ACHILLEAS - Paphos & Coral Bay

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.

Location
Paphos & Coral Bay, Cyprus, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
34.774868, 32.391680
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
12m

Wreck History - ACHILLEAS

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.

Marine Protected Area: MPA Mpania

Best Time to Dive in Paphos & Coral Bay

The warmest water temperatures in Paphos & Coral Bay occur in January, averaging 18.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 18.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 18.1°C (air: 13.4°C)
  • February: 18.1°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • March: 18.1°C (air: 14.6°C)
  • April: 18.1°C (air: 18.4°C)
  • May: 18.1°C (air: 21.9°C)
  • June: 18.1°C (air: 25.4°C)
  • July: 18.1°C (air: 28.8°C)
  • August: 18.1°C (air: 28.3°C)
  • September: 18.1°C (air: 26.5°C)
  • October: 18.1°C (air: 23.0°C)
  • November: 18.1°C (air: 18.7°C)
  • December: 18.1°C (air: 15.2°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Paphos & Coral Bay

Nearest Dive Centres to ACHILLEAS

Marine Life in Paphos & Coral Bay

Home to 44 recorded species including 26 reef fish, 9 sharks & rays, 3 other, 2 whales & dolphins, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 soft corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ACHILLEAS

Based on average water temperature of 18.1°C.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 18°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