Dive Sites

Experienced Divers and Dive Sites

Given the geographic Position of Cyprus it is easy to see that the diving here is different than anywhere in the Mediterranean. The diving season here in Cyprus starts around Easter and lasts until New Year, whereby the weather in the spring is more for the experienced diver with adequate experience of waves and stormy weather. Please do note as well that the earlier in the year you come the more likely you are to encounter bad weather. For new divers and beginners mid summer is the best time to dive. For more info about weather and diving conditions please check in the Q&A section.

Extraordinary wild life

The proximity to the Suez Canal supplies us with extraordinary wild life, and given the geological history of Cyprus with all the high peaks and sheer cliff faces that carry on under water, the fabulous visibility that the Eastern Med is famous for and the longest diving season in the Med the area makes for perfect diving. On the other hand there is the extreme exposed position of the Panhandle that a lot of the time only allows for experienced divers who don’t have a tendency to get seasick easily to really enjoy this experience. Most of the dives are between 30 to 40 meters deep, although naturally we have dives for the afternoons to fizz out on. There can be strong currents big waves and since there is no chance to leave permanent shot lines a good level of experience is required by the diver. Even in quite bad weather, or with only moderate experience we can always get you diving, as we have some sites very close to the base in Yeni Erenköy where only short trips with the RIB are required.

Boat wrecks, an airplane cockpit and antique anchors

Obviously the colourful history of Cyprus continues under water too... Boat wrecks, an airplane cockpit, antique anchors, amphorae and even the ruins of salamis and other antique monuments that have been re-claimed by the sea.

In YeniErenköy we have 14 Dive sites from very shallow to up to 50 meters.
Some of them are:

The Great Canyon (1)

After about a 15 min RIB ride we reach a reef interrupted by a sandy canyon bringing you back up to 15 m and reaching on the south side of the canyon down to 40 metres and on the north side down to 50 metres. This site has good to excellent fish life and a good chance to see turtles. With amazing sponges and corals it has become one of the favourite dive sites of our divers.

The Lighthouse reef (2)

This reef right outside the bay with a travel time of 5 min. offers 3 different dives On the North Wall there are sheer drops of about 20 meters. From 18 on top to 38 meters at the bottom being strewn with amphora pieces and one amazing intact amphora estimated to be 500 to 300 BC. On the Mid Wall the drop off is more gradual with many pieces of amphora. A big antique anchor is the finishing point. This is the local hang out for the big groupers. The newest addition to this wall is a dive along the drop off to the south with interesting Amphora, very photogenic groupers and a good chance to see Triggerfish.

The Lighthouse Bay (3)

This much protected location inside the Bay offers a small Wall going from 16 meters up to 5 meter some sand and sea grass and again a lot of amphora on the safety stop at 5 meters. A bit further in the same bay on long stretches of see grass and sand ended by very tall boulders there is a great chance to see Turtles grazing.

Sultan

About 10 min drive from our beach. A great dive for the afternoon starting out at 15 meters over sea grass going down to 21 meters over a rocky outcrop with a very lively family of various grouper species and a near promise of nudibranch.

Sultans reef

Same reef as above but starting out over the deep part at around 40 meters over rock in sandy patches with some huge pieces of amphora. Nice Finger sponges and some coral finishing at the above mentioned grouper home leading up to 15 meters.

Other sites are the Tobacco Factory, the Long Wall East, The Long Wall West, The Old Harbour, St.Theresa Reef , Church Reef, Night-Dive-Point and Antenna Plateau. YeniErenköy can be dived in most weathers. Right at the end of the Panhandle we have 13 Sites, again only to mention some of them.

St.Andreas Wall (4)

This wall stretches out over approx. 2 km. From 45/28 metres at the bottom to 25/16 meters on the top. On the deepest part of the wall we have had a few Dolphin encounters but even if they decide not to show there is always the big Swim Through, the huge Black Sponges and the big Groupers and Morays to keep you excited. On the middle part there is a very Steep Wall where Spanish Lobsters like to sit. You may also see huge Stingrays resting in the wall or in the sand in front of it and a veritable bunching of Groupers. On the shallow part of the wall you can still find groupers and small rays together with 2 Old Anchors and some impressive amphora pieces.

The Karpaz Wreck (5)

This is great Wreck dive in max depth of only 16 meters that can take a leisurely 1 hour or can be over in 10 min flat depending on the current. Therefore if there is little or no current it is a perfect dive even for less experienced divers. The Main part of the wreck is the stern hull, including the Prop which lies on its side and rises up to 8 meters, next to it lies the wheelhouse then you can follow along the debris field to the huge engine block 3 by 5 meters passing some impressive pieces of decking across ladders and planks to the second anchor on 5 meters. Karpaz Cave A decent size cave at max 28 meters that is easily 5 meters wide 15 meters deep and approximately 10 meters high. Full of pretty coral sponges, soldier fish and Lobster followed by a steep wall set against the sandy bottom and then back on top of the wall to the top of the cave, where you will still be able to see the last of our bubbles finding a way to escape to the surface.

The Karpaz Cave (6)

A decent size cave at max 28 metres that is easily 5 metres wide 15 metres deep and approximately 10 metres high. Full of pretty coral sponges, soldier fish and Lobster followed by a steep wall set against the sandy bottom and then back on top of the wall to the top of the cave, where you will still be able to see the last of our bubbles finding a way to escape to the surface.

The Secret Rock (7)

For Photographers this will probably be the favourite site. The possibilities that the Arch, at 23 m at the top offers are unlimited Stunning photos can be achieve with the contrast of Arch, light and the deep blue. Bellow at 50 meters. The cave under the arch, the school of Yellow Fin Tuna and the 3 meter tall anchor hanging next to another small cave at 28m won’t disappoint you. Stunning.

The Arch (8)

For Photographers this will probably be the favourite site. The possibilities that the Arch, at 23 m at the top offers are unlimited Stunning photos can be achieve with the contrast of Arch, light and the deep blue. Bellow at 50 metres. The cave under the arch, the school of Yellow Fin Tuna and the 3 metre tall anchor hanging next to another small cave at 28m won’t dissapoint you. Stunning.

Shrimp cave

When the water is cool enough for the shrimp at 36 meters it is most amazing. The moving walls of the cave, all covered top to bottom with small shrimp. On the way up past big cracks in the rocks you have plenty of chance to snoop about for Morays and Groupers as well a good chance of schools of fish depending on the season and ending up at a small step at 17 meters where you can enjoy one last gaze over the deep blue

Amphora Graveyard

If you are into Archaeology you will be thrilled with this dive. Situated on the side of a small Island dozens of ships must have been wrecked. A minimum of 4 metal anchors and over half a dozen of massive stone anchors, there are also huge terracotta pots which where used to breed Moray Eel in the olden days, and layer upon layer of broken amphora reaching a thickness of up to 40 cm.

Other sites at the Tip are Amphora Cove, Wreck Bay, Karpaz Wall, Lighthouse Harbour, Amphora Wall and Grouper Point. Sometimes we go a little further to the 4 Caves and the Aphendrika Reef. As we are diving from remote to extremely remote areas a pre-booking is advisable. The base in Yeni Erenköy should be occupied all through the season and at the tip we will be present as required. However to be absolutely on the safe side especially in off season please get in touch by e-mail or phone, so ensure we can provide you with the best possible service.