Traveling to Sakhalin Island - alone or as part of a tourist group - is a trip for those who get bored in the warmth and home comfort. Homebodies have nothing to do here, because high humidity in summer and strong winter blizzards, lack of comfort and tedious travel can ruin the whole impression of the local beauty.
How to get to Sakhalin
The price of a ticket to the Far East bites a lot. If you correctly track the airlines' websites, you can buy a ticket from Moscow to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk for only twelve thousand. But in the holiday season, hope for such a miracle is not worth it. Here the average flight price will be fifty thousand.
The second option is a train ride, but it takes a very long time. The point of arrival is the city of Vanino, then by ferry.
Ferry nuances: what you need to know?
Since many tourists get to the island by ferry, it is important to know how to properly organize the transfer.
- You need to order both seats for passengers and a parking space for a car at least a month before the expected time of your arrival. If this is not done, then the flight may be in vain. Sakhalin will remain a dream.
- From time to time you need to call the Daltransservice organization and clarify information about the changes that have occurred, since there is no exact timetable for the ferry crossing.
- Before arriving at the ferry, be sure to call the Vanino ticket office and confirm your arrival. Otherwise, the booked place may simply be given to other travelers. Prepayment is not accepted.
- Free lunch is offered during the trip (only once). It is possible to take a shower (for a fee).
- Upon arrival in Vanino, it is imperative to issue a pass.
- All that is required during the crossing must be taken with you. They won't be allowed to go down into the hold to the car.
- Upon entering the ferry, passengers are examined and all alcohol is taken away.
- The most comfortable cabins (but also more expensive ones) are located on the upper deck.
- In summer, the duration of the ferry crossing is twelve to fourteen hours. In winter, the travel time is from sixteen hours or more.
What can you do in Sakhalin?
Sakhalin especially attracts avid anglers. Taking into account the local climatic conditions, for this purpose it is necessary to go to the island in August-September. If you buy tickets for this period in advance - about six months in advance, you can save a lot.
Organized tours from agencies will be very expensive, so it makes sense to organize everything on your own. Even a ready-made voucher "includes" only the services of a guide. Everything else - camp, food, fishing gear, the cost of the trip - at your own expense.
Summer is a great time to hike Mount Vaida or walk along the Zhdanko ridge. Local diving will also be interesting. The summer months on Sakhalin are the time for sea kayaking.
Sakhalin winter is about skiing and, of course, fishing.
