Ropotamo River

The Ropotamo runs a short distance to the Black Sea south of Burgas through a reserve of flooded riverine forest, marsh, dune and sea cliff, and the standard way to see it is the boat trip that runs from the road bridge down to the river mouth and back, about forty minutes, passing between wooded banks with water lilies, herons and cormorants and out to where the river meets the sea. The reserve holds one of the better preserved stretches of longoz forest in the country along with sand lily on the dunes, which flowers in summer and is protected. Offshore lies Snake Island, and rock formations along the coast, including the Lion's Head above the mouth, are pointed out on the trip.

What you actually see

• The boat trip to the mouth - forty minutes between wooded banks.
• Flooded riverine forest - longoz along the lower river.
• Sand lily on the dunes - the protected flower of the coast.
• The Lion's Head rock - the formation above the river mouth.

When to go

May to September, when the boats run. Half a day. Mornings are better for birds and calmer water. Summer weekends bring queues at the boat landing. Mosquitoes are bad at dusk.

Honest expectations

The boat trip is short and the commentary is in Bulgarian. Boats are motorised and noisy, which limits the wildlife. Queues in July and August are long. Parking at the bridge fills. Swimming in the river is not permitted.

Nearby

Primorsko is south; Beglik Tash lies inland behind the coast.