Arabat Spit — Ukrainian Land Under Temporary Occupation

As of October 2026, the Arabat Spit is under temporary Russian occupation. This unique natural area of Ukraine, stretching between the Sea of Azov and Syvash Bay, is currently inaccessible for tourist travel from territory under Ukrainian control.

The southern part of the Arabat Spit, which belongs to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, has been under Russian occupation since 2014. The northern part, which is administratively part of Kherson Oblast and includes the resort settlements of Henicheska Hirka, Shchaslyvtseve, and Strilkove, was occupied by Russian troops in February 2022.

Because of the occupation, the lack of safe access for tourists, and the inability to independently verify the condition of local infrastructure, planning a holiday on the Arabat Spit is not currently recommended. Information about the operation of resorts, beaches, holiday complexes, thermal springs, and tourism services in the occupied territory cannot be considered reliable without independent confirmation.

The Arabat Spit remains an integral part of Ukraine’s sovereign territory. Its many kilometres of sandy coastline, salt lakes, thermal springs, and unique natural landscapes are an important part of Ukraine’s natural and cultural heritage. Temporary occupation does not change the internationally recognised status of these lands as part of Ukraine.

We are preserving this page as a reminder of this unique part of Ukraine, which today remains inaccessible for safe travel. We hope that, after liberation, the Arabat Spit will once again welcome travellers with the peaceful waters of the Sea of Azov, warm sunshine, and endless sandy beaches. For now, what matters most is remembering this region, its people, and its place on the map as an integral part of Ukraine.

The Arabat Spit was once one of the most beloved summer holiday destinations on Ukraine’s Sea of Azov coast. Every year, thousands of travellers came here to enjoy the warm sea, endless sandy beaches, and the special atmosphere of a carefree summer. Mornings began with a gentle sea breeze, the shoreline filled with children’s laughter during the day, and in the evenings holidaymakers strolled along the shore, admiring the sunset.

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Henicheska Hirka, Shchaslyvtseve, and Strilkove were well-known resort villages in the Kherson region. Hotels, holiday guesthouses, holiday complexes, small cafés, and local markets operated here. Families came with children for the warm sea and shallow water near the shore; young people came for summer entertainment, while those seeking tranquillity found quiet beaches away from the busy resort areas. For many Ukrainians, Arabatka became a place they returned to year after year, where childhoods unfolded and the warmest family memories were made.

But the true beauty of the Arabat Spit extended beyond its seashore. On one side lay the Sea of Azov; on the other, the mysterious Syvash, with its salty bays, pink lakes, and unusual steppe landscapes. Visitors were drawn to the hot springs, saline waters, and therapeutic mud, while the spacious sandy beaches offered a chance to enjoy nature far from the bustle of city life.

The Arabat Spit was not a resort destination defined by lavish palaces and expensive restaurants. Its charm lay in simple things: warm sand underfoot, the smell of the sea, fresh corn on the beach, evening walks, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere of a Ukrainian summer. There was no need to dream up special entertainment here, because the greatest treasures were the sea, the sun, and the chance to spend time with loved ones.

Today, the Arabat Spit remains part of Ukraine, and memories of its peaceful past live on in the hearts of those who once holidayed on these shores. Memories of warm summer evenings, children’s first steps on the sand, carefree laughter, and the gentle sound of the Sea of Azov. We want to believe that a day will come when the Ukrainian Azov region will once again welcome travellers with peaceful skies, hospitable resort villages, and golden beaches where the only sounds will be the waves and children’s joyful laughter.