Iron Gates to the Black Sea: Delta and Open Water
VIDIN, BULGARIA (brief stop) [QR-179]
Coordinates: 43°59'N, 22°52'E
Character: Bulgarian border town, fortress, brief introduction to Bulgaria (Cyrillic alphabet begins)
Danube River Fish - Lower Danube:
Same species as upper Danube (pike, carp, zander, perch), but catfish get HUGE here.
- Wels Catfish - 2+ meters, 100+ kg specimens caught. Bottom feeders, prehistoric-looking. Excellent eating despite reputation.
- Sterlet sturgeon - Endangered, protected (DO NOT CATCH)
- Carp - Massive in lower Danube
How Serbians/Romanians cook river fish:
- Fish stew (riblja čorba in Serbian)
- Grilled whole over wood fire
- Smoked
- Served with ajvar (red pepper spread), bread, rakija
DANUBE DELTA, ROMANIA [QR-180]
Coordinates: ~45°N, 29°E
Character: UNESCO Biosphere Reserve - Largest river delta in Europe (2nd in Europe after Volga), maze of channels, wetlands, pelicans, wilderness
The Danube Delta is extraordinary.
The river splits into three main channels (Chilia, Sulina, Sfântu Gheorghe) and hundreds of smaller ones. Wetlands, reed beds, lakes, sandbars.
Wildlife:
- Pelicans (Dalmatian pelicans, white pelicans) - Massive colonies
- Herons, egrets, cormorants - Everywhere
- Eagles (white-tailed eagles)
- Fish - Pike, carp, catfish, perch
- Mosquitoes - Bring repellent (seriously)
Navigation:
Channel markers critical—easy to get lost. Main channels (Sulina best for yachts) are dredged. Side channels shallow, shifting.
Sulina [QR-181] - Small port town at Sulina Channel mouth, last settlement before Black Sea. Basic provisioning.
Stay 2-4 days - Explore channels (dinghy perfect for this), birdwatching, fishing, wilderness.
CONSTANȚA, ROMANIA (BLACK SEA) [QR-182]
Coordinates: 44°10'N, 28°39'E
Marina: Constanța Yacht Club
Berth Cost: €30-50/night
Character: Romania's largest port, Black Sea access, ancient Roman ruins (Ovid was exiled here), provisioning for Black Sea crossing
You've reached the Black Sea!
After 2,500 km of river, you're at the sea. The Danube journey is complete.
Provisioning: Excellent—large city, last major stop before Turkey.
Repair facilities:
Constanța Marina Service [QR-183]
- Engine, rigging, electronics
- +40 241 662 000
Dining:
🍴 Restaurant Marco Polo [QR-184]
- Seafood, Black Sea fish
- €25-45
Stay 2-3 days - Rest, provision, prepare for Black Sea crossing, wait for weather.