Scuba Diving in North Cyprus

Amphora Dive Centre photo by: Anonymous [ enlarge photo ]

North Cyprus is an ideal place for scuba diving, since the island doesn’t have tides to worry about, and is blessed with warm waters for much of the year. You can dive from April right through to Christmas, one of the longest dive seasons in the world. The ancient history of North Cyprus also ensures there is plenty to see once you are under the water. The rugged coastline has claimed many ships over the centuries, and you can even dive at the site where the world’s oldest trading ship was found (the actual ship is in the Shipwreak Museum in Kyrenia castle).

List of Diving Companies in North Cyprus

North Cyprus Diving Forum Board

Scuba Diving in Kyrenia North Cyprus

Amphora Underwater

Kyrenia is the main centre for diving, and most of the schools are based here. There are over twenty dive sites within easy reach of Kyrenia harbour alone. Ancient wreak sites are mixed with stunning natural features, such as wonderful underwater formations at Mansinis Reef and great opportunities for underwater wildlife photography at Fred’s Reef. A popular Northern Cyprus dive is Paradise, featuring caves, cuts and canyons at a minimum depth of just 27 metres, whilst the underwater mountain peak of Zeyko never fails to impress.

Scuba Diving in the Karpas, North Cyprus

You can also join dive safaris to the Karpas region run by companies such as the Amphora Diving Centre, where dive sites include underwater caverns, fabulous walls and a cargo ship lying at 20 metres.

Marine Life in Northern Cyprus

The wealth of marine life visible when diving in North Cyprus is clearly visible in the clear, unclouded waters. Visibility on a good day can be an astounding 30 metres. You may find yourself swimming alongside the famous green or loggerhead turtles, or with stingrays, wrasse and grouper, or chasing an octopus across the corals and rocks.

Try scuba diving in North Cyprus!

Don’t worry if you have never tried scuba diving before, North Cyprus is the place to learn! Always look for a PADI approved diving school, and you’ll be assured of the highest standards of training and equipment. The excellent PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program gives you a basic introduction to scuba diving, with full safety instructions, plus a gentle dive accompanied by your instructors. Some schools will teach you the basics in sheltered sea coves (no boring swimming pools) so you can get the thrill of being under the sea right from the start. You can also take further courses, including the full four day dive course, or upgrade to your Open Water accreditation, in North Cyprus’ pleasant and clear waters. Most North Cyprus dive centres also off the PADI Bubblemaker course for children aged over eight, and regular courses for those over ten years of age.

Your Northern Cyprus dive centre will give you full details of what courses involve, but here’s a little hint. Take a bottle of water with you on the boat, and drink some before you dive. Compressed air is also dried to prevent the tanks rusting, so you end up very thirsty after a dive! If you prefer to snorkel than dive, many centres are happy to take you on snorkelling trips too.

Winter Scuba Diving in North Cyprus

If you are diving late in the season, some centres, such as the Turtle Bay Dive Centre, offer dry suits for a warmer, more comfortable dive experience.

North Cyprus Scuba Diving Rules

You are not allowed to scuba dive on your own in North Cyprus, and it is strictly illegal to either touch or move any historic artifacts seen on your dive. In case of emergency, it is reassuring to know that there is a decompression chamber at the Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital in Nicosia.