Cyprus may not be in the league of, say, the Similan Islands or the Red Sea coral reefs for diversity of sea life, but it’s still a great place to dive.
Ideal for training
The shores of Cyprus have a charm of their own, and for those taking up diving for the first time, Cyprus is the ideal place.
Cyprus has strict European rules of safety to adhere to.
You can easily find a Russian speaking coach if required.
Of course care should be taken not to damage the coral, but it should in no way stop you from having fun and enjoying your diving experience.
Green Bay for beginners
Green Bay is one of the most popular places for diving. Located near Protaras, it’s a paradise for beginners, offering a controlled and safe environment, with a diving depth of no more than 12m. There are underwater features, and a large variety of fish live here which are accustomed to being fed by visitors.
Коnnos for serious diving
Konnos point is a picturesque place for experienced divers. It is located in Коnnos bay, close to the Cape Greco nature reserve. The Calcareous rocks here create an interesting landscape, both above and below the water. It has a diving depth of approximately 40m.
Pirate’s Cave near Cаpe Greco
Take an underwater stroll to the west of Cape Greco, where you can explore caves and tunnels at a depth of 15m.
For the experienced divers there is the Pirate’s Cave, which has an abundance of sea life and a diving depth of 42m.
Shipwrecks
For those who like to explore shipwrecks there is the warship ‘Cricket’, which sank off the shores of Dhekelia in 1947.
The diving depth here is 33m and visibility here is often good.
The most popular diving site in Cyprus is, of course, the sunken Swedish ferry, Zenobia, which was wrecked off the Larnaca coast in 1980. The ship, which lies on its side, rests at a depth of 42m with the upper part being at a depth of 19m. This site made it to the 10 most interesting diving sites in the Times newspaper in 2003.
Artificial reefs
At the end of December 2013, in a joint effort by the Department of Fisheries and the Paralimni Municipality (after removing all potential contaminants), the ship Nemesis III was intentionally sunk as part of a project to create artificial reefs.
This project has been financed by the European Fisheries Fund since 2007 with the aim of enriching marine life. Over fishing has resulted in a significant depletion of the ecosystem along the shores of Cyprus.
Now the local authorities hope that the artificial reefs will help improve the situation.
The Reef is a natural shelter and home for fish and other sea creatures, providing food and allowing them to breed freely in the wild.
Various materials are used to build artificial reefs, such as concrete, iron, clay and limestone. They quickly become inhabited by micro-organisms and create a friendly environment for the larger species.
The authorities hope this programme will not only resuscitate the marine ecosystems around Cyprus, but also help to seriously develop diving tourism.
In accordance with the project of the Agricultural Ministry, another three ships will be wrecked in the vicinity of Аyia-Napa, Limassol and Paphos.
