Cyprus



GENERAL INFO


General

good both for beginners and experienced divers



Underwater



Suit

In summer it is comfortable to dive in a 3 mm wetsuit. In winter a drysuit my be necessary. For the rest of the year a 5 mm wetsuit should be sufficient.



Risk

There are a few sea animals which can have vicious or poisonous bristles and spines. Watch out for the scorpion fish, bristleworms, sea urchins and the stingray. If you step on or touch one of these fish, look for medical attention as your reaction to the injury will depend on your general medical condition and age.



Visibility

10–40 metres



Bottom

rocky or sandy
caves, caverns, cliffs



Best time to dive

May – October



Courses

Besides recreational diving for beginners, it is possible to take a PADI course (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), BSAC course (British Sub Aqua Club) or DSAT course (Diving Science and Technology).


PADI courses:
Open Water Diver
Adventure Diver
Advanced Open Water Diver
Rescue Diver
Master Scuba Diver
Divemaster
Nitrox
Specialities: Deep Diving, Night Diving, Wreck Diving, Underwater Navigation, Underwater Photography, Peek Performance Buoyancy


BSAC courses:
Ocean Diver
Sports Diver
Dive Leader
BSAC Nitrox Course
BSAC Full Instructor Course
BSAC IFC
BSAC OWIC


DSAT courses:
Nitrox Diver
Deep Diver
Tec Deep Level 1
Tec Deep
Tec Trimix
Gas Blender
Trimix Gas Blender


SSI courses:
Scuba update
(Junior) Open Water Diver
Specialities: Nitrox Diver, Deep Diving, Stress & Rescue, night diving, underwater navigation, underwater photography, boat diving, Dry suit, Wreck diving
Advanced Diver (4 Specialities)
Master Diver
Dive Control Specialist
CPR & First Aid


More info: DIVING COURSES

Note: A lot of diving centres in Cyprus do not meet the general requirements of safety standards. The island lacks special regulations and anyone can open a dive centre without any license. However, there are some attempts to improve the situation. Cyprus Union of Dive Centres unites diving schools that guarantee minimum set of safety standards. Only those diving centres are recommended.



Prices

about 250–300 euro/initial open water course
about 20–30 euro/1 dive



Minimum age

There are no restrictions on age. The decision on minimum age is at the discretion of the instructor of the course. For all divers under age of 18 written parental/guardian consent will be required.



Unaccompanied divers

Unaccompanied diving along the coasts of North Cyprus is not allowed.



Regulations

There are no special regulations concerning diving in Cyprus. However, there are certain locations where diving is forbidden due to archeological reasons. The removal of any historical objects or sponges from the seabed is forbidden.



Children

Depending on the diving centre the minimum age of a child attending a diving course is 8 or 10.



Snorkelling

Snorkelling can be an alternative to scuba diving as it is really enjoyable, cheap and there is no age limit. Even in the first few metres below the surface experiencing the underwater environment can be extremely exciting. Clean and blue Mediterranean waters invite to an adventure of meeting a variety of fish and other underwater creatures. One can try it independently or choose one of many snorkelling excursions offers with professional guides. There are also skin diving courses for those who are interested in equipment, techniques and safety.