Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
National Parks
Much of the the delta is under the protection of the administration of the
Danube Delta
Biosphere Reserve Authority
(DDBRA; 0240-518 945;
www.ddbra.ro
; Str Portului
34a, Tulcea)
, headquarted in Tulcea, with branch offices throughout the delta, including in
Sulina (
Click here
)
and Sfântu Gheorghe (
Click here
)
. There are around 20 strictly pro-
tected areas covering about 50,000 hectares that are off-limits to tourists, including the
500-year-old Leţea Forest and Europe's largest pelican colony. Visitation is limited in oth-
er areas. Note that visitors to the reserve are required to purchase an entry permit. Camp-
ing in the reserve is only allowed in official camping grounds.
Dangers & Annoyances
Mosquitoes and biting flies are a nuisance in summer, though they pose no danger to hu-
man health. Mosquito repellent is widely available in pharmacies and most hotels and
pensions have window screens. If you're planning a day out in the delta, wear long pants
and bring a long-sleeved shirt to wear in the evening.
Be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen if you're planning on spending any time out on a
boat. The summer sun is relentless and just a brief exposure can result in a nasty burn.
Getting Around
There is no rail service in the delta and few paved roads, meaning the primary mode of
transport is
ferry boat
. Regularly scheduled ferries, both traditional 'slow' ferries and
faster (and more expensive) hydrofoils, leave from Tulcea's main port daily and access all
major points in the delta. There are two main ferry operators and the ferry schedule can be
bewildering on first glance. The helpful staff at the tourism information centre (
Click
Note that the delta covers a large area, and depending on where you want to go it will
usually not be possible to depart and return on the same day. Give yourself at least a few
days for more leisurely exploration. Ferries can get crowded in summer, so try to arrive at
least an hour prior to departure to secure yourself a seat. Note that, though the ferries run
year-round, service is far less reliable in winter.
In addition to the scheduled passenger ferries, private boat operators in Tulcea and
throughout the delta are happy to take you around, for a fee. Expect to pay upwards of 100
lei per hour for a water taxi. Be sure to negotiate everything up front to eliminate any un-
pleasant surprises at the end.
