ACHILLEAS
Protected Area
MPA Mpania
Why dive here
With 43+ marine species recorded in the area - including sea turtles - ACHILLEAS offers some of Paphos & Coral Bay's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 18°C.
The Achilleas is a site we keep coming back to in Paphos. It’s a fishing boat, deliberately scuttled back in 1978, and sits upright at a flat 12 metres. The stern is our favourite spot, often swarming with small schooling fish, so thick they almost block out the light. We love slipping inside the engine room, a tight squeeze but totally worth it to see the light filtering through the portholes and the occasional moray eel peeking from the shadows. It’s a site that really shows how quickly the Mediterranean reclaims things. The deck is carpeted in a fine layer of silty growth, and you’ll find plenty of nudibranchs if you slow down and look closely. It’s perfect for a second dive of the day, or for newer wreck divers wanting to get comfortable with penetration in very safe conditions. Visibility can vary, but generally, it’s a bright dive, the kind where you can spend an easy hour just exploring every nook and cranny without feeling rushed. We often see lionfish here too, a reminder of the changing Med.
Typical ACHILLEAS Dive Profile
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.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
ACHILLEAS Wreck History
Year Sunk
1978
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
storm
The MV Achilleas was a Greek cargo vessel that met a dramatic end in the stormy seas off Cyprus. On March 13, 1978, while battling bad weather, the ship's hull integrity was compromised when a serious crack developed in the engine room. The crew was unable to contain the flooding, and the vessel was lost, sinking approximately 1.5 miles from the Paphos coastline. She was declared a total loss and left on the seabed.
Today, the Achilleas is one of Paphos's premier wreck dives. She rests completely upside down on a sandy bottom at a maximum depth of 12 meters, making her suitable for divers of most certification levels. The inverted hull creates a fascinating and dramatic sight. The most impressive features are the large, proud propeller and rudder, which make for an iconic photo opportunity. The wreck acts as a thriving artificial reef, providing shelter for groupers, moray eels, and vast schools of fish within its shadowy overhangs.
Nearest Dive Centres to ACHILLEAS
Dive shops near ACHILLEAS
Cydive
ABC Dive Ltd
Abyss Dive Centre
Marine Divers
Coral Bay Divers
Freedom Divers Cyprus
Reviews for ACHILLEAS
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ACHILLEAS
ACHILLEAS Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ACHILLEAS, 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
Book a dive trip in Paphos & Coral Bay
Guided dives, courses & snorkel tours - instant booking
Where to Stay near ACHILLEAS
Prices from Booking.com. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.