Everyone who has been to Crimea will agree that there are many picturesque and impressive places on this paradise peninsula. However, some corners of Tavrika are especially distinguished — they have a completely harmonious, meditative, stunning atmosphere. Removed from the permanent habitats of people, they represent the very pristine nature, which is so sought after by tourists traveling to the Crimea specifically to unite with nature and ozzdrorovleniya. One of these places is the State Botanical Reserve «Cape Aya».
The territory of the reserve «Cape Aya» stretches between Laspi Bay and Balaklava Bay to the south of Sevastopol and Balaklava and covers such previously established reserves as «Grove of Pizundskaya pine and juniper high on Cape Aya» (was established in 1947), «Batiliman tract» (1964) and protected tract «Grove of Stankevich’s pine» (1980). The reserve was established in 1982 to protect the territory, the area of which amounted to 1340 hectares, as well as the adjacent water area of 208 hectares. 
Besides the above natural objects, the reserve includes the tract of Ayazma, which also grows Stankevich’s pine — the rarest endemic plant, a type of Pizundskaya pine, which in the Crimea can be seen only in two places — here in the reserve and between Sudak and Novy Svet. Very interesting and tract Batiliman with a picturesque bay, where, as in Ayazma, you can meet century-old pines Stankevicha — real giants to 25m in height and 0.5m in diameter. Some of the giant trees, which can be seen in Batiliman, are more than 1000 years old!
It is possible to enumerate natural treasures, protected today on the territory of the reserve «Cape Aya» endlessly: it is also a tree-like juniper, which fills the air together with «coral tree» (small-fruited strawberry), kev tree (wild blunt-pollinated pistachio), beeches, oaks and hornbeams with wonderful tart-sweet aromas, mixing with the sea air. This combination is a real «grace» for the respiratory system of the organism, staying in such nature contributes to recovery in general. In total, more than 500 species of plants grow on the territory of the reserve, 28 of which are included in the Red Book of Ukraine. Here, far from dry steppes and dense forests, thanks to the microclimate reminiscent of the Mediterranean, a corner of the real Mediterranean flora has been preserved.
The underwater world of the reserve is rich: all 3 species of Black Sea dolphins (Azovka, Afalina, Whitebeard), Catran shark (not dangerous for humans), sea dogs, ruff, perch, mullet, mussels, rapan, crab, scorphena live in the water area. The land fauna is also diverse: in the reserve you can see Crimean deer, mountain fox, wild boar, squirrel, weasel, four-banded and leopard striped stripes (non-poisonous snakes), wood mouse, horseshoe crabs, hare, marten, and eagles and peregrine falcons soar in the sky.
Of course, tourists are attracted to the Cape Aya Wildlife Refuge not only by flora and fauna. The most impressive thing here is the natural scenery. Wild beaches at the foot of multi-meter cliffs, from which once in prehistoric times in the water collapsed giant boulders that represent fairy-tale paintings and resemble fantastic creatures, mysterious grottoes at the foot of the cape, where the waters of the Black Sea bubbling and bubbling, «boiling». Cape Aya has repeatedly become an inspiration for creators: the marinist Aivazovsky dedicated several canvases to it, depicting shipwrecks — the victory of this infinite force of nature over man, and the illustrator I.Y. Bilibin transferred the fantastic rocky chaos at the foot of the cape to the pages of fairy tale books.
This place, despite its wildness, untamedness, has always attracted people. The ruins of ancient buildings on the top of the cliff testify to the fact that it was so thousands of years ago — because of them it got its name «Aya» («holy» — it is assumed that it was an ancient temple), although today it is common to call these remains of the past fortress Kokia-Isar.
And today in the bosom of pristine nature seek to rest guests of the Crimea — for this purpose in the reserve working tent cities, in any of which is easy to settle. Well, if you want, after all, more civilized rest, then visit Cape Aya and the reserve can be excursions. Cape «Aya» — is the western border of the famous South Coast of Crimea, many water excursions along it ends near these impregnable rocks. For those who spend their holiday in Balaklava such a trip becomes an unforgettable experience, however, are sent here excursions and from more eastern resorts, so to see it will be able and those who spend holidays in Foros, Simeiz and any other settlement of Big Yalta.