BSAC TRAVEL CLUB

TRAVEL CLUB

Cyprus
GENERAL
Cyprus is an island seeped in history and with a rich cultural heritage. With clear water warmed to between 15 - 28°C, spectacular scenery and wrecks, Cyprus is an ideal dive destination for all grades of diver. Unfortunately, the recent vote against reunification means that the island remains divided between the Greek south and the Turkish north. It is, however, very easy for EU passport holders to cross the border in either direction.

SOUTHERN (GREEK) CYPRUS
There are many dive sites along the south coast and many towns boast dive centres including Larnaca, Ayia Napa, Paphos and Limassol.

Larnaca is a coastal resort built on the ancient city of Kition. It has a beach and a touristy water - front although parts of the town are still relatively unspoiled. The area is famous amongst divers for the wreck of the ZENOBIA, a 200 metre long, intact merchant ship between 17 - 43 metres deep. Much of the original cargo is still on board and the wreck is populated by a wide range of marine life including: amberjack, grouper, barracuda, tuna and conger eels. Although the site is suitable for most grades of diver, care is needed, particularly if attempting penetration as several divers have died on this wreck. Local knowledge should always be sought. Other dives include Fraggle Rock, the wreck of a boulder - carrying barge that has become a natural reef at 16 metres and the Jetty, a 6 metre dive onto an old armoured car within a no - fishing zone that makes a popular training and night - diving site.

Ayia Napa was once a small fishing village but has become the main package holiday destination on the island with bars, clubs, pubs and 24 hour nightlife. Underwater, the area boasts many tunnels and caves including dives entered through land caves or blow holes. Cyclpos Cave at 15 - 25 metres has much marine life including moray eels and octopus. At Green Bay the 12 metre bed is littered with the remnants of amphora.

Paphos, the old capital of Cyprus, is full of large hotels, from self - catering to 5 * deluxe, bars and expensive restaurants, which have spoiled the harbour although the whole area remains on the UNESCO heritage list. This area offers a vast range of dive sites including ancient and modern wrecks, amphora, swim throughs, wall dives and reefs with over hangs. A Greek cargo ship, the ACHILLEAS, sits upside down in 12 metres while Amphora Reef has many swim throughs at 10 metres with pottery remains on top of the reef at 5 metres. St George's Island offers deeper diving with caves and overhangs in depths to 35 metres. Visibility in the area ranges between 15 - 35m.

Limassol, Cyprus' second city and main passenger port, has many wrecks including M/Y DIANA, a Russian yacht, upright in 21 metres and PHARSES II, an open deck cargo ship lying on its side with the possibility of penetration under local supervision.

Getting there: Charter and scheduled flights go to Larnaka and Paphos at a cost of about Ł250.
Currency: The currency is the Cypriot pound and banks will exchange foreign currency and travellers' cheques.
Non - Divers: Non - divers will find much to keep them occupied with beaches and water sports, numerous historical sites and, for those looking for it, a frantic parting scene.

NORTHERN (TURKISH) CYPRUS
The diving in Northern Cyprus is much better and more varied than that in the South. The topography of the north coast is rugged and rocky which gives far better visibility than that found off the sandy southern beaches and it is possible to get deeper reefs and drop offs. Resorts are less heavily developed and retain a charm that many other Mediterranean resorts have long since lost. Facilities in the various resorts are all that you could want but power cuts and water shortages are not unheard of.

Kyrenia is the centre of most of the diving activity with many historical and scenic sites. Just offshore, the site of the world’s oldest trading vessel can be dived, the wreck having been recovered and put on show in the local museum. At the aptly named Wreck Site, a shipwreck sits at 30 metres, while other sites boast other wrecks, amphora, turtles, stingrays and grouper. There are many other dive sites along the coast as you would expect of an area that has seen maritime activity for literally thousands of years.
Kyrenia is an ancient port and has one of the most charming and beautiful harbours in the Mediterranean.
Getting there: Flights to north Turkey are more complex and visitors have currently to travel via the Turkish mainland to Ercan airport. Flights routinely depart from Heathrow, Manchester and Stansted; many go direct, that is the aeroplane is on the ground for 45 minutes in Turkey but passengers do not have to disembark, but be aware that some flights involve changing aeroplanes in Turkey. It is understood that genunine direct flights from London may be initiated later this year. It is also very possible to fly into Larnaca in the South and then take a taxi across the border. Visitors from the UK do not require a Turkish visa to visit North Cyprus.
Currency: The currency is the Turkish lira although UK£ and euros are widely accepted at shops and hotels.
Non - Divers: Less frenetic than the south, non - divers will nevertheless find much to keep them occupied with beaches and water sports and numerous historical sites. Northern Cyprus is far more beautiful than the South and is a paradise for walkers and history lovers, boasting 3 Crusader castles plus an entire Greco/Roman city at Salamis. There are many turtle beaches which are protected. A variety of watersports are on offer at the more developed beaches plus there are adrenalin activities like paragliding etc on offer. There are many restaurants of varying cuisines and prices are very low in comparison to elsewhere in the Med. Gulets are available for day trips.

The Karpaz Peninsular remains one of the great unspoilt areas of the entire Mediterranean region and allows visitor to experience a virtual paradise unspoilt by man.