Shepalova Bay

Shepalova Bay lies on the southern coast of Primorsky Krai, in the Partizansky municipal district, near Cape Povorotny, close to the village of Vrangel and the city of Nakhodka, about 30 kilometers away along the road through the port of Vostochny.

History

The bay is first mentioned in 1854, when the frigate Pallada, commanded by lieutenant commander I. S. Unkovsky, passed along this coast. In 1860 an expedition led by V. M. Babkin charted a nearby ravine, naming it Pad Shepalova (Shepalov's Ravine): deep inside it stood a farmstead where a family named Shepalov lived with hired workers. The bay's modern name arose by analogy with this ravine's name and took hold in everyday speech during the design and construction of the port of Vostochny. In the 20th century, salting workshops of the Kozmino fish base operated on the shore; they closed in the late 1940s to early 1950s.

What to see

The bay's main natural landmark is Chyortov Utyos (Devil's Cliff), a hill about 230 meters high, the highest point of Cape Povorotny. The same cape holds the caldera of an ancient volcano. The beach in the bay is made of pebbles. Next to the sea lies a small lake whose water warms up faster than the bay itself and stays warm. The sandy slope of the hill is used for sandboarding. On top of the sandy hill lies a large boulder known locally as the Stone of Love: according to local legend, it carries a special energy and grants wishes made beside it.

Getting there

The easiest way to reach Shepalova Bay is by car or taxi. The road runs from Nakhodka toward the port of Vostochny, through the city and the village of Vrangel, and then on to a signpost reading "Bukhta Shepalova." The surface is mostly paved, but some stretches wash out after rain.

Good to know

Several recreation bases operate by the bay, including one called Shepalovo, and there are spots for tent camping. The place is popular with residents of Nakhodka and Vrangel as a nearby seaside getaway for a day or two: the combination of a pebble beach, a warm lake, and a sandy hill for sandboarding suits both a family outing and a short hike up to Chyortov Utyos.