Yachting & Sailing in Cyprus

Share | Print | +

Delicious

Digg

Facebook

Google

Propeller

reddit

StumbleUpon

Twitter

Yahoo!

Yachting & Sailing in Cyprus

The Cypriot summer is usually sunny with little or no rain. Summer winds (Meltemi) blow from April to October and while gentle in the mornings, they pick up over the course of the day. 

Summer wind is South Westerly starting from the south in the mornings and picking up and shifting westward in the afternoon reaching about 15 to 25 knots wind speed.

Winter winds may change to South East and blow to speeds of 10 to 20 knots, usually during December and January. The island has winter rainfall, mostly in December and January.

The Cyprus Yachting Association (CYA) oversees all sailing events and organises racing and training, as well as yachting regattas, throughout the year.

Yacht Clubs and Marinas

These local yacht clubs and marinas are all CYA members:

• Limassol Nautical Club: Old Limassol-Nicosia Road, Limassol
  Tel: 25 31 81 81
  Website
• Famagusta Nautical Club: Old Limassol
  Tel: 25 324 056
• Larnaca Nautical Club: Dhekelia Road, Larnaca
  Tel: 24 623 399
• Nicosia Sailing Club: Nicosia
  Tel: 22 305 030
• Nicosia Nautical Club: Nicosia
  Tel: 22 481 474
• Cyprus Offshore Yacht Club: Larnaca Marina, Larnaca
• Paphos Nautical Club: Municipal Beach, Paphos
  Tel: 26 233 745
• Dhekelia Sailing Club (DSC)
  Website
  e-mail
• Cyprus Yachting Association (CYA): Limassol
  Tel: 25 320 559
  Fax: 25 328 953
  Website
  e-mail
• Paphos International Sailing Club meets at the Boat Yard, Yeroskipou, every Tuesday evening and Friday lunchtime 
  Tel: 99 794 268 (mobile)
  Website  

It is possible to sail and set anchor anywhere except at beaches, in swimming areas or natural reserves. Full information is available from the marinas and the Cyprus Tourism Organisation.

• For the Cyprus Tourism Organisation website: Click here

Registration of Small Vessels and Recreational Boats

Recreational craft in Cyprus (except those exempt) must be registered either in the Register of Cyprus Ships or in the Register of Small Vessels. A recreational craft is defined as "any boat of any type intended for sports and leisure purposes of hull length from 2.5m to 24m, regardless of the means of propulsion". Jet skis are included in this general category, however canoes and kayaks, pedalos, sail and surfboards (including powered surfboards) are not.

• Recreational craft between 13 and 24 metres in length should be registered in the Register of Cyprus Ships and may sail in Cyprus territorial and international waters
• Recreational craft shorter than 13 metres in length should be registered in the Register of Small Vessels and may only sail in Cyprus territorial waters (up to 12 nautical miles off the Republic of Cyprus coast) 

All small craft in Cyprus must be registered excluding:

• Boats that are shorter than 13 metres and only used to sail the Cyprus coastal waters and the Sovereign Base Areas 
• Fishing, lightering or trading boats without a fixed deck sailing the Cyprus coastal waters and the Sovereign Base Areas 

The Department of Merchant Shipping provides comprehensive information on boat ownership licencing, registration, markings and more.

• For information about registration: Click here
• The Department of Merchant Shipping
  At: Kyllinis Str., Mesa Geitonia, Limassol
  Post: PO Box 56193, 3305 Limassol, Cyprus
  Tel: 25 848 100
  Fax: 25 848 200
  e-mail
  Website

The Cyprus Maritime Centre also has additional information.

• For the Cyprus Maritime Centre website: Click here

High Speed Small Craft

A high-speed small vessel is any boat up to 15 metres which can carry one or more people, seated or standing and which as an outboard or inboard motor that can go at speeds of at least 15 knots.

For registration purposes, these craft fall into one of two categories: 

1. Category A: small high-speed small craft for private, non-commercial use only
2. Category B: small high-speed small craft rented out for hire

All high-speed small vessels must be clearly marked on both sides of the stern with a registration number. Category B vessels must include the letter "B" written after the registration number. The size and placement of the registration number is regulated by law.

• For details from the Department of Merchant Shipping on the marking of high-speed small vessels: Click here

Licence to operate

Operators of high speed small craft must be licenced. as with learning to drive a car, an applicant must first pass a learners test (must be at least 17 years of age) in order to then take the drivers test and do the practical training. Boat driing training and tests can be taken at nautical clubs.

• For full details and downloadable application forms: Click here and scroll down to heading "Operator license and learner's licence"

Visitors to Cyprus staying for under 30 days may be allowed to drive a hired motor boat without a Cyprus licence provided the owner is satisfied that they are competent and they sign a binding declaration of competence with the owner. 

Small-craft engine regulations

European standard regulations are in place for small boats and their engines with regards to noise and emissions. 

• For comprehensive details from The Department of Merchant Shipping regarding regulations: Click here

Related Information

• The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has further information for privately owned yachts sailing under UK flags.

1208mb/0906ww