Anapa's beaches are the widest and sandiest on the Russian Black Sea coast — in some places the beach stretches 600 metres from the water's edge to the first buildings. The shallow, calm sea and warm summer water temperatures make it Russia's favoured family beach destination. Facilities are extensive: sunbed and umbrella hire, watersports, beach cafes, and amusement parks line the resort strip.
The Central Beach nearest the old town is the busiest; the northern beaches toward the Blagoveshchenskaya spit are quieter, with the spit itself offering calm water on the lagoon side if the sea is choppy. The beach season runs from June to September, with July and August bringing large Russian families from Moscow and the inland regions. Outside these months the resort empties considerably and accommodation becomes much cheaper.