Leviathan, however gloomy a film, had a positive impact on the fate of Teriberka. Dilapidated buildings began to be renovated by new inhabitants, and the dying village itself, with its cannery that formed its own closed town, became a popular tourist destination.
It was not just the film, of course. Teriberka is the most accessible place on the shores of the Barents Sea; it can be reached in two hours by car from Murmansk. Why visit Teriberka? First of all, to feel the vastness of the ocean. This is literally the end of the earth: the village stands on the shore of Kola Bay, immediately beyond which are the waters of the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean. Until recently, there was a border zone with a checkpoint here, and the entrance to Teriberka was guarded. Now anyone can reach the shore. Just take your passport and dress warmly: sometimes it snows here even in July. Even the waterfalls formed by the Teriberka River at its confluence with the Barents Sea freeze: another one of the village's attractions.
Teriberka consists of two parts: the old part, which is the original Teriberka, and the new, which is called Lodeynoe. Abandoned dilapidated buildings, an abandoned port and a 'graveyard of ships': old Teriberka appears to be the last of its kind, like something from an old movie. Romantic photographs of the shipwrecks submerged in the water are among the most popular photographs for travellers anywhere in Russia. Such a picture becomes particularly expressive in contrast to the newest buildings. In recent years, several cosy guesthouses have been built in the village, such as the wooden eco-hostel Kovcheg-51 on the shore and the Hotel Ter. The village has a nice clean beach, a couple of cafes and a restaurant, 'Teribersky Bereg', where you can taste local dishes with seafood and venison.
The winds in Teriberka are piercing, but this is a plus for extreme sports enthusiasts. Kitesurfers from all over the country organise not only summer kiting in Teriberka, but also snowkiting in the tundra. If you would like to give it a try, the kite camp has all the equipment you need and courses for beginners.
Despite the cold, Kola Bay and the Barents Sea do not freeze, so Teriberka is a great place for fishing and diving. The water here is amazingly clear, and you can explore the underwater world all year round. Extreme divers come specially to see the kelp forests, sea stars and sea urchins. In the sea, you can catch cod, haddock, pollack, wolffish, flounder and herring; there are crabs as well, but catching them is officially prohibited. Fishing boats can be rented from locals.
