Is the beach still worth visiting despite the crowds and prices?

Honestly, I'd say it's not worth it. While the beach itself is still beautiful, the crowds and prices make it a less enjoyable experience. If you're looking for a more relaxed and affordable beach vacation, you might want to consider other options.

What are the best times to visit the beach?

The best times to visit the beach are early in the morning or late in the evening when the crowds are smaller. Avoid visiting during peak season (summer) if you can.

Are there any nearby attractions worth visiting?

Yes, the nearby village has some charming shops and restaurants, and the surrounding hills and mountains offer plenty of opportunities for hiking and exploring.

Can I catch fish at the beach?

Yes, the beach is still a great spot for fishing, but be prepared for the crowds and prices. You might want to consider visiting during the off-season for a more peaceful experience.

Are there any amenities and services available at the beach?

Unfortunately, the beach lacks amenities and services, making it hard to relax. You might want to consider renting a nearby villa or apartment for a more comfortable stay.

How do I get to the beach?

The road conditions are terrible, making it a bumpy ride to get to the beach. You might want to consider renting a 4x4 vehicle or taking a taxi.

What are the prices like at the beach?

The prices are sky-high, with overpriced accommodations and food. You might want to consider visiting during the off-season for a more affordable experience.

Is the beach suitable for families?

While the beach itself is still beautiful, the crowds and prices make it a less enjoyable experience for families. You might want to consider visiting during the off-season for a more peaceful experience.

Primorye's Overhyped Beach: What's Gone Wrong?

Hello everyone.

I've been wanting to share my honest review of one of the most popular beach destinations in Primorye. With the swimming season coming to an end in our region, my review might be useful for those planning to visit here next year.

We've been vacationing in Andreyevka since 1997.

Our first time here, we stayed a bit further out from the village, in a small cove.

At the time, there were no buildings or people there. And that first trip to this wild spot was probably the best one we've ever had.

We caught a ton of fish, all sorts of fish. I'd never seen such big ones anywhere else. There were needlefish (or pikefish, basically super-long fish) and some tropical-looking fish with a snout like a piglet. We had shrimp, crabs, crayfish, and all sorts of shells. We cooked it all on a campfire, slept in tents, and used a tree trunk as a table, with a big plank on top. We basically just enjoyed nature.

We'd go to this spot every year until it became too popular. At first, we had the place to ourselves, but soon more and more people showed up, and now the whole beach is packed with tents, ruining the peace and solitude with nature.

Over the years, the area started to get some TLC, and people began charging us to park and pitch up on the beach. Before long, tiny cabins started popping up, and the place just kept getting busier and busier. It was getting to the point where we'd have to choose between coming here or heading to other villages in the Hasan district, or even further afield to Nakhodka or Olga. But every year, we'd always end up back here.

Fast forward to the present, and this place has been turned into a public beach. There are no more campsites, and it's now fenced off with a neat little beach that's popular with the locals from the nearby bases.

From a different angle in 2015, when the weather was looking pretty good. It was still summer, I think.

The last time we visited Andreyevka was in August 2019.

And this trip was a world away from the ones we'd had before, even compared to our visits in 2015 or 2017.

I've gotta say, it was a lot cheaper to rent a cabin or pitch a tent in the past. We caught some fresh fish, had some prawns and mussels, and we even caught them ourselves right off the shore.

We chose this place specifically because of the amazing selection of seafood the locals had to offer. If we didn't catch it ourselves, we'd buy it from the locals.

But this year, the prices took us by surprise. I mean, a frozen mackerel, not even fresh, was going for around 300 rubles a kilo. Meanwhile, in Vladivostok, it's around 200 rubles a kilo. And in the Primorsky region, further inland, it's around 150 rubles. I'm wondering why it's so much more expensive here, where it's caught...

One kilo of prawns was 1500 rubles. I don't usually buy them at home, but I think they're worth around 800-1000 rubles. As for the crabs and other sea creatures, I'm not sure, we didn't ask. We were already getting frustrated and just ate our own supplies we brought from home. Same with regular groceries - they're way overpriced. Milk, for example, is not the best quality, and a 1-litre tetra pack costs 150 rubles.

The Sea

The shoreline here is mostly sandy, with rocks on the headlands. The sea itself is pretty clean. The staff at the resort seem to be doing their best to keep the beach clear of seaweed and human trash. Not always successful, but they're trying. We've seen cleaner beaches and dirtier ones too.

Beach in the village

Beach Resorts.

We didn't stay right in the village, but a bit further out. If you're looking to rent a cabin, make sure to check where the resort is located. There are tons of resorts right in the village or on a hill that's still a good 10-minute walk to the beach.

It might not seem like a big deal, but 5-10-15 minutes can add up. It's way more convenient to rent a cabin at a resort that's right on the beach. This time, we went for the simplest 4-person cabin for 2800 rubles a night. It had 4 beds, a small fridge, and a table. And on the veranda, there was another table and 2 benches. There was electricity, and the shared facilities were on the resort grounds - a toilet, sinks, and a shower. There was supposed to be hot water, but it was always either scalding or freezing. It was impossible to take a normal shower.

But the cabin was right on the first line.

Walking out of the cabin, you look out at the sea, take a few steps, and you're swimming. Why bother going to the beach with everyone else? The village is almost entirely unpaved. You're either walking on mud because it's been raining nonstop (we had a week of rain during our trip and had to leave early due to a storm warning). The road is a mess. As I walked through the village, I saw people heading to the beach, trudging through the mud.

So, what's the point of coming to the beach if you're just going to swim in any weather, jumping over puddles and dodging cars to avoid getting splattered with mud.

I have to say, there's no fun in this journey, even on a nice day. Going down to the sea from the top of the hill is okay, but returning back to your tiny house, exhausted, after a swim is no joke. You want to swim several times a day, so you have to make this trek multiple times a day. And if you live in a village, you'll have to walk on a dusty road.

You can stay in a village either on a base or rent a house from a private owner.

One of the perks of this place is that there are many shops and stalls along the road in the village where you can buy everything you need. However, the prices are significantly higher. But if you forgot to bring something like a swimsuit, sunglasses, or an inflatable unicorn... you can buy it here.

And, as I mentioned before, you can buy seafood. Too bad the prices are steep.

The Road.

The distance from Vladivostok to Andreevka is 210 km. According to Yandex, it takes 3 hours to get there, but if the road was in good condition, we could've made it in 2 hours. Unfortunately, the road is in bad shape, so our journey took 4-5 hours. The road is narrow, mostly two-lane, and if there's a big truck in front of you and a traffic jam behind it, it's really hard to pass. There are steep climbs, huge potholes, and washed-out bridges, not to mention the improvised detours... And in Andreevka itself, there was a traffic jam. We drove through the village for 40 minutes, and it's not a long way at all.

The road to the village is terrible, and the one along the coast is even worse. It's a narrow road with a steep cliff and the ocean right next to it. There's a memorial and some flowers along the side of the road - it's a sobering reminder of the risks of driving under the influence.

The water temperature in the ocean is quite low. If you compare it to places like Sochi, where the temperature is usually around 24-26 degrees Celsius, I'd say ours is more like 20 degrees. When my relatives from the west visit and they've been to Egypt, Turkey, or Sochi, they always complain that the water here is too cold. It's invigorating, I guess. But when it rains, the water temperature rises, making it warmer than the air. People have been swimming non-stop all week, and it's clear they're enjoying the warmth.

The strong waves are rare, usually occurring during bad weather.

I really love the nature, breathtaking sunsets, and starry skies here, especially on clear days. The ocean is usually calm, and there's no strong current. It's perfect for a swim.

Walking on the rocks is a great way to spend the day. You can even go for some mussels, or just take a leisurely stroll and visit the neighboring cove.

Beautiful forest and cozy trails

I have to say, there are plenty of people offering boat tours here too. We went on one once, but to be honest, it didn't really impress me. Maybe it was just a bad captain who didn't show us anything worthwhile.

I'm not planning on coming back next year, but maybe in a few years I'll give it another shot.