The nature reserve is located some 17 km north of Varna and is the im- mediate vicinity of the Golden Sands resort. It was declared a protected nature reserve in 1943 and covers an area of 1,320 hectares, with a to- tal length is 9.2 km and an average width of 1.2 km. The natural wood- land follows the coastline and surrounds the Golden Sands resort.

Natural broad-leaved woodlands with Turkey oak, Hungarian oak, downy oak, Oriental hornbeam and other tree species grow freely within the reserve. Some 20 rare and endangered plant species, such as the pleated snowdrop, Caucasian primrose, and orchids, amongst others, 70 species of bird, including the common buzzard, great hawk, cherry woodpecker, and buzzard and 25 species of mammal, such as the roe deer, wild boar, badger, amongst others, enjoy pro- tected status there.