Diving

DIVING CYPRUS TOP DIVE SITES - SOUTH CYPRUS

TOP DIVE SITES – SOUTH CYPRUS




Achilleas – a Greek ship exploded and sank near in 1975. The wreck lies upside down at a depth of 12 m. The main attractions are the bronze propeller, the engine and some complete portholes.
Location: Paphos
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Amphitheatre – a very picturesque dive site with a natural ‘amphitheatre’. It consists of unique rock formations, holes and overhangs. The maximum depth is 12 m.
Location: Paphos, Coral Bay
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Amphorae Reef – as the name suggests, the remains of the ancient pottery are the main attraction. There are also some beautiful corals and a swim-through. The maximum depth is 10 m.
Location: Paphos
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: rock/sand
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Big Country – this dive site is famous for the rock formations such as caverns, overhangs and large boulders. This is a home to many fish species, including groupers, moray eels, octopuses, and others. The maximum depth here is 23 m.
Location: Limassol
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Canyon – a very picturesque dive site with beautiful corals and amazing rock formations such as walls and canyons. The maximum depth is 18 m. Plenty of colourful fish can be seen here.
Location: Cape Greco (near Agia Napa)
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: sand/rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Cape Awkward (Konnos Point) – it is one of the most beautiful reefs on Cyprus. The dive starts at 2 m. However, the main attractions are situated deeper 20–40 m. Except the reef, there are amazing rock formations such as walls and slopes. The shallower part is suitable for children dive and dive training.
Location: Protaras
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: sand/pebble/rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Caves – it is an easy and shallow dive (maximum depth 12 m). There are unique rock formations to be seen here – holes, tunnels, caves and caverns. One cave, which is 20 m long and 3 m wide, can be dived through.
Location: Cape Greco (near Agia Napa)
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Chapel Bay – the main attraction here is a sacred cave. Very easy entry and good visibility. A variety of marine life can be seen here. Sometimes it is possible to spot turtles. The maximum depth here is about 30 m.
Location: Protaras
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Devil’s Head – except the amazing caves and interconnecting tunnels, soft corals and turtles can be seen in this area. The maximum depth is 20 m.
Location: Akamas Peninsula (near Paphos)
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Fraggle – this site offers a wreck of a small barge carrying huge rocks. The ship sank due to bad weather. The boulders have created an artificial reef. The wreck lies at a depth of 16 m.
Location: near Larnaca Bay
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Green Bay – it is an easy dive suitable for beginners, with a maximum depth of 12 m. Calm crystal clear water and good visibility. There are some remains of ancient amphorae at the bottom.
Location: Protaras
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: sand/pebble/rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Helicopter – a British helicopter sank in 1996 and now lies at a depth of 16 m. The wreck is completely intact and serves as home to various schools of fish (jacks, groupers, moray eels, octopuses).
Location: near Larnaca Bay
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


HMS Cricket – a British battleship sank in 1947 due to bad weather. It lies upside down at a depth of 30 m. The wreck is 45 m long. One can penetrate the wreck and even swim under it (there is a sandy dip under the ship). Visibility here is very good.
Location: near Larnaca Bay
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Jetty – a wreck of British armoured car lies here at a depth of only 6 m. This is a protected area (no fishing allowed) and thus a variety of marine life can be seen in this place.
Location: near Larnaca Bay
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: sand/rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Manijin Island – this is a very small island. While swimming around it, one can encounter some drop-offs, walls, caves and swim-throughs. The depth varies from 5 to 25 m so it is a multi-level dive.
Location: Paphos
Type of dive: boat/shore dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Mushroom Rocks – a deep dive with unique rock formations. Some rocks have the shape of a mushroom head, hence the name of the site. The maximum depth here is 50 m so only experienced divers can enjoy it.
Location: near Larnaca Bay
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Octopus Reef – an ideal site to see octopuses (hence the name), as well as turtles, barracuda, dolhins and eagle rays. It is a shallow dive – depth of only 10 m.
Location: near Larnaca Bay
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: sand/rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Paramount – two reefs parallel to the shore. The maximum depth varies from 7 to 11 m. It is a great place for night diving and oyster hunting.
Location: Protaras
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: sand/grass
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Pharses II – an open deck cargo ship sank in 1980. The wreck lies intact at a depth of about 20 m and can be penetrated. Divers should be careful when ascending because this the area close to major shipping lanes.
Location: Limassol
Type of dive: shore/boat dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Sheep dip – this site is famous for stunning rock and coral formations, caves, stone arch and overhangs. The maximum depth here is 16 m. A variety of small and larger fish species can be seen here.
Location: near Larnaca Bay
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


St George’s Island – abundant marine life (sometimes octopus and turtles) and amazing rock formations – walls, drop-off, caves and overhangs. The depth ranges from 5–30 m.
Location: Akamas Peninsula (near Paphos)
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


White River – an ideal site for beginners. The site is picturesque with colourful canyons, swim-throughs and abundant marine life. Everything at a depth of only 11 m.
Location: Akamas Peninsula (near Paphos)
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Vera K – a 20 m long Lebanese freighter was exploded and sank in 1974. Four main sections lie in a crater at a depth of only 10 m. In the area surrounding the wreck, there are some unique rock formations such as two colourful archways and tunnels.
Location: Paphos
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: rock/sand
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Zenobia – a Swedish ro-ro ferry, with over 100 lorries onboard, sank during its maiden voyage in 1980 near Larnaca harbour. The reason was probably a computer error. Now, the wreck is officially classified as one of the ten best diving destinations. It is over 170 m long with a beam of 23 m. The dive starts at 16 m and bottoms at 43 m. Good visibility, low currents and ideal condition of the wreck make this dive site unforgettable. Over 100 lorries and remains of the cargo (e.g. well-preserved eggs) create the atmosphere of a ghost ship.
Location: 1,5 km from Larnaca
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water