In the early morning, the port of Nida wakes up from its slumber. The ships sway gently, and the Curonian Lagoon reflects the dance of the first rays of the sun. We board the elegant yacht that will soon be our home for this special trip. The air is saturated with the aroma of sea salt and pine trees, promising an unforgettable adventure.
The captain starts the engine and we slowly move away from the shore. The lighthouse of Nida accompanies us, and the panorama of the town recedes. Soon we are up to speed, and one can feel the true spirit of water travel. The wind blows the hair, and the waves raised by the yacht refresh the faces with splashes.
We sail along the Curonian Spit to the north. On the left side stretch the golden dunes covered with mountain pines - a unique gift of this region. Did you know that these pine trees came here from the Carpathian Mountains? They were planted to stop the devastating sand floods that threatened local villages. Now they stand as a living monument to the struggle and cooperation between man and nature.
On the right - the boundless Curonian Lagoon, whose water glistens in the sun like millions of diamonds. Seagulls fly in the sky, occasionally diving into the water for prey. Their cry is the anthem of the Curonian Spit, which has been ringing over the waters for thousands of years.
We sail past Preila, this quiet town that sits between the lagoon and the Baltic Sea. Life here is peaceful and local fishermen still go out into the lagoon in their traditional boats. Preila is famous for its ethnographic village and beautiful beaches, where the sand is as white as sugar and the dunes rise up like sculptures created by nature.
The journey continues, and soon we reach Pervalka, the oldest resort on the Curonian Spit. This town breathes history and tradition. Wooden houses with colorful roofs remind us of the life of ancient fishermen. In Pervalka, the most fascinating thing is the peace and that special period when it seems that time has stopped here. This lighthouse stands as a watchful sentinel, protecting ships from dangerous shoals. The red body of the lighthouse stands out against the white waves, and its light indicates a safe way for ships at night. This place reminds of the constant vigilance and caution required by the element of water. Nearby you can see the view of the Dead Dunes - huge sand hills that rise directly from the lagoon like an extraterrestrial landscape. These dunes hide a sad story about the Naglii villages that once lived here and were covered in sand. The highest of them - the Naglii dune, rising as much as 53 meters above the level of the Curonian Lagoon, stands as a silent witness to the centuries-long struggle of people against the shifting sands. These dunes are called dead for a reason - on their slopes you can see hollows where houses once stood, now buried under layers of sand.
Further on, our road leads past Juodkrantė with its famous Witches' Mountain. This dune rises 42 meters above the level of the lagoon and hides mysterious legends about witches who used to gather here for their meetings. Juodkrantė pier invites you to stop and feel the mystique of this region. The wooden sculptures built here, on the Mount of Witches, tell about ancient Lithuanian beliefs and legends.
As we sail further, we see Smiltyne with its historic lighthouse. This lighthouse, built in 1876, is one of the oldest and most beautiful on the coast of Lithuania. Its height of 38 meters makes it visible from afar. The Klaipėda lighthouse is not only a navigation aid, but also a symbol marking the approach to Klaipėda.
We are sailing to the port of Klaipėda - Lithuania's gateway to the world. The port of Klaipėda beats like the heart of a huge organism. Large cargo ships, yachts and small fishing boats can be found here. The silhouettes of port cranes paint an industrial landscape against the sky, while the sirens of ships sound like an anthem of modernity.
We dock at Klaipėda's old town pier, where we can feel the spirit of this port city. The old town of Klaipėda breathes Prussian and German cultural heritage. Cobblestone streets, red brick buildings and narrow streets tell the story of the centuries-old history of this city. The famous statue of Ännchen von Tharau stands on Theater Square, a reminder of the city's complex and rich past.
In Klaipeda, we can visit the Lithuanian Maritime Museum with its unique exhibits and aquarium. Dolphins, seals and hundreds of fish species reveal the beauty and secrets of the world of the Baltic Sea. The museum is located in the historical Kopgali fort, which is an architectural monument in itself.
The midday heat invites you to retreat to a cooler yacht cabin or enjoy lunch in one of Klaipėda's restaurants. Local cuisine offers freshly caught Baltic fish, traditional Lithuanian dishes and flavors of international cuisine. Seagulls fly wittily in the sky, hoping to get tasty crumbs.
Afternoon - it's time to turn to the home side. The return trip reveals the Curonian Spit from a different perspective. The sun is no longer so high, and its rays are softer and warmer. The dunes take on golden hues and the shadows of the pine trees become longer and dramatically beautiful.
We sail past Alksnynė, a tiny fishing village nestled between dunes and lagoons. Here, life flows in its own way, according to the rhythms of nature and fishing traditions. Small wooden houses with blue window frames look like something from a fairy tale, and colorful fishing boats bob along the shores.
We are approaching the direction of Nida, and the sun is already setting in the west. Parnidis dune with its height of 52 meters reveals itself in all its grandeur. This dune is not only the highest in the vicinity of Nida, but also one of the most beautiful views of the Curonian Spit. A sundial stands on top of the dune, a symbol that represents the passage of time and the cycles of nature.
The panorama of Nida gradually opens up - looking to the left we see the cultural center, resort hotels and villa blocks. The architecture of Nida is unique - buildings from the Curonian culture, the German spa period and the Soviet era are concentrated here. Each building tells its own story, and all together form the unique face of Nida.
We return to the port of Nida when the sun is already touching the horizon line. The sunset over the Curonian Lagoon is a spectacle that needs to be experienced, not just seen. The sky is painted in all possible colors - from soft pink to bright red, from gold to purple. The water reflects this concert of colors, and the whole landscape looks as if the painter has poured all his talent onto the canvas.
The yacht gently slips into the port of Nida. The engine stops, and we are left alone with our impressions and memories. The dunes of the Curonian Spit darken in the evening shadows, but their beauty and grandeur remain in our hearts. The smell of this land - the scent of pines, sea salt and the warmth of sand - will be with us for a long time.
This yacht trip along the Curonian Spit is not only a trip in space, but also a trip in time. Here, every meter of the coast tells a story, every dune hides a legend, every town lives its own life. We witnessed this living, breathing organism called the Curonian Spit.
In our hearts are indelible impressions about the natural wonders of Lithuania, about the interaction between people and nature, about the beauty that opens up only to those who are able to stop and look. This trip reminds us of our responsibility to protect and nurture this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We return home with a new understanding of our land, with new stories and with a new determination to love and protect this unique corner of Lithuania. The Curonian Spit, with its dunes, lagoons, towns and natural wonders, will remain in our hearts for a long time as one of the most beautiful and meaningful experiences of life.
