The Akamas Peninsula is perhaps most famous for its flora and fauna; it boasts a loggerhead sea turtle sanctuary, for example, and it is also home to a number of endangered endemic plant species. Though difficult to access without a tour guide, this area is frequented by Cypriot dive operators who pride themselves on showing visitors a part of Cyprus many travelers never get to see. There are several great dive sites in this area. Here, we’ll take a brief look at just a few of the most popular to help you begin planning for what very well could be one of the most fantastic dive holidays you’ll ever take.
St. George’s Harbor
A very fishy dive site where you’ll find yourself swimming fin to fin with bream and sea bass, colorful cardinal fish, big groupers, lots of damsels, and the occasional ray, St. George’s Harbor offers depths between 3 and 17 meters. A swim-through is located at 7 meters, and a large cave situated at a depth of 14 meters adds even more excitement to this beautifully scenic site.
St. George’s Reef
Another site that’s superb for all divers, St. George’s Reef is a fantastic place to relax and get to know your camera’s features a little better before hitting deeper dive sites. Maximum depth is 20 meters, there’s little to no current, and visibility averages 20 meters; as you enjoy this site at a leisurely pace, you’ll find small caves, lots of swim-throughs, and plenty of marine life waiting. Full of surprises yet wonderfully easy to explore, St. George’s Reef is one of those sites you’ll want to dive more than once.
St. George’s Island
Featuring a wall and a stunning drop-off, St. George’s Island offers fantastic underwater topography – but that’s not all. This site is located inside the Akamas Marine Reserve, and it is home to a dizzying array of marine life. You’ll find large groupers, lots of squirrelfish, grinning barracuda, many different types of damselfish, and quite a few morays here; in addition, your chances of encountering sea turtles and seals are quite good. Maximum depth is 50 meters, however the site’s best features are located between 10 and 32 meters. Visibility is excellent here, often exceeding 20 meters.
Fontana Amorosa
A shallow site located near the fabled topside springs, Fontana Amorosa is suitable for all divers. Maximum depth here is just 15 meters, and visibility averages 30 meters. Not only are there beautiful underwater hills and valleys, rocks covered in colorful sponge, and plenty of marine life here, there are also ancient amphorae which are all that remains of shipwrecks that must have happened more than a thousand years ago.
When visiting Akamas, you’ll be near some truly legendary topside attractions. For example, the Avakas Gorge, with its tall cliffs is unforgettable, and topside Fontana Amorosa, or Love’s Spring, is noted in mythology as Aphrodite’s fountain of Love. Anyone who drinks the water from this spring is said to enjoy youthful desire and renewed vigor. Whether you stick to the water or take in some sights during surface intervals, you’ll appreciate all this exclusive destination has to offer. Bring your best dive buddy and your camera, and get ready to see some truly amazing things!