Situated at the far eastern end of the south coast of Cyprus, Ayia Napa and Protaras are famous for its ancient monastery, its beautiful resorts, and its bustling nightlife. A fantastic place for a holiday it is within easy range of dozens of Cypriot dive sites; here are just a handful of favorites to whet your appetite for more.
Caves - Cyprus Dive Sites
A fascinating yet very easy dive that’s fantastic night or day, the “Caves” dive site features not just shallow cavern entrances, but massive rock formations covered in sponge, along with some intriguing tunnels. A great place for new divers who need an introduction to diving in overhead environments in a safe, controlled area, this site is also fantastic for wide-angle photography. Maximum depth is just 12 meters, and visibility is excellent, often exceeding 20 meters.
Amphora Bay - Cyprus Dive Sites
Another easy site, Amphora Bay features not just some interesting rock formations, but also lots of ancient amphorae and several old stone anchors. As with other archaeological dive sites around Cyprus, Amphora Bay is protected by law. No artifacts may be removed from the area. While you’re enjoying this site, keep an eye out for juvenile morays and octopus; they sometimes take shelter inside the amphorae, where larger animals cannot reach them. Maximum depth is 17 meters, and visibility is 20 meters.
Herbieopolis - Cyprus Dive Sites
An interesting site that’s great for night diving as well as for early morning dives when the fish are most active, Herbieopolis features beautiful rock formations as well as a series of sunken pillars. Big umbrella snails can be seen here, along with lobsters, damsels, trumpet fish, and many other creatures. Maximum depth is 12 meters, and visibility is usually 20 meters or so.
Cape Awkward - Cyprus Dive Sites
Despite its odd name, Cape Awkward is a fantastic dive site! You begin at a depth of about 2 meters and follow a cliff face down to a depth of about 9 meters; afterward, the cliff continues its descent in leaps and bounds, eventually stopping at the seabed about 40 meters below the surface. Not only is this a fun multi-level dive site with interesting rock formations and lots of grottoes to explore, it is home to a wide array of marine life, ranging from soldierfish to groupers. Watch for lobsters, crabs, moray eels, and octopus here, too.
Decosta Bay - Cyprus Dive Sites
A fabulous artificial reef that has been artfully composed of pillars and statues, Decosta Bay is a site everyone will enjoy. Though there is not a lot of marine life here, the artwork is fantastic and visibility is excellent at 20 meters or so. Grab your camera and practice some wide-angle shots; this is a great place to work on photo skills! Maximum depth is 12 meters.
While Ayia Napa and Protarus are well-populated places with lots to see and do topside, they’re smaller and less chaotic than many big resort towns often associated with scuba diving are. Historic sites are numerous as are beautiful views, and whether you enjoy low-key fun or a busier social scene, you’ll enjoy all this region has to offer. Great dive operators, comfortable accommodations, and exceptional hospitality come together to make this part of Cyprus just right for a dive holiday you won’t soon forget.