Ukraine : Profile

Facts

• Set on the northern shores of the Black Sea, between the Azov Sea and the Danube Delta, the Ukraine has been endowed by nature with many more natural harbours than any of its neighbours. Some of these are on the Azov Sea, an enclosed body of water which until recently was barred to foreign vessels. This almost completely enclosed body of water is reached through a narrow cut, on the shores of which stands the old city of Kerch.

• Facilities for yachts are limited but are constantly improving, and the opening of a new marina in Odessa has made a great difference to the comfort of visiting sailors.

• Several rallies held in the Black Sea in recent years have persuaded the authorities to bring about some considerable improvements to the yachting infrastructure. Independence and the freedom to travel have seen an amazing upsurge in the number of locally built sailing boats, some of which have been enjoying the new found freedom by sailing in large numbers to Greece and beyond. This interest in yachting should eventually result in better facilities for pleasure craft.

• There is a new marina (Golden Symbol) at Balaklava, near Sevastopol. Marinas are also planned in Sevastopol itself (Yug), Ochakov, Alushta and Yalta. Yacht clubs at Nikolaev, Kherson and Sevastopol welcome visiting cruising boats. Hard currency shops have sprung up in recent years, selling imported goods at very high prices. At other main ports, fuel and water can be arranged through an agent, for a fee.

• The Crimean peninsula extends south into the Black Sea, with a picturesque coast always popular as a holiday destination, as can be seen by the many resorts, the most famous among them being Yalta. With the opening of this entire region to foreign travel, Crimea is attracting a major share of cruising boats.

• The small country of Moldova, Ukraine's western neighbour, only has a token exit to the Black Sea, on the right bank of the Dniester River.

Weather

The climate is temperate with hot summers and cold winters. Along the coast, the winds are very much influenced by the surrounding landmass and in summer there is a daily pattern of land and sea breezes. An onshore breeze comes up around midday and usually dies by dusk to be followed by a land breeze during the night.

Main Ports

Some ports may still be closed to foreign vessels; this should be checked on arrival at the first port of entry. As well as those ports listed here, Kerch and Belograd-Dnestzovski are reported to be ports of entry, but this should be checked in advance.

Balaklava , Feodosia * , Izmail * , Kherson * , Nikolaev * , Odessa * , Sevastopol (yacht club) * , Yalta *

*Indicates a port of entry.

Related Reports

Black Sea, Ukraine - Danube River Delta - CAUTION (20 Jun 2008)

Sailing Ukraine Summer 2007 (25 Sep 2007)

Cruising Report On Ukraine (27 Aug 2007)

Cruising Ukraine Official Requirements (28 Jul 2007)

Cruising Ukraine (18 Nov 2005)

Ukraine Formalities (15 Mar 2001)