Diving in Cyprus

Mediterranean & Europe

2 regions

102 dive sites

Cyprus often gets pigeonholed as a Zenobia destination, and while that wreck absolutely delivers-it really is a superb dive, especially if you can hit it early before the crowds-there's more to the island if you know where to look. We tend to focus on the Larnaca area for the Zenobia, naturally, but Paphos and Coral Bay offer some surprising cavern and reef diving, often with better conditions in shoulder seasons. The Green Turtle sightings are a real draw, and we've had some fantastic encounters in the quieter bays. Visibility here is generally excellent through summer and into early autumn, making it a comfortable dive trip. For a Mediterranean spot, you’re looking at a decent number of sites, with a few real crackers beyond the famous wreck.

Cyprus Dive Regions

2 diving areas in Cyprus

Larnaca

Larnaca Bay, for us, means one thing: the Zenobia. And what a thing it is. We’ve logged more dives on this behemoth than we can count, and honestly, it just keeps giving. Descending onto the port side, the sheer scale of it hits you every time - a colossal, silent ghost ship resting on her side, trucks still strapped to the deck, all those lifeboats lined up. It’s a genuine wreck diver’s playground. But it’s not just the Zenobia. We’ve found some lovely surprises tucked away on the surrounding reefs. Keep an eye out for the big brown skates often cruising the sandy patches, and if you’re lucky, a grey dolphin might just make an appearance - they’re curious creatures here. We love the shallower reefs for spotting red snapping shrimp tucked into crevices, their claws always ready, and the schools of annular seabream shimmering around the rock formations. Visibility stays decent through the summer, but we’d suggest an early morning dive on the Zenobia to beat any crowds and catch the best light filtering through the wreck. It’s a proper standout for a reason.

75 dive sites

Paphos & Coral Bay

Paphos and Coral Bay on Cyprus’s west coast offer a Mediterranean experience that’s pleasantly relaxed. We love the variety of natural formations here - think swim-throughs, caves, and gentle amphitheatres carved into the rock. It’s a super spot for intermediate divers to refine skills without too much current to contend with. Our favourite dives often feature encounters with loggerhead and green turtles, particularly in the warmer months when they’re more active. Keep an eye on the sand for Atlantic stargazers, they’re masters of disguise, and you might spot a streaked gurnard fanning its fins. We’ve found the best visibility usually hits in late spring and early autumn, when the summer crowds have thinned a bit and the water's still warm. You’ll find plenty of rhoboid sweepers and goldband goatfish schooling around the rock formations. The artificial reefs are attracting more species each year, adding another layer of interest to the natural topography. It’s not a frenetic dive, more a calm exploration.

27 dive sites