Chernye Bratya Island, Chirpoy Island, Kurils, Russia

Chirpoy is the name of twin volcanic islands, Chirpoy and Brat Chirpoev (Russian for Chirpoy's Brother), in the Kuril Islands group. They lie between Simushir and Urup. The twin islands are called Chirpoy after the larger of the two.

The two islands are surrounded by a number of small islets and together, the collective forms the Chernye Brat'ya (Russian for Black Brothers) Islands. Chirpoy, the northernmost of the two islands, has an area of 21 km² whilst Brat Chirpoev has an area 16 km². Both islands are separated by the Snou Strait.

Vulkan Chernoga is the tallest volcanic structure on the island of Chirpoy and the tallest point on the island reaching a height of 691 metres. However, the tallest structure out of both islands is on Brat Chirpoy where 749 metre tall Brat dominates the island. Brat has not had any recorded volcanic eruptions however Vulkan Chernoga has been active.

The islands plus their islets and offshore rocks are the only existing remains of a partially submerged caldera which measures 8 - 9km wide. Brat Chirpoy is the site of the southernmost of five major Steller sea lion rookeries on the Kuril Islands.

Things to see and do

* Black lava cliffs
* Sea birds
* Sea lions
* Peak of Vulcan – on Chirpoy island

Cruise Season – March - Nov
Currency – Ruble (RUB)
Language – Russian
Land Area - 21 sq km’s – Chirpoy 16 sq km’s - Brat Chirpoev
Population – 16,800 approx (Kuril islands)
Electricity – 2 round pins European style
Time – GMT plus two hours to plus twelve hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 7

Port Location – The port is located at Korsakov.

Travel Links – The regions largest city, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, is the arrival point for international flights from major Russian cities as well as Seoul, Sapporo and Hakodate; most foreign tourists wishing to visit these islands begin here.

There are also charter flights booked by oil companies, available to their employees or those visiting these companies. It may also be possible to book independently on the charter flights operated by Vladivostok Air, as there appear to be local people unconnected to the energy industry using this flight too.

There are also ferry services between Kholmsk and the Russian mainland at Vanino, Primorsky Krai and between Korsakov and Wakkanai, Japan.