- Width: 137 km;
- Maximum depth: 54 m;
- Area: 18,000 km²;
- Islands: Sorgu.
The Baltic Sea is an integral part of the Baltic region. It not only washed the shores of many countries, but also tries to become even closer to their inhabitants due to their numerous bays. One of the most famous is the Gulf of Riga, which cuts deep into the dry land on the border of Latvia and Estonia . The picturesque and fertile coast makes this cozy sea bay its favorite tourist destination.
Riga Bay - a gift from the Baltic Sea
The Gulf of Riga on the map is easy to find. It is like a big "blue pocket" on the green decoration of Latvia. The area of the bay is quite large - 18,100 km². The maximum depth of the reservoir is 54 m. The average flow velocity is 4.8 m / min. There are two exits to the sea: one in the west between the skeleton of Ezel and the mainland, the second in the north between the island of Mouon and the mainland.
The Riga Gulf is washed, besides Latvia, by one more country. From the east it is protected by the Estonian coast, and from the north it is separated from the sea by the islands of the Moonsund archipelago, which also belong to Estonia.
The line of the coast of the Gulf of Riga can be called smooth, not counting small capes and places where it is crushed by the estuaries of several rivers. The beaches are wide and long, mostly composed of white quartz sand. Sometimes there are stony areas with a cluster of boulders. In the western part of the bay on the coast there is a dune strip. It begins very smoothly, with low wavy hills, covered with thickets of reeds and willow. Then the dunes are getting higher, reaching 10-12 m. Low vegetation is replaced by coniferous forest. Between the tall pine trees thickly grow bilberry bushes. The aroma here reigns simply incredible - fresh sea air is saturated with berry notes with a touch of tart pine needles.
The largest river flowing into the Gulf of Riga is the Western Dvina. In addition to it, many other rivers also flow here: Gauja , Svetoupe , Lielupe , Salaca , Aga , Pärnu , Roya , Skede and others.
Attractions in the Gulf of Riga
The Gulf of Riga itself is one of the most striking sights of Latvia . His shore has collected the most "star" cities of the country. The waters of this bay are washed by the merry party town of Jurmala , where thousands of tourists from all over the world gather round the year, hospitable guests are greeted by guests, and international festivals and concerts take place in the famous concert hall of "Dzintari".
Unusual photos on the background of the Gulf of Riga you will do in the natural park of Engures , near the city of Kuldiga . Here is an amazing composition of rare flora and fauna. You can watch the flocks of beautiful birds living on the coast, visit the wild orchid park, the Lachupite arboretum and even see the "blue cow", which has an unusual gray-blue shade of skin.
Another famous seaside park is Piejura . It occupies the whole coastal part of the Gulf of Riga, starting from Lielupe to Saulkrast . There are many rare biotopes in the reservoirs and on their banks, there is an unusual Pink dune overgrown with wild roses, and the Valley of Life is a small hollow where birches and other deciduous trees grow right in the middle of a continuous coniferous forest.
And, of course, we can not fail to mention the sights of Riga on the Gulf of Riga. Just 30 minutes drive from the coast is the Old Town , where the great heritage of the mighty capital is represented - many ancient temples and cathedrals, museums, monumental monuments of history, culture and architecture.
Where and when should I rest on the Gulf of Riga?
Fans of crowded beaches, where the spa life is boiling, go to Riga or Jurmala. Here, everyone will find something to their liking. In addition to sunbathing and swimming in the sea, there are a lot of entertainments on the beaches of Riga and Jurmala:
- skating on scooters, inflatable boats, water bicycles ;
- sea fishing ;
- water skiing ;
- beach volleyball / football / basketball ;
- wakeboarding ;
- water parks ;
- sea walks on various ships ;
- kiteboarding .
The most famous metropolitan beaches: Vecaki , Daugavgriva and Vakarbulli . Each of them can be reached from the center of Riga in 30 minutes. Almost all metropolitan beaches on the Gulf of Riga have a blue flag. The basis for obtaining such a mark of distinction is the conformity to the four criteria. This is ecological cleanliness, high level of safety, transparency of water and quality service.
In Jurmala, the coastline of the Gulf of Riga is 26 meters. In the Maiori area are crowded beaches, where a wide range of services is presented. Slightly to the west, in Pumpuri, lovers of windsurfing and kiteboarding like to rest. In Jaunkemeri you can enjoy peace and quiet rest by the sea. There are also beaches, equipment for people with disabilities - Vaivari and Kauguri.
Looking at the map where the Gulf of Riga is located, we can assume that Jurmala and Riga are not the only cities washed by its waters. If you want to relax on more sparsely populated beaches, you can go to Roy, Engures, Ragaciems, Salacgriva , Tuyu, Ainazi or Skulte. In these towns there are many seaside hotels, guest houses and comfortable campsites.
The Baltic Sea is quite severe. In the hottest summer season - from July to August, it warms up to a maximum of +20-22 ° C. The average air temperature in the summer is + 18 ° C. But, despite such a cool course, the beaches of the Gulf of Riga during the season are always crowded. The most persistent tourists swim in September, but the traditional time for rest on the Baltic Sea is July and August.
How to get there?
To all the resorts on the Gulf of Riga, it is most convenient to get from Riga . Approximate distance from the capital to the coastal Latvian cities along local motorways:
- to Ainaži 106 km;
- to Tui 75 km;
- to Engures 71 km;
- to Skulte 53.4 km;
- to Ragaciems 50,18 km;
- to Salacgriva is 103.6 km;
- to Roja is 119 km.
You can get to Jurmala by car, bus, minibus, electric train or boat. Distance from Riga is slightly less than 40 km.