Akamas Dive Sites
Come with us on an underwater world of discovery. The Akamas Peninsula has some of the most amazing dive sites in Cyprus. In fact, people travel here from all around Cyprus and Europe to enjoy diving in the pristine waters that surround this nature reserve. Whether you are diving for the first time, or are and experienced diver. You'll marvel at the clear water at all these fabulous dive sites!
St. George's Island
This is the Number One dive site on the Akamas Peninsular and it is, without doubt, one of the best dives in Cyprus. The west wall of St. George's island, is by far the most popular with a natural rock wall starting at 10m dropping to around 34m before sloping-off to deeper depths. Just before you come to the rock wall there are some gravel beds, look carefully and you might find an Octopus or two, hiding away in the shadows. You then come to a large rock with a big black sea sponge this can be used as a good reference point. You continue along the rock wall marvelling at its beauty and enjoying the abundance of sea life which includes Lionfish, Squirrelfish, Groupers, Amberjack, Peacock worms and Nudibranch molluscs. At the end of the wall depending on your group’s experience, you can carry on north looking at the rock ledge formations. You may be lucky enough to find the odd Moray eel. When it is time to end your dive, head towards the island and the dive boat. At about 8mtr there is a lovely cave which is worth a stop to see Its amazing stalactites.
The east/south side of the island has a shallow start with some beautiful rock formations. At about 10mtr you start descending down a seagrass bank stopping to look at the various sights. For those who are able to proceed deeper, there are some amazing 16th Century stone Anchors to look for at around the 40mtr mark. There are many types of fish from small Wrasse, Cornet/Trumpetfish, Squid, Cuttlefish, Amberjacks and many other species. Near to the normal anchor mark, there are 2 small but colourful swim-throughs, keep an eye out for the Nudibranch molluscs, Octopus and Moray eels hiding in the rocks. Throughout the dive, keep an eye out for lots of broken amphora, and those who can go deeper may be lucky enough to find whole pots on the sandy bottom. The golden rule is to look but do not touch.
Ensure you always keep your eyes open for the Barracuda fish and also “Stumpy” our resident turtle or one of his friends. Loggerhead and Green turtles come to the area every summer to mate and lay their eggs.
St. George's Reef
The Secret Garden
One of the most interesting dive sites and where a diversity of underwater features can be found at St. George's Reef. The first route is by turning right from the dive boat and is a great dive site to practice your natural navigation with a maze of shallow swim-throughs and short canyons.
Head out from the reef south and as you get to about 10/11mtr mark, you should find the upside-down hull of an old yacht half-buried in the sand and has been guarded for the last 12 years by a large Grouper. You should be able to find several soft- and hard-shelled varieties of crab. Heading back towards the dive boat lookout for a shoal of baby Barracuda and lots of large pieces of Ancient amphora fused into the rocks. The second route is by turning left from the dive boat and is largely unexplored. In the maze of rocks and canyons can be found more pieces of the old yacht, old bits of cars and numerous types of fish including a few common Rays.
Both are very colourful dive sites and well worth a visit for photographers and those wanting to practice their navigation just don’t get lost and remember your surface marker and compass.
Amphitheatre Bay
Amphitheatre Bay dive site was originally a Roman stone quarry. In much later years it was handed over to the British Army who used it as a firing range. If you look close enough in the shallows you will still find old, used ammunition!
Another good site for all levels of experience including those wanting to practise their skills. The dive boat will anchor over a large sandy area approximately 7mtr deep. The dive route then leads off out along a small rock ledge until you get to the seagrass, turn left there and you come to the first of three underwater bays each with a mini wall starting at about 9mtr. The depths of the bays are the first to 15m then to 21m and the more experienced divers can continue down to 30m.
The underwater vista changes from bay to bay offering different things to see in each. Moray eels, Octopus and small Rays are often sighted together with Damselfish, Flounder, Sea Stars, Nudibranch Molluscs, Sea Snails and Sea Cucumbers. Coming up from the bays as you make your way back you will find large stone blocks which fell off the transport boats from when being taken from the quarry. Keep an eye out for the Turtles and the Octopus.
Blue Lagoon
The fabulous blue lagoon will make you feel like you are in the Caribbean. Pristine white sandy bottom and crystal clear water! As the name suggests the turquoise water is crystal clear over white fine almost powder sand. With a maximum depth of 7m whichever route you choose. This dive site is great for training dives, or for an easy second/third dive of the day. It has a maximum depth of 7m. However, this makes for a nice long dive around the island in the middle of the blue lagoon. A nice detour is a big cave in the middle of the island around 5m. The usual suspects can be seen here; including octopus, moray eels, damselfish, bream, tuna, many hermit crabs and if you are lucky perhaps even a ray!
Fontana Amorosa
Translated as “the fountain of love” (Fontana Amorosa), this site used to be an old roman port with a freshwater spring nearby. The Romans would come in, get their freshwater and then throw their amphora over the side of the boat as a gift to the gods. The max depth is 15m with a very nice gulley to swim through on the way back. Big groupers can be found hiding in the gulley and stingrays have been spotted in the sandy areas. Many pieces of amphora are still on the seabed today. Remember to look at but not take these relics.
With the max depth of 15m a great dive for divers of all levels. It has some very nice rock formations which are home to Morays, Lion Fish, Shrimp, Crabs and Cuttlefish. When it is time to return to the dive boat, there is a lovely canyon to swim through on the way back. Amphora, Sea Urchins with long spines, large Groupers can be found hiding in the gullies, and Stingrays have been spotted in the sandy areas.
THE BARGE
This old barge is only 20m in length, but she is lying upright in 30 metres of water and makes for an interesting dive if the weather is right.
Aphrodite's Rock
As legend has it, if you swim around the rock 3 times the next person you meet will be the love of your life! This dive site is great as a relaxing second dive. This large volcanic rock goes straight down to the sand, making for a nice and shallow wall dive. The maximum depth here is 10m. Turtles are often spotted here during mating season.
Aphrodite's Bay
Primarily used as a beginners site because you can walk into the water from the boat in this shallow cove. The underwater topography is quite interesting with many nooks and crannies to search for marine life. The maximum depth is 8m.
PIKEY BAY
Newly discovered but one of our favourites! We believe that this site served as a harbour in the bronze age. Back then ships used stones as ballasts and there are several remains underwater that resemble old boats that sunk upside down and after thousands of years have grown into the rock. After a tour of the boat graveyard, you will pass some bronze age anchors. Finish off this 12m dive in the shallows where there are loads of pieces of ancient amphora.
Black Rocks'
This dive site is a lovely infusion of canyons and gulleys snaking down to a maximum depth of 15m. As the name suggests, the underwater landscape is filled with volcanic black rocks that have become home to many interesting fish species.
MAZAKI REEF
This dive site is strikingly different from the other dive sites in the area because of it’s unique location. The reef is located approximately 200 metres offshore at the very tip of the cape where the harsher seas of the western edge meet the protected seas of the interior of the bay.
COPO ISLAND
Two dives can be made at this island to a maximum depth of 18m. The island boasts lovely marine life with a good chance of spotting turtles. For the more advanced diver, this site also has some challenging swim throughs where the current pushes you through like a washing machine.
LARA BAY
A little bit of everything awaits a diver in this diverse bay. There are three different dives in the area with a plethora of caves, swim throughs, blow holes, canyons, gulleys and a wall dive. With all these incredible underwater features to excite you it might be difficult to keep an eye out for the marine life, but if you do you may see turtles as this bay is a protected habitat for them. Maximum depth is 20m.