Anyone looking for property in Cyprus tends to ask about daily life by the sea: where to dive, where to kite, and how far it is from the preferred location. This overview sums up what is publicly documented for South and North Cyprus.
South Cyprus: diving
- According to the dive portal DiveSSI, diving in Cyprus is possible all year. Air and water are warmest in July and August; May, June, September and October are shoulder months.
- Water temperature: about 22 degrees on average, around 17 in winter and up to 27 in August (source: DiveSSI).
- Named dive areas: Paphos (Amphora Caves), Protaras (Green Bay), Limassol (the Lady Thetis and Constandis wrecks, Jubilee Shoals) and Akamas (Devil’s Head with caves and rock formations).
- The wreck of MS Zenobia, a Swedish ferry that sank in 1980, lies on its side at about 42 metres, the top at about 16 metres. According to the source it suits experienced divers.
South Cyprus: kitesurfing
- kiprinform gives April to October as the season. Wind is the main requirement; beaches are busier in summer.
- Named spots: Ladies’ Mile in Limassol (sandy beach with a wide shallow zone, described as suitable for beginners), the beach near Larnaca airport, the beach near the Helios hotel in Paphos (for more experienced kiters) and Paramali bay between Limassol and Paphos (rocks at the beach, skill required).
- Kite schools are named in Limassol, near Larnaca and in Paphos (see source).
North Cyprus: diving
- According to visitncy.com, Kyrenia (Girne) is the centre with most dive schools, with more than twenty dive sites near the harbour. Dive safaris go to the Karpaz region.
- Named are ship and plane wrecks, caves and reefs, including the Kyrenia shipwreck. Visibility is stated as over 30 metres in places.
- Season according to the source: May to October.
North Cyprus: kitesurfing
- According to cyprus-faq.com the island has over 200 windy days a year. The north coast has steady sea breezes in many places; the east coast (Iskele) has fewer windy days but is more comfortable for beginners, according to the source.
- Named are the Aphrodite Kite Club (at Aphrodite Beachfront Resort), Heaven Surfhouse at Yedidalga beach and a kite school at a dive centre in the Salamis area (Iskele).
- IKSurfMag’s guide to the Aphrodite Resort area names April, May, September and October as the windiest months. Wind usually builds from late morning and can reach about 20 knots within half an hour.
- Aphrodite Resort Beach is described as unsuitable for beginners because of a reef at the start; Caretta Beach has shallow, waist-deep water.
What this means for your property search
- South and North Cyprus differ in their water sports offer and in much more; we treat them separately.
- Note the distance to the beach, dive base and kite school, not just the place name.
- Check wind side and season for the specific location, ideally during a stay at your preferred time.
- Think about where to store equipment.
Frequently asked questions
Can you dive in Cyprus all year?
According to DiveSSI, yes. Water temperature averages about 22 degrees, around 17 in winter and up to 27 in August.
Which dive sites are named in South Cyprus?
Paphos (Amphora Caves), Protaras (Green Bay), Limassol (the Lady Thetis and Constandis wrecks, Jubilee Shoals) and Akamas (Devil’s Head). The wreck of MS Zenobia lies on its side at about 42 metres, the top at about 16 metres, and according to the source it suits experienced divers.
When is the kitesurfing season in South Cyprus?
kiprinform gives April to October. According to the source, Ladies’ Mile in Limassol has a wide shallow zone and is suitable for beginners.
What about water sports in North Cyprus?
According to visitncy.com, Kyrenia (Girne) is the centre with most dive schools, with more than twenty dive sites near the harbour; season May to October. For kitesurfing, cyprus-faq.com gives over 200 windy days a year; the IKSurfMag guide to the Aphrodite Resort area names April, May, September and October as the windiest months. The east coast (Iskele) has fewer windy days but is more comfortable for beginners.
Further reading
- Property in Cyprus
- Diving and kitesurfing on the Red Sea
- Water sports in Montenegro
- Deutsche Version
Contact
Questions? Liaison Property advises on property in Cyprus: WhatsApp +20 111 150 4499, [email protected] or via the consultancy page.
Sources: DiveSSI (diving in Cyprus), kiprinform.com (kitesurfing in South Cyprus), visitncy.com (diving in North Cyprus), cyprus-faq.com (kitesurfing in North Cyprus)., iksurfmag.com