Recreation

LIFE IN AKTAU CAN BE FUN AND EXCITING AS THERE ARE PLENTY OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO CHOOSE FROM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

 

Stiegl Beach

 

 

BEACHES:

The beaches in the summer are a welcome escape from the heat and there are lots of things to do by the water side, including swimming, fishing, and sailing on catamarans out on the Caspian Sea.   Water skiing is a another aquatic sport available.  The wave action on the Caspian is not great enough to surf, but there are designated places to have barbeques and picnics.  There are both public and private beaches to choose from, and both are a short drive ten to fifteen minutes away.  Nur Beach is a private beach where you may pay a reasonable price to have a private chaise lounge with an umbrella.  There are restrooms and a restaurant.  Dostar Beach is also a private beach with similar facilities and it has a swimming pool.   Another private beach is Stiegl Beach which is about thirty minutes away and it has a similar facilities with saunas and change rooms.  This beach also has an outside bar and cafe.

BOWLING:

Bowling is a favorite past time in Aktau.  There are three bowling alleys, one at Ellis Restaurant, one at the Nautilus Restaurant and one on the third floor of the Aktau Mall at the Assorti Restaurant.  Expats have organized into bowling leagues and are always happy to have new people join who like to bowl.

ICE SKATING:

There is one ice rink in Aktau, it’s at the Aktau Mall and public ice skating is available with rental skates.  If you have ice skates of your own, you may want to pack them in your shipment.   This rink is not an Olympic sized ice rink, but it is fairly new and it is enjoyed by skaters from everywhere.

The ice rink

GYM FACILITIES:

There are several good gyms in Aktau, all are private and have various facilities for their members.  The Renaissance Hotel has a gym with indoor and outdoor pools (in summer months), saunas, and there are shower facilities and change rooms.  The Grand Hotel Victory and the Grand Nur Plaza have similar facilities (see the hotel links for details).  The largest gym in Aktau is located in the Aktau Mall in the Sports Center.  Along with the gym workout equipment there is a large swimming pool where lessons are available by swim coaches.  There are English speaking swim coaches and some that speak Spanish and German and other languages.  This gym also has yoga lessons, boxing, martial arts, pool/billiards and other activities for its members.

TENNIS:

Tennis courts and tennis lessons are available at the Orbita Sports Complex which is located about ten minutes from town, the phone number is +7-7292-561561. Please note that there are no English speaking coaches, so you may need to take a Russian speaking friend along with you.  Squash is also available in Aktau, although you may have to research the location. Table tennis is available at the Renaissance Hotel.

JOGGING:

There are jogging trails a short distance from the Renaissance Hotel along the beachfront.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL:

This is a seasonal activity offered at the Aktau Mall Sports Center and also on the beach during the summer months.

POOL/BILLIARDS:

The game of pool is available at the Ellis Restaurant and in the Aktau Mall Sports Center.

KARAOKE:

There are karaoke facilities at the Astana, in the Napoli Restaurant.  They have songs to sing along with in English.

NIGHT CLUBS:

There are various restaurants/clubs in Aktau which offer dancing and live music.  These include Guns & Roses Pub, The Shamrock Irish Pub, Fuento’s Restaurant, Mahito Nightclub, and Arabica.  See the Restaurant section for more information.