Do you know what a natural dolphinarium is? Utrish is the only village in Russia where the dolphinarium is located in a natural environment for marine life.
A few words from the story
Dolphin behavior began to be studied for a long time. Today it is precisely established that the intelligence of these marine animals is almost inferior to the human. Dolphins are able to communicate with each other, they help treat sick children, they love to play with people. During the war, they tried to use these inhabitants of the deep sea as demolitionists.
Nobody knows for sure how many dolphinariums exist in the world. Today, such institutions are not uncommon for our country. But the trouble is: they are all located in cities where it is difficult for dolphins to create suitable conditions. To study the behavior of animals in an environment close to natural, in 1992 in the Black Sea was opened the first and so far the only natural dolphinarium in the country. His place of deployment was Anapa. Utrish (the dolphinarium is located there, 18 km from the city) is a unique village. Here begins the Caucasian ridge. Here is a nature reserve where you can meet unique representatives of flora and fauna. Tourists love this stunningly beautiful and quiet corner of the coast.
Dolphinarium today
The institution was created for a specific purpose. This is a research base where animals do not just perform. The main goal of the dolphinarium is the study of animal behavior, the popularization of knowledge about them. Concert performances are only an insignificant, albeit very spectacular, part of the activities that the dolphinarium is engaged in. Utrish became the abode of unique marine animals by decision of the RAS. The office of this enterprise is located in Moscow, and its branches are located in all cities of Russia.
Today in Utrish there are a variety of dolphins: bottlenose dolphins, belugas, Irrawaddy and Pacific humpback individuals. And here there are serene and Patagonian sea lions and even a killer whale.
All animals take turns.
During the program, the organizers of the show talk about the life of their wards, acquaint viewers with unique facts. Books, brochures, and colorful publications calling for nature conservation are another part of the dolphinarium’s activities.
Utrish today is recognized as one of the leading European centers for the study of pinnipeds.
What can be seen in Utrish
First of all, of course, the dolphinarium. In Big Utrish, ticket prices are relatively affordable. A bright, colorful, very fun performance lasts about an hour, and tickets cost only 500-700 rubles.
During the performance, marine artists will play ball with the audience, jump into the rings, show many other tricks and even ... sing. Yes, yes, these unique dolphins can sing.
During the presentation, guests will learn many interesting facts about pinnipeds.
After the mandatory program, everyone will be able to swim with the dolphins, purchase brochures and postcards. They depict a dolphinarium, Utrish, a panorama of the Salt Lake, not far from which the institution is located, unique sea views.
Both locals and venerable researchers know: Utrish is a place with uniquely clear sea water. Here, without special devices, you can consider the life of bottom animals and plants, which boils at a depth of many meters. After bathing in clear water, tourists can visit any cafe: there are many of them in the village, for every taste and prosperity. Fans of unusual vacations can visit the nudist beach.
How to get to Utrish
Resting in Anapa or Novorossiysk, you must definitely go fishing in the open sea, wander through the wildlife park, visit Big Utrish, the dolphinarium.
How to get to Utrish? There are several ways to do this.
- Buy a tour. This can be done in any village. There are excursions designed only for visiting the dolphinarium. There are complex trips introducing vacationers to several sights at once. On the way from Anapa to Big Utrish, tourists can enjoy stunning mountain and sea views, drive past the observatory, and with bated breath enjoy the panorama from a great height.
- Take the shuttle bus number 109. The road from Anapa to Utrish in this case will cost 30-40 rubles and take about an hour and a half.
- Call a taxi. This is perhaps the most convenient, albeit the most expensive way to travel. Tourists do not have to crowd in the bus, to Utrish by taxi only half an hour away. The cost of the trip is approximately 600-1000 rubles.
Some owners of private hotels take guests to the dolphinarium themselves. In this case, the cost of the trip is negotiated with them.
Work schedule
Dolphinarium works only in the warm season, from May to October. Sometimes in winter, performances are held on Sundays. Tickets are recommended to be bought one hour before the start of the show: there are a lot of people who want to see dolphins.
Monday is a day off at the dolphinarium.