Photo Walks: A City by the Ocean

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is a city uniquely intertwined with the sea, as often highlighted in official speeches. The ocean is the lifeblood of Kamchatka, forming the foundation of the region's financial and socio-economic well-being, its inexhaustible wealth, and its bright hope for the future.

This year, Petropavlovsk celebrates its 284th anniversary. The city has grown along the shores of one of the world's most picturesque and convenient bays. Today, it stretches nearly 20 kilometers along the northern shore of Avacha Bay, the second largest bay in the world, surpassed only by Brazil's famous Guanabara Bay. Russians discovered Avacha Bay in 1703, several months before St. Petersburg was founded. Many participants of the great 18th-19th century round-the-world voyages praised the strategic position of Kamchatka's maritime jewel.

Our beautiful bay boasts numerous advantages that have spurred the development of the entire peninsula. It serves as the main transport artery for this industrious region. During Soviet times, the ports of Petropavlovsk were bustling with activity. Although quieter now and far from the Soviet-era cargo turnover levels, the port cranes remain active, and fishing boats, motor ships, tankers, and military vessels continue to navigate our waters. Our cold, harsh, and boundless sea has always been generous to Kamchatka—hunger has never plagued this land.

The bay's name is of Itelmen origin, traditionally given by Russian explorers after the largest river flowing into it. According to Steller, "Avacha" derives from "Gshuabach," a distorted form of the Itelmen "Kshchuapach" ("kshchu" meaning bay or lake, and "apache" meaning father).

Avacha Bay is the soul of the city. Even the most remote corners of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky carry the scent of the sea, and it seems every path in the city leads to its shores.

The sea is always nearby, even if unseen or unheard. There is an indescribable joy, a sense of freedom and exhilaration, when you have the chance to walk along the waves and see the silhouette of our town on the shore. When the sea is just steps away, it feels like a true gift from heaven.

Interestingly, the water in our bay remains very cold, even on the hottest summer days. The average surface water temperature from July to September is 10-15°C, dropping to 6-8°C at a depth of 10 meters, and 3-6°C at 20 meters. In Kamchatka's recent history, only the summer of 2006 was exceptionally warm, allowing both young and old to swim in Malaya and Bolshaya Lagernaya, where the water reached a record 16°C near the shore. Typically, only local "walruses," divers, and the overly adventurous dare to swim in Avacha Bay.

Within Petropavlovsk's boundaries, along the shores of Avacha Bay, lies a unique sea lion rookery. There are only three such rookeries near human habitation worldwide: one in San Francisco, another on Sakhalin, and the third in Kamchatka. Unlike the more common fur seals and California sea lions found elsewhere, Petropavlovsk is home to animals listed in the Red Book.

To capture a panoramic view of Avacha Bay, one should climb Mishennaya or Petrovskaya Sopka on a clear, sunny day. The most stunning panoramic photos are taken from these vantage points. September landscapes are particularly breathtaking, with emerald waters, red-crimson-green hills, the snow-capped Vilyuchinsky volcano, and a blue sky. Currently, our sea slumbers, often cloaked in deep blue and gray hues, in all shades of gray.

The sea. Our beloved and cherished.

(Photo by Mikhail and Anastasia Yudaev, RAI "KAMCHATKA-INFORM")

Photos