The post Table Top appeared first on Visit Cyprus.
]]>This dive site is part of the Kavo Gkreko network of dive sites. Table Top is characterized by natural stone formations surrounded by Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows. In the small caverns, an array of colours can be seen from the sponges, as well as anemones, coralligenous algae and nudibranchs. The dive site ranges from 20 to 25 m depth. The rocks are brimming with marine life, such as fire worms, octopi, moray eels, and groupers. At the edge of the rocks, you find yourself in Posidonia oceanica meadows with lots of fish and gastropods that prefer to hide there.
Interesting facts: It is advised to perform this dive via boat rather than from the shore to avoid disorientation and missing the location.
Location: Kavo Gkreko – Ayia Napa, Ammochostos (34°58’25.74″N, 34° 5’0.78″E)
Type of dive site: Rock & seagrass
Depth: 25 m
Visibility: 20+ metres in good conditions
Access: Boat
Qualification required: Advance Open Water / Boat Diver
Dive category: Recreational diving
Features: Beautiful rock morphology forming small caverns covered in sponges as well as a flat rock in the shape of a “table”.
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]]>The post The Structures (Masks) appeared first on Visit Cyprus.
]]>The Structures is a series of concrete structures that were submerged at Dasoudi Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 2016 to further enrich the artificial reef created in 2014 with the sinking of the two wrecks Costandis and Lady Thetis.
The 11, large artificial structures provide marine life with a ‘playground’, and divers with an interesting experience that complements the two wrecks the structures sit directly between. Beginners can even use the structures to home their skills, including swimming through the large tube blocks.
Alongside the high boulders, tube blocks, trapezes and large clusters of amphorae that were originally submerged in 2016, two huge, white carnival masks were added in 2022.
The masks represent Lemesos’ historical carnival tradition and are made of C50 concrete; each weighing around 12 tonnes and measuring 3.20 x 2.50 metres.
It is no surprise that marine life readily favours the site, evidenced by the abundance of different species. Highlights include the ‘branches’ of squid eggs clinging to the ropes during squid breeding season, turtles, and the schools of bait fish followed in pursuit by schools of predator species. Other species that populate the site are bream, grouper, damselfish, lionfish, moray eels, parrotfish, tube worms and amberjacks that pass through seasonally.
Dive Specs
Location:Dasoudi, Lemesos
GPS Coordinates: 34° 40’50.34″N 33° 5’4.74″E
Type of Dive Site: Artificial Reef
Depth: 22 metres
Visibility: 15+ metres
Access: By boat
Qualification Required: Open Water / Boat Diver
Dive Category:Recreational
To view The Structures (Masks) diving route click here
To view the masks click here
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]]>The post MUSAN (Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa) appeared first on Visit Cyprus.
]]>The world-first, underwater sculpture museum MUSAN intertwines nature and art to offer a unique diving experience at the Agia Napa Marine Protected Area (MPA). Its aim to rewild the seabed works alongside the artificial reef created with the sinking of the Kyrenia wreck in 2015.
Divers can glide through the intricate forms of trees, people and other figurative nature symbols that comprise the living museum, created by award-winning sculptor, environmentalist and professional underwater photographer, Jason deCaires Taylor.
Over 90 submerged artworks made from inert, pH neutral materials have been exhibited at varying depths; thoughtfully designed for both diving and snorkelling.
The continually evolving installations develop organically to entice and encourage marine communities, symbiotically enriching biodiversity and creating an underwater museum like no other.
Discover the museum https://musan.com.cy / Introductory video: https://www.visitfamagusta.com.cy/en/discover/museums.html
The post MUSAN (Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa) appeared first on Visit Cyprus.
]]>The post Aphrodites Rock appeared first on Visit Cyprus.
]]>A large volcanic rock emerging from the sea marks the site of Aphrodite’s Rock whilst the adjacent Aphrodite Island has a shallow cove that allows divers to then walk into the water.
At Aphrodite’s Rock, colourful stones unfold to a meadow of Posidonia seagrass. Turtles favour the spot during mating season and marine life mingles in the cracked rocks of the outcrop. The site is especially suitable and safe for night dives.
At Aphrodite Island there are small swim through canyons and the nooks and crannies of the natural formations hide a rich variety of marine life.
Divers will spot grouper, moray eels, stingrays, squid, octopi and wrasse, among other species.
Aphrodite’s Rock
Location:Latchi, Pafos
GPS Coordinates:35° 3’30.30″N 32°20’53.16″E
Type of Dive Site:Sandy and Rocky Bottom
Depth:12m
Visibility:20+ metres
Access:Shore (difficult) / By boat
Qualification Required:Open Water / Boat Diver
Dive Category:Recreational Diving
Aphrodite Island
Location: Latchi, Pafos
GPS Coordinates: 35° 3’30.41″N 32°20’54.20″E
Type of Dive Site:Rocky Bottom
Depth:18 metres
Visibility:20+ metres
Access:Shore / By boat
Qualification Required:Open Water / Boat Diver
Dive Category:Recreational Diving
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]]>The post Mazaki Island appeared first on Visit Cyprus.
]]>Location: Latchi, Akamas Peninsula, Pafos
GPS Coordinates: 35° 6’43.33″N 32°16’50.64″E
Type of Dive Site: Rock
Depth: 22 metres
Visibility: 20+ metres
Access: By boat
Qualification Required: Advanced Open Water
Dive Category: Recreational Diving
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]]>The post Fontana Amorosa appeared first on Visit Cyprus.
]]>Fontana Amorosa (Fountain of Love) is a stunning dive site where the crystal, turquoise waters invite exploration at the rock reef labyrinth and ravine walls that lead to deeper adventures.
Once a harbour that was used for trade centuries ago, the only remnants of its bustling past are theancient amphorae hidden on the seabed of hills and valleys – offerings to the Gods made by the Romans in return for their prosperity.
Shy sea creatures hide in the crevices and holes of the natural formations, including crabs, cuttlefish, grouper, lionfish, moray eels, sea urchins and shrimp. Pufferfish are present in the sandy areas.
The luckier diver may also encounter the rare Tricolour Doris nudibranch that is a spectacular sight to behold.
This site is perfect for beginners, offering an easy and relaxing dive experience.
Location:Latchi, Pafos
GPS Coordinates: 35° 5’21.06″N 32°18’7.26″E
Type of Dive Site:Sandy and Rocky Bottom
Depth:15 metres
Visibility:20+ metres
Access:Shore / By boat
Qualification Required:Open Water / Boat Diver
Dive Category:Recreational Diving
For the Fontana Amorosa diving route click here
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]]>The post Blue Lagoon appeared first on Visit Cyprus.
]]>With its mesmerising turquoise waters, this is one of the most iconic and stunning beauty spots on the island and as picturesque as its name with a spectrum of sparkling blue shades.
The clear waters and sandy bottom unfold with patches of Posidonia seagrass, rocks and sponges to reveal a site that is ideal for beginners, and perfect for practising buoyancy and skills.
The marine life here is moderate; little fish dart among the small rocks within the bay, whilst the larger species dwell outside the bay.
Location:Latchi, Pafos
GPS Coordinates:35° 4’57.83″N 32°18’26.90″E
Type of Dive Site:Sandy Bottom
Depth:10 metres
Visibility:20+ metres
Access:Shore / By boat
Qualification Required:Open water / Boat Diver
Dive Category:Recreational Diving
For the Blue Lagoon dive route click here
For the Blue Lagoon1 click here
For the Blue Lagoon1 dive route click here
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]]>The post Kakoskali Reef appeared first on Visit Cyprus.
]]>Located opposite the Saint George/Geronisos Island dive site, Kakoskali Reef is a shallow and easy dive that is perfect for beginners, but that will equally delight the more experienced diver thanks to a varied landscape comprised of rock, ravine, canyon, archways, overhangs and elongated openings.
The bright colours of the soft sponges steal the show whilst other marine life contributes to the rich rainbow. Many are hidden in the crevices of the rock formations, and pinna nobilis nestle in the meadows of Posidonia seagrass. Among the species divers will spot are schoolsof amberjack, crab, crayfish, groupers, moray eels, starfish, stingrays, and wrasse, with sightings of seahorses and turtles too.
Other interesting elements of this dive include the upside down half-buried yacht that is now the comfortable home of a large grouper and the ancient amphorae fragments within the rocks.
Location:Latchi, Pafos
GPS Coordinates:35° 4’13.47″N 32°19’49.38″E
Type of Site:Rocky Bottom
Depth:10 metres
Visibility:30+ metres
Access:By boat
Qualification Required:Open Water / Boat Diver
Dive Category:Recreational Diving
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]]>The post Photiades Wall appeared first on Visit Cyprus.
]]>From rocks of varying sizes, including some with flat tops, to the long wall drop-offwhere the currents safely drift divers along, this is a pleasant experience for any level.
A large number of microrganisms and other sea creatures can be spotted, including the impressive sight of black and gold sponges in their hundreds, schools ofamberjack, crayfish, grouper, lionfish,moray eels, starfish, stingrays and wrasse, among other species.
Location:Latchi, Pafos
GPS Coordinates:35° 4’39.10″N 32°19’0.26″E
Type of Dive:Rocky bottom, Reef, Drop-off
Depth:25m
Visibility:20+ metres
Access:Shore
Qualification Required:Open water
Dive Category:RecreationalDiving
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]]>The post St George “Geronissos” appeared first on Visit Cyprus.
]]>Saint George (Island) is also known as Geronisos (Island), meaning ‘holy island’ and offers a more challenging experience for the adventurous diver.
A drop-down mouth onto a 12-metre ridge heralds the start of the dive, where a huge swim through sits between rocks. Here the more experienced diver can enter the darkness that unfolds with a series of dramatic twists, turns and corridors before exiting through a crack in the reef. Less experienced divers can follow along the top of the ridge.
Heading towards the bottom of the ridge, a colourful underwater kingdom is revealed; from the nudibranch and sponges to bright algae, whilst a series of smaller caves and ridges are home to other species such as bream, damselfish, grouper, lionfish and wrasse.
Location:Pegia, Pafos
GPS Coordinates:34° 54.171’N 0 32° 18.543E
Type of Site:Rocky and Sandy Bottom
Depth:12 – 35 metres
Visibility:20+ metres
Access:By boat
Qualification Required:Open Water
Dive Category:Recreational Diving
For the St. George reef dive route click here
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