Flooded Karachuniv granite quarry, Kryviy Rih

In places the bottom is a full 70 metres down. Cliffs as tall as a five-storey building plunge straight into the water, multi-level granite ledges hide beneath the surface, and the water is so clear that divers can see each other dozens of metres away.

The flooded Karachunivskyi granite quarry is the most famous and deepest of Kryvyi Rih’s quarry lakes. A place people come to swim, dive and climb — and where the beauty of the water comes with serious risks.

Quick Facts

What It Is and Why Visit

Kryvyi Rih has several flooded granite quarries, but Karachunivskyi is the star among them. It is deeper, more scenic and more popular than the others. It is essentially a genuine crater lake: turquoise water, sheer cliffs and granite ledges descending underwater in several tiers.

It draws several distinct groups: divers — for the clear water and underwater formations; rock climbers — for granite faces up to 15 metres; and ordinary leisure visitors — simply to swim and sunbathe on a hot day. This makes the location livelier than the quieter «wild» quarries.

The lake reaches 70 metres in depth — roughly a twenty-storey building submerged. Hence the love of divers, and the primary danger for those who overestimate themselves.

History: From Crushed Stone to Lake

The quarry was part of the Kryvyi Rih stone-crushing plant — a division of the Kryvyi Rih Granite Quarry enterprise. Granite was extracted here for gravel and construction; blasts shook the site and heavy machinery worked the pit.

In 1999 granite extraction stopped. The pumps that kept the quarry dry were switched off — and fresh water began to fill the pit, partly fed by the Inhulets river. Within a few years a deep, scenic lake had formed, resembling a flooded volcanic crater. An industrial site had become one of Kryvyi Rih region’s foremost natural-industrial attractions.

Legends and Local Lore

A deep lake with transparent water was always going to attract stories.

1. The Bottomless Abyss

The most popular legend holds that the lake «has no bottom» — that 70 metres is only «to the ledge,» and beyond lie underwater cracks leading somewhere deeper. Divers confirm the complex topography, but «bottomlessness» is an exaggeration. At depth, however, the thought is genuinely frightening.

2. The Submerged Forest

They say there are whole trees standing underwater, «grown» before the flooding, and that diving between their trunks is dangerous. There is some truth: submerged trees and debris are indeed present — which is exactly why blind jumps here are lethal.

3. The Cold Current «From Below»

Swimmers report a sudden chill and «current» at depth. This is the classic thermocline of flooded quarries — the boundary between warm and ice-cold water. Physics, not mystery, but the sensation is striking.

What to See and Do

Swimming and sunbathing. In summer the water is warm and clear. Enter where there is a gradual access point, not from the cliffs.

Diving. Karachunivskyi is one of the most popular freshwater dive sites in the region thanks to visibility and underwater topography. Only with training and a dive buddy.

Rock climbing. Granite faces up to 15 metres attract climbers. Full gear and belaying are mandatory.

Photos on the cliffs. Turquoise water, grey granite and height — striking shots guaranteed.

Getting There

By car. The quarry is within Kryvyi Rih, near the Karachunivske Reservoir. Set navigation to «Karachunivskyi Granite Quarry.» Part of the approach road is unpaved.

By public transport. Kryvyi Rih is a very long city, so allow time. Take a minibus to the nearest district, then walk.

Important. The bank is unmanaged: no lifeguards, no marked entry points, no fencing. All responsibility for safety is yours.

Visitor Checklist

• Rock shoes: granite near water is sharp and slippery.
• Water and snacks: no facilities on site.
• Equipment: for diving or climbing — full kit and a partner, no exceptions.
• Power bank: for navigation and photos.

What NOT to do: jump from the cliffs into the water (ledges, trees and debris lurk below — tragedies happen here), dive alone or without training, swim under the influence of alcohol, or underestimate the cold depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep is Karachunivskyi quarry?

From 2 metres at the banks to approximately 70 metres in the deepest spots. This is why it is a favourite dive site and dangerous for unwary swimmers.

Can you swim here?

Officially this is not a managed beach: no lifeguards, rocky banks. People swim at their own risk. The most dangerous activity is cliff jumping due to underwater obstacles.

How does Karachunivskyi differ from the other quarries?

It is the deepest and most popular of Kryvyi Rih’s quarry lakes, with granite faces for climbers and clear water for divers. The Zhovtnevyi and NKHOK quarries are other, less versatile options.

Is it safe to visit during the war?

Kryvyi Rih is a frontline city and comes under periodic shelling. Check the current situation and respond to air alerts.

Karachunivskyi quarry is the most spectacular of Kryvyi Rih’s man-made lakes: turquoise water, cliffs and seventy metres of transparent depth. A place where nature spectacularly reclaimed what industry left behind.

But it is precisely the depth and cliffs that draw people here that also claim the unwary every year. Admire it, swim cautiously, don’t jump blind — and this beauty will stay beautiful, not become a sad headline.