Add a review about Provideniya Bay

One of the most beautiful places in Chukotka with one of the best local history museums of the region is perhaps a worthy occasion to visit Providence Bay during your romantic journey through the harsh but beautiful peninsula. And the name of the bay - a match, beckons with ancient secrets and riddles. It was here that they got up for winter, fearing stormy storms and ships, and received reliable protection, shelter and shelter.

How to get there

In Provideniya Bay there is a very small but international airport located near the village of Urelik, that on the southern ( that is, opposite from the village) shore. The airport accepts scheduled flights from Anadyr to Chukotavia Airlines, as well as charter flights from the American Nome (Alaska). You can get to the center of Provideniya Bay by bus, which also runs around the village.

If you believe the legend, the bizarrely cut bay in the Anadyr Bay of the Bering Sea was discovered in 1660 during a scientific expedition to the cape of Chukotsky. However, the name of this picturesque place appeared almost two centuries later.

The paragraph of history

If to believe the legend, the bizarrely cut bay in the Anadyr Bay of the Bering Sea was discovered in 1660 during the scientific expedition of Kurbat Ivanov to Cape Chukotsky. However, the name of this picturesque place appeared almost two centuries later, when in 1848-1849. the English ship Plover under the command of Captain Thomas Moore had to anchor here and wait for a severe local winter

The ship entered the raid from the British Plymouth in January 1848, and cruised the Bering Sea in search of Franklin's lost expedition.

Bay became their salvation, because the stormy wind and bad weather crept up quickly and unexpectedly, and only this providence sent to them this quiet and cozy harbor literally in a matter of days from death. The name, which is understandable, was supported by the whole team - the Bay of Providence acquired its new name.

And from then on, they periodically stopped for hibernation, for meetings or short-term rest whalers and merchants during the 19th and early 20th centuries . Alas , not all belonged to the local population, let's say, neatly . In 1875 g . Russian clipper "Gaydamak" under the command of Sergei Tyrtov deliberately dropped anchor in the bay in order to provide the state monopoly on the coastal trade . He distributed among the local Chukchi leaflets addressed to foreigners and then headed north to the Bay of Lawrence, where he found a merchant ship "Timandra" from the United States, engaged in the exchange of walrus bones for alcohol from the local population .

The same name settlement in the bay appeared much later, only in 1937. it was decided to build a port. After only three years from that moment, the reliable harbor was already open and ready to receive cargo at the wall of the first berth.

At the time of its heyday, when the port did not stop work literally for a minute, and the water surface in front of the village was full of huge dry cargo ships, Bay of Providence was inhabited by more than 7 thousand people. Today there is not even half.
Providence Bay

Geography and Climate

The width of Providence Bay reaches an impressive 8 km at the beginning, tapering to its base, but the length measured along the middle line is over 34 km. The maximum depth is about 150 m, but at the entrance to the bay it does not exceed 35 m, so from May to October the water is completely or partially ice-free.

Inside the bay there are several small bays and harbors, but the village and the airport are in Komsomolskaya Bay. The steep banks of Providence represent the most beautiful cliffs and hills with a height of about 600-800 m.

Here, as well as almost everywhere in Chukotka - it's very cold, the climate is stern, often there are piercing mists, so enjoy the sun or, for example, the panorama of the bay from the top of the nearest hill can be a few days a year

What to see

The main advantage of the village of Provideniya Bay (not counting the fantastic nature around) is the Museum of Local Lore where you can learn almost everything about the life of the local population - the Chukchi, Evenki, esky wasps. It is small, but its collection is unique, like people that works within its walls. It is hardly possible to hear more interesting stories about this harsh land than in the walls of the Providence Museum.

Pay attention to the cost of souvenirs - it is often indicated in dollars, which is not surprising: American cruise liners from Alaska often come here