The lighthouse structure was transported from Paris to the island in parts and assembled on-site in 1902.
Its construction was funded by Sergey Skadovsky, a local landowner who founded the nearby town of Skadovsk.
The lighthouse is situated in one of the largest uninhabited islands in the Black Sea, which functions as a protected nature reserve.
The structure is designed to withstand the harsh, saline coastal environment of the Karkinit Bay.
The surrounding Dzharylhach Island is known for its high concentration of wild deer and mouflons that roam near the lighthouse vicinity.
Novy Mayak is an active navigational lighthouse situated on the eastern part of Dzharylhach Island in the Kherson region of Ukraine. The lighthouse, designed and constructed in Paris in 1902 at the behest of Sergey Skadovsky, serves as a primary maritime beacon in the Karkinit Bay. It is located near the larger, historic 19th-century lighthouse built by Gustave Eiffel, which has since fallen into disrepair. The area is characterized by its remote, rugged coastal landscape and unique biodiversity within the Dzharylhach National Nature Park. Visitors frequent this location for its isolation and its role as a functional maritime structure set against the backdrop of the Black Sea and the Sivash lagoon ecosystem. As of 2026, the area remains subject to regional security conditions and restricted access due to the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Kherson oblast.
From the beach looking westward toward the lighthouse with the Black Sea horizon in the background.
Bring all necessary drinking water and sun protection as there are no amenities on the island.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear to protect against thorns and coastal debris.
Verify local security access protocols for the Dzharylhach National Nature Park before attempting to reach the island.
Attempting to climb the lighthouse structure, which is restricted and potentially unstable.
Accessible only by seasonal private boat transport from the mainland; access may be suspended indefinitely due to regional security restrictions.
Respect the protected status of the National Nature Park by adhering to 'leave no trace' principles and avoiding disturbance to local wildlife.
