Water Sports in Cyprus

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Water Sports in Cyprus

The island of Cyprus has a long coastline and warm, fairly safe seas; there are many water sports and activities available. 

Below you will find information on: 

• Beaches & Swimming
• Diving 
• Windsurfing, Kite surfing & Surfing

Average Air/Sea Temperatures

• Air temperature generally coldest in February, average 16.0°C and hottest in August at 33.6°C.
• Sea temperature generally coldest in January, average 16.4°C and hottest in August at 27.7°C.

Beaches & Swimming

Cyprus has more than 650 kilometres of coastline with sandy beaches and warm sea comfortable for swimming from early May to October.

On every beach, red buoys indicate the swimmers' area, where speed-boats and any other floating craft are not allowed to enter.

Swimmers must adhere to the lifeguard's instructions at all times.

Beach Safety

Diving 

Deep water scuba diving is a popular sport in Cyprus and underwater clubs and diving centres can be found in all towns and resorts, as well as at a number of hotels. They offer a range of courses. Besides these clubs and centres, many firms sell or hire underwater equipment to holders of a valid diving certificate.

The best months for sea diving are from April to October when water temperatures are high and skies are blue. There are caves, reefs and coral growth in the Ayia Napa area and shipwrecks to explore in the Larnaca area. There are also good diving sites in Paphos and Limassol. Fish species you can expect to see include: groupers, rainbow wrasse, Moray eels, damsel fish and octopus.

Note:

• There are no dangerous underwater currents in any of the recommended diving areas.
• Spear-fishing is prohibited in the swimming areas, which are marked with red buoys.
• It is forbidden to remove antiquities and sponges from the sea bed.
• Diving emergencies: Decompression Chamber at the Larnaka Makareion General Hospital (the new Hospital), Tel: 24 630 300

Related Information

• Cyprus Federation of Underwater Activities (C.F.U.A.), Nicosia
  Tel: 22 754 647
  Fax: 22 755 246

The Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) is the world's leading scuba diving training organisation. The organisation offers scuba diving courses, instructor courses and dive shops in Cyprus.

• PADI Europe
  At: Oberwilerstrasse 3, CH 8442 Hettlingen, Switzerland
  Website
• To locate a PADI dive shop: Click here 

Aquaplanet is a scuba diving and water sports centre near Latchi harbour. The Aquaplanet website has information regarding dives in Cyprus. 

• For dive information from the Aquaplanet website: Click here

Windsurfing, Kite Surfing & Surfing

Winds blow in westerly and easterly directions in Cyprus. The East wind blows mostly in winter while the West wind is almost constant.

• Summer is usually sunny with no rain. Summer winds (Meltemi) blow from April to October and while gentle in the mornings, they pick up over 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, blow to speeds of 10 to 20 knots, usually during December and January. The island has winter rainfall occurring mostly in December and January.

Conditions for waterskiing and wake boarding are best earlier in the day when winds are lighter and the sea is often flat.

Surf locations

Wind sports are possible at locations all along the southern coats, particularly:

• Larnaca area: Nautical club, Mckenzie, Faros beach 
• Limassol area: Ladies Mile beach, Salt lake, Curiumi beach, Paramali beach
• Paphos area: Helios bay, Potima, Geroskipou plage, Polis, Lachi 

Surf equipment

Equipment can be hired from the many companies offering courses and guidance however recommended equipment is:

• Kitesurf kites and boards: Kite sizes 8 to 14m average board size 140x35cm.
• Windsurf sails and boards: Sails from 4.5 to 6m, wave and slalom boards sizes 260/280 with volume between 75 and 120 liters.
• Surboards: You can ride anything depending on your ability but a 7'2" mini malibu is ideal on most days.
• Wetsuits: Mediterranean sea temperatures are warm throughout the year and wetsuits are not necessary except the colder winter months where a 4mm suit should be enough.

The Cyprus Wind website has information on good places to kitesurf, where to take lessons and also offers equipment for sale.

• For the Cyprus Wind website: Click here 

Related Information

• See The AngloFILE category, Diving, Scuba & Watersports
• Cyprus Tourism Organisation
  Tel: + 357 22691100
  Fax: + 357 22331644
  e-mail
  Website

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