Officially known as the Sovereign Base areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, this lovely piece of paradise is a British Overseas Territory located on the island of Cyprus. The area of Dhekelia covers a little less than three percent of Cyprus’ land mass and is located on the southeast portion of the island, near the city of Larnaca. Here, we’ll take a closer look at a handful of the best dive sites the area has to offer.
HMS Cricket Wreck
A Royal Navy Insect Class gunboat launched in 1915, the HMS Cricket took part in the Meopotamian Campaign during the First World War. During the Second World War, HMS Cricket served in China until 1940, after which she was transferred to the Inshore Squadron, part of the Royal Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet. In 1942, she was mined off Mera Matruh, Egypt. How did HMS Cricket end up off Cyprus? The ship was broken up for spare parts in Alexandria after being declared a total loss, and her hull was towed to the location it lies at now, where the Royal Air Force used it as a target for bombing practice.
Today, the twisted remains of the HMS Cricket lie at a depth of 27 meters. Wreathed in coral and sponge, and teeming with marine life including plenty of colorful fish, the occasional moray eel, and even a few large groupers, this wreck is now serving out a final mission as an artificial reef and a haven for scuba divers.
Ormidia Port
Located at the south end of the Ormidia fishing boat shelter, Ormidia Port is an excellent site for all divers, and it’s ideal for night diving as well as for daytime exploration. The site features maximum depth at just 16 meters; you’ll find lovely poseidons and sponges among the massive boulders that litter the bottom here, and it’s not uncommon to encounter sea turtles, octopus, and parrotfish in the area.
Red Cliffs
A quite, remote area, the Red Cliffs dive site is vast and pristine. The area is large enough to ensure you can conduct several dives here without really encountering the same scenery more than once. The rocky walls begin at the surface and eventually plummet down to meet the boulder-strewn seabed at a depth of 40 meters. There are a number of small caves to explore here, along with some sandy-floored canyons where octopus, and groupers can be encountered. Keep an eye out for cuttlefish, squid, schooling jacks, and sea turtles here, as well.
Pirates’ Caves
A complex of sea caves that were once used by smugglers and pirates, the Pirates’ Caves dive site is completely different from anything you may have ever experienced. Upon entry, you’ll descend to a depth of four meters, after which you’ll swim through a tunnel that leads to another cavern with a large open space and an underground beach. You can climb up out of the water, remove your fins, and spend some time walking amongst vast stalactites and stalagmites before re-entering the water, swimming out of the cave, and exploring the reef beyond. Here, dappled sunlight plays in clear blue water, colorful fish and other marine life are abundant, and maximum depth is 14 meters. A fantastic and wonderfully adventurous dive site!
Cyprus offers an abundance of topside attractions as well as quite a few well-equipped dive operators that offer trips to the Dhekelia area. Whether you’re traveling with a group that includes divers only, or with companions who don’t dive, you’ll find this area offers a little something for everyone. Soak up the sun, enjoy the beautiful beaches, and explore some unique dive sites; this secret Mediterranean destination has it all!