3m
    Paphos & Coral Bay, Cyprus
    MPA Dasoudi

    ACHAIOS (POSSIBLY)

    Best months: Jan–Dec

    Protected Area

    MPA Dasoudi

    Why dive here

    With 43+ marine species recorded in the area - including sea turtles - ACHAIOS (POSSIBLY) offers some of Paphos & Coral Bay's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 18°C.

    Marine lifeSea Turtles · 43+ species recorded
    Water18°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterWreck dive · max 3m

    Okay, the Achaios. Or what we think is the Achaios, anyway. It’s tricky because the site we dive has a similar profile to the historical wreck data, but it’s a bit shallower than some records suggest. Regardless, we love this spot for a gentle, easy dive. The whole wreck lies in just 3m of water, which makes it absolutely perfect for snorkelers or anyone keen on a really long bottom time without pushing deco limits. What you get here is the skeletal remains of a decent-sized cargo ship, lying broken up on a sandy seabed. You can trace the ribs of the hull, and some of the thicker plates are still substantial enough to provide good shelter. We’ve found barracuda often hang out in the shadowy sections, just off the main structure. Look closely for nudibranchs, especially around any parts with algal growth. Visibility here can vary, but on a good day, with the sun high, the light filtering down into the wreck is quite beautiful, illuminating the rusted metal in shades of orange and brown. It’s a completely different vibe from a deep wreck dive, more like an archaeological exploration of a forgotten hulk. We’d suggest going early in the morning before any surface chop picks up; it really helps with the ambient light and makes spotting the smaller stuff easier.

    Typical ACHAIOS (POSSIBLY) Dive Profile

    Safety Stop0m3m max~60 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Safety Notes

    Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

    Today05:1618:2713h 11m daylightGolden hour 17:53

    ACHAIOS (POSSIBLY) Wreck History

    Year Sunk

    1976

    Vessel Type

    cargo ship

    Cause

    grounding

    The motor vessel Achaios was built in 1932 in Porsgrunn, Norway. At the time of her loss, she was a Greek-owned vessel operated by the Akarnania Maritime Co Ltd. The uncertainty in her identification, noted by the '(POSSIBLY)' in some records, adds a layer of mystery for divers exploring her remains.

    On December 3, 1976, the Achaios was on a passage from Yugoslavia to Jeddah with a full cargo of timber. While navigating the waters off Paphos, she was caught in heavy weather and ran aground. The powerful waves and rocky shoreline sealed her fate, breaking the ship apart and scattering her cargo.

    Resting in just 3 meters of water, the Achaios is an incredibly accessible dive site, perfect for beginners, snorkelers, and even freedivers. Decades of exposure to the surf have left the wreck heavily broken up, but divers can still identify large sections of the hull, machinery, and the ship's boilers. The shallow, sunlit waters have allowed a vibrant ecosystem to flourish on the wreckage, making it a lively and fascinating site for an easy coastal dive.

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ACHAIOS (POSSIBLY)

    ACHAIOS (POSSIBLY) Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for ACHAIOS (POSSIBLY), sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (34.83, 32.38) (0km away)

    August Averages

    Sea Temperature

    18.07°C

    65°F

    Air Temperature

    28.27°C

    83°F

    Wind Speed

    4.04 m/s

    7.9 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1007 hPa

    Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC

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