Skip to content

← Home

White Sands of Belyaus

Belyaus — a sand spit on the northwestern coast of Crimea (Western Crimea, near Donuzlav), known for pure white sands formed from sea-ground shells, the cleanest sea waters of the peninsula, and an ancient settlement site from the Hellenistic period.

Overview

Belyaus is located in Western Crimea, approximately 60 km from Yevpatoria and 20 km east of Tarkhankut. It is one of Crimea's contrasting landscapes — a flat steppe transitioning into an unpopulated coastline with white sand and transparent sea. The spit was formed in the 1960s when Lake Donuzlav was connected to the sea by severing the land bridge; the northwestern of the two resulting spits is Belyaus. The area is sparsely populated and unpopular among ordinary vacationers due to the lack of infrastructure, which preserves its natural purity and tranquility.

Key Details / Subtopics

  • Geography: sand spit in Western Crimea near Donuzlav, 60 km from Yevpatoria, 20 km from Tarkhankut; part of the "tiny continent" of contrasting Crimean landscapes.
  • Nature of the sands: white-colored sand without silt, composed of sea-milled seashell valves; considered to have the cleanest sea in Crimea. Sand is partially mined industrially.
  • Donuzlav: former lake connected to the sea in the 1960s; division of the land bridge formed two spits, one of which is Belyaus.
  • Ancient settlement site: from ~400 BCE to ~100 CE, a Hellenic town existed here with advanced construction culture (masonry of a defense tower); Belyaus has long been studied by archaeologists and is known as an antiquity monument.
  • Recreation: uncrowded, secluded relaxation for lovers of quiet and nature; shade beneath wild olive bushes, absence of amenities.