North Cyprus is an ideal location for snorkelling and scuba diving, with its largely unspoilt coastline and year-round warm waters that rarely drop below 17 degrees centigrade. There are also no tides to worry about and you can enjoy one of the longest diving seasons in the world, which lasts from April through to the New Year. The island’s fascinating history spanning several empires also means there is much to explore underwater, including many exciting shipwrecks. Even better, North Cyprus’s potential has only recently been discovered by international divers, making now an ideal time to visit.
The seas fringing North Cyprus’s coastline boast exceptional visibility of up to 30 metres thanks to low pollution, making the 20 or more recognised dive sites a fantastic setting for beginners and experienced divers alike. The main dive centres in the region are based around Girne, where you will have the opportunity to take dive safaris, learn diving or develop your skills to international certified standards.
Explore one of the world’s oldest shipwrecks, dating from Alexander the Great’s time 2,300 years ago, or mingle with sea turtles, grouper, amber jacks and wrasse who live among the coral and colourful sponges. For the more experienced, you might like to try the Zephyros reef with a challenging drop from 18 to 28 metres or discover the underwater mountain peak of Zeyko.
It is currently forbidden to dive without a local guide in North Cyprus and it is illegal to move or touch any historic artefacts. In case of emergency, there is a decompression chamber at the Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital in Lefkoşa.
Girne Area:
Anchor: Ancient artefacts – 27m
Antique Shop: Amphorae & marine life – 25m
Bambi: Marine life – 14m
Chicken farm: Unknown rock formations – 18m
Fred: Golden grouper & other fish – 25m
Lost: Turtles & rays
Mare Monte: Sports training & groupers – 18m
Mare Monte Islands: Holes & marine life – 20m
Paradise: Marine life – 42m
Pinoccio: Good training site – 14-26m
Rita: Huge anchor – 12m
The Wall: Old chain & anchor, corb fish – 29m
Wreck sites: 2 boats and unknown wreck – 17-30m
Zephyros: Reef & marine life – 20m
Zeyko: Underwater mountain – 14-28m
Koruçam Burnu:
Kormakiti: Marine life - 25m
Foot of the Karpaz Peninsula:
Power Station: Underwater mountain – 13-30m
There are currently several major PADI approved dive centres operating in North Cyprus:
