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: 25 324 282
• Famagusta Nautical Club: based in 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)
  e-mail Membership Secretary
  Website
• 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 (full contact details on the 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.

Registration of Small Vessels and Recreational Boats

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.

All small craft in Cyprus must be registered excluding:

1. Boats that are shorter than thirteen metres and only used to sail the Cyprus coastal and the Sovereign Base Areas.
2. Fishing boats without a fixed deck sailing the Cyprus coastal and the Sovereign Base Areas 

All other small craft in Cyprus should be registered with the Register of Small Vessels:

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

Small high speed 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 up to fifteen (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.

Both categories of boat must be clearly marked with their registration number and category number available on registration. 

Small craft engine regulations

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

• Comprehensive details on regulations: Click here

Related Information

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

0408ww

Any suggestions for extra information that should be on this page?
Just fill in the form to tell us:

^ Top of Page ^