Shatsk Lakes are one of the most convenient places in Polissia for family holidays with children. The water here is clean, the bottom mostly sandy, and long shallow areas stretch along the shores, quickly warming up in the sun. Around are pine forests of Shatsk National Nature Park, where you can walk when you get tired of swimming. However, the lakes are different: some are shallow and calm, others deep and windy, so it’s better to choose a place for a holiday with little ones in advance.
Where it’s shallow and warm
Svityaz is the deepest lake in Ukraine, but most of its shoreline is very shallow. Only the northwestern part of the lake is deep, while the eastern part is shallow. On many beaches, you have to walk several dozen meters from the shore to get water even up to your waist. In summer, the upper layer of water warms up to about 23 degrees Celsius, and in the shallows near the shore, the water is even warmer.
The most convenient for little ones are the beaches in the village of Svityaz, where the bottom is sandy and gradual, and the Hushove tract on the southern shore. Hushove is the largest recreation area on Svityaz: sandy beaches here combine with forest, so there is shade to hide from the heat.
Pisochne Lake near the village of Melnyky is smaller and quieter. The shores are low and sandy, the entry into the water is gradual, there are no big waves, and the water is the clearest among the Shatsk Lakes. There are fewer people here than on Svityaz, so Pisochne is often a better choice for families with small children.
Pulemetske Lake also has sandy beaches on the southern and northwestern shores, but it is large and exposed to winds, so waves are more frequent here. Moreover, it is a border zone where you need to carry your documents with you.
Water safety
The shoals on the Shatsk Lakes are deceptive. On Svityaz, there are depressions and karst funnels along the shores, with depths reaching several dozen meters. On Pisochne, the average depth is about seven meters, so beyond the shoal strip, the bottom can drop off quite quickly. A few simple rules:
- swim at designated beaches where lifeguards are on duty in summer: on Svityaz, rescue posts are located near popular recreation spots;
- do not let your child go beyond the shoal and never leave them alone near the water, even for a minute;
- for little ones, take a life jacket or armbands, and on a boat or catamaran, a life jacket is required for everyone;
- in windy weather, waves rise on Svityaz and Pulemetske — then it’s better to move to a quieter lake or stay on the shore;
- the sun above the water is stronger than it seems: a hat, sunscreen, and shade at midday are mandatory.
What to do when you’re not swimming
Shatsk Park has several developed ecological trails — both flat and forested, suitable even for children. The “Svityazyanka” Trail, 5.2 kilometers long, leads through the forest to the Buzhnya Bay: it features information boards, rest areas, and a viewing platform. Between Peremut and Pisochne, there is another forest trail, and from Shatsk, you can follow a trail to Lake Velyke Chorne. There are also cycling routes around the lakes.
At Svityaz, you can rent a catamaran, boat, or SUP board. Children usually enjoy a walk to the island in the middle of Svityaz — it’s best to go there only in calm weather. In the village of Svityaz stands the Petro-Pavlivskyi Monastery, which can easily be combined with a walk around the village.
In summer, blueberries ripen in the forests around the lakes. Pick berries only near villages and on permitted trails: closer to the border with Belarus, there are mined areas and fences, so warning signs must be strictly observed. It is also interesting to watch birds: swans swim on Svityaz, and in spring and autumn, thousands of migratory birds stop at the lakes.
Quieter Places
The busiest place in summer is Hriada — a tract on the eastern shore of Svityaz within Shatsk, where dozens of holiday bases, cafes, and entertainment spots are located. It’s convenient if a child needs attractions and ice cream nearby, but it can be noisy. It’s quieter at Pisochne, Hushove, Pulm between Svityaz and Pulemetskyi, as well as at smaller lakes like Krymne near Melnyky.
The fewest people visit in June and September: the water is then either already or still warm, and the beaches are half-empty. The warmest water is in August. More details about each beach can be found in the article “Beaches of Shatsk Lakes”, and about accommodation options — in “Where to Stay at Shatsk Lakes”.
What to Take with You
- a life jacket or armbands for a toddler;
- insect repellent for mosquitoes and ticks — there are many in the pine forest near the lakes, especially in the evening;
- an umbrella or beach tent: not every beach has shade;
- water shoes for long walks on the shallows;
- a warm sweater for the evening — near large bodies of water, evenings can be cool even in July;
- documents: an adult’s passport, the child’s birth certificate, and for men — a military registration document. Entry to Shatsk may be checked, and some lakes lie in the border zone.
More about the settlement itself — in the article “Shatsk — a settlement among lakes”, and about the surrounding towns — “Kovel District”.
More about the trip — in the guide Shatski Lakes, as well as how to get to the Shatski Lakes and when is the best time to visit.
