Lake Siutghiol (Lacul Siutghiol) is a large freshwater lake beside Mamaia, forming the western edge of the narrow strip of land on which the resort developed. Covering about 19 square kilometers, it stretches for roughly 7.5 kilometers parallel to the Black Sea and is separated from it by the coastal sandbar occupied by Mamaia.
The lake was originally a bay of the Black Sea before the growth of the sandbar gradually cut it off from the sea. Today its water is fresh, supplied in part by underground springs, creating an unusual contrast with the marine coastline only a short distance away. Its Turkish-derived name is commonly interpreted as “Milk Lake,” while older sources also refer to it as the Great Lake or Mamaia Lake.
Siutghiol has long formed part of Mamaia’s recreational life, with sailing, water skiing, wakeboarding and boat trips taking place on the lake. The western-facing shoreline also makes it one of the main places in the resort for views across the water at sunset.
Near the western side of the lake lies Ovidiu Island (Insula Ovidiu), a small limestone island reached by boat from Mamaia. Archaeological traces show that the island was occupied long before the modern resort developed, while its present name comes from the tradition that the Roman poet Ovid visited it during his exile at Tomis, although there is no evidence confirming the story.
