The Northern Kuril Islands are part of the Kuril chain, which stretches in an arc between Kamchatka and Hokkaido. They are part of Russia's Sakhalin Oblast and bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. Geographically, the Northern Kuril Islands include several large islands: Shumshu, Paramushir, Antsiferova, Onekotan, Kharimkotan, Chirpoy, Ushishir, and several smaller islets. The largest of these is Paramushir, home to the city of Severo-Kurilsk, the district's administrative center.

For many tourists visiting this region, the main attraction is Onekotan Island, which is particularly famous for its unique Krenitsyn volcano, one of the most picturesque in the Kuril Islands. This volcano is a huge cone rising directly from Lake Koltsevoye, which fills an ancient caldera approximately 7 kilometers in diameter. Thus, on Onekotan, one can see a rare natural phenomenon—a volcano within a lake, and a lake within another, older volcano. The island's landscapes are striking in their stark beauty: steep slopes, thick fog, and the mirror-like surface of the lake create an almost otherworldly atmosphere.

Also located near Onekotan is the tiny Yankicha Island, the remains of a collapsed volcano. A small bay has formed within its caldera, accessible to boats, and the island's slopes serve as a nesting site for thousands of seabirds. Yankicha is considered one of the most inaccessible, yet spectacular, spots in the entire Kuril archipelago.

The islands are of volcanic origin, and many are still active. For example, Mount Ebeko on Paramushir regularly erupts, creating breathtaking yet dangerous landscapes. The climate here is harsh—frequent fogs, strong winds, and cold currents make the region difficult to access. Despite this, the natural beauty of the Northern Kuril Islands is impressive: mountainous landscapes, hot springs, dense thickets of shrubs and mosses give the islands a wild, pristine appearance.

The fauna of the Northern Kuril Islands is rich and diverse. Brown bears, arctic foxes, and foxes inhabit the islands, while thousands of seabirds—murres, puffins, and cormorants—nest on the coastal cliffs. Killer whales, sea lions, seals, and whales are found in the coastal waters. The islands are an important migratory site for many species of fish and marine mammals. The unique combination of volcanic activity, harsh climate, and rich ecosystem makes the Northern Kuril Islands one of the most unusual and little-studied corners of Russia.

Photo and Video by:  Sergey Semenov

04 October 2025