VIRGINIA VII - Larnaca
The *Virginia VII* offers a solid wreck dive without the vertigo of a deeper site. Sunk in 1992, this 77-meter container ship sits upright in just 11 meters of water, making it a brilliant spot for extended bottom times and less experienced wreck divers. We love poking around the forward section, where the bridge structure offers some fun swim-throughs, sunlight filtering in from above. Look for the large resident groupers hunkering down in the shadows, always a highlight. What makes *Virginia VII* particularly charming is how completely colonised it’s become. Schools of bream shimmer over the deck, and we often spot moray eels tucked into crevices. The cargo holds are open, revealing the skeletal remains of its past life, now home to clouds of glassfish. It’s a photographer's dream on a sunny day, with good visibility, and we’d suggest an early morning dive to beat any potential boat traffic, giving you the wreck largely to yourself. It’s not the *Zenobia*, but it’s a seriously enjoyable, accessible wreck, perfect for a relaxed second dive.
- Location
- Larnaca, Cyprus, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 35.524025, 35.769535
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 11m
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 VIRGINIA VII
- 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 VIRGINIA VII
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