Diving

Whether you're a novice or an experienced diver, scuba diving in Cyprus is always a great experience.

Scuba diving for beginners in Cyprus

For beginners, the lack of tidal waters in Cyprus enables many diving schools to teach you to dive in the sea, not the hotel swimming pool. The many little bays and hidden coves tucked around the Cyprus coastline are ideal places to learn how to handle your modern scuba diving equipment, before taking your first gentle dive along the shoreline with your instructor. Most scuba diving centres offer PADI-approved introductory courses, and the warm Mediterranean Sea makes Cyprus diving both a pleasure and an adventure.

We recommend divers to rent a soft top jeep during their diving holidays in Cyprus.

Scuba dive sites in Cyprus

The shoreline of Cyprus offers a whole wealth of dive sites, varying from those close to shore suitable for beginners, to more challenging sites a boat ride away. The novice or experienced diver can explore high cliffs and deep underwater valleys, filled with coral, sponges and fish. Cyprus' rich history also ensures there are plenty of ancient underwater sites to explore, from Roman harbour walls to abandoned wine jars stuck into the rock face. There will be plenty of marine life swimming with you, and you might be lucky enough to encounter one of the rare green or loggerhead turtles that nest on the island's beaches.

Main diving areas in Cyprus

The main diving areas in south Cyprus are at the major resorts of Ayia Napa, Limassol, Larnaka and Paphos. For the keen diver, the best base is probably Paphos, where you can dive in the Roman harbour itself, or explore the labyrinth of gullies know as The Maze. Your best bet to see sea turtles is to dive at Mismaloyia reef, or you can explore both caves and cliffs at Manijin. There are plenty of wrecks to explore too, including the "Vera K". Basing yourself in Paphos also gives you access to the dive sites near Latchi, where the waters are calmer, and you can dive in a protected marine reserve. Hire a Cyprus-car.com rental car in Paphos, and Latchi is just a 40-minute drive away across the hills, a lovely drive and well worth the effort.

The most famous wreck dive site in Cyprus is the "Zenobia", a car-ferry that sank outside Larnaca harbour due to a computer malfunction. Its cargo of lorries still remain on board, along with a wide variety of marine life that have made this massive wreck their home.

External Links:
Easy Divers Cyprus
Dive Point Cyprus
Looking for more diving centres in Cyprus