The Arabatska arrow is one of the most interesting geological, recreational and balneological phenomena of the Crimean peninsula. Imagine a narrow sandy spit 100 kilometers long. On one side of it washes the Sea of Azov, on the other — the salty waters of Lake Sivash. Such a beach is not inferior to the famous Spanish Costa Dorado and Costa del Sol. And in some cases even surpasses them.
The thing is that on the Crimean spit there are hot springs of mineral water, allowing gentlemen-recreationists to combine banal thalassotherapy with health-improving procedures. The most effective healers on the Arabatskaya strelka recognized underground water, located near the village of Schastlivtsevo — at a distance of 4 kilometers, if you go from it on the only road in the southern direction, towards the boarding house «Express» and the village Strelkovoe.
The lucky hot water spring was discovered completely by accident. During surveying, namely drilling test gas wells, hot water came from underground. It is believed that under Arabatka at a depth of 1600 meters is a large thermal lake, which accumulates atmospheric, as well as marine and lake liquid from nearby reservoirs. In the literature this spring is referred to as well #25, and next to it there is a balneological hospital #2.
The temperature of the water, which finally got the opportunity to break out of the long-term underground imprisonment, varies from 60 to 87 °C, so the place of its exit is used as a steam room. Then the liquid flows into 3 pools in sequence, thus cooling down. This is why everyone can choose a treatment «bath» of a comfortable temperature.
Besides the pleasure of natural sauna, Arabat water attracts tourists with its chemical composition. It contains silicic acid, iodine, magnesium, bromine, zirconium and vanadium, so it is recommended for those suffering from disorders of nervous, musculoskeletal and digestive systems.
The spa, which is located near the spring, began construction in 1968 as a rehabilitation center for athletes. Construction was terribly slow, so the investors who came here in 2005 had to start practically from scratch.
Today the water cure center No. 2 is the main attraction of Schastlivcevo. Naturally, after the source of thermal water. And rest on the Arabatska strelka is gaining popularity among people who respect the treatment by the forces of Nature and the lack of consumer tourist entertainment.