Kyrenia, located on the northern edge of Cyprus, is a beautifully scenic place with a rich history and many stories to tell. While it’s not a place many scuba divers know much about, it’s one that’s well worth visiting, both for its wrecks and for its scenic dive sites, which include amazing geology and quite an interesting assortment of marine life. Ready to enjoy clear water and incredible views? Let’s take a quick peek at just a few of Kyrenia’s best dive sites.
Antique Shop
With a name like “Antique Shop,” you know that this site has to be a great one! This large cove must have served as an anchoring point for the many ships that traversed the area in ancient times; just like their modern counterparts, the sailors onboard these vessels had a habit of flinging unwanted items overboard and losing other items. There are loads of broken amphorae here; one can just imagine how the wine, almonds, and olive oil they once contained must have delighted those who consumed them so long ago. Maximum depth in this sheltered cove is 25 meters, and visibility is usually 20 meters or better. A resident grouper and lots of soldier fish have taken on the task of guarding the site; as they would tell you if they could speak, removing anything is prohibited.
Chicken Farm
A series of cracks, holes, and crevices in this beautiful reef make it the perfect site for encountering marine life. Vast and multi-level, Chicken Farm begins in shallow water and makes its way all the way to a depth of 40 meters. You’ll enjoy visibility of 30 meters or better here on some days, and the sight of so many soldier fish, octopus, moray eels, and big groupers is sure to be exciting.
Paradise
As the site’s name implies, Paradise is a fantastic place you’ll want to visit more than once. This beautiful reef offers depths all the way to 42 meters, and boasts visibility that routinely exceeds 20 meters. While you’re exploring, keep an eye out for turtles, moray eels and other large creatures as well as the many small animals that inhabit the colorful sponges and coral that cover this site.
Zephyros I, II, and III
A large reef where you’ll find a massive anchor stuck between rocks, Zephyros features a beautiful sponge-covered wall and a drop off that makes its way from 18 meters to 30 meters. A nearby site, Zephyros II, offers maximum depth at 38 meters, while yet another site, Zephyros III, features maximum depth at just 18 meters, and is suitable for novices. You’ll find lots of little fish here, along with the occasional grouper, moray eel, or sea turtle. Washed by light currents that keep things looking fresh, this trio of sites boasts visibility at 20 meters.
Kyrenia is a place non-divers will enjoy just as much as you do, particularly if you’ve got history buffs in your group. The area has been a popular city since the Trojan War era, and it has been inhabited by humans since at least the Neolithic era. Museums, castles, and magnificent outdoor spaces make this region one you may never want to leave. Pack your camera, grab your friends, and come to Cyprus. The diving is spectacular, and so is the hospitality.