Located on the south coast of Cyprus, Larnaca is a beautiful city with an intriguing history. Originally established sometime around the 13th century BCE, this area is perhaps best known a haven for archaeologists, but it’s also an excellent place to enjoy some outstanding diving. There are many fantastic sites in this area; here are just a few to whet your appetite for adventure.
Larnaca Jetty - Larnaca Dive Sites
Also known as the Dhekelia SBA Jetty, Larnaca Jetty is an old military pier that’s great for diving day or night. This site features a pair of sunken platforms used for diver training – but there is also a sunken armored car here which more experienced divers will find interesting. The marine life in this area is excellent – you’ll find loads of fish and plenty of invertebrates everywhere you look. Maximum depth is just 6 meters, and the site can be accessed from shore.
Sheep Dip - Larnaca Dive Sites
Sheep are important to the Cypriot economy, and they’re often blessed by priests. This site is famous for its use as a ritual blessing area for sheep – in the past, the animals were dunked in the water and given a blessing. Today, locals use the area for relaxing and picnicking, and divers appreciate the easy, straightforward beach entry. Below the surface, you’ll find yourself immersed in a magical world where caves, swim-throughs, and stunning rock formations covered in sponges and coral hide octopuses, moray eels, and lots of invertebrates. Fish are also abundant at Sheep Dip – keep an eye out for bream, groupers, wrasse, pipefish, and others.
Pyla Sea Caves - Larnaca Dive Sites
Though the Pyla Sea Caves wind their way into the island’s cliffsides, they’re only accessible by boat, which ensures the site remains unspoiled and wild-looking in comparison to some other popular sites where anyone can enter from shore. Lobsters, shrimp, crabs, and other creatures are abundant here, and there are plenty of fish, octopus, and moray eels to encounter. As maximum depth here is just 6 meters, the Pyla Sea Caves are usually reserved for a second dive site.
Fraggle Rock - Larnaca Dive Sites
Another fun, shallow site with maximum depth at 16 meters, Fraggle Rock is an artificial reef where a number of artifacts have been submerged. You’ll find an old military helicopter here, along with a sunken barge, a dump truck, and other construction equipment; the marine life is fantastic, as well.
HMS Cricket - Larnaca Dive Sites
One of the best dive sites the Larnaca Bay area has to offer is HMS Cricket. This WWII-era gunboat survived the war but sunk here in 1947 after being used for target practice, landing upside down and creating what is now a stunning artificial reef. A sandy dip has been hollowed out under the wreck, and it is possible to penetrate the ship via open hatches. The site is teeming with life including plenty of nudibranchs, lots of colorful fish, and the occasional turtle. Maximum depth is 33 meters, and visibility is usually between 15 and 20 meters though it is sometimes even better.
Larnaca is home to several well-equipped dive operators, and there is no shortage of diver-friendly accommodations in the area. Topside attractions include Larnaca Castle, cyclopean walls, and a vast ancient complex that includes a naval port and a cluster of five temples. Of course, the area is also renowned for its cuisine and hospitality; if you prefer to spend surface intervals just relaxing, you’ll find it’s very easy to do!