This is far from being a complete register of all dive sites in this area of Cyprus. We would like to ask all divers that know of alternative names to these locations or completely new locations not mentioned here send us an email at via our contact page. All comments and input are welcome of course.
The Wreck of the Vera K
The Vera K was a Lebanese freighter of about 200m which ran aground in 1972 and was blown up as a hazard to shipping in 1974. It is still in four main sections and the bridge is fairly intact. It lies, completely submerged in a crater at 10m. Close to the wreck is an archway, home to a family of grouper. The depth of the dive site make it an Open Water Level Dive but close to the archway are a series of narrow tunnels suitable for experienced divers. This is a dive for all levels!
more info here…
Wall Street
A long gulley with many overhangs and small caves is the main feature of this popular site. On the walls of the gulley look for sponges and encrusting marine life. In the small caves you may find grouper and soldier fish, and look for the stone anchor lying on the bottom. Depths 25m to 30m making this an Advanced Open Water Diver Site.
more info here…
The Wreck of the Achilleas
On a sandy bottom lies the wreck of a Greek vessel which mysteriously exploded and sank in 11m of water in 1975. There are three main sections to visit, the most popular feature being the bronze propeller on the upturned stern, and there are still some complete portholes (not removable) and the engine compartment are a couple of highlights from this site. Keep in mind, that breaching wrecks requires special training.
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The Valley
Taking less than 15mins to reach from harbour, the depth at the top of the valley is 16m. The sides of the valley have plenty of encrusting marine life and many small holes which are home to wrasse, cardinals and slipper lobster. There is also a swim-through towards the deeper end of the valley. A popular site with macro photographers. Max. depth 26m.
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100 Foot Reef
This beautiful boat dive site has numerous small drops and caves to explore. Be prepared to encounter Octopi and Moray Eels aswell as smaller fish near the gullies and overhangs. Crystal clear waters usually so clear your dive boat will be visible on the surface from any depth. Depths from 26m – 35m making this a dive site for the more advanced divers!
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The Shoals
An isolated area approximately 3 km from shore where the rocks just break the surface. Consequently, in ancient times, an area of many shipwrecks. The rocks are littered with pieces of amphorae, which in some places are concreted together in the shape of the ships hold. Stone anchors can be recognized by the holes made in the rock for wooden grapples to be pushed through. Interesting rock formations make craters and a swim-through. A pretty site with plenty of small marine life. Depths 4-12m.
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Big Steps
Just 15mins from harbour, this site drops from 18m to 24m in a series of small steps. Marine life to be found in the small gullies includes fan worms, pina clams and damsel fish.
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Bream Bay
A mixed sand and rock bottom in 22-27m. of clear water makes this an attractive morning dive. Popular for its interesting rock formations, you should look for moray eels in the small holes and grouper in the gullies off the main.
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Pilot Reef
A rocky bottom with numerous gullies and overhangs to explore. An appealing site with a chance of seeing large grouper. Depths between 20m to 28m.
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Nikolas Reef
A popular, new site. The anchor drops in 24m on a site made up of large boulders on a sandy bottom. Maximum depth 27m.
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Anzac
This site is in the area of Moulia Rocks with a mixed sand and rock bottom. There is a large piece of the Vera K here, also lots of bullet cases and amphorae. Maximum depth 8m!
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Amphorae Caves
Yet another great diving site near Paphos of some archeological importance. Here you will get a chance to explore gullies and caves including one cave with an amphorae encrusted roof! The archaeologists who had investigated this site, believe that the sea bed movement of the last two thousand years had created this feature. This is an Open Water Level dive site with a depth from 5m to 12m. A tire on the seabed is home to an octopus and of course some beautiful coral and a swim through.
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Minerva Reef
The anchor is dropped into 24m. of clear water and the seabed quickly slopes to 32m. plus. The incline is strewn with boulders making an ideal habitat for a various forms of marine life.
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Monty’s Reef
Only 10mins from harbour, this sheltered afternoon dive site has a number of engaging features. The reef is in 12m and surrounded by small gullies, overhangs and drops ranging from 2 to 4 m. There is usually a good variety of small fish life such as bream, wrasse, parrot and damsels.
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Anchor Reef
The anchor is dropped into 24m. and the seabed swiftly slopes down to flat sand at 32m. An attractive and popular morning dive with an old anchor at 27m. and often grouper close to the sand.
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Lisa’s Drop
A relatively new site which is very popular as large grouper and the occasional tuna may be seen. The anchor is dropped in 25m. and the site leads down to a maximum depth of 35m. There is a gulley with several overhangs and swim-throughs.
more info here…
The Valley of Caves
As its name suggests this valley has a number of small caves. There are also interesting craters close-by, one with a swim-through. The attractive overhangs make homes for small fish such as cardinals. Depths 9-12m.
more info here…
Green Gullies
A morning dive 15 min. from harbour, with a maximum depth of 26m. There are sandy bottomed, interconnecting rock gullies with a variety of encrusting marine life. Large boulders sit on top of the sand attracting small fish.
more info here…
Cameroons
In depths of 25-27m., large boulders and reef form gullies and small caves. A well-liked morning dive, it was found in 1990, the day after Cameroon beat Italy in the World Cup. Marine life to look for includes grouper, saupe, mullet and rabbit fish.
more info here…
Grouper Holes
An area of gullies and craters with small caves around the edges. There is an old, large 4 pronged , anchor lying on the sea bed.
more info here…
Bubbles
A rock bottom seabed with large holes in the floor leading to a series of interconnecting caverns and overhangs. Called ‘Bubbles’ because of the divers’ air filtering through the rocks, and with a maximum depth of 9m. there is plenty of time to enjoy this site and its marine life.
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Red Rose Rocks Area of gullies is brilliantly coloured by red calciferous algae. Max. depth 20m.
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Manitzin Island
A preferred site, so much so that some divers even snorkel from the shore for 15 min. to dive here. Actually just a rock, it is small enough to dive all round on a multilevel dive. There are many features en-route; a drop-off, caves, archway and a blowhole. One cave is spectacularly covered with pink and purple calciferous algae. This dive has depths between 6m to 22m. After the first dive the boat sails to a nearby bay to drop anchor whilst lunch is served. On some days you will swim with schools of barracudas, Gar or Pipe Fish and Damsel Fish.
more info here…
Devil’s Head
This boat dive site is located on the Northwestern coast of Paphos, on the Akamas Peninsula, close to Lara Bay. A remarkable area of caves and interconnecting tunnels in depths of 6m to 18m making this an Open Water Level Dive. If you are lucky, during the turtle season, you may spot green and leatherback turtles. The rock formations here offer an attractive haven for marine life which will amaze you!
more info here…
Amphitheatre
A nice shallow at around 10m – 12m dive shaped like a natural ‘amphitheater’ hence the name. It has lots of unique rock formations, holes and arches. Its near Coral Bay, Paphos and you can access if via the beach.
This is far from being a complete register of all dive sites in this area of Cyprus. We would like to ask all divers that know of alternative names to these locations or completely new locations not mentioned here send us an email at via our contact page. All comments and input are welcome of course.
