Cyprus is a genuine scuba diving paradise suitable for both beginners and experienced divers, beneath the stunning sea waves that surround the island.

Scuba diving is swimming underwater using SCUBA – SelfContainedUnderwaterBreathingApparatus. Using a cylinder of compressed gas to breathe (usually air, but sometimes other gases), scuba divers can stay underwater much longer than would be possible by just holding their breath – for hours or even days!

Stingrays, morays, reefs and the odd octopus or two are just some of the underwater delights unveiled only meters below the surface. There are caves, tunnels and shipwrecks too – the Zenobia, (near the Larnaca harbour) which sunk in 1980, being one of the top dive attractions in the world today.  The novice or experienced diver can explore high cliffs and deep underwater valleys, filled with coral, sponges and fish.

If you’ve never strapped on a dive tank before or if you’d like to experience the excitement of snorkeling for the first time, Cyprus is the place to learn. All around the island you’ll find dive centers from where dives of between 5 and 30 meters can be arranged. Shallow sandy bays down to six or seven meters are perfect for beginners, while qualified divers can enjoy challenging dives that take them through underwater tunnels, into caves and holes, and beneath overhangs.

Cyprus offers divers and snorkelers a stunning array of aquatic life to appreciate. Nothing on Earth can prepare you for the excitement of swimming with countless colored fish in the sparkling clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

The main diving areas in south Cyprus are at the major resorts of Ayia Napa, Limassol, Larnaka and Paphos.

Some Popular Dive Sites in Cyprus

Site	Description	Depth	Area
Achilleas	This wreck is located just a few hundred metres offshore. Achilleas Greek vessel mysteriously exploded in 1975 and lies upside down on the sea bed.	12 meters	Paphos
Akrotiri Fish Reserve	A very shallow dive suitable for all divers. Hand-feed groupers, moray eels, bream, bass and many Octopuses to be found.	9 meters	Limassol
Amphitheatre	A Dive-In amongst some amazing rock formations. Many forms of aquatic life inhabit the various sink holes and overhangs. Watch the waves crash above you offering a fantastic light show. Swim along a 8m wall and explore the various overhangs this site has to offer. Look out for octopus, moray eel’s, and grouper and trumpet fish.	12 meters	Paphos
Amphorae Reef	In the shadow of a large coastal vessel beached high and dry on the reef, you can observe the pottery deposited by many ships suffering the same fate from ages past. A swim-through and abundant coral punctuate this interesting reef.	5-10 meters	zenkris
Archways and Pinnacles	A large archway with four pinnacles situated on every major compass point. An abundance of marine and fish life to be found all over the area. Good Navigation site.	21 meters	Limassol
Big Country	A great multi-level site with many caves, overhangs and very large boulders, some more than 12 metres high. Grouper, morays, octopus and large shoals of damsel fish are found here.	23 meters	Limassol
Canyon	This is what diving is all about. Arriving at an amazingly desolate looking location we climb down the cliff face to a small vent into the cliffs. Descending here we can follow the cliff face left or right or even go straight out to a rarely dived reef. Great fun.	25 meters	Larnaca
Church Bay	A fantastic and varied dive site, full if swim throughs and beautiful formations, with canyons, gullies and over hangs. Plenty of marine life including damsel fish, cleaver wrasse, trumpet fish and a few resident grouper. Enter from the shore to a mainly sandy bottom with a large cavern to explore on the far side of the bay.	5 meters	Paphos
Chapel	Walking inside a cave and then stepping off a ledge makes this a fun site. The exit can sometimes be a little hairy but a great multi-level site with many different species to see.	25 meters	Larnaca
Copper Wreck	This British Man O’ War with a copper-bottomed hull foundered on the reef on the western tip of Akrotiri Peninsula. Not much remains from the original wreck although you regularly retrieve the copper and brass pins and nails embedded in bits of the hull. Caves, archway and many species of fish.	9 meters	Limassol
Cyclops Cave	There are no monsters on this dive just beautiful marine life. Cyclops Cave is above sea level so can be explored by all. The view from above the cave is breathtaking and is the heart of a nature reserve. Once under the water you can explore the shelf at 6mtrs looking for fossils before dropping over edge to a wall where Moray and Octopus can be found.	15-25 meters	Larnaca
Devil’s Head	Dive-Into and around these stunning underwater craters and admire the many soft corals. As you swim around the island you will surf-exit through the pass way! This site is off the north coast of Paphos in the designated area of Akamas. A remarkable area of caves and interconnecting tunnels in which, if you are lucky, you might spot green and leatherback turtles during turtle season.	8-20 meters	Paphos
Green Bay	A fun site to dive. The whole area is littered with the remains of ancient Amphora (old pots) from just as ancient shipwrecks. The wooden ships are long gone but the Amphora remain.	12 meters	Larnaca
HMS Cricket	The wreck of a WW2 Gunboat which survived the war and was subsequently bombed by the RAF in 1947 close to Larnaca bay. Like many warships, HMS Cricket lies upside down and can be penetrated and swum under as the currents have created a sandy dip beneath her.	33 meters	Larnaca
M.V. Habe Wreck	A very good training wreck for beginners. This 1000 tonne barge is semi-submerged against Limassol’s harbour wall. Although quite broken up it still makes for an interesting poke around dive.	9 meters	Limassol
M/Y Diana	This 50′ Russian-owned yacht foundered back in 1996 and settled upright on the seabed. An interesting site used often for Advanced Course Wreck & Night Dives. Large squid and shoals of fish make this a great photography site.	21 meters	Limassol
Manajin Island	An island small enough to swim around yet offering archways, swim throughs and a blow hole. An interesting multi-level site.	6-22 meters	Paphos
Mushroom Rocks	This is a deep dive where there are curious rock formations in the shape of huge mushroom heads. Very large fish have been seen here. Only for serious divers due to the depths involved.	50 meters	Larnaca
Octopus Reef	As the name suggests, if you want to see octopuses, this is the place to come. We spend approximately 50 minutes swimming around this excellent shallow site spotting schools of octopus, barracuda, jacks and the many smaller fish that live in the huge clumps of Poseidonia seaweed to be found in this area. We have also dived with dolphins and huge sea turtles at this site.	10 meters	Larnaca
Pharses II Wreck	An open deck cargo ship of less than 1000 tons lying on its starboard side and intact. An abundance of marine life can be observed here. The ship can be entered, but only under strict supervision.	21 meters	Limassol
Sharks Cove	Don’t panic…it used to be called Fisherman’s Cove and sharks, unfortunately, have never been sighted here. A spectacular cove on the Aktrotiri Peninsula. A submerged tunnel starts and ends dive, and in between, you glide along the cliff face before circling back over a rocky reef bottom.	12 meters	Limassol
Sheep Dip	A wonderful site with many rock gardens and soft coral formations. The fish life is abundant and octopuses can be seen swimming freely here. Depths vary from the shore walk in.	16 meters	Larnaca
Slipway	An interesting passageway, leading to swim-throughs and caves.	5-30 meters	Paphos
St George’s Island	Descend down the side of the island and explore the many caves and overhangs littered around this fascinating island.	35 meters	Paphos
The Channel	Enter through a sheltered channel and then drop down a swim-through. Numerous forms of marine life are to be found inhabiting the varied and interesting rock formations.	14 meters	Paphos
The wreck of Vera K	The ship ran aground in the 70s and was used as a military practice target before coming to rest in shallow waters. Very close by are two large archways that provide perfect back-drops for the enthusiastic underwater photographer.	10 meters	Paphos
Three Stars Ship	This vessel caught fire and ran aground in 1972. It is partly submerged and very safe to enter in several parts. An interesting dive for all levels.	7 meters	Limassol
Tombs	Very close to the shore there is a series of apparently man-made caves which resemble ancient tombs. Very scenic with prolific marine life.	12 meters	Limassol
Tunnels and Caves	You can start the dive by lowering yourself into a blowhole and submerging into a cave where at 5 metres you exit. Many swim-through sections and a great tunnel about 40 metres long. Light zone throughout means we can all have a peek.	10 meters	Larnaca
Twin Rocks	Two large rocks protruding out of the water, with a blow hole to be found on the eastern rock. Caves and a lot of interesting marine life are in the surrounding area.	21 meters	Limassol
White River	On the edge of the Akamas Peninsular, a variety of gullies and swim-throughs produce some interesting diving while observing the many local inhabitants.	14 meters	Paphos
Zenobia Ferry	Undoubtedly the best dive in the Mediterranean and one of the top ten wreck dives in the world! The ZENOBIA dive starts at 17 metres and bottoms at 43 metres. It is completely intact and nearly 200 metres long. 108 articulated vehicles still have their original cargo on board. Large schools of amberjack, conger eels, grouper and barracuda, along with many other species including large tuna, choose to make this ship their home. This dive is ideal for Open Water Divers to experience a magnificent dive and also for more Advanced & Technical Divers who want to explore the many entrances to the three vehicle decks / engine room etc. NITROX available.	17-43 meters	Larnaca

Recommended Gear List

1. Mask, Fins & Snorkle
2. Buoyancy Compensator Vest
3. Regulator & Octopus
4. Depth Gauge, Tank-Pressure Gauge, Underwater Timer & Compass
5. Wetsuit
6. Underwater Light & Backup Light
7. Diving Knife
8. Dive Logbook
9. The Tropical Ten Essentials
10. First-Aid & Health Kit
11. Octopus Keeper
12. Two Medium-Sized Padlocks