Cyprus
Why
Cyprus is an island state, located in the Mediterranean Sea. This Greek island
has a prestigious history, many fascinating places to see, fantastic diving sites,
delicious food and perfect weather in season.
Cyprus is a traditional European diving destination and accommodates divers
from all over Europe, where they enjoy sunny spring days, great sea conditions,
excellent diving and accommodation packages. In Larnaca you will find the
sunken ship Zenobia, which attracts divers and shipwreck enthusiasts from
all over the world.
You can also go diving in Ayia Napa, known for its interesting underwater
topography of caves and crevices in shallow waters.
When
The recommended season for diving is during the summer, between May and November.
In season, Cyprus is a great place for tourists, with many places to visit, shops to buy
souvenirs, a superb variety of restaurants and cafes, and there are many bars on the island.
You need to take into account that during July and August it is very hot and humid.
How
We offer perfect packages including flights, hotels, and diving excursions.
A recommended diving trip to Cyprus is between four and six days,
with a minimum of two days diving. During the rest of your trip, you
can explore, sightsee, shop and relax before your return back.
The Zenobia shipwreck dive site is reached via boat, and in small guided
groups, with a morning dive, back to shore, and additional afternoon dive.
Each day we will along and into different parts of ship, and there will
be deeper dives customized to the level of the divers in the group.
Cyprus offers a large variety of hotels that you can choose to stay in,
and there is also a budget diver's hotel right next to the diving club.
The packages usually only include breakfast and it is recommended to
eat dinner in the local restaurants.
כללי על היעד
אופי הצלילות
מה רואים
Cyprus is home to the Zenobia shipwreck, known as one of the world's
most famous shipwrecks for sports and technical diving.
The Zenobia was a large and impressive Swedish ferry built only about a year before
it sunk. It is named after a Tadmor Queen from the days of the Roman Empire. The
ship set sail from Sweden to Syria with 104 trucks and trailers on board laden with
goods to sell in the Mediterranean and Middle East markets. During the voyage, a
balance system malfunction was discovered that caused the ship to lean on its side.
After a stop at the port of Piraeus and after it seemed that the fault had been repaired,
the ship continued on its voyage. On June 6, 1980, the Zenobia reached Larnaca, where
the captain recognized the problem again. This time, the pump computers could not
intervene in the process, so they evacuated the ship's crew for safety until they could
find a solution for the problem. The Zenobia had to dock about a mile from shore and
was not allowed to enter the port. During the night, the Zenobia sank and now lays at a
depth of 42 m. The side of the ship is located at a depth of 18 m, so all dives on this site
are considered and defined as deep dives.
Level: Suitable for experienced divers – advanced open water or more.
Depth: 18-42 m.
You can also go diving in Ayia Napa, known for its interesting underwater
topography of caves and crevices in shallow waters.
Close
International Time Zone
GMT+2 hours.
Entry Visas
Immigration authorities grant 90-day visas on entering the country, for
most nationalities. for more information please contact the nearest embassy
in your country.
Vaccines
Nothing recommeded regarding this destenation.
It is recommended to keep up to date with your Ministry of Health website.
Personal Documents
A passport with at least 6 months validity.
Travel and diving insurance - can be purchased on this site.
A credit card is accepted in most places saving the need to carry excess cash.
Diving certificate, valid diving insurance and a diving logbook.
Photocopy of your passport, diving certificates and travel insurance.
Make sure to keep it in a separate file from the original documents.
Diving Equipment
It is recommended to bring your own equipment with which you
are accustomed to using, especially a mask and a dive computer.
Scuba diving with a computer is a must! Check your diving equipment
prior to your departure. Scuba diving equipment can be rented and booked
in advance. Payment for the equipment will be direct.
The thickness of your wetsuit should be according to the destination you
choose and according to your personal comfort. It is recommended to bring a
full 5-7 mm wetsuit, depending on the season and your stability to cold.
Important items for diving trips: an inflatable buoy to mark the location connected
to the roller, a whistle attached to your BCD and simple gloves to grip if necessary.
Photography
This is certainly a destination to document. You do not have to be an expert
photographer in order to take spectacular photos to capture some amazing,
unique and unforgettable moments. Diving packages are available for most
kinds of cameras, for photography above and under water. Easy-to-use extreme
cameras are also a popular and available choice.
We will be happy to offer you to participate in one of our underwater photography
workshops, given by our professional instructors / photographers, before you travel.
Clothing
Diving in Cyprus in the summer does not require you to bring to much clothing.
Light clothing for during the day between dives is recommended.
One or two buttoned shirts for the evening can be useful.
We recommend you bring warm clothes to wear on your international flight.
You can avoid bringing shoes and in most cases an extreme sandals are sufficient.
Towels and bed linen are provided by hotels.
Medication and First Aid
Pre-equip yourself with enough personal medication.
The chance of obtaining specific drugs is not always an option!
Do not forget seasickness pills if necessary.
Pack a high factor sunscreen to protect you from prolonged exposure to tropical weather.
Flights
When you receive your flight ticket, please ensure that your name is spelled
exactly as in your passport! You must arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before
departure for an international flight. Whilst checking in, make sure that the label
on your suitcase shows the final destination of your trip LCA. The number of bags
and their weight should comply with airline restrictions to avoid overweight charges.
Transportation, Arrival and Pick Up
On arrival, a diving club representative will await you and take you to the hotel.
You can also take a taxi or local bus, the airport is quite close to the town.
Communication
Wi-Fi access is available nearly everywhere, especially in hotels and
restaurants therefore you do not need to purchase a local sim card. For
those who need to stay connected, sim cards can of course be purchased.
Weather and Seasons
The weather is typical Mediterranean climate.
Sea Conditions
The sea is comfortable during most of the summer months and diving is
possible nearly every day. On some days the seas are high in the afternoon
and therefore early morning dives are recommended.
Electrical Supply
230 V. We recommend you bring a universal adapter to avoid problems.
Money
The local currency is Euro as Cyprus is part of the European Union.
Tips
Tips are acceptable amongst the tourist service operators. In restaurants,
the average tip is 10%. For activities that last a couple of days the standard
tip is $ 20 - $40 per person according to the level of service. Tips can be
given openly and it is usually best to give them on the last day when the
team gathers to wish you a safe journey home.
What Not to bring!
Pornography
Animals
Narcotic drugs
Weapons and ammunition
Emergency Numbers and Decompression Chamber
Emergency Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance 112
Larnaca Hospital 24800500
What is there to see when diving in Cyprus?
In Cyprus main dives are carried out at the "Zenobia" shipwreck. A 172 meter
long and 23 meters wide ferry that sank in 1980 and lays on the seabed off the
coast of Larnaca at a depth of 42 meters. One dive to the shipwreck is not enough
and it is recommended to perform a series of 4 or 6 dives in order to be able to
see the entire ship and its main points of interest.
A day dive in the region of Ayia Napa is also recommended to see interesting
underwater topography of caves and crevices at shallow depths.
Marine life here includes schools of pelagic fish such as barracudas, tuna,
assorted grouper fish octopus and squid, miniature bristle worms and a variety
of other interesting creatures.
Is a diving vacation in the Mediterranean Sea recommended?
The answer is definitely YES! Sea conditions in this area of the Mediterranean Se
a differ from other regions. Those who love the Mediterranean and dive in Cyprus
will return home with lots of great memories, mainly due to the famous shipwreck,
considered one of the most interesting and exciting shipwreck dives in the world.
Vacations in the Mediterranean are relatively cheap and affordable. It is also a
recommended destination to include friends or family who are non-divers.
Is it recommended to dive with Nitrox?
It is definitely possible and recommended to dive with nitrox, since most of the dives are
between 18-30 meters deep. Sometimes nitrox tanks entail an additional cost of about €5
per tank. You can receive nitrox training and qualification during your vacation. We will be
happy to advise and assist in appropriate training venues, near your hotel, at a special price.
How are dives performed in Cyprus?
The Zenobia dive site is privately owned. All dive clubs and all divers are required to board
a large boat and sail together to the dive site and dive there together, therefore the site is busy
and can get a little 'congested'. As service providers, we searched for a solution to provide
divers with a more exclusive option via a small British managed dive club. Dives are carried
out in the morning before all the divers arrive and in the afternoon after the mass of divers
leave the site. After each dive the boat returns to the dive club where divers may rest before
the second dive, providing and essential advantage where divers can enjoy a fantastic dive
and the full intensity of this particular dive site.
What can non-divers enjoy in Cyprus?
Many divers choose Cyprus because they can enjoy a holiday with friends and family who
do not dive. Cyprus is a wonderful destination and one of European holidaymakers' favorite
resorts offering well-kept beaches, taverns, restaurants, bars cafés and historical sites.
Cyprus is classed as a leading holiday destination during the summer months.
