a smaller island, Mohan Mandir was built by Maharana Jagat Singh between 1628 and 1652. Located on the north east corner of Lake Pichola, Mohan Mandir served as the place from where the King used to witness the festival of Gangaur.

4. Arsi Vilas

The fourth island of Lake Pichola, Arsi Vilas once served as an armoury. Built by one of the Maharanas of Udaipur to enjoy the sunset on the lake, it is now a sanctuary housing a variety of birds.

5. City Palace

Located on the eastern banks of the Lake Pichola, City palace is a historic structure that was built by 22 generations of Sisodia Rajputs over a long period of time starting from the year of 1559. The subsequent generations including Udai Singh II added impressive structures to the palace complex.

The proximity to the lake, adds further grandeur to the City Palace. During night time the view of the lake from the palace is quite enchanting, as the reflection of lights falling on the lake make it even more enthralling.

6. Mansions / Havelis

A number of mansions were built along the banks of Lake Pichola, with some of them being converted into hotels. One such Haveli that is quite famous is the Bagore ki Haveli which houses a museum. It also holds cultural shows during evenings.

7. Swaroop Sagar Bridge

Connecting Lake Pichola to a smaller lake called Swaroop Sagar, Swaroop Sagar bridge is a beautiful ornamental bridge built by the namesake king of Udaipur. It is located quite close to Bagore ki Haveli, another top attraction of Lake Pichola.

8. Gangaur Ghat

Also known as Gangori Ghat, Gangaur Ghat is the main ghat situated near the waterfront of Lake Pichola. Located near the Jagdish Chowk area, the ghat is quite popular with tourists and locals thronging it in huge numbers especially during festivals such as Gangaur Festival and Jal Jhulni Festival.

9. Chabutaras

Raised platforms can also be seen along the banks of Lake Pichola used for various purposes mostly within a courtyard. One such platform is Natini Chabutara that has an interesting legend associated with it.

Natini, a tightrope walker who used to live during the reign of Maharana Jawan Singh (1828–38) was asked by the drunkard king to cross the lake on a tightrope from a village on the west bank of the lake to the City Palace on the east bank. He promised to gift her half of the Mewar kingdom if she would successfully cross the lake.

It is believed that the king cut off the rope before she could reach the end of the rope and Natini fell into the lake. Cheated by the king, she cursed him that his family would not have any direct descendents or heirs from then on. This curse is believed to have come true as six Ranas out of the seven succeeding Jawan Singh were adopted.

Boating in Lake Pichola

A trip to Lake Pichola is incomplete without a boat ride in the serene lake, especially during sunset. Lake Pichola boating tickets are available at City Palace and are priced at Rs. 400 to 600 for Adults and Rs.200 for children. For sunset cruise, the tickets are priced at Rs.700 for Adults and Rs.400 for children.

With a seating capacity of six to eight, the boats are covered with a canopy. The boat ride starting from Rameshwar Ghat, first takes the visitors to Lake Palace. The boat then takes them to Jagmandir where the visitors can spend some time appreciating the scenic views.

The sunset view from the boat is truly magical, as is the changing colors of water from blue in the morning to golden in the noon and orange during sunset. During night, the reflection of palace lights on the water is another sight that is sure to leave one spellbound.

Vintage Walking Tour of Lake Pichola

To get in depth knowledge of historical places like City Palace, Bagore Ki Haveli, and Gangaur Ghat, a walking tour around Lake Pichola is the best way.

Costing anywhere between Rs. 1300 to Rs. 4000 for a guided tour to important places near the lake and the old city, this walking tour is a must do activity for history lovers.

Entry Fee and Timings of Lake Pichola

There is no entry fee to visit Lake Pichola. However, for a boat ride in Lake Pichola during daytime and afternoons, the tickets are priced at Rs. 400 for Adults and Rs. 200 for Children. For Sunset boat ride, the ticket fee is Rs.700 for Adults and Rs.400 for children.

Timings of Lake Pichola are from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on all days of the week. For Boating in Lake Pichola, the opening time is 10:00 am and closing time is 5:00 pm.

Best Time to visit Lake Pichola

Udaipur is quite hot during summers as the temperature reaches upto 40 degree celsius. It is advisable to avoid visiting Lake Pichola from March to June to evade the scorching heat of the city.

Monsoons from July to September and winter months from October to February are considered as the best time to visit the lake as the weather is quite pleasant with temperature ranging between 25 to 35 degree celsius.

The best time to visit the lake is during evening hours as the view of sunset from the lake is truly breathtaking.

How to Reach Lake Pichola

Located in the Udaipur city of Rajasthan, Lake Pichola can be reached by tonga, auto rickshaws or taxis. Local buses also ply from various parts of the city to the lake.

Udaipur is well connected by air, rail and road. The nearest airport in Udaipur is Maharana Pratap Airport located 20 kilometres away from the city center. Flights from major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Jaipur operate to and from this airport.

Udaipur has its own railway station - Udaipur Railway Station and is well connected to major cities like Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Khajuraho and Sealdah through Adi Udz Express, Bdts Aii Udz Express, Mewar Express and Annanya Express.

A number of state run buses by Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) and private tour operated buses connect Udaipur to a number of cities by road.

You can also book a private can from top car rental companies in Udaipur and explore the city leisurely.

True to the words written by Rudyard Kipling in his Letters of Marque (1899), "If the Venetian owned the Pichola Lake, he might say with justice, `see it and die'"; Lake Pichola is sure to enthrall anyone with its beauty. This mesmerising lake would make one fall in love with it wanting to visit it again and again.

Choose a Udaipur Tour package from Udaipur Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA and explore the city like never before. With custom made packages at reasonable prices, you will have a holiday that you will cherish for a lifetime. To know more about the packages, please fill the Contact Us form.

Location Map for Lake Pichola Udaipur

For Outbound Tours: (Indian nationals visiting outside India)

For Domestic Tours: (Indian nationals visiting within India)

Sunset Boat Cruise On Lake Pichola

Starting from

What better way to end your day in Udaipur than enjoying a picturesque boat cruise along Lake Pichola? Watch the lake glimmer during a beautiful sunset as you pass Udaipur’s illuminated skyline dotted with mansions. Admire stately palaces on the lake's islands and learn about Udaipur’s culture and history from your knowledgeable guide.

After pickup from your Udaipur hotel by private, air-conditioned vehicle, head to Lake Pichola. Board the boat and head out on the water for your 45-minute sunset cruise.

Marvel at the glimmering lake, the mountains and the city against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset. Along the way, see historical landmarks dotted along the shore such as the City Palace Complex and the picturesque ghats - steps leading down into the water that locals use for bathing.

Pass the havelis (mansions) of nobles, the most prominent being the Bagore ki Haveli. On the far end of this structure, the Gangaur Ghat with its triple-arched Tripolia Gate stands as a magnificent piece of architecture.

The boat first makes it way towards back towards the old city, circling the famous Lake Palace Hotel on Jagniwas Island. This was the one featured in the James Bond classic - 'Octopusy'. It then proceeds to Jagmandir Island where it stops and you are allowed to exit the boat to enjoy the palace grounds. While on Jagmandir, there is a lovely bar area to enjoy a drink and we quite enjoyed the surrounding gardens which you are allowed to explore. A stop of 15-20 minutes is ok but you can easily stay longer if you are enjoying yourself.

RATES IN INR

PS: If single pax will travel then Guide Supplement would be USD 22 extra

Rate is Inclusive of the Following:

• Air-conditioned Vehicle.
• English Speaking guide as per the itinerary.
• Boar ride  on lake pichhola.

The above rates are based for clients staying in hotels in Udaipur city only.

For outskirts hotels refer to our transport tariff 2016/17.

Start from: USD 99

Start from: USD 35

Start from: USD 89

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Sunset Boat Cruise On Lake Pichola In Udaipur With Private Transport - With Reviews & Ratings

• Udaipur Tours
• Private & Custom Tours
• Private Sightseeing Tours

Sunset Boat Cruise On Lake Pichola In Udaipur With Private Transport

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Tour Information

Key Details

• Mobile Voucher Accepted
• Hotel pickup Available
• Duration: 4 Hrs
• Departure Time : 04:00 PM
• Return Details : This operator requires you to contact them directly prior to this tour/activity.
• Cancellation Policy : This activity is non-refundable Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

What better way to end your day in Udaipur than enjoying a picturesque boat cruise along Lake pichola ? Watch the lake glimmer during a beautiful sunset as you pass Udaipurs illuminated skyline dotted with mansions. Admire stately palaces on the lake's islands and learn about Udaipurs culture and history from your knowledgeable guide.

Know More about this tour

City Palace, is a palace complex situated in the city of Udaipur . It was built over a period of nearly 400 years, with contributions from several rulers of the Mewar dynasty. Bagore-ki-Haveli is a haveli in Udaipur. It is right on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat. Amar Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of Mewar, built it in the eighteenth century Lake Pichola, situated in Udaipur city, is an artificial fresh water lake, created in the year 1362 AD, named after the nearby Picholi village. It is one of the several contiguous lakes, and developed over the last few centuries in and around the famous Udaipur city. It was begun by Udai Singh but construction continued under subsequent rulers during the 17th and 18th centuries. This three-arched gate opens onto the large Manesh Chowk in the City Palace complex

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Knowledgeable guide
• Food and drinks

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants are required to sit on an adults lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Please note that no drinks or snacks will be served on board

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Traveler Reviews

A Sunset cruise on Lake Pichola is one of the most romantic things to do in Udaipur. You can see the palaces, old town, and pass the famous island where a scene of James Bond's "Octopussy" was filmed. You also see the amazing bird life on and from the lake. Snacks and drinks are served with some of these sunset cruises. Enquire before.

One of the finest points in any tour to Rajasthan. After seeing the Udaipur fort it is a treat to take a boat trip here.

10 lakes so great you’ll forget the beach

Whether your priority is boating, fishing or sunset views, we’ve got the lake for you..

There are only five oceans in the world but millions of lakes. They are big and small, round and oblong, highly developed and untouched, and surrounded by mountains, deserts, forests and cities. The options are limitless, and so are the vacation possibilities.

When choosing a lake, you can let nostalgia take the wheel or approach the task more pragmatically.

Stacey Barber, AAA’s vice president of travel services, said to start by outlining your priorities. Determine your top land and water activities and your preferred vibe.

“Are you looking for a family-friendly lake? Do you want to go on a fishing trip? Do you want a more lively scene or something more peaceful and scenic?” Barber said.

To further narrow the list, take into account the seasonality of the lake and, if you plan to swim, the water temperature. Also check the calendar: Many destinations host festivals, such as for wine (the Finger Lakes), raspberries (Bear Lake) and ice (Lake Superior).

Here are 10 of our favorite lakes in North America.

Lake Memphremagog (Quebec and Vermont)

This long and narrow glacial lake covers more than 38 square miles, stretching from Vermont to Quebec, with the majority of the water in the Canadian province. Travel adviser Caroline Weilert , of the luxury agency Fora X, recommends experiencing it from Magog at the north end. The city is in the Eastern Townships , a region east of Montreal , where some British loyalists fled after the Revolutionary War, making it a good fit for history buffs. Weilert visited during an anniversary trip two years ago and loved the “throwback retro vibe” that mixed with “buzzy” restaurant, microbrewery and shopping scenes.

“It had this charm about it that was welcoming, and the scenery was breathtaking,” she said. In the summer, visit one of the beaches, rent a kayak or take a day cruise on the water, or explore walking paths or miles-long cycling routes . In the winter, opt for ice skates, snow scooters or skiing in nearby Mont-Orford. Verso , a boutique hotel in Magog, offers lake views and a short walk to restaurants in town.

Pokegama Lake (Minnesota)

For travelers who perk up at the phrase “There’s no place like home,” there may be no lake like Pokegama (including the other Minnesota lake with the same name farther south). The 6,612-acre body of water off the Mississippi River sits just a few miles from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids , Minn., where the “Wizard of Oz” star spent her early years. A carriage from the film is on display, and a “ Ruby Slipper Theft Guided Tour ” adds to the intrigue.

Fora travel adviser and Grand Rapids resident Lindsay Vaughn wrote to The Washington Post that the lake is “a serene environment ideal for a peaceful retreat” and praised the “really clean” beaches. On the water, explore some of Pokegama’s bays by kayak, boat or stand-up paddleboard. Or lounge on the shores of Tioga Beach. Fishing for walleye, northern pike and other species is popular when it’s warm and when it’s icy. Land activities include hiking, ATV trails and snowshoeing in winter. The two-room Green Heron Bed and Breakfast promises lake views, birdwatching and resident pets. In town, Vaughn likes Hotel Rapids , a boutique property with a yurt for private-event rentals or for cocktails and card games when it’s not booked.

Lake Martin (Louisiana)

Some of the state’s largest alligators inhabit the swampy Lake Martin, which is part of the Cypress Island Preserve in St. Martin Parish. To protect new gator mothers and their hatchlings, the Nature Conservancy closes the Levee Trail during the summer, but many of the 200 acres of open water are open year-round. Tour operators lead visitors through stands of cypress and tupelo trees in kayaks, canoes and crawfish skiffs. Thousands of birds, including 13 waterbird species, drop by during their migrations or set up permanent residence. Every evening, the sun drops its curtain against Lake Martin’s dramatic backdrop.

Besides the Nature Conservancy’s visitor center, amenities are minimal, but the lake is in the midst of Cajun country. Drive a few miles to Lafayette for live music and dance lessons at Blue Moon Saloon and Guesthouse , or head to Buck and Johnny’s in Breaux Bridge for a Zydeco breakfast or pizza with such regional toppings as crawfish and alligator sausage.

Cayuga Lake (New York)

Each of the 11 Finger Lakes can stand on its own or be paired together like rainbow trout and chardonnay, both of which you can get in this popular fishing and wine-producing region.

At 40 miles from end to end, Cayuga Lake is the longest Finger Lake and is plenty deep (435 feet) for hooking fish, boating and scuba diving. If you’re worried about Old Greeny, a mythical sea monster, go ashore to Seneca Falls, the birthplace of the American suffrage movement; the college town of Ithaca; or Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge , a birdwatching haven with a wildlife drive that’s three miles each way.

“Twilight Zone” fans should spend a night in Interlaken, where the show’s creator, Rod Serling, summered and is buried. The travel experts at Andrew Harper recommend the Aurora Inn, across the way, along with a bottle of riesling from Quarry Ridge Winery.

Donner Lake (California)

The name comes from the doomed “Donner Party” of families who migrated west in the mid-19th century, many of whose members met their fate along the lake’s east end. The history is on display at Donner Memorial State Park’s visitor center and the Pioneer Monument, where one of the members’ cabins once stood. But this nearly three-mile-long alpine lake in the Sierra Nevada is hardly a downer. Less than 20 miles from the much larger and more famous Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake offers stunning views, warmer water and fewer crowds as an alternative.

“You don’t have to get there to reserve a spot at 7:45” in the morning, said Nadia Schwartz , a Fora travel adviser who has a vacation home nearby. Her favorite season at Donner Lake is summer, when visitors can bicycle, explore miles of trails and spend time in or on the water. Winter offers snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and nearby downhill ski areas, including one that hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics . Truckee, where the lake is located, has a historic downtown, free shuttles to the water and, Schwartz said, a burgeoning food scene. If camping at the state park isn’t your speed, vacation rentals are abundant, or Schwartz recommends the adventure-focused Gravity Haus Truckee-Tahoe .

Bear Lake (Utah and Idaho)

Bear Lake ’s address is Mountain West, but its turquoise-blue water belongs in the tropics. The lake owes its nickname, “the Caribbean of the Rockies,” to the suspended limestone particles that reflect the water’s color back to the surface. Its glassiness will comfort visitors concerned about what lurks beneath, especially because the Bear Lake Monster purportedly roams these parts.

The lake is a patchwork of protected natural areas, sandy beaches and recreational hubs where visitors can rent boats, water trampolines and beach wheelchairs. You can pitch a tent or hook up an RV at Bear Lake State Park in Utah or Idaho, or upgrade your accommodations at Conestoga Ranch , a glamping resort in Garden City that offers luxury tents and wagons with campfire valet service. When not on the water, seek out a raspberry shake, a specialty in the southern — or Utah — half of the lake.

Lady Bird Lake (Texas)

This reservoir on the Colorado River sits smack-dab in the middle of Austin, with the downtown skyline never far from view. A pastoral streak, however, runs through the five-mile-long body of water and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail that borders it. The complementary attractions draw an estimated 5 million visitors a year, in addition to herons, egrets, hawks, damselflies and other wildlife. “It is an incredible urban lake to explore,” said Meredith Carey, deputy editor at Tripadvisor, “and there’s a ton of infrastructure.”

Swimming and motorized vessels are not allowed on Lady Bird Lake, but most human-powered water sports are. Carey recommends renting from the Austin Rowing Club , which also leads tours, such as a paddle timed to the sunset flight of the Congress Avenue Bridge bats. The shores are lined with rental outfitters, hotels, restaurants and bars. At Perch, fuel up with a coffee and bagel, then head to the dock below and board a vintage electric boat that epitomizes Austin cool.

Lake Quinault (Washington)

The glacier-fed Lake Quinault, in Olympic National Park , is a blue island in a sea of green, buffeted by a temperate rainforest that boasts some of the world’s tallest trees. Several conifers in Quinault Valley appear on the Champion Tree Registry , including a 191-foot-tall Sitka spruce tree on the lake’s eastern shore.

The 31-mile Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive encircles the lake (plus a portion of a river), which the Quinault Indian Nation owns and runs. The tribe permits swimming, wading and walking but bans unregistered boats, including canoes and kayaks. Several campgrounds and historic accommodations provide shelter on the shoreline. In October 1937, Lake Quinault Lodge hosted President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Less than a year after his lakeside lunch, he established Olympic National Park.

Lake Superior (multiple states and Ontario)

Lake Superior’s superlatives are stunning: It’s the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area, holding 3 quadrillion gallons, and the coldest and deepest of the Great Lakes. So, where even to begin with such an immense body of water — 31,700 square miles of surface — that touches Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario? Andrew Harper travel adviser Carolyn Consalvo said the answer for some clients is to see it from a cruise ship. She has clients booked on Viking Cruises Great Lakes sailings this summer and fall, visiting multiple lakes including Superior. “It’s a bucket-list item for a lot of our clients,” she said.

Those who prefer a land-based approach can take the self-guided, 1,300-mile Lake Superior Circle Tour around the lake’s border. Disaster lovers may enjoy the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum on a Michigan stretch of shore — or they may want to dive some of the lake’s hundreds of shipwrecks themselves. National park aficionados can add a difficult-to-reach one to their list with a visit to Isle Royale . The 21 islands of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin include sea caves, bluffs and lighthouses to explore.

Visit the Sleeping Giant in Ontario. Witness a 120-foot waterfall in Minnesota at Grand Portage State Park , rich with Ojibwe history. You’ll wish you planned two weeks to tackle this one giant lake.

Table Rock Lake (Missouri and Arkansas)

Table Rock Lake is a youngster compared with its surrounding landscape, the millions-of-years-old Ozark Mountains. But since its creation in the late 1950s, when the Army Corps of Engineers dammed the White River, the lake has not wasted a minute building up its banks with amusement park attractions, marinas and sprawling resorts. One of the most ambitious enterprises is Big Cedar Lodge , which Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris opened nearly four decades ago and continues to expand.

The lake has more than 800 miles of shoreline, but you won’t feel like a minnow in a giant aquarium. In addition to its smaller waterways and tucked-away coves, Table Rock is divided into four areas — or five, if you count underwater. Divers can explore a submerged grove of oak trees, several sunken ships and a Missouri town called Oasis that lived above the waterline in pre-lake times.

Where to go

Our favorite destinations: Take our destination quiz to choose your own adventure. Then read about 12 dream destinations at the top of our wish list — without the crowds.

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: Explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Trace a route along the southern coast of Puerto Rico . See how jamón gets made in the heartland of Spanish pork .

Outstanding Orlando Boat Tours (2024)

Orlando boat tours are a fantastic activity in Central Florida, no matter the type of boating adventure you choose.

Some of the suggestions below are full-day tours, and others take mere hours. But all are a great way to spend your time in order to enjoy the Sunshine State’s beautiful scenery. And that could mean a wild ride in the Everglades or sailing sunset cruises on one of the Orlando area's attractive lakes.

We are sharing the best Orlando boat tours – private and group options – including scenic pontoon boat tours, airboat rides, kayaking, canoeing, sunset sails, and even boat rentals at Walt Disney World.

Disclosure: This post has affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase at no cost to you. We recommend experiences, hotels, products, and services we use and support. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

• Book a sunset sailing tour in Orlando . It's our favorite type of boat tour, and Florida sunsets often show off for an audience!
• Pin the image in this box or flip this post to Flipboard to save it for later.
• See what to bring for Orlando boat tours so you are prepared to deal with the Florida bugs!

Orlando Airboat Rides 

One of the things Florida is most known for is its famous airboat tours. Sign up for this fun adventure whether you’re in Fort Lauderdale or Miami, within Everglades National Park, or Orlando on Shingle Creek, on the headwaters of the Florida Everglades. 

You won’t soon forget an exciting airboat ride when you visit the Orlando area, with a chance to see Bald Eagles and other endemic tropical birds, alligators, and crocodiles (maybe even a baby alligator). 

Airboat rides are particularly popular amongst nature lovers. These special boats allow you to glide on the unique marshes and swampland of the Central Florida area. We thoroughly enjoyed our Florida airboat experience. 

Sign up for a 90-minute fun and educational Orlando airboat tour to encounter the real Florida with experienced captains. Alternatively, secure your spot for a 1-hour sunset airboat tour and hope for one of Florida’s famous colorful sunsets. 

Most airboat tours take place rain or shine. Just in case, we recommend traveling to Florida with a poncho or thin raincoat of some sort. Be sure to check in for your tour at least 30 minutes before the experience. 

Orlando Boat Tour on an Airboat with Transportation

This tour includes pick up and drop off in Central Florida (including designated Disney World and Universal hotels), a BBQ lunch, a printed photo, and admission to their animal rescue Wildlife Park, where you can see birds, big cats, and reptiles. 

The entire experience – from transportation to the boat ride – lasts around 7 hours, including the drive to and from the Everglades area. The Florida Everglades are approximately 45 minutes to an hour's drive each way from Orlando. Choose from a 30-minute or 60-minute airboat ride when you book your experience . 

Orlando Sailing Tours 

How about enjoying Orlando’s lakes with wind power? Sailing tours are the perfect way to glide on the water. And a sunset sail is incredibly romantic, to boot! 

Private Morning Sail 

Set sail on a 2-hour private sailing tour, starting at 10:00 am. Adventure awaits on Lake Fairview for up to four guests. 

This area is just north of College Park near downtown Orlando and 15 minutes from Orlando’s Lieu Gardens. Don’t forget to bring towels if you want, though water is provided (and lakes are calm anyway, so you shouldn’t really get wet!).

Advanced reservations are required.

Private Lake Sunset Sail 

Sail on Lake Fairview, approximately 10 minutes from downtown Orlando, 30-35 minutes from the Disney theme parks (including the Disney Springs area), and 25 minutes from Universal. 

This 2-hour private Orlando boat tour can fit up to four people, and they allow you to bring your own snacks and beverages onboard. We recommend bringing a bottle of wine or champagne! 

We recommend bringing along a wine tumbler set for your sailboat adventure! 

Kayaking Tours

Connect with nature from the comfort of a kayak and get in some exercise too. Orlando boat tour options for kayaking are plentiful. 

Kayak with Manatees

Head 45 minutes north of Orlando for your chance to kayak with manatees! These cute and friendly mammals are famous in the Sunshine State, where they come to enjoy the warm water for the winter. 

Whether you’re a novice kayaking trying it for the first time, or an experienced pro, this tour is for you if you want to see a plethora of wildlife. 

Check out this popular tour with 5-star reviews

Glass Bottom Boat Kayak Tours

If you want to see the fish below the water’s surface without snorkeling, sign up for a glass-bottom kayak tour. See through the bottom of the boat on this Orlando boat tour and have the chance to view the colorful fish and marine plant life beneath you. 

Try a Rock Springs guided kayak eco-tour as you glide on the crystal-clear water for two hours. You’ll learn about the local ecosystem, stop for photos, and have the opportunity to swim in the springs. Opt to jump into the water from a rope swing for a thrill during this adventure. 

You can also opt for a sunset tour in a glass-bottom kayak . Paddle through the Winter Park Chain of Lakes and canals in a peaceful setting. Your knowledgeable guide will point out interesting nature homes along the way and share some history of the area. You’ll also be able to stop for photos where you like! 

This tour is likely to sell out: Reserve Now

Winter Park Evening Clear Kayak Glow in the Dark Tour

If you want to add a fun element to your kayaking adventure, sign up for a Winter Park kayak tour at night with a glow-in-the-dark kayak. The boats are illuminated with nighttime lighting!

They will surely be a good photo opp and fun outing as the lights make the water beneath you glow. 

Another great option is this Neon Night Glow Paddleboard or Clear Kayak experience on Lake Ivanhoe.

This unique boat tour allows you to see Orlando’s skyline at night as you paddle along with the help of your guides, the moonlight, and the colorful lights beneath your kayak or paddleboard.  

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

One of our favorite Orlando boat tours is in Winter Park. It was established in the 1930s, decades before Walt Disney World opened in Lake Buena Vista.

This pontoon boat tour starts near the well-known Park Avenue area. Set out on your scenic cruise from Lake Osceola to the Winter Park Chain of Lakes as your guide takes you through the manmade canals.

Sail past stunning homes in Winter Park, where you will have breathtaking views of the opulent private homes in the area (which is one of the reasons we enjoy the boat tour).

You will have a chance to see wonderful some of Florida’s beautiful birds, like Blue Herons and large cranes, as you travel on several lakes. 

Each boat holds a maximum of 18 passengers. Be sure to bring cash or a check to buy your tickets because credit cards are not accepted. We advise purchasing tickets in the morning on weekends, even if you plan on going later in the day. It’s a very popular tour, and tickets often sell out quickly. 

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour is closed on Christmas Day. Otherwise, tours leave daily on the hour, starting at 10:00 am. The last tour is at 4:00 pm. 

Day Trip Boat Tours from Orlando

While the Orlando boat tours listed above are within 30 minutes, on average, from Orlando, it’s worth mentioning there are more boat tour options nearby within a 2-hour drive. Here are some additional Central Florida boat tour options. 

Mount Dora Lake Tours

One of our favorite destinations from Central Florida is 45 minutes north: the quaint town of Mount Dora . There’s so much to see and do there in the afternoon or morning; a boat tour is the best way to extend your trip to a whole day. 

Take a 2-hour pontoon boat tour with a departure point at the historic hotel, the Lakeside Inn. Enjoy your leisurely cruise around Lake Dora and The Harris Chain of Lakes, including the famed Dora Canal.

The all-weather 25’ boats can cruise rain or shine thanks to their retractable clear covers for the sides of the boat. Choose from one of two daytime tours, or their third option to cruise during sunset. 

Clearwater Beach with Dolphin Encounter Cruise

This 12-hour full-day tour begins with pick-up at 7:30 am. You’ll head west of Orlando to the popular Florida destination (Clearwater Beach), where you will take a cruise to encounter bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. 

While this means that you aren’t guaranteed to spot dolphins, your tour guide will do his or her very best to find them. You may see these beautiful mammals up close by the boat or further in the distance if they appear in the ocean. Part of the fun is the anticipation. 

A one-hour dolphin tour boat ride is sandwiched between hours of free time on a Gulf Coast beach. For only $10 more, you can purchase a wristband for the boat ride that allows you to have unlimited beer, wine, and vodka punch. 

Pickup and drop off are included at one of three major locations of your choice (Disney areas included). This means that all you have to do is sign up for the tour and be at that location for pick-up time. 

Choose from the three pick-up locations listed below:

• Walt Disney World area, on Epcot Resorts Blvd. (northern area of the parks) 
• Walt Disney World area, at Maingate Lakeside Resort in Kissimmee (area of the Disney World theme parks that is further south) 
• International Drive (close to Universal) at Senor Frogs

Clear Canoe Boat Tour Near Orlando at Silver Springs

This clear canoe boat tour is approximately halfway between Orlando and Gainesville at Silver Springs. The drive is approximately an hour and 45 minutes from downtown Orlando. 

You’ll do a self-guided tour after the kayak company representative meets you and gives you a laminated map and some brief instructions. Paddle near Cypress Trees and see turtles, ducks, birds, and a chance to see manatees during the winter season, when they swim to Florida’s warm waters.

Dan and I often like to explore an area freely, on our own. Maybe you’re the same way! If so, this is a great tour for you in the Orlando area, as long as you can rent a car to get to the meeting point or take a taxi/Uber or Lyft there. 

Orlando Boat Tours at Walt Disney World

Did you know that you can rent motorized boats at Disney World? It’s one of the best things to do at Walt Disney World, besides the parks. 

Rent a Sun Tracker® Pontoon boat by the half-hour for up to 10 people. You can also opt to kayak or canoe from Fort Wilderness by the hour. 

One of the most singular boat tours in Orlando, or perhaps anywhere, is an Amphicar boat tour. Be a passenger and the envy of all onlookers in a cool convertible car that drives right into the water. This experience is available at Disney Springs restaurant, The Boathouse.

Lastly, you can book a specialty cruise to see the fireworks. You don’t even have to be a hotel guest to do so! Snacks and soft drinks are included in a memorable cruise on a 25’ boat. 

You can also request ​​for a festive banner and/or balloons to be set up on the boat, which is included in the cost (request at the time of booking). It’s a great thing to do for you and your partner or up to 10 guests total, whether a proposal, anniversary treat, or family reunion. 

What to Bring for Orlando Boat Tours

Florida's heat can be brutal, depending on the time of year. No matter the month, you definitely need to protect your skin from the sun. The sun in FL is strong, year-round. 

Be sure to pack the following if you’ll be on the water in sunny Florida: 

• Refillable water bottle (the ice will stay intact for hours in the MiiR bottle, our favorite insulated wide-mouth bottle) 
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• SPF lip balm
• Eco-friendly bathing suit 
• Rash guard 

Conclusion for Best Orlando Boat Tours

Whether you want to captain a boat yourself, row your way through Florida’s waters in a kayak, see gators on an educational airboat ride, or go on a romantic sailboat cruise around one of Central Florida’s lakes, an Orlando boat is a wonderful Florida activity. 

It will connect you with nature, get you out in fresh air, and allow your body to absorb vitamin D in the Florida sunshine. Sign up for an Orlando boat tour and explore this southern state in a unique and adventurous way. 

Read this next:

• 40 Awesome Things Florida is Known For
• 30 Things to Do at Walt Disney World Besides the Parks
• Kennedy Space Center Tickets: Helpful Info for a Successful Visit

The post Outstanding Orlando Boat Tours (2024) appeared first on Sometimes Home: Couples Travel .

• Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport

Description

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport is an airport used by private jets in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk , Russia. It has a maximum runway length of 3,400 meters. There is only one runway in total at the airport.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport, also called Khomutovo, is an airport in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, on the Russian island of Sakhalin. The airport was established in 1945 as a military airfield. With currently one 3,400 m concrete runway, one passenger terminal, two cargo terminals and 16 aircraft stands, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport is the largest airport in Sakhalin Oblast.

Sometimes referred to as UHSS - its ICAO code - on private jet quotes, for example, it can also be called UUS - its IATA code name. Both these shorthands are used by aircrafts to refer to the airport.

Private Jet Flights

Here's just a few flights Central Jets users have requested from this airport in the past. Request a jet to your own destination to get an instant quote today.

• Latitude: 46.886944
• Longitude: 142.721944
• Altitude: 18 meters
• Runway length: 3,400 meters
• Number of runways: 1
• City: Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
• Region: Sakhalin Oblast
• Country: Russia

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Sakhalin: Your Essential Guide to Russia’s Enigmatic Eastern Island

• January 14, 2024

A Journey Through Giant Burdocks, Wild Bears, and the Echoes of Ancient Japanese Temples

From the most dreaded place of exile in the Russian Empire to a Japanese industrial base and one of the most attractive and inaccessible places for domestic tourism in Russia.

Table of Contents

An island that was Russian, then Japanese, and then Russian again

From the 17th to the mid-19th century, it was believed that Sakhalin was a peninsula. This misconception firmly established itself on the maps of the time, as navigators failed to circumnavigate the island. The proximity of Sakhalin’s southern tip to the mainland created a false impression of being impassable for ships. An additional complexity arose from the fact that the route taken by ships from the Russian Empire involved passing through a narrow strait, which Nevelskoy managed to navigate only in 1849.

For a long time, people did not believe Nevelskoy, but he insisted that he had discovered a route through the strait, for which he became something of a hero in Primorye. Monuments and plaques dedicated to him can be found in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Vladivostok, and Khabarovsk. The H4H creative association created a graphic novel based on this story, which won a cultural initiatives contest and became part of the interior of the Khabarovsk Airport. By the way, the Sakhalin region is the only Russian entity entirely located on islands.

The remote and isolated location of the island during the Russian Empire was used as a natural barrier, and it became the site of penal colonies for hard labor prisoners. Its geographical position led to Sakhalin’s hard labor being regarded as particularly cruel.

During the period of the island’s development, Russian ships followed the Amur River and reached the island from the north, where the oldest port, Alexandrovsk, was founded. The Japanese attempted to develop the island from the south, entering through the Kuril Islands (part of the Sakhalin region) and Aniva Bay. For a long time, the Kurils were inhabited by the Ainu, representatives of a small indigenous people. The very word “Kurils” comes from the Ainu: “kuru” means “man.”

In the 17th century, Japan conducted its first expeditions towards the islands and began their development. Russia reached them later. The first mentions of the islands in Russian language date back to the late 17th century. For a long time, Russian, Dutch, Japanese, and Anglo-French navigators studied the islands, landed on them, and disputed their territorial ownership. However, only Russia and Japan managed to establish a foothold. To end the territorial disputes, the governments of the two countries signed an agreement under which the Kuril Islands went to Japan, and Sakhalin to Russia, which continued to develop the island mainly from the north. After the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, which ended in Russia’s defeat, the southern part of Sakhalin became part of Japan as the Karafuto Prefecture.

Until the second half of the 20th century, the island was owned by Japan and was quite successful in developing its resources. A huge number of mines were opened, several cities and lighthouses were built. In particular, the current regional center, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, was the former Japanese city of Toyohara. The famous Aniva lighthouse, now considered a symbol of Sakhalin, was built by Japanese engineers. After Japan’s defeat in World War II, the island passed to the Soviet Union. Contrary to history, the main life of the island moved from the north to the south. Alexandrovsk, which was convenient to reach by water, lost to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk with its infrastructure built by the Japanese, connections to neighboring cities, and airport. Interestingly, before leaving, the Japanese buried and hid the mining sites, and locals say that not all the old mines have been found yet, and they are sometimes stumbled upon during walks.

Because the island belonged to three different countries in just over a hundred years, it did not have time to develop any significant urban infrastructure. The cities lack outstanding architectural monuments and unique museums. However, some unusual Japanese architecture has remained. Meanwhile, Sakhalin compactly houses incredible natural attractions. Here, one can climb through forests and bamboo thickets to breathtakingly beautiful mountains as if outlined in graphite, and through a mountain pass reach the sea, into which clear mountain rivers flow with fish splashing in them.

The Ainu and Nivkh: Inhabitants of Sakhalin

For a long time, the island was mainly inhabited by the Ainu and Nivkh peoples. These ethnic groups are very different, making their coexistence as unusual as the neighboring of birch and bamboo on the slopes of Sakhalin’s mountains. Both are isolate peoples . However, the Ainu belong to the Australoid race, while the Nivkh are Mongoloids (the main population of Asian territories). It’s fascinating how representatives of different races have coexisted for ages on a small piece of land at the edge of the world.

There is no single version regarding the origin of the Ainu, leading to a multitude of theories — both scientific and conspiratorial. One theory suggests that the Ainu are the ancestors of the indigenous population of Australia, remaining in the north after continental migration. Some researchers write that the Ainu are the forebears of the Japanese. This theory is supported by the fact that before Japanese expansion, the Ainu mainly inhabited the Japanese island of Hokkaido. However, the Ainu suffered greatly from Japanese imperialism, and their culture and language were almost completely destroyed in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Now, there are just over two thousand Ainu living on Sakhalin.

The Nivkh are among the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the north. They suffered less from Japanese rule. However, during the Soviet era, they experienced a difficult phase of literacy development, destruction of tribal communities, and relocation to cities. About 2,200 Nivkh live in the Sakhalin region and another approximately two thousand in Khabarovsk.

During the Karafuto period, Japan brought captured Koreans to Sakhalin for hard labor. By the mid-20th century, the Korean population of the island was about 45,000 people. For comparison, the current population of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is 180,000. This large number of people, deprived of their homeland, was forced to adapt to life first under Japanese and then Soviet rule. In the USSR, Koreans were issued passports, and there were national kindergartens and schools. However, Sakhalin Koreans did not feel part of the larger community of Soviet Koreans (Koryo-saram) and struggled to integrate. Moreover, they were considered members of an ‘unreliable nation’ because they had lived in the Japanese Empire.

In the late 1990s, three countries – Russia, South Korea, and Japan – began a repatriation campaign for the first generation of Sakhalin Koreans (born before August 15, 1945) to their historical homeland. Now, about 3,500 repatriates from Russia live in South Korea. Under the program, the Korean government provides medical insurance and a monthly allowance to the repatriates. The Japanese government, in turn, buys housing (apartments up to 40 m²) and covers transportation costs. Additionally, every two years, Sakhalin Koreans who have moved to their homeland have the right to visit Sakhalin for free, funded by the Japanese government. Most Sakhalin Koreans settled in the city of Ansan , where 500 apartments were specially built for them.

Korean influence is weakly traced on Sakhalin: many Sakhalin Koreans no longer know the language and do not associate themselves with Korea. However, there are several authentic restaurants (for example, “Koba” ) on the island where you can try traditional dishes.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — the capital and base for exploring the island

The city is predominantly characterized by typical Soviet architecture, with almost no remaining Japanese buildings. This is because during the Soviet period, the city was radically rebuilt after being liberated from ‘imperialist Japanese rule.’ Many buildings were demolished, and from the few that remained, some were turned into museums. Perhaps the main thing that has been preserved from the Japanese period is the layout. The city was founded from scratch near the Russian village of Vladimirovka, and Chicago was chosen as the model for its layout. Toyohara was divided into four parts by two main streets, O-dori (now Lenin) and Maoka-dori (Sakhalinskaya).

Japan established itself thoroughly on the island. In Toyohara, trade routes converged, new bays were developed, and roads were built. The city’s population grew steadily. Initially due to the military garrison, and later due to a paper mill, a sugar and distillery plant. Now, the buildings of the former Japanese factories are abandoned. Many of them can only be accessed with rare tours, while others are completely closed. However, their presence is still recalled by street names, such as Paper Street.

Another building in the Neo-Japanese style is the Karafuto Governorate Museum built in the 1930s (29 Communist Avenue). It now houses the Sakhalin Regional Museum . And in the former bank of colonial development, there is the Art Museum (137 Lenin Street).

Several other iconic buildings constructed by the Japanese have been preserved: the central hospital of Toyohara (41 Chekhov Street), the conference hall of the Karafuto Governorate (30 Dzerzhinsky Street), and the Toyohara City Hall (41 Communist Avenue). The Sakhalin Railway Museum in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is distinct from many similar museums in Russia due to its exhibits. This is because the island long maintained the Japanese standard of railway gauge, which differs from the Russian standard. Accordingly, the rolling stock was entirely different.

If in Vladivostok everything is named after the Far Eastern explorer and writer Vladimir Arsenyev, then in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, mentions of Chekhov are everywhere. At the end of the 19th century, Sakhalin was both the most dreaded place for exile to hard labor and one of the most tempting corners of Russia, which was not so easy to access. Chekhov received an editorial assignment and embarked on a ship along with prisoners, military personnel, and sailors to the most remote point of the empire. In his notes, which Chekhov compiled under the title ‘The Island of Sakhalin,’ the writer talked about many things: the geography and climate of the island, the life of the convicts, and ordinary residents. This book caused a great resonance at the time, and even now it was very interesting to read it while traveling to Sakhalin: some things have changed drastically, while others have remained the same. Now in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, there is even a museum dedicated to this one book, which turned out to be so significant for the island.

GoSakhalin is the website of the Sakhalin Tourist and Information Center. And in their official Telegram channel , you can find announcements of affordable excursions shortly before they start.

In any case, for travelers, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk remains primarily a hub and a place of rest. Here they return for the night and dinner, and it seems that real adventures begin outside the doorstep.

Surrounding Area

10–20 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

The main reason people visit Sakhalin is for its unique nature. Mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and the sea, all on a small piece of land. In one day, you can travel from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Sea of Japan, cross several climate zones, see bamboo groves, birches, and spruces in one place, spot a running fox and a swimming orca. The island’s landscapes can boldly compete in Instagram appeal with Iceland or Norway.

Within Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk alone, there are about 30 kilometers of marked ecotrails, with brief descriptions and routes available on the official tourism portal. I also found an ecotrail in Nevelsk, which is not mentioned on the official website.

The ecotrails in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk start from the ‘Mountain Air’ ski center on the sopka (a term for mountains in the Far East) Bolshevik. There are five in total: ‘Children’s’ (2.7 kilometers), ‘Eight’ (8 kilometers), ‘Northern Ring’ (9 kilometers), ‘Russian’ (3.2 kilometers), and ‘Yelanka’ (5 kilometers). You can take a cable car to the start of the trails and then slowly descend through the forest and park to the city. However, the lift does not operate in rainy and windy weather.

Hiking the ‘Eight’ trail took me no more than three hours, including stops to catch my breath and take photos. Every kilometer and a half along the route, there are benches. From the top of the mountain, there is a view of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, and it seems you can see a piece of the Sea of Okhotsk.

Chekhov Peak

The route to Chekhov Peak is a high-mountain trekking path that requires a certain level of physical fitness. Chekhov Peak has an elevation of 1045 meters, with an absolute altitude gain of 752 meters. The trail is narrow and slippery in places, hardly suitable for children or people with limited mobility.

Chekhov Peak is part of the Susunai Range, which supports Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk from the southeast. You can exit from Gagarin city park to the foothills in about half an hour. The ascent to the peak itself cannot be missed: a marked trail and informational signs lead to it. On particularly steep ascents, ropes are hung for safety, but it is possible to walk up the slope without them.

In late spring, the forest trail has many streams, as well as May primroses and butterflies. The foothills are scattered with rare, incredibly large, and wonderfully fragrant marsh callas. Halfway to the peak, bamboo thickets are encountered, through which birches break through. This is also a kind of magic because, as a biologist friend explained to me, birch and bamboo are not supposed to coexist in the natural environment, but somehow they manage to do so. Occasionally, spruces are encountered — not tall, but very fluffy. Closer to the top, the vegetation becomes sparser, and the impressive views of the sea, mountains, and lakes open up from the height.

• The entire hike takes five to six hours.
• Even in summer, there is snow on the summit. In the afternoon, it starts to melt, making it more difficult to walk.
• Don’t forget to bring food and water.
• Wear boots with covered ankles, a jacket, and a head covering.
• Inform your family and friends, and someone living in Sakhalin, before setting out on the route. If you’re traveling alone, you could notify, for example, the hotel receptionist or roommates in a hostel.
• Snakes and bears are found around the trail. Watch your feet and try to make as much noise as possible. For example, play music on your phone and sing along occasionally.
• The ascent to Chekhov Peak can be the start of a journey to the village of Lesnoye on the shore of the Sea of Okhotsk. The distance to the village is 27 kilometers. With good preparation and an early start from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, this distance can be covered in one day.

Mud Volcano in Klyuchi

A mud volcano is an eruption on the earth’s surface of clay masses, mineralized waters, and gases. The mechanism of formation of these volcanoes is not fully understood. According to the existing theory, such volcanoes are formed near oil fields.

The mud volcano in Klyuchi consists of a mud field about 200 meters in diameter. There, you can see about 20 points of activity, resembling miniature volcano craters. This mud volcano became active in 1959, 1979, 2001, and 2011 (the last time due to a strong earthquake in Japan). During these eruptions, mud columns reached several tens of meters in height. Bus 189 goes to Klyuchi from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The distance from the village to the top of the volcano is nine kilometers and takes about two and a half hours to walk.

Ecopark in the Vestochka area: Frog Rock, Aikhor Waterfall, ‘Sunny Glade’ Recreation Park

Not far from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, there is a fairly large ecopark, known primarily for the Frog Rock outcrop. An outcrop is a remnant of harder rock around which softer rock has eroded over time. Outcrops are often known for their unusual shapes and are natural monuments. Frog Rock is part of a series of rocks standing one behind the other. This was once the seabed of an ancient sea, and fossilized shells can be found in its vicinity. From the top of the rock, amazing views of the Aniva Bay, Tunaycha and Changeable Lakes open up. This place was sacred to the Ainu, the indigenous inhabitants of the island.

The trail to the ‘Sunny Glade’ ecopark begins behind the ‘Electron’ culture house. Despite its name, it is not a city park, but a full-fledged forest with laid-out paths. There are houses, glades with tables for rest where you can cook barbecues, and wooden walkways leading to various attractions. These are all paid services.

The path to Frog Rock outcrop goes along the Komissarovka River. In areas of spring flooding, callas bloom and bamboo grows. The outcrop is located on a hill, with a total elevation gain of about 300 meters. The road is quite challenging, usually taking from an hour to an hour and a half. The higher you climb, the more you can see: the sea, the mountain gorge, the road to Vestochka. In the same park is the Aikhor Waterfall, which is also a short climb away, but along a less well-maintained trail. You can plan a whole day to visit Vestochka and even spend the night, without returning to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Vestochka is three high-rise buildings on one side of the road and a cottage settlement on the other. It is part of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, though located 15 kilometers from the main part of the city. A taxi there costs about 1000 rubles and takes 40 minutes. About a kilometer after turning off the main road, the asphalt ends and a terribly dusty dirt road begins. If you’re lucky, you can catch a bus that runs three times a day.

What else to see on the island

40 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

The oldest city in the south of Sakhalin, founded by Nevelskoy’s expedition. Here you can find a huge number of monuments dedicated to sailors, naval battles, and ships. The most significant monument in the city in recent decades has become the stele dedicated to ‘Koreans interned by the Japanese in Sakhalin, who never returned to their homeland,’ located on Mount Sorrow, created through the efforts of three countries’ governments (Russia, Japan, and Korea).

In Korsakov, some Japanese heritage has been preserved: the former building of the Hokkaido Takushoku Bank, a colonial development bank (Sovetskaya Street, 3), trade warehouses in the port, a document storage facility ‘Bunsyoko’ (Krasnoflotskaya Street, 1), a couple of rusty fire hydrants, and remnants of Shinto temples in the form of pillars with hieroglyphs. One of the local nighttime entertainments is watching the lights of the gas processing plant.

How to get there. Three electric trains a day, the journey takes just over an hour, and the ticket costs 75 rubles (0.74 euros).

Bird and Giant Capes

90 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Two capes, recognized as natural monuments in 1990, along whose coasts are many wind and wave-carved grottoes, caves, arches, and columns of various sizes and whimsical shapes, among which colonies of sea birds reside.

The place is not very close, but it’s very picturesque at any time of the year. In the area of one of the rocks, there is a pool where, during the salmon spawning period, you can observe a fascinating spectacle — a huge gathering of pink salmon.

Many tourists stay on the coast overnight to witness the sunset and sunrise. Near Cape Giant, there is a toilet, parking, and a rest area with benches.

How to get there. The journey from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk goes through the village of Okhotskoe, where you can buy fresh crabs, and takes about three hours one way. The road is fully passable only by high vehicles like Mitsubishi Pajero, Suzuki Jimny, as the last ten kilometers of the route have deep puddles, potholes, small cliffs, and rivers.

Nevelsk and Steller Sea Lions

Nevelsk is nestled between mountains and sea. The rocky mountains and the coast, which consists of small stone needles and shells, in every way explain why Chekhov so often mentioned in ‘The Island of Sakhalin’ how harsh the land of Sakhalin is.

Steller sea lions are the largest of the eared seals. One of their habitats is the breakwater in Nevelsk. As soon as you arrive in the town, the smell from the Steller sea lions’ haul-out site hits you. ‘They eat there, live, give birth to their young – that’s why it smells,’ the locals explain. Another feature is the noise. Steller sea lions are very loud!

You can view the sea lions from the central square, where binoculars are installed. However, tourists usually hire a boat and approach the haul-out site to get a closer look at the seals. You can see how the Steller sea lions bark, lie in the sun, jump into the sea and, most interestingly, try to jump back. The views from the square through binoculars are not as detailed and impressive. A place on the boat will cost 1000–1500 rubles (9.81 – (14.72 euros). You can also buy a tour from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk for 3500 rubles (34.35 euros). The most animals are present in spring and early summer. In autumn, there may be a couple of dozen individuals left.

From the embankment, you can observe the huge kelp laminaria floating in the sea. Some travelers catch them themselves and eat them. Although dishes made from seaweed are found in cafes and also sold in stores. Signs are installed on the shore indicating where to run in case of a tsunami. The last major earthquake with waves was recorded in 2007. Many houses were destroyed and two people died. The most famous Sakhalin tsunami was the 1952 tragedy , when the aftermath of the earthquake almost completely destroyed Severo-Kurilsk.

How to get there. From the bus station (Karl Marx Street, 51b) in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, buses go to Nevelsk, the ticket costs 300 rubles (2.94 euros), and the journey takes about an hour. Tickets can be purchased at the bus station ticket office or from the driver (cash or transfer). It’s not possible to board the bus somewhere in the city, as the bus does not make stops. It’s better to buy a return ticket immediately upon arrival in Nevelsk at the Nevelsk bus station ticket office (Lenina Street, 1). The bus is popular with locals, and there may simply be no seats left.

Remnants of structures from the Karafuto period include the Maoka-Jinja temple with a Japanese-style garden and an abandoned railway built by the Japanese. It used to connect Kholmsk with Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Tourists usually come to see two photogenic bridges – Devil’s and Witch’s – and a tunnel in the mountain that makes a full circle inside it. The trail passes along the old rails, and there are many vipers, so one needs to watch their step.

How to get there. The bus to Kholmsk takes two hours, the ticket costs 450 rubles (4.42 euros), with 14 trips a day.

Slepikovsky Cape and Lighthouse

120 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

At Slepikovsky Cape, there is the only relic grove of Korean cedar on Sakhalin. Also located here is the functioning Slepikovsky Lighthouse, which is a 27-meter tall round tower, connected by corridors to utility and residential buildings.

The cape and lighthouse are named after the commander of the Russian partisan detachment Bronislav Grotto-Slepikovsky, who operated in Southern Sakhalin during the 1904–1905 war. The route to the lighthouse goes through the villages of Yablochnoe and Sadovniki, where some of the best beaches on Sakhalin are located — with the cleanest water and white sand.

How to get there. The cape is located 29 kilometers north of Kholmsk. From Kholmsk to the turn towards the lighthouse, there is asphalt with dirt sections. From the turn to the lighthouse, there is first a dirt road, then beach sand, which is recommended to be driven on with deflated tires. Visiting time is from spring to autumn, as the road to the cape is not cleared in winter.

110 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

In 1891, when the island had a penal colony, this was the Russian village of Siraroko, named after a nearby Ainu settlement. In 1905, the south of Sakhalin was given to the Japanese, and the village was renamed Higashi Shiraura. Here there were a railway station, a brick factory, and a coal mine. 40 years later, the settlement was renamed Vzmorye.

During the Japanese times, there was the Shinto shrine Higashi Shiraura Inari-Jinja. Only the torii gates remain — P-shaped gates without doors that are placed on the path to a Shinto shrine. These are the only torii on Sakhalin. On the torii, there is an inscription ‘In honor of the 2600th anniversary of the foundation of Great Japan’ — this mythological date was widely celebrated in 1940.

On the way to the torii, you can see the famous giant burdocks and bear’s garlic. Vzmorye is also known as a place where poached crabs are sold along the highway.

How to get there. Two electric trains and one train that start from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk stop in Vzmorye. Unfortunately, all three are in the evening. You can also get there on passing buses that go to the north of the island.

Tikhaya Bay

140 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

On one side, the bay is framed by Mount Smely, and on the other side, the majestic Zhdanko Ridge begins. To the left in the bay itself is an island-kekur, which can be reached during low tide, as well as the epic cliffs of Tikhaya Cape. By the way, behind this cape, there are waterfalls that become icefalls in winter. At the base of the bay is the mouth of the Tikhaya River, where during the season you can see the spawning of pink salmon and chum salmon. Bears are aware of this, so they are often encountered here.

How to get there. Buses going to Poronaysk stop in the village of Tikhoye, near which the bay is located. There are four trips a day.

Aniva Lighthouse

The lighthouse has a complex history: there were attempts to maintain it under Soviet rule, but Aniva was so remote from inhabited areas that it was not profitable. Eventually, the lighthouse was switched to autonomous mode, bringing in a radioactive isotope to sustain its operation, and then it was completely closed. To this day, you can find signs on the walls reading ‘Caution, radioactive’. But now this warning is outdated, as the radioactive isotope was removed when the lighthouse was decommissioned. The lighthouse is very beautiful, offering views of the island and sea, and inside you can explore the remnants of rooms and working areas.

On the return trip, tourists are also taken to Mramornaya Bay, where you can also climb a mountain and view the jagged coast of Sakhalin from above. Orcas and whales are often encountered in these areas, most frequently in summer. I would also recommend taking a combined tour in summer to Aniva Lighthouse, the Blue Lakes, and Busse Lagoon, where you can see the amazingly blue waters and try sea urchins.

A kilometer from Novikov is Cape Tri Kamnya (46.320342 143.373006), which can even be reached by car. Four kilometers from the cape is the small Strelka waterfall , which requires a walk. If you stay in the village overnight, you can take a hike to the Blue (turquoise) Lakes (46.359603, 143.471909). On the way, there’s an abandoned Japanese power station. You can extend your route by another 15 kilometers and reach the opposite shore of the peninsula – to Cape Evstafiya. The road from Novikov to Cape Evstafyeva through the Blue Lakes can be driven in a jeep, if there hasn’t been prolonged rain before. But it’s better to ask in advance those who have recently been there, and get the phone number of a local tractor driver in Novikov, so that if something happens, he can pull you out.

How to get there. Getting there independently is almost impossible. The lighthouse is located on a rocky outcrop in the sea, and the nearest land is a high cliff. However, some people do reach Novikovo (the nearest village) by bus or car, and then walk 44 kilometers on foot to Aniva (the name of both the lighthouse and the bay). It takes about one and a half hours to drive from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Novikovo. And then another two hours of rough dirt road to the boat dock. A tour from the company ‘Friends-Hikers’ costs 6000 rubles (58.88 euros) in May (in summer – 7000 rubles (68.70 euros)).

Klokovsky Waterfall

190 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Klokovsky Waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls on Sakhalin Island. Its height is variously reported to be 48–49 meters, with a width of up to nine meters. The waterfall is accessible year-round, but is most full in late spring and early summer.

Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky

The ‘Tri Brata’ (Three Brothers) rocks are definitely a symbol of Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, and perhaps of the entire island. They are located in the Alexandrovsk Gulf almost opposite Cape Zhonkiyor. From the cape, there is a stunning view of the vast Tatar Strait and the Three Brothers. At low tide, it’s possible to calmly explore all the attractions of the gulf, collect seaweed and shells, see hermit crabs scuttling along the seabed with their shells on their backs, or watch the leaves of laminaria sway. At the strongest low tide, you can even walk to the Three Brothers through the water.

In the 19th century, convicts carved a 90-meter tunnel through Cape Zhonkiyor to service the lighthouse. To reach the tunnel by land, you need to come at low tide. Otherwise, you’ll have to climb the rocks. The tunnel is lined with logs, but there is almost always water at the bottom and a strong wind howls through it. If you pass through the tunnel, you will see the ‘Tri Sestry’ (Three Sisters) rocks and an old lighthouse from the end of the 19th century. All these places are described by Chekhov in ‘The Island of Sakhalin’: ‘Most often we went to the lighthouse, which stands high above the valley, on Cape Zhonkiyor. During the day, the lighthouse, if looked at from below, is a modest white house with a mast and lantern, but at night it shines brightly in the darkness, and then it seems that the penal colony looks at the world with its red eye. The road to the house climbs steeply, winding around the mountain, past old larches and firs. The higher you climb, the freer you breathe; the sea spreads before your eyes, thoughts gradually come, having nothing to do with the prison, the penal colony, or the exile settlement, and only then do you realize how dull and difficult life is down below.’

How to get there. From Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, there is one bus trip per day – at 12:10. The ticket costs 2200 rubles (21.59 euros), and the journey takes nine hours.

600 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

The main transit point on the way to the oil refineries. The village might be of interest to those curious to see a harsh northern town living off production: low-rise buildings made of siding and unexpectedly bright murals on the walls of five-story buildings. There is a local history museum in the village (Sovetskaya Street, 3) – it is praised for its excellent exhibition of the Nivkh culture and a monument to Nevelskoy. Also, one of the longest rivers of Sakhalin, the Tym (which translates from Nivkh as ‘spawning river’), flows through the town.

How to get there. A night train goes to Nogliki every day, taking almost 12 hours. The cheapest ticket in a seated carriage costs 1100 rubles (10.79 euros), a compartment – 4100 (40.24 euros). There is even a luxury (SV) carriage for 12600 rubles (123.65 euros).

Where to Stay

Hostels in the Far East are divided into work and tourist types. The former will also accommodate tourists, but the atmosphere there is like a dormitory where their own rules are already established, and you may feel like an uninvited guest. To avoid such a hostel, it’s important to carefully read the reviews, not book the cheapest hostels, not stay on the outskirts or near airports and train stations.

In the Islander hostel , mainly travelers stay, it’s very cozy, with convenient kitchen and showers with toilets. A double room costs 3000 rubles per day, and dorms – from 900 rubles (8.83 euros) per night. If you book directly through the website and for a long term, you can get a good discount.

The ‘Moneron’ hotel is located near the railway and bus stations. It’s a classic budget hotel with small clean rooms. The ‘comfort’ class rooms have a bath, and the hotel provides a complete set with slippers, towels, and a hairdryer. Prices start from 2800 rubles (27.48 euros) per night for a single economy room, while ‘comfort’ costs 4900 rubles (48.09 euros). Breakfast is included in the price.

The ‘Belka’ hotel building is made using Finnish technology in a wooden style from milled timber. The cost of large rooms with wooden walls and huge beds starts from 5800 rubles (56.92 euros). Breakfast is also included in the price. The hotel complex includes a sauna, spa, tavern, and gym.

Near Bussé Bay is the island’s only dome-shaped glamping site. A night for two costs 8000-10,000 rubles (78.51 – 98.14 euros). An extra bed is 2000 (19.63 euros). Each dome has a shower, toilet, and electricity. On cooler days, you can light the stove and sit by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa.

In other towns, apart from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the choice of hotels is quite modest and usually limited to one or two hotels, which cannot always be booked online. They have to be found on the map and booked by phone.

Transport on the Island

Car. If you’re only traveling between cities, there won’t be any problems – the roads between them are mostly paved, and the dirt roads are of more or less good quality. It gets more complicated with natural attractions. Almost all of them are accessed by dirt roads, which not every car can navigate.

In Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, ‘Yandex.Taxi’ and ‘Maxim’ operate (also in Korsakov and Kholmsk). A trip within the city limits will cost a maximum of 300 rubles (2.94 euros).

Railway. From Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, about 30 electric trains depart daily. Most of them go to nearby areas like Dalnyaya, Khristoforovka, and Novoaleksandrovka stations – 8–23 minutes travel time.

To other cities, there’s only one electric train per day. It takes an hour to Korsakov and the ticket costs 80 rubles (0.79 euro). To Tomari, it’s four hours and 300 rubles (2.94 euros). To Poronaysk, it’s five hours of travel and 500 rubles (4.91 euros) for a ticket. Long-distance electric trains depart in the evening, as these routes are used by residents of the province who return from work in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to their homes.

There is also one train on the island – Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Nogliki, 12 hours of travel and 1100 rubles (10.79 euros) for a ticket in a sitting carriage.

Buses. It seems you can reach even the most remote settlements by bus. Often there’s only one trip per day, but at least it exists. To Kholmsk, Nevelsk, and Korsakov, the journey takes about an hour and a half, with tickets costing around 300 rubles (2.94 euros); to Poronaysk and Uglegorsk, it’s four to five hours and 1200 rubles (11.78 euros) for a ticket. You can check the current schedule on avtovokzaly.ru . But it’s always better to double-check by phone: +7 (4242) 72-25-53. The address of the bus station is Karl Marx Street, 51b.

Airplane. Sakhalin has a quite extensive network of airports, and you can fly from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Okha, Zonalnoye, Shakhtyorsk, Poronaysk, Smirnykh, Yuzhno-Kurilsk, and Iturup. Flights are operated by the Far Eastern airlines ‘Aurora’ and ‘Taiga’ . These routes are served by small propeller planes Bombardier and Mi-8 helicopters. Such a flight is an interesting experience in itself. Moreover, some flights are quite inexpensive. For example, to Zonalnoye, Shakhtyorsk, and Poronaysk, tickets cost 2000–3000 rubles (19.63 – 29.44 euros) one way. To Okha and the Kurils – from 6000 rubles (58.88 euros).

Ferry. From Korsakov, ferries run to different settlements in the Kurils every three to four days. The ferry to Kurilsk takes about 22 hours, to Yuzhno-Kurilsk – 22–30 hours, and to Malokurilskoye – about 40 hours. Interestingly, a ticket to any of these settlements costs from 2800 rubles (27.48 euros), available on the website of the ferry company.

How to get there

By plain. To travel to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk from Europe, passengers typically fly through major transit hubs. Common routes involve flying from a European city to one of the major Russian airports offering direct flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, such as Moscow’s Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo airports. In 2023 it is only possible to fly to Moscow from major transit hubs such as Istanbul or Erevan. From there, travelers can catch one of the direct flights to the island. Some routes might also include stops or transfers in other large cities in Russia or Asia, depending on the airline and the flight itinerary, for instance, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Chita, Blagoveshchensk, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Sovetskaya Gavan, and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. There is even one international flight from Harbin, China.

In good weather, on approach to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, you can see the Tatar Strait, the Western Ridge, and the city itself. The airport is located within the city limits, and from there, you can easily reach any point by public transport (buses 63 and 3) or taxi.

Ferry. Vanino (Khabarovsk Krai) to Kholmsk (Sakhalin) . Passenger tickets for the ferry are sold at the Vanino railway station or at the ticket office in Kholmsk (Lenin Square, 5). They can also be reserved by phone: +7 (42137) 74088 (Vanino), +7 (42433) 50880 (Kholmsk). The ferries run daily, with a journey time of 18–20 hours. A seat costs 650 rubles (6.38 euros), while the cheapest cabin spot is 1400 rubles (13.74 euros). There is a dining room on board.

I was on the island in early May, and this has its pros and cons. On one hand, it’s already not very cold in Sakhalin at this time, and you can walk around in a light jacket or sweatshirt, and sometimes even just in a T-shirt. At the end of spring, you can catch the largest number of Steller sea lions in Nevelsk (closer to summer they migrate towards Avacha Bay). Also at this time, you can see the forest awakening: streams penetrate it from all sides, in their floodplains swamp callas bloom, meadows fill with primroses, and the hills are covered with bright green bamboo shoots. On the other hand, there is still snow in the mountains, in which you can get stuck while climbing, and the sea, which is not very warm in these areas, is completely unsuitable for swimming.

In summer, Sakhalin is not very hot, the coast blooms with wild roses, the sea warms up a bit, and there is less chance of bad weather when visiting remote attractions. Also, it’s precisely at this time you can see orcas (June – July) and whales (July – August), as well as the salmon spawning.

In winter, snowboarders and skiers come to Sakhalin. The mountains on the island are not high, so they are suitable even for beginners.

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