SWAN ISLANDS
The Swan Islands consist of six separate islands stretching along the bay for 8 kilometers. The largest of the islands of the group is the fourth; its length is approximately 3.5 kilometers, and its width is about 350 meters. A security zone has been established around the reserve, so it is impossible to enter here illegally, either from land or from water.
The islands were formed as a result of the deposition of shells and sand, so the appearance, and most importantly, the number of islands, may change over time. Almost all the islands rise the same way above the surface of the water – 1-2 meters. Warm waters and an abundance of food attract a huge number of birds, mainly waterfowl. 320 species of birds live here: herring gulls, laughing gulls, black-headed laughing gulls, white and gray herons, pelicans, waders, flamingos and others. But most of all, the Swan Islands are proud of their mute swans. In warm weather, there can be up to 600 of them at a time.
In addition to birds, dolphins living in the Black Sea – white-sided and bottlenose dolphins, as well as porpoises, a white polecat and a large jerboa – have found protection in this ornithological reserve. Reptiles also live on the Swan Islands – the yellow-bellied snake, the steppe viper, and, of course, many fish, in particular the rare Black Sea salmon and others.
CAYO LEVANTADO ISLAND
Cayo Levantado is a small island at the exit of the bay into the Atlantic Ocean. The sounds of silence here dissolve in the lush greenery and break into the coastal waters. The exotic island is dotted with coconut palms, fine golden sand, rivers, and numerous caves. The Limon Falls, surrounded by colorful vegetation, will also delight the eye. In addition to contemplating beauty, on the island, you can practice sport fishing and other active water sports.
From mid-January to mid-March, humpback whales, the largest whales in the world, gather to breed opposite Cayo Levantado. Such an exciting action turns a sparsely inhabited island into a “metropolis”. But despite this, Cayo Levantado remains an island of calm and tranquility. The only infrastructure here is a small hotel, lost in tropical vegetation, and benches and bars, whose visitors prefer rum to everything else. It’s not for nothing that the island’s second name is Bacardi Island. Rum is the national alcoholic drink of the Dominican Republic.
CATALINA ISLAND
Small, occupying only 15 square meters. Kilometers long, Catalina Island is as beautiful as a holiday card. Its beaches with silky sand, shimmering crystal waters of all shades from blue to turquoise, palm groves providing blessed shade and a rocky chain half a kilometer from the shore create the landscape of a real Bounty Island.
Catalina is a natural national park. Nature itself has created the best conditions for water sports here. This place is the best in the Caribbean for snorkeling. On the slope that stretches from the beach itself, over many years a whole coral kingdom has grown, home to a huge number of interesting sea creatures, and this whole moving and bright world is perfectly visible in the clear water. Not far from the shore is one of the best dive sites in the Dominican Republic, “The Wall” – Muro.
The underwater slope ends with a shear wall going 100 meters deep. There are two steps in the wall, 25 and 40 meters high. From the beaches of the La Romana resort, excursions to Saona and Catalina Islands are regularly made. In addition to exploring the seabed, you can also enjoy local cuisine, cold drinks and a return trip along the Chavon River, flowing through the jungle, and you can also get acquainted with cigar production at the world’s largest cigar factory, Tabacalera de Garcia.
BRAC ISLAND
Of all the Croatian islands, the island of Brac is considered the most beautiful. Picturesque nature, numerous resorts offering various entertainment, sandy and pebble beaches, the opportunity to swim underwater, explore marine flora and fauna, picturesque forests and landscapes, and incredibly beautiful sunrises and sunsets that you can admire on the beautiful shore. All visitors to this island have the most delightful memories and a desire to return to the island again and again.
The island location is accompanied by the popularity of seafood dishes in cafes and restaurants. Khovat, known for its hospitality, welcomes guests with pleasure. An atmosphere of friendship and lightness reigns on this island. Among the attractions on the island, it is necessary to highlight the village with old traditional houses – Skrip, as well as the Golden Cape, which often changes the shape of the waters under the influence of water and wind. In general, the island of Brac has many places to explore nature and other features; visitors can expect a wonderful holiday on numerous beaches, privacy from the urban environment and a sunny mood.
NICHOLAS ISLAND
The island of St. Nicholas is the largest, absolutely charming uninhabited island in the southern part of the Adriatic Sea, located a kilometer from Budva by sea. The island closes the entrance to Budva Bay; the length of the island is two kilometers, and the maximum height is 121 meters above sea level. The fact that people previously lived here is evidenced by the Church of St. Nicholas, first mentioned in the 16th century; the skeleton was named in honor of this saint.
The church is surrounded by old graves in which, as legend has it, lie the crusaders who died from the plague that raged in Budva, where they were camped. The island is very green, and the bulk of the vegetation is evergreen. These tickets are home to many birds, but besides them, on the island, you can find various small animals and even mouflons. The island is connected to the Slavyansky beach by a shallow water path, which, of course, is associated with a legend. When Saint Sava was about to sail from Budva to Athos, a storm broke out, and in order to get to his galley, he threw a handful of stones into the sea.
This created a shallow path along which the saint was able to approach the galley, climb onto it and sail from Budva. The beach on the island of St. Nicholas actually consists of three, the total length of which is more than 800 m. The coastline of the island is very indented, and if someone wants to retire, then there are many small coves at their disposal where nirvana will be ensured.
You can only get to the island by water, using a water taxi that runs between the island and the beaches of Budva. The cost of such a trip ranges from 2 to 5 euros per person, depending on the season. Small cafes and bars will not let you die of hunger on the island of St. Nicholas; there is also a fish restaurant, where guests will be served delicious freshly caught fish in the heat.
SVETI STEFAN ISLAND
Previously, it was a fishing village, and now it is a luxurious hotel complex, where fashionable hotel rooms are hidden within the walls of ancient buildings, and one of the well-maintained beaches is covered with pink sand. Modern architecture has bypassed the island: the tiny town has retained its medieval appearance for many centuries. St. Stephen’s Island is often called the “Island of Stars” – no fewer celebrities have visited its narrow streets than the Beverly Hills area of Los Angeles.
Sophia Loren and Sylvester Stallone, Kirk Douglas and Claudia Schiffer, Bobby Fischer and Madonna… Local hotels were also favored by politicians: among the powers that be, Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Taylor, Indira Gandhi and even Leonid Brezhnev managed to stay there.
Many sources are confused when listing the names of celebrities who visited the island, but one thing remains the same: while relaxing in the hotels of St. Stephen, you can take a photo not only against the backdrop of pink sand but also in an embrace with some world-famous star. And those who prefer to live in hotels with a modest cost of 1000 euros per night visit the island as a spacious open-air museum or admire the beautiful panorama directly from the “mainland”. Visiting the island for tourists who are not hotel guests is paid.
HON TAM ISLAND
Hon Tam Island is a piece of paradise off the popular tourist coast of Nha Trang in South Vietnam off the coast of the South China Sea. Another popular name for the island is “Silk Island”. There are many versions of why it was given such a poetic name, but it is almost certainly due to the extraordinary snow-white beaches and always soft, gentle descent into the water.
There is a ferry from the mainland to the island; the journey takes about 15-20 minutes in total and costs mere pennies. The entire island is focused on providing sea, sports, water and beach recreation to all visitors. The beaches are equipped to meet all the requirements of modern service and comfort; they have wooden sun loungers and umbrellas. There are pavilions with thatched roofs along the entire coastline.
Several restaurants serve tourists with any cuisine, ranging from traditional Vietnamese to European and all kinds of exotic dishes. On the island of Hon Tam, everyone will find leisure activities to suit their tastes and capabilities. Here you can parachute and hang glider, climb mountains, windsurf, water ski or motorcycle, go fishing or underwater explore the reefs. A separate attraction of Hon Tam Island is small, colorful camps with bonfires. Having come to one of them, a guest of the island can drink wine all night long, eat baked meat and have fun chatting with other tourists.
