Blue Bay is a major Caspian inlet near Aktau with turquoise water, golden sand and the Devil's Finger rock rising from the sea. Further south, Maikin Kurgan and Kamenny Meshok offer crystal-clear water with rocky and shell beaches.
Blue Bay is one of the most popular stretches of Caspian coastline, on the south-western tip of the Mangyshlak Peninsula near Aktau. Clear seawater washes over golden sand: in hot, sunny weather the sea turns a deep turquoise, while under clouds and wind it shifts to a leaden grey. It is one of the largest bays on the entire Kazakh Caspian coast.
It is worth visiting both the right and left shore of the bay. On one side, the Devil's Finger rock juts out of the sea like the tower of a medieval castle.
A few dozen kilometres to the south, at a spot locals call the "43rd kilometre", or Maikin Kurgan, rocky shores with sharp drops give way in places to shell beaches. In calm weather the water is so clear that even a small stone is visible on the seabed several metres down.
Another scenic stretch of coast is Kamenny Meshok ("Stone Sack"), where a sandy shore cuts into rocky ground. The water here is just as clear — in calm conditions you can spot small fish several metres down — and its sunsets are counted among the finest on the whole coast.
Honest numbers before you take the wheel. We are not selling an adventure — we are explaining what you would be dealing with.
Driving here yourself requires four-wheel drive and a water supply: there are no fuel stations or services on the route.
Shots from our trips — click to enlarge
Leave the logistics to people who drive here all year round: prepared vehicles, satellite communication and a guide who knows where the ground holds and where it does not.
Maikin Kurgan (43rd km) → Blue Bay (the Devil's Finger) → Saura (lake) and 1 more stop
Karagiye → Onere (spring) → Karynzharyk and 24 more stops
Tamshaly Gorge → The Caspian Sea coast → Kapamsay Canyon and 14 more stops