Sakhalin has plenty of stunning natural scenery to offer. However, traveling out in the wilderness of Sakhalin requires available 4x4 vehicles and thoughtful preparation in advance. An easier alternative is shelling out the extra cost for enlisting the aid of a local tour operator.

Several years ago, some of Sakhalin's wilderness areas were restricted but today most of the island is accessible except of farther south area where is required government permit to enter.

East coast

Same of lakes connecting with the sea have salty water. Lakes Tunaycha and Izmechivoye (Озеро Тунайча, Изменчивое) are the biggest among them.

West Coast

The West Coast beaches are further away but the water is warmer and the beaches are nicer. There is Tatarsky strait separating Sakhalin Island from the mainland with relatively warm water.  You can reach it on the highway to the Nevelsk town leading over mountain pass.

   

In the south of Sakhalin there is Aniva bay with several nice places. The water in the west side of the bay is warmer then anywhere else but muddy. The coast with wide sand beach stretches from the Aniva town to the south for several kilometers.

The east side of the Aniva bay has rocky precipice coast with the nice stony beach below. There is the good road running along the coast towards port Korsakov and LNG plant. Then after LNG asphalt road is changed by earth track. You can get the narrow beach turning to the one of small roads descending to the sea. Shallow coast water is rich with sea-urchin. If you have diving equipment you can catch in the dipper water crabs, scallops and octopuses.