Cyprus is a Mediterranean gem known for its breathtaking scenery, beaches, delicious food, wine, and abundant culture—what about Cyprus scuba diving? Scuba diving Cyprus is one of the best ways to experience this destination. In this guide to Cyprus diving, I’m sharing why the activity is so popular here and the best dive sites in Cyprus, including impressive wreckage. Keep reading to learn all there is to know about scuba diving Cyprus.
Why Try Scuba Diving Cyprus?
Cyprus‘s Mediterranean climate means you can dive all year—the sea temperature is warm, and visibility is high. This makes it an excellent place for beginners to learn scuba diving.
Many exotic locations around the country are more accessible than tropical Asian countries you might have on your diving list. Cyprus diving is the perfect tourist activity, and you can find many packages for an easy, stress-free trip. As a bonus, most people in Cyprus speak English, so you don’t have to worry about a significant language barrier.
If you try Cyprus scuba diving, you will likely see many seabed wrecks that make your dive experience even more exciting. Now, let’s dive (pun intended!) deeper into the best spots for scuba diving Cyprus.
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Best Cyprus Tours: Click here to check out the top Cyprus tours
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Best Cyprus Scuba Diving Spots
Ayia Napa and Protaras
Ayia Napa is famous for its parties, but this scuba diving location is also perfect for beginner and advanced divers. The fantastic shore and wreck dives make it an easy choice for Cyprus diving. Ayia Napa is accessible year-round and offers the chance to spot many fish and marine creatures. The famous Nissi Beach offers white sand, crystal clear waters, and plenty of reefs to explore—Sandy Bay and Blue Haze are popular places to dive in Ayia Napa. These sites are ideal for those who want to be near the tourist hotspots on land.
Protaras is located about eight kilometers east of Ayia Napa. While it’s nearby, the town is quieter, making it a better choice for families. Scuba diving in Protaras offers plenty of variety for all levels. Discover the beauty of Cape Greco National Park, where you will be blessed with never-ending marine life, coral, and rock formations. Other can’t-miss spots include Green Bay, The Caves, DeCosta Bay (to spot turtles), Moral Eel (for octopus and eel lovers), and Blue Hole, an underwater cave you can swim through.
There are many scuba diving courses in Ayia Napa and Protaras, including PADI Open Water, Rescue Diver, Deep Diver, PADI Discover Scuba Diving, and more! I highly recommend these areas to begin your Cyprus scuba diving journey.
Limassol
Limassol boasts some of the best scuba diving Cyprus is famous for. The calm, shallow waters are great for beginners, and there are many fantastic wreck sites for the more adventurous and experienced. With one of the longest dive seasons in the Mediterranean, Limassol is an excellent option for travelers. Dive sites here range from beaches and reefs to caves and wrecks. There is something for every diver in Limassol!
The Limassol Wrecks, which include Costandis (24m depth) and Lady Thetis (19m depth), are some of the most popular dives in Cyprus. These abandoned ships look extremely mysterious and eerie in the deep waters of Limassol, making them a must-see for all divers.
For more information on Limassol diving, read my full review here.
Quick Tip: View my full Cyprus Packing List here. And check out my Cyprus shopping list here.
Paphos
We can’t discuss Cyprus scuba diving without mentioning Paphos and the Coral Bay district. The rocky coastline here offers many landscapes of varying depths, providing routes for divers of all experience levels.
Paphos has reefs, caves, swim-throughs, greens, marine life, and wrecks. On land, many local dive shops have years of knowledge and can guide you to the best dive for your comfort level. One of the biggest dive attractions here is the Orphurus site, an intricate group of overhangs full of marine life and colorful coral.
More experienced divers should check out the small Island of Manijin. You can swim around on the surface or go deeper to discover the many caves and drop-offs.
Larnaca
Larnaca is a popular holiday destination for many Cyprus tourists—why not dive there? Its seaport and marina are home to many marine species.
Diving here, you will discover everything from octopuses, seabream, and eels to amberjacks, sting rays, and turtles. This is one of the best Cyprus diving spots for marine lovers.
The area’s Zenobia Wreck is also a must for experienced divers and wreck hunters. Don’t forget your underwater camera! The marine life here is plentiful, so you can take some beautiful photos.
Quick Tip: Check out my Scuba Diving Essentials shopping list here.
Scuba Diving Cyprus Summary
For your convenience, I’ve made a list of the ten best Cyprus scuba diving spots. As you can see, Cyprus has many places to scuba dive. Below is a selection of dive sites we’ve discussed and some bonuses to explore!
10 Best Cyprus Diving Spots:
- Zenobia, Larnaca
- Consdandis, Limassol
- Lady Thetis, Limassol
- Manajin Island, Paphos
- Green Bay, Protaras
- The Caves, Ayia Napa
- Devils Head, Akamas
- Orphurus, Paphos
- Cape Greco National Park, Protaras
- White River, Akamas
Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?
The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing
Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.
Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies.
Looking for a place to stay in Cyprus? Check out these options:
If you want the perfect family-friendly villa to stay at while in Cyprus, look no further than Villa Sophia Pervolia. It’s our current family home when we are in Cyprus (about 3-6 months of the year). When we aren’t there, we rent it out. Check it out on Airbnb and book through there, or send me an email inquiry and book it directly to save €€€.
Budget
Unique Stonehouse Traditional Villa in Ayia Anna
Mid-Range
Luxury
Cyprus Travel Guide Planning
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance. I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise, Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight-searching platforms.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Israel?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options available!
🚗 Where can I book rental cars or private transportation?
I strongly recommend using RentalCars. They are available in more than 60.000 locations and customer service support in more than 40 languages.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using either Airhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia. They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
Cyprus Scuba Diving: Final Thoughts
Cyprus scuba diving is world-class, with countless options regarding location, difficulty, and training courses.
Regardless of your experience level, Cyprus offers something for everyone. Diving is available year-round, although it’s chillier in winter from November to March. However, it’s nothing a wetsuit can’t fix!
The types of dive sites are endless, with reefs, drop-offs, caves, wrecks, and ancient ruins. Many established Cyprus diving centers can guide you, and plenty of local hotels and accommodations are available for all budgets. Scuba diving in Cyprus is a fun holiday and exciting adventure you’ll never forget. I hope this article helps you feel informed about the best scuba diving Cyprus spots.
Happy diving!
