DIVING IN CYPRUS
650 KM OF DIVERSE RUGGED COASTLINE
Cyprus is generally considered to be one of the best diving locations in the Mediterranean. The island offers divers 650 km of diverse, often rugged coastline. Its waters are generally warm and clear, allowing divers to easily see the rocks, fish, and sea shells on the shallow sea beds.
AN IDEAL BASE
Cyprus has always been a diver friendly place and scuba diving and snorkelling, as an activity has grown immensely on the island in recent years. Cyprus appeals to both beginners and veteran divers. It is an idyllic location for beginners to learn to dive and also makes for an ideal base for advanced divers to find the best dives.
A GREAT PLACE TO DIVE ALL YEAR ROUND
Water temperatures range from 25⁰C in the summer to around 18⁰C in December. The best months for diving are from April to October, when water temperatures are higher, but diving during the winter months is also popular. This makes Cyprus a great place to dive all year round. There are numerous dive sites to explore and several wrecks to traverse. Diving in Cyprus can be diverse and there are both shallow and deep dives, as well as wrecks, caves and reefs with big rock faces too.
THE ROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DIVING INSTRUCTORS
Today, several excellent diving centres and clubs can be found all over the island. These clubs, shops and organisations will help anybody who wants to start diving. Most offer advise and equipment hire and they can also arrange basic and advanced training. The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is the world’s leading scuba diving training organisation. They maintain a strong presence on the island and offer several instructor-led courses at various underwater locations all over the island.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL DIVERS
Cyprus offers diving opportunities for all levels of diving. Beginners usually start diving in the numerous shallow sandy bottom locations, dotted all around the coast. Wreck or cave diving, as well as deep water and night diving are available for the more experienced divers.
CAVE & REEF DIVING
There are several popular diving sites on the island with the Paphos coastline specifically offering the Amphorae Caves. Ayia Napa’s coastline also offers numerous caves and reefs for divers to pursue. Diving alongside the infamous turtles of Akamas has become popular in the waters near Polis Chrysochou and the Akamas peninsula.
WRECK DIVING
Popular wreck sites include, the B2 Canberra Wing, near the coast of Pissouri. The Copper and Lady Thetis, which can be found off of coast of Limassol. The Zenobia is another wreck near the coast of Larnaca.
A DIVERSE MARINE LIFE
The list of fish species you can expect to encounter is endless. The most common fish are grouper, rainbow wrasse, moray eel, damsel fish, octopus, scorpion fish, sponge fish, sword fish, cuttlefish and lobster.
