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Golubaya Bay

On the south-west side of the Tub-Karagan Peninsula is the half-kilometre-long Golubaya Bay (aka Blue Bay), which is sandwiched between the Uzynkuduk and Tulkili Gorges. Less than a kilometre inland is Tulkili Fortress. Isolated stretches of sandy beach and unnamed rocky coves extend either side of the bay. Fifteen kilometres to the south is Cape Segendi (aka Cape Sagyndyk or the ‘Devil’s Finger’), near Shell Beach, and the nearby popular fishing spot of Maikin Kurgan.

Caspian Sea coastline with blue water and golden-colour rocks.
© Alexsipetyy
A man running along a Caspian Sea shoreline near Golubaya Bay.
© Alexsipetyy

The bay and surrounding areas are home to some wildlife, such as gazelles, the occasional saiga herd, migratory birds, snakes, and lizards. In autumn, there are berries to pick and springtime brings beautiful flowering plants.

In theory, the Aktau-based Breeze Yacht Club and SSI Diving Centre might arrange a sailing or diving trip along Mangystau’s coastline, including to the bay. Two other charter options are the Zhetysu Sailing Club, which organised a 150-kilometre-long multi-hull boat regatta between Aktau and Cape Segendi in 2019, and Arenda Yacht Aktau’s fleet of deluxe sailing catamarans.

Satellite image of Golubaya Bay
A satellite image of Golubaya Bay. Tulkili Fortress is the brown-black mound directly east of the marker. Map Data: Google, © 2021 Maxar Technologies.
Close-up satellite view of the ruins of Soviet fishing village Saura.
The abandoned Saura fishing village, located at the northern end of the bay, and its namesake canyon in the top right. To the left there's a smaller side canyon, also called Saura, which has an oasis called Karakul. Map Data: Google, © 2021 Maxar Technologies.

Coordinates:

  • Golubaya Bay (Kök Şyğanağy/Голубая Залив): 44.1704, 50.8528

  • Uzynkuduk Canyon (Ūzynqūdyq Joly/Урочище Узынкудук): 44.1455, 50.9154

  • Tulkili Canyon (Tülkili Joly/Урочище Тулькили): 44.1930, 50.8840

  • Tulkili Fortress (Tülkılı Bekınısı/Крепость Тулькили): 44.1713, 50.8626

  • Cape Segendi/Sagyndyk (Segendı/Sağyndyq Müiıs, Мыс Сегенди/Сагындык): 44.0310, 50.8749

  • Shell Beach (Şell Jağajaiy/Ракушечный Пляж): 44.0577, 50.8717

  • Maikin Kurgan (Maikin Qorğan/Майкин Kурган): 44.0177, 50.8831

Resources:

Planning a visit? Check out our debut guidebook

Western Kazakhstan: The Kazakh Caspian Depression

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