The island is located in the north-western part of the Black Sea, about 37.5 km (23 mi) from the coast. Belongs to Ukraine and determines its territorial waters. Distance to Odessa (nearest city) – 120 km (75 mi).
Snake island has a cruciform shape, area - 20.5 hectares (51 acres), the length - 615 m (673 yards), width - 560 m (612 yards). It has a rocky, brightly coloured (due to different sediments) and steep banks, which reach a height of 4-5 meters (16 ft) in the north-eastern part and 25 m (82 ft) in the southwest. Northern coast forms a bay. On the island there are 4 beaches, as well as numerous caves and cleft coming from the depths of the sea to the mainland cliff.
The island’s vegetation is represented by steppe grass. The peculiarities of the climate are the winds, frequent changes in weather and high humidity.
There is a small village Bile on the island.
The island was one of the many sacred elements of ancient Greeks, who called it the Island of Achilles. According to ancient Greek legend, the island was lifted out of the sea by goddess Thetis for her son Achilles, and later he was buried there. Some time ago there was the temple of Achilles on the island.
Now Snake Island is a zoological reserve of national significance, which includes ecologically valuable part of the island with 500-meter (546 yards) waters of the Black Sea (total area - 232 hectares or 573 acres).
