Diving in Cyprus: seasons, prices, best places, courses

Sunken ships, underwater sculptures and gardens, ancient amphorae and artifacts, rare green turtles and amazing marine life: the island of Cyprus is not in vain one of the top diving spots!

Cyprus is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, shimmering with all shades of sapphires and emeralds. The purest water is perfect for diving, and the antiquities that are stored in the depths of the sea attract divers from all over the world. In addition, the species diversity of fish and marine life is of great interest. This is the kingdom of octopuses, crustaceans and turtles. Green and vulture turtles often visit Cyprus, especially when their mating season begins.

Groupers, breams, eels, perches - just go down to the depths to see the rich marine life.

But most of all admire the numerous sunken ships. The fact is that the government of Cyprus has embarked on the creation of artificial reefs. And many ships in the vicinity of the island were flooded on purpose. It is they who are of great interest to divers. They create entire underwater parks with trees and sculptures!

Everyone will find a place to their liking: there are depths for experienced divers, and there are small ones for those who take their first steps in scuba diving.

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When to go diving in Cyprus

The diving season in Cyprus lasts six months, from May to November. It is best to dive from July to September. This is due to the fact that the water temperature in the summer months warms up to +29 degrees, and in winter it is only +16 degrees.

Visibility in calm weather in the water is 20-35 meters. However, in winter, visibility may be reduced due to weather conditions. Temperate water gear is used and cold water suits are used in winter.

How much does diving cost in Cyprus

• The cost of diving for beginners is from 65 euros. It includes equipment, 40 minutes of diving. Photo is paid extra.
• Diving for certified divers - from 45 euros.
• Two dives in one day - from 90 euros.
• Night dive - from 45 euros.
• 5 days of diving (2 dives per day) - about 400 euros.

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The best diving spots in Cyprus

Convenience of diving in Cyprus is that dive sites are located close to each other. And it is easy to get from anywhere in Cyprus. For example, Cape Greco, Protaras and Ayia Napa are practically in the neighborhood. On average, it takes 1-2 hours to get from one part of the island to another and change the dive location. In Cyprus, you can dive from a boat or from the shore: choose a place to dive based on your training.

• Cape Greco. There are 6 dive sites. Has good visibility. A popular diving spot in Cyprus, you can dive up to 30 meters, meet octopuses, moray eels, stingrays.
• Protaras, Ayia Napa - 7 diving sites, including underwater grottoes, caves, marine fauna. Among dive sites sunken "Nemesis III", "Kerynia", tunnels and caves.
• Larnaca - 7 diving sites, the most famous is the Zenobia ferry.
• Limassol - 10 dive sites, including sunken ships ("Cooper", "Three Star","Diana"). Multiple caves, grottoes, fish, marine animals.
• Paphos - 8 dive sites with wrecks, underwater caves, tunnels.
• Latchi - 12 dive sites, a place where you can meet sea turtles.
• Polis - 6 dive sites - vertical walls, wrecks, reefs with marine life.

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MUSAN

• Maximum depth: 10 m
• Level: for everyone
• Shore diving

This is a whole underwater museum, created in 2021, just 200 meters from the coast of Ayia Napa. The first underwater forest in the world consists of more than 93 works of art: these are trees and sculptures. They are designed to attract marine life. These installations are located at different depths from the seabed and resemble a path through a dense underwater forest. Some of the "trees" float just below the surface. Marine life in the Mediterranean has been seriously depleted over the past 20 years. The area where the museum is located was just a patch of sand. But everything must change. Sculptural forest made of inert materials will attract a wide variety of marine life. The place is interesting for both divers and snorkelers.

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Zenobia

Maximum depth: 42 m, minimum - 16.5 meters

Level: pro

Boat dive

The most famous shipwreck of the Mediterranean coast of Cyprus. In fact, it is in the “top ten” for sunken ships. The Swedish ferry sank off the coast of Larnaca in 1980 during its maiden voyage. It is located just 1.4 km from the coast of Larnaca. The left side lies on a flat bed of sand and stones. The ferry is 172 meters long and 28 meters wide.

Both the ferry and its cargo are still intact. They are quite interesting to explore - from large propellers to the ship's cafeteria. Fish have made the wreck their home: divers ' companions are shoals of fish such as grouper, barracuda and tuna. The dive starts at a depth of 17 meters and ends at around 43 meters.

Along with the ferry, a cargo went down - 105 trucks, army equipment, Lego toys and more. Now the ship looks more like a reef, which was chosen by marine life. It's perfect wreck for recreational and technical divers . Amateur divers can view the ferry from the outside, but professionals can inspect the holds. In one of them there is still a car "Zhiguli" "kopek".

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Green bay

Maximum depth: 11 m

Level: beginners

Shore diving

One of the most famous diving sites on the island, located off the coast of Protaras. This is a great place that is easy to get to. Often used by diving schools for training dives. After all, the depth of immersion is only 10 meters. Here is a feeding station, aptly named "Fish Rock". The area is full of marine life! In the deepest part of the site, amazing underwater statues and columns await divers, which will leave the most vivid diving experience for beginners. While swimming, you can get acquainted with schools of fish and turtles, walk between the statues, which remind of the ancient history of Cyprus. There are a lot of bream fish, chromis , which are almost tame and "eat out of hand".

And sometimes there are flocks of barracudas and turtles.

The most interesting - underwater statues. How about a photo with Poseidon or Aphrodite underwater?

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Alexandria

Maximum depth: 30 m

Level: pro

Boat dive

This is a small wooden fishing boat that lies at a depth of 30 meters. One dive will be enough: the wreck is the most suitable for mastering underwater photography. Here you can get acquainted with tuna, barracuda, moray eels, trigger fish. Dive for experienced divers - up to 30 meters. Advanced training required open water Diver + Enriched Air Diver. The dive will take 40-45 minutes.

Lady Thetis, Limassol

Zenobia wreck, the Cypriot authorities sank several ships on purpose to create more artificial reefs that could be ideal diving spots. Among them is Lady Thetis (Goddess of Justice). The ship is at a depth of 18 meters and was built in Germany. It sank in the waters of Cyprus in 2014 and boasts several easy passages and interesting options for more experienced divers. The wreck is inhabited by bream and sea bass.

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Fishing boat Kondandis, Limassol

Next to Imperial Hotel, the fishing vessel Kondandis was sunk. This was done on purpose to give divers the opportunity to enjoy another place for recreational diving. "Kondandis" originally worked as a trawler and was built in the Soviet Union in 1989. It was sunk off the coast of Limassol in February 2014 along with the Lady Thetis. The ship is at a depth of about 24 meters.

Devil Head, Akamas

Akamas itself is breathtakingly beautiful, a green peninsula framed by captivating dark blue waters. Going to the wild west coast of the island for a dive is well worth the effort. A particularly popular site is the so-called "Devil's Head", which combines caves and tunnels at a depth of about 11 meters. In summer, divers can see green turtles, and around the intricate rocks and grottoes, you can admire a variety of marine life.

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Amphora Caves, Paphos

As the name suggests, this place owes its name to fragments of an ancient amphora. According to a group of American archaeologists, it is believed that the appearance of artifacts is associated with the movements of the seabed over the past two thousand years. The dive leads to a depth of 5 to 12 meters, giving the opportunity to explore caves and underwater ravines.

Manijin Island, Paphos

Ten-minute boat ride from Coral Harbor Bay - and you are provided with a dive with a picturesque wall, impressive caves. Diving depth from 6 to 25 meters. The island is actually small enough to dive on multiple levels. The cave is covered in a variety of purple and pink calcareous algae, and yellowfin barracuda are often spotted by divers.

Caves, Ayia Napa

This is not a typical diving site. It consists of an underwater cave complex with a seabed filled with amphorae! Antiquities, resting on the seabed for thousands of years, were the result of the wreck of many merchant ships that once crashed on the rocks of Cape Greco. This famous diving site is accessible from the coast.

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Kerinia

Maximum depth: 20 m

Level: pro

Shore diving

The police boat "Kerinia" was sunk off the coast of Ayia Napa in 2015 on purpose: this is how artificial reefs are recreated in Cyprus. It is located at a depth of 20 meters. Great for beginners who are just learning racks. It is best to dive on air and nitrox mixes.

Konnos bay

Maximum depth: 40 m

Level: any

Shore diving

A beautiful place where diving is interesting for both beginners and experienced divers. The maximum depth is 40 meters both from the boat and from the shore. Under the sea turquoise, underwater boulders, reef walls, and many inhabitants are hidden. Among them are starfish, moray eels, barracudas, groupers. And the most curious place is the labyrinth of caves, which are accessible even to beginners. After all, the maximum depth is 12 meters, and you can enter from the shore. The caves are most interesting in the summer when tuna appears. The caves are the home of soldier fish, flutes, groupers.

And at night you can meet with octopuses. You can descend smoothly along the terrain up to 30 meters. And an underwater boulder 10 meters high will create the feeling of falling from a cliff in a state of weightlessness.

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Canyon

Maximum depth: 17 m

Level: pro

Shore diving

The canyon is only for professionals - it is so intricate that it is difficult to navigate in it and you can only make such a dive if you are in good physical shape. Technically, this is not really a canyon, but a great place to dive in the Cavo Greko park. Divers are attracted by bizarre rock formations and a variety of marine life. Here you can meet starfish, moray eels, octopuses, fish! The canyon has excellent transparency - visibility is up to 25 meters. The maximum depth is 17 meters.

Rack Liberty

Maximum depth: 27 m

Level: pro

Boat dive

The ship was sunk to promote diving in Cyprus. Depth 27 meters, suitable for recreational divers with a minimum level of AOWD. Next to the ship, enthusiasts erected a cross and a statue of the Mother of God. The length of the rack is 26 meters.

NEMESIS III

Maximum depth: 24 m

Level: pro

Boat dive

This ship is located off the coast of Protaras. The fishing boat was sunk specifically to create artificial reefs in Cyprus. The wreck is available for recreational divers. It is preferable to dive on Nitrox mixtures.

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Study options

Children can also learn diving in Cyprus. There are several programs for them:

• Available for children over 8 years of age. Immersion depth up to 2 meters. The cost is about 75 euros.
• The first level of the PADI certificate. Offered to children aged 10 to 15 years. The course lasts 2 days, diving up to 12 meters.
• Junior Scuba Diver. For children aged 10 to 15 years. The course is designed for 4 days, includes 5 dives in confined water and 4 dives in open water. The maximum diving depth is 18 meters. Most diving is done in Green Bay, the depth of which is up to 9 meters. The dive itself is 40 minutes. The cost is from 75 euros. Photos are paid extra.
• The SCUBA DIVER course lasts 2 days, the ability to dive up to 12 meters. Most often, diving takes place in the bays of Ayia Napa and Protaras.

Adult education programs. For those who have never been diving, there is a Discover Scuba Diving program.

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Diving in Cyprus is an incredible adventure and the opportunity to see the giant ships that have gone to the bottom and swim among the underwater parks and forests, which have no analogues in the world!