Author: Christos

Pyla Pirate Caves

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The stunning underwater caves and caverns of this site are as beautiful as they are unique. As the only place on the island where you can dive in a cave and surface inside a mountain, the experience is further enriched by stalactites and a dazzling range of different blue hues throughout.
 
All three caves at the site can be entered with a single dive. And although the marine life here is not as prolific as at the reefs of Larnaka, it is certainly special; the caves are one of the few places on the island where you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the shy Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).

An array of different coloured crabs also dwell here, as well assmall spotted cleaning shrimp. In the upper cave – where divers resurface – bats hang from the ceiling, amidst the minimal light that streams in through the crevices.

Location: Xylofagou,Larnaka
GPS Coordinates: 34° 56’38.83″N 33° 51’16.57″E
Type of Dive Site: Caves & Caverns
Depth: 5 metres
Visibility: 20 metres
Access: By boat
Qualification Required: Open Water / Boat Diver
Dive Category:Recreational Diving

Alexandria Shipwreck

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The Alexandria is an Egyptian wooden fishing boat that sank in 2006; one of the few wooden shipwrecks on the island.

The vessel sank perfectly onto the seabed where she continues to sit – just 200 metres from the world-famous Zenobia wreck – attracting shoals to the overgrowth that now embraces her. Turtles sometimes visit the reef and there have even been dolphin sightings.
Among the schools of fish that flourish at the wreck are barracuda, big grouper, jacks, kingfish, parrotfish and tuna. Brightly coloured sea slugs (flambelina and nudibranch) also favour the old wooden vessel.

The wreck’s depth and its small swim throughs make it suitable for technical diving, with the use of nitrox advised.

Location:Xylofagou, Larnaka Bay
Coordinates: 34° 53.49 N 33° 39.27E
Type of Dive Site: Wreck
Depth: 30 metres
Visibility: 20+ metres
Dimensions: 30 metres long / 9 metres wide
Access: By boat
Qualification Required: Advanced Open Water/ Boat Diver
Dive Category:Recreational and Technical Diving

Alexandria (dive_route) by visitcyprus on Sketchfab

For the Alexandria shipwreck dive route click here

LEF1 Shipwreck

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The LEF1 vessel (built in 1955) is one of two wrecks that were submerged in the Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Larnaka in 2019 to create the region’s first artificial reef (alongside the MV Elpida). It is also the island’s first artificial snorkelling reef.

Stretching parallel to the shore, the vessel is the ideal option for non-experienced divers and snorkellers. It is also great for underwater photography and a fish identification speciality course. The interior of the small boat is accessible to divers, making it a suitable practise site in lieu of deeper wreck dives.
A unique array of marine life of different sizes has rapidly taken to the reef and is further encouraged by the addition of eco-friendly amphorae in the MPA, including: amberjack, colourful wrasse, damselfish, gobbids, grey triggerfish, grouper, lionfish, marbled spinefoot rabbitfish, parrotfish, spraids and yellowspotted pufferfish.

Tour the dive virtually here.

Location:Voroklini, Larnaka
GPS Coordinates:34° 57’8.23″N 33° 40’8.50″E
Type of Dive Site:Wreck & Reef
Depth:13 metres
Visibility:15-25
Dimensions:15.5 metres long / 4 metres wide
Access:By boat
Qualification Required: Open Waters
Dive Category: Recreational Diving

Elpida Shipwreck

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The MV Elpida is one of two wrecks that were submerged in the Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Larnaka in 2019 to create the region’s first artificial reef (alongside the LEF1).

Constructed in Germany in 1965, the Elpida was used as an active cargo vessel in Greece until she was sent to Cyprus specifically to be repurposed as an artificial reef.

The vessel quickly attracted diverse marine life, which continues to grow and thrive thanks to eco-friendly amphorae that have been added to the MPA to further encourage marine diversity. Divers can admire (among other species): amberjack, blue-spotted cornetfish, cardinalfish, damselfish, grouper, long-spined urchin, octopi, parrotfish, pearl oyster, squirrelfish, thorny oyster and yellowspotted pufferfish. Dolphins have also been sighted at the reef.

The wreck is suitable for two dives in a day thanks to her size and provides an ideal introduction into wreck diving with long bottom times. The cargo containers and all decks are fully accessible to divers; the main deck starts at 20 metres, whilst the masts start at 10 metres. Divers can also access the large container area of the ship, the engine room, and the bridge. There are several decks suitable for confined diving and wreck penetration – with a torch advisable to explore and fully enjoy the darker crevices.

 

Tour the dive virtually here.

Dive Specs
Location:Voroklini, Larnaka
GPS Coordinates:34° 57’06.3″N 33° 41’05.6″E
Type of Dive Site:Wreck
Depth:30 metres
Visibility: 15-25 metres
Dimensions:63 metres long / 10 metres wide
Access:By boat (2km from the shore)
Qualification Required:Advanced Open Water / Advanced Diver
Dive Category: Recreational and Technical Diving

Elpida (diving_routes) by visitcyprus on Sketchfab

For the Elpida Shipwreck Diving Route click here

Octopus

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This beautiful reef is named from its many channels that resemble octopus tentacles when viewed from above, rather than the sea creature, which is also abundant at the site.

The reef is equally enjoyablefor both beginners and advanced divers, and is also suitable for honing diving skills, including mapping, night diving, navigation and deep diving.

The dive is picturesque, with white sand, some Posidoniaseagrass andsmall rockswhere small fish, sea cucumbers and abundantsea anemones dwell.

Other marine life includes grouper, nudibranch, lionfish, moray eels, sea urchins, and of course the many octopi. Turtles can also be spotted.

 

Location: Protaras, Ammochostos
GPS Coordinates: 34°59’27.77″N 34° 4’30.12″E
Type of Dive Site: Rocky
Depth: 15 metres
Visibility: 20+ metres
Access: Shore (rocky entrance)
Qualification Required: Open Water
Dive Category:Recreational Diving

 


Octopus_site by visitcyprus on Sketchfab

For the Octopus diving route click here

Antennas

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Taking its name from the four large antennas at the spot of the dive, finding this site in the Cape Gkreko area is as easy as the dive itself.

The site offers interest with its combination of cave and reef, whilst its rocky bottom makes it rich in microorganisms.

It is popular for navigation and other diving skill honing, whilst for the more adventurous diver, a night dive is simply a must-experience.

Location:Protaras, Ammochostos
GPS Coordinates:34° 57’44.79″N 34° 4’49.41″E
Type of Dive Site:Rocky bottom with small caverns
Depth:16 metres
Visibility:20+ metres
Access:Rocky Entrance (2-3 metres drop-off)
Qualification Required: Open Water
Dive Category: Recreational Diving

Caves

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Part of the Cape Gkreko network of dive sites, Caves is characterised by natural stone formations and is favoured by new divers seeking an interesting and exciting underwater landscape.

There are two entry points; one with 1.5 metre drop-off and one with a three-metre drop-off. Divers can exit from the entry point, or the more daring can opt for the hole at the top of the cave.

The mesmerising array of geology to explore includes impressive lava rock and a rock that resembles the shape of Cyprus. The numerous through and through caves and the tunnels are peppered with coloured stones that glisten in the crystal-clear seawaters.
The small rocks and crevices are teeming with marine life, including bearded fireworms, bream, grouper, moray eels, ornate wrasse, octopi and turtles.

Location:Cape Gkreko, Protaras, Ammochostos
GPS Coordinates:34° 57’48.86″N 34° 4’23.33″E
Type of Dive Site:Flat, Sandy, (through and through caverns)
Depth:12 metres
Visibility:20+ metres
Access:1) 1.5 metre drop-off, 2) 3 metre drop-off
Qualification Required: Open Water
Dive Category: Recreational Diving

 

Caves by visitcyprus on Sketchfab

Da Costa

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This lovely, tranquil dive is situated in a protected area and is perfect for introductory dives, easing beginners in with a walk-in entry; a mostly flat and sandy surface; a lack of waves, and small, unassuming marine creatures.

Turtles are frequently sighted – at just 2-4 metres into the dive. Diving a little deeper, the series of submerged statues – including a mermaid, a lion and a dwarf – are also handy tools for beginners to practise their buoyancy.

The sandy bottom of Posidonia seagrass offers the perfect environment for cuttlefish to lay their eggs whilst the parents swim protectively around their future offspring. Barracuda and seahorses can also be spotted.

 

Location: Protaras, Ammochostos
GPS Coordinates:35° 0’24.58″N 34° 3’44.63″E
Type of Site:Shore Dive
Depth:11 metres
Visibility:15+ metres
Access:Shore (walk-in)
Qualification Required: Open Water
Dive Category:Recreational Diving

 

Da Costa by visitcyprus on Sketchfab

For the Da Costa diving route click here

Green Bay Cave

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Green Bay Cave is a series of majestic through and through caves and caverns located close to the Green Bay diving site.

This easy dive is known for its spectacular marine life and is home to a large variety of fish, corals and colourful sea flora. Cave dwellers include lionfish, moray eels and turtles, amidst more commonly sighted species such as barracuda, bream, damselfish, rainbow wrasses and zebra breams.

The site is also great for scooter diving.

Location:Cape Gkreko – Protaras, Ammochostos
GPS Coordinates:34° 59’57.28″N 34° 4’11.37″E 
Type of Dive Site:Rocky bottom, small caverns (through and through), also suitable for scooter diving
Depth:17 metres
Visibility:20+ metres
Access:Shore
Qualification Required: Open Water
Dive Category: Recreational Diving

Liberty Shipwreck

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The Liberty wreck was sunk in the Protaras Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 2009 to create an artificial reef, later joined by the Nemesis III wreck that was sunk in 2013.

The wreck – formerly a Russian cargo ship – sits upright, just 90 metres from the Nemesis III, which makes it ideal for scooter diving. This is made all-the-more interesting thanks to a two-metre cross that was submerged there by famous Russian explorer Feodor Konyukhov and added to with a statue of the Mother of God later by a Russian dive school.

The site is safe and ideal for basic wreck diving and rewards the diver with abundant marine life, including bright anemone on the deck. A torch is recommended to fully appreciate the dazzling colours. Other marine life includes bream, groupers, lionfish, moray eels, sea slugs, squid and tube worms.

 

Location: Protaras, Ammochostos
GPS Coordinates: 35° 2’59.47″N 34° 2’11.76″E
Type of Dive Site: Wreck (also suitable for scooter diving)
Depth: 27 metres
Visibility: 20+ metres
Dimensions: 37 metres long / 10 metres wide
Access: By boat
Qualification Required: Advanced Open Water / Boat Diver
Dive Category: Recreational Diving

 

Liberty Shipwreck by visitcyprus on Sketchfab

For the Liberty diving route click here