NICOLAS (PROBABLY) - Larnaca
The Nicolas, though officially (probably) unnamed, is a local favourite for a quick, shallow dip. What we love about this wreck is its accessibility. Sitting at a maximum depth of five metres, it’s an ideal spot for new divers to get a feel for wreck penetration or for photographers to practice their wide-angle shots without the usual depth constraints. This 71-metre motor vessel, beached in 1975, is remarkably intact despite its age. We’ve spent countless hours weaving through the skeletal remains of its superstructure, observing the way sunlight streaks through the rusted metal. Schools of damselfish shimmer around the propeller, and we’ve often spotted small groupers tucked into crevices. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs on the deck plates – they’re often overlooked but can be stunning. It’s not a site for big pelagics, but for a relaxed dive with interesting history and plenty of small details to explore, the Nicolas delivers. Our tip: go in the late afternoon; the low sun casts incredible shadows.
- Location
- Larnaca, Cyprus, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 35.540962, 35.758620
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 5m
Best Time to Dive in Larnaca
The warmest water temperatures in Larnaca occur in January, averaging 18.5°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 18.5°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 18.5°C (air: 13.1°C)
- February: 18.5°C (air: 12.9°C)
- March: 18.5°C (air: 14.7°C)
- April: 18.5°C (air: 19.1°C)
- May: 18.5°C (air: 23.0°C)
- June: 18.5°C (air: 26.4°C)
- July: 18.5°C (air: 29.9°C)
- August: 18.5°C (air: 29.4°C)
- September: 18.5°C (air: 27.2°C)
- October: 18.5°C (air: 23.9°C)
- November: 18.5°C (air: 18.8°C)
- December: 18.5°C (air: 15.2°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Larnaca
- ABDULLAH H - 7m (wreck)
- Akkum Burun - 16m
- Akkum Kovuk - 13m (cave)
- Akyar Duvar - 17m (wall)
- Akyar Gizli Koy - 13m
- ALEXANDRIA - 21.45m (wreck)
- Alpha Divers
- Ammos tou Kambouri Beach - 8m
- Anfora Koyu - 17m
- ARMANT - 14m (wreck)
- BALKAN - 5m (wreck)
- Banc Charner (reef)
- BRAVO NEK - 23m (wreck)
- Canyon, Cape Greco - 16m (cave)
- Caves, Cape Greco - 13m (cave)
Nearest Dive Centres to NICOLAS (PROBABLY)
- Alpha Divers - ["PADI"]
- Amphibious Diving Center
- AQUADEMI DALIS MERKEZI
- Cyprus Dive Shack - ["PADI"]
- Cyprus Underwater Explorers - ["PADI"]
- Deep Dive Diving Center
Marine Life in Larnaca
Home to 54 recorded species including 32 reef fish, 9 sharks & rays, 4 whales & dolphins, 3 hard corals, 2 other, 2 seagrass & algae.
Notable Species
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Marbled Spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus) - Reef Fish
- Ornate Wrasse (Thalassoma pavo) - Reef Fish
- Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) - Seagrass & Algae
- Parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense) - Reef Fish
- eelgrass (Zostera marina) - Seagrass & Algae
- Brown Skate (Raja miraletus) - Sharks & Rays
- Wrasse (Coris julis) - Reef Fish
- One-finned Shark (Heptranchias perlo) - Sharks & Rays
- Blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) - Sharks & Rays
- Gulper shark (Centrophorus granulosus) - Sharks & Rays
- Thornback skate (Raja clavata) - Sharks & Rays
- Bushy Coral (Cladocora caespitosa) - Hard Corals
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
- Velvet belly lantern shark (Etmopterus spinax) - Sharks & Rays
- rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) - Whales & Dolphins
- Grey Dolphin (Grampus griseus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Three-tooth Cavoline (Cavolinia tridentata) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Silver-cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for NICOLAS (PROBABLY)
Based on average water temperature of 18.5°C.
- Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 19°C water
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories