Shantar Islands National Park

Shantar Islands National Park is a Russian national park that protects the Shantar archipelago and surrounding marine waters in the Sea of Okhotsk, conserving boreal island and marine ecosystems.

The archipelago consists of several forested islands with steep coasts, sheltered bays and important seabird colonies; visitors on expedition cruises or research trips encounter dense taiga vegetation, seabirds, and marine mammals when conditions allow.

The park was established to strengthen protection of the islands’ natural values and to regulate research and tourism in this remote part of the Russian Far East.

The islands lie off the coast of Khabarovsk Krai in the Sea of Okhotsk; they are remote and accessible only by boat during the ice-free season.

• Access seasonality: Access to the islands is by sea only and is seasonal, with most visits occurring in the brief summer window when sea ice retreats.
• Conservation purpose: The park was created to protect the archipelago's taiga forests, seabird colonies and marine ecosystems in the Sea of Okhotsk.

What to See #

• Bolshoy Shantar Island: The largest island in the group supports extensive boreal forest and is a core area for seabird colonies and marine mammal haul-outs; it is a focal point for conservation and research visits.
• Feklistova Island: One of the smaller forested islands with sheltered bays and steep shorelines, frequently noted for its seabird nesting sites and coastal tundra habitat.