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Bay of Islands New Zealand. Bay of Islands

If you book the whole boat and there are diving enthusiasts in the crew, then a professional diver will join us and we can delight you with dives in the Saronikos Gulf: the wreck of AVANTIS III (Dorousa), the sunken seaplane of the Second World War (Tragonisi) and the fish farm cages with sea bream (Poros), where pods of dolphins often visit in addition to us. If this is your option, let's clarify the details!

1 day

Athens, Alimos Kalamaki Marina

Team check-in is at 16:00. We get comfortable on the boat, take a break from the flight, get acquainted with safety precautions, ask all the questions of interest to the Captain, buy food, prepare for the morning departure, get ready for a wonderful and unforgettable vacation, feel at home.

Day 2

Alimos Kalamaki - Aegina, 18 NM

O. Aegina

Aegina is the largest island in the Saronic Gulf and the closest island on the way from Athens, which has worldwide recognition not only because of its pistachios, many beaches and monasteries, but also because of its unique archaeological monuments, such as the Temple of Aphaia or the Acropolis of Kolonna. The main port and yacht marina are located in the city of the same name - the capital of the island. The port is usually crowded and noisy, but there is a worthy alternative nearby, the village of Perdika - here you can stand at the pier, at anchor or at the picturesque anchorage near the islet of Moni. And sunsets on Aegina are always a riot of colors.

Day 3

Aegina - Poros, 16 NM

O. Poros

Poros Island according to Greek mythology considered the island of Poseidon. It consists of 2 parts, separated by a channel: Sphere, where it is located main city Poros and Kalavria. The coastline of the island is indented with lagoons and bays. The most famous among our compatriots is Russian Bay, where in the 19th century the Russian naval base, which remained Russian property until the outbreak of the First World War. Near Russian Bay there is also the famous Love Bay, the shores of which are framed by weeping willows - a great place for swimming and a romantic anchorage. We also know where the most delicious Kleftiko is prepared on this island - this is stewed lamb, which none of our teams has yet been able to resist! The owner of the restaurant where this dish will be prepared for us is also a professional fisherman. For lovers fishing We can organize a trip on his fishing boat to check his nets.

4 day

Poros - Ermioni, 20 NM

Ermioni

On the mainland of Greece, northwest of Hydra, in a very picturesque and quiet bay with wonderful beaches, protected from the south by a long cape and covered with a pine forest, there is a cozy, quiet town Ermioni. There are also historical attractions in that place. On the eastern side of the ruins of the old port of Ermioni, a most picturesque landscape opens up to Hydra and the bay. It’s also just a stunning place to watch sunsets.

5 day

Ermioni - Hydra, 11 NM

O. Hydra

The island of Hydra is famous for its unique local flavor. Motor vehicles are not used here; people and goods move on horse-drawn carts and donkeys. Perhaps that is why the water on the beaches here is clearest. The port of Hydra is very small, and according to established tradition, the first lucky yachts to arrive moor to the quay wall “Mediterranean style” - with the bow anchor released and the stern mooring lines brought to the pier, and those who do not have enough space approach with their stern chine the bows of already moored yachts. When the second row is occupied, the next rows are moored in the same way to the previous ones, and so on... Thus, by the evening, a large friendly yacht flotilla is formed, connected by mooring lines, and the crews of the distant rows, in order to go ashore and return back to their yacht, must show courtesy by asking permission to pass on the sides of neighboring yachts. In the morning, when the yachts are preparing to leave the port, we are treated to the traditional Hydra show, which our Captain calls “a vinaigrette of tangled anchor chains.”

Day 6

Hydra - Methana, 20 NM

Methana Peninsula

We go to Methana, of course, for natural hot springs right in the sea! One is hot and very relaxing. The second is hydrogen sulfide. You will feel that you are at your cherished goal a few tens of meters before it. The “culprit” for the appearance of these spa pleasures is the local volcano. If the level of relaxation does not reach the limit, it is also worth going to it and enjoying the gorgeous views. Methana is about relaxation, peace, contemplation, no fuss, noisy shops or traffic.

Day 7

Methana - Alimos Kalamaki, 29 NM

We love the route from Metana, among other things, because here we always catch tuna. True, from August to October) We will install spinning rods in any case (what if?), but on this part of the journey there will be an excellent opportunity to put into practice everything that we managed to learn about boat control during this trip! Or maybe, on the contrary, you just want to relax and enjoy sailing - Methana is very relaxing. Returning to Alimos, according to the already established tradition, we will celebrate our return in a tavern or prepare dinner ourselves, spend the night on the yacht, and the next morning the crew will be put ashore...

Day 8

Athena, Marina Alimos Kalamaki

For the team, the journey ends, and at 10:00 the Captain and the boat begin the “work bustle” - preparing for a new trip. A noisy breakfast awaits us, gatherings for those who did not have time to get ready in the evening, hugs and discussions about the next joint hike!

IN There are many islands, large and small, in the Gulf of Finland...
However, only a few will be able to name any islands other than Kotlin Island, on which Kronstadt is located. At the same time, there are very interesting and beautiful islands.

1. Kotlin Island
The most famous, most important and most populated island in the Gulf of Finland. The length of the island is about 12 km, the maximum width is less than 3 km, the area is about 16 square meters. km. The island is connected to the mainland by a road passing through a complex of flood protection structures (Dambe). On part of the island is the city of Kronstadt.

The island is located on the legendary routes “from the Varangians to the Greeks” and “from the Varangians to the Arabs”, and is mentioned in the 1269 agreement between Novgorod and the Hansa. The city that stood on this site was at least 500 years older than St. Petersburg. And considering that the contract stated that ships would be reloaded on the island, “as it was in ancient times,” the city was much older. Subsequently, arriving merchants waited on the island for pilots from Novgorod, who led trade caravans across the Neva and Volkhov to Ilmen.

There is a legend according to which the Swedes, when landing on the Russian island, hastily fled, leaving a pot on the fire. This legendary bowler hat is depicted on the coat of arms of Kronstadt. The name Kotlin supposedly comes from the word “boiler”. According to another legend, Kotlin was named so because on old maps the neck of the Gulf of Finland east of the island resembled a cauldron.

On an islet dumped on the shallows south of Kotlin Island, Peter I founded Fort Kronshlot in 1703, which blocked the main fairway leading to the mouth of the Neva, where the new capital of the empire, St. Petersburg, was being built for a potential enemy. On May 7, 1704, the fortifications, which included two batteries on Kotlin Island, came into operation (the date of the founding of Kronstadt).

In 1723, a fortress was founded on Kotlin and given the name Kronstadt. Peter I considered Kronstadt part of the capital.

1. Gogland Island
This small granite island, located in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, is one of the most famous islands Gulf of Finland. Gogland is located 180 km west of St. Petersburg. Its area is about 21 square meters. km, height - up to 176 m.

The basis of the island is granite, which forms many different-sized hills and valleys, where small fresh lakes glacial origin. The entire coastline is indented with hundreds of bays of all shapes and sizes.

Although the island is considered one of the most dangerous places for shipping in the Baltic, local residents have long been considered excellent sailors and were willingly hired as sailors on sailing ships.

The nature of Gogland is rich and diverse. There are about 700 species of vascular plants alone (for comparison, the same number of species in the Leningrad and Pskov regions, which are tens of times larger than Gogland). Almost 80% of the island's territory is covered with coniferous and small-leaved forests. The foot of the rocks is covered with blueberries, raspberries, alpine currant and juniper bushes.

The fauna is represented by 25 species of beetles, 6 species of amphibians and reptiles, 126 species of birds (a quarter are listed in the Red Book of Nature of the Leningrad Region). As for mammals, their composition is unknown because it is constantly changing. Here they often see shrews and various mice, sometimes white hares, squirrels and foxes, European mink, and raccoon dogs.

Gogland is a Mecca for archaeologists and historians. Stone Age human sites, medieval pirates, the Battle of Hogland, envoys of Peter the Great, the death of "Lefort", "America", the Struve meridian, Popov's radio communication session in 1900, 300 years of wars, endless fortifications and dozens of sunken ships, battles of World War II, constant a change of owners, which ended only in 1947 with the return of the island home to Russia.

2. Transund Archipelago
The island is located in the Vyborg Bay; for a long time it was known only to history buffs and radio amateurs. Previously there was a Finnish artillery battery.

At the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries, Alexander Popov tested his wireless telegraph on the islands of the archipelago, and from 1963 to 2012, Maly Vysotsky Island was leased from Finland. During this period, specialized expeditions to Maly Vysotsky, which did not belong to Finland, but temporarily did not belong to Russia, were popular among radio amateurs, and where a special call sign was used for communication sessions.

3. Sommers
Peter the Great gave this rocky island to his jester Jan Lacoste along with the mocking title of “Samoyed King.” It is located in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland.

The next time the island made its mark in Russian history was during the Great Patriotic War, and this happened under very tragic circumstances. In June 1942, Sommers, captured by Finnish troops, was recklessly landed by amphibious assault. The desperate battle lasted for three days, but the poor planning of the operation prevailed over the steadfastness and courage of the Soviet soldiers. Of the one and a half thousand Red Navy men who landed on this piece of land, none survived. The island was only liberated after Finland left the war in 1944.

4. Moshchny Island
It's pretty big island. It used to be densely populated. Now on the island there is only a small border post with a radio technical post and a post for illuminating the surface and underwater situation of the Leningrad naval base.

5. Big Tyuters and Small Tyuters
The two islands are located in the central part of the Gulf of Finland. There are lighthouses on both islands; the attendants are the only inhabitants of the islands. On Maly Tyuters there is a ringed seal.

Bolshoi Tyuters has long been known as the “island of death.” During the Second World War, the Germans mined it; in subsequent years, several attempts were made to clear the island of mines, but only the last seventh was successful. In 2005, Russian and Swedish specialists neutralized more than 30 thousand explosive objects. There are lighthouses on both islands, and members of the staff are the only inhabitants of Tyuters, with the exception of the ringed seal, which is very common on Maly.

6. Fox Island
One of the calmest and greenest islands, lost in Klyuchevskaya Bay of the Vyborg region. Beautiful forests with plenty of mushrooms and berries have been preserved here, as well as clean shores along which all kinds of fish swim and spawn.

This is perhaps one of the calmest and greenest islands of all those listed. There are no conservation restrictions and the island is a fairly popular vacation spot for those who have a boat.

7. Virgin Islands
The Gulf of Finland has its own Virgin Islands. These are practically namesakes Virgin Islands that are located in the Caribbean Sea. South Virgin is especially interesting: it contains a mysterious round labyrinth of pebbles, built by ancient people.

This labyrinth is called Paris: some say that in honor of the intricate streets of Paris, others say that this name comes from the Swedish word Paris, that is, church parish, and reflects the sacred essence of this place.

More information about the islands on the website

I drove north from Auckland, and the “Bay of Islands” became the northernmost point of my trip to New Zealand, since all my other movements were to the south, slowly moving from North Island to the South. My path was to the village of Paihia (or Paihia, Paihia) - it was from there that it began " water excursion". The way there lay through the Auckland Bridge. Once it was possible to bungee jump from it, but now all that remains is the attraction of walking along the bridge structures, similar to the famous bridge in Sydney, and even then this activity must be booked in advance.

The true symbol of New Zealand is the kauri tree. And probably the oldest and most famous representative of this species is McKinney Kauri, whose age ranges from 800 to 900 years. It is located near the town of Warkworth, just on the road to the “Bay of Islands”. When you see this gigantic tree, you can’t help but wonder how many generations of people it has watched, technological progress has developed, trains, cars, airplanes have appeared, but the tree still stands in its original place.