03/07/2018
Shatsk Lakes are a protected natural area in the northwest of Ukraine, near the borders with Poland and Belarus. The park includes over 30 lakes, though only a few are suitable for beach tourism and swimming. The main lakes for recreation are Svityaz, Pisochne, and Pulemetske.
Lake Svityaz – the main attraction
- Size and depth: Maximum depth ~58 meters; length 9.3 km, width 4.8 km. The opposite shore is barely visible at its widest point.
- Water: Clear, slightly mineralized, with visibility up to 8 meters; believed to have healing properties.
- Temperature: Maximum +21–22°C in summer; shallows may warm more in sunny weather.
- Bottom: Sandy with some algae; gentle entry into the water, ideal for children.
- Beaches: Small or grassy; no large sandy beaches, but the shallow water makes up for it.
How to get there
- Nearest village: Shatsk; only road access.
- Nearest cities:
- Kovel: ~1 hour by car; bus tickets 40–60 UAH.
- Lutsk and Lviv: Minibuses available; ~4 hours from Lviv.
- Kyiv: ~7–8 hours via Warsaw highway.
- Public transport: Buses or minibuses run from Kovel, Lutsk, and Lviv to Shatsk.
Accommodation and resorts
- Options range from tent campsites to private guesthouses and recreation centers.
- Main villages for visitors: Shatsk, Svityaz, Pulmo (Lake Svityaz), Melnyky and Haivka (Lake Pisochne).
- Popular resorts: Shatski Ozera boarding house, Lisova Pisnia sanatorium.
- Many prefer private houses for a more flexible stay.
Activities
- Relaxing by the lakes and swimming.
- Green tourism: hiking, forest walks, and nature trails:
- Forest Song Trail: 5.6 km between Pisochne and Peremut lakes.
- Svityazyanka Trail: 5.2 km along Lake Svityaz.
- Other activities: berry and mushroom picking, fishing.
- Local amenities: small shops, markets, a pizzeria, cafes, and a Nova Poshta branch in Shatsk.
Shatsk Lakes are ideal for peaceful nature vacations, offering clear water, shallow sandy shores, and quiet surroundings. Perfect for families, hikers, and those looking to escape city life.
Weather in location: Shatsk Lakes
8°
Overcast, feels 6°
- Today 8°…10°
- Wind 8 km/h N
- No precipitation now
Mon
6°…9°
☔ 69%
Tue
8°…12°
☔ 59%
Wed
9°…19°
☔ 14%
Average by month
Jan
-4°…1°
18 days
13 days
Feb
-2°…4°
18 days
11 days
Mar
0°…8°
20 days
10 days
Apr
4°…14°
19 days
11 days
May
9°…19°
18 days
13 days
Jun
15°…24°
18 days
12 days
Jul
16°…24°
18 days
13 days
Aug
16°…25°
21 days
10 days
Sep
12°…20°
21 days
9 days
Oct
7°…13°
20 days
11 days
Nov
2°…7°
19 days
11 days
Dec
-1°…3°
18 days
13 days
Monthly averages and dry days (no measurable rain) from ERA5, last 10 years.
