Scuba diving off the Mediterranean island of Cyprus may not be on your top 10 list of best locations in the world, but do not underestimate its exotic beauty. Visibility is not a problem- reaching around 100 feet or better - nor is the water temperature.
The waters of the Mediterranean around Cyprus reach about 80 degrees F or higher in July. There are countless wreck dives, both modern and ancient, and ancient settlements and artifacts off its coast that are worth exploring.
You can enjoy diving off Cyprus year round; in the winter months of November through March you may be more comfortable in a dry suit, with water temperatures dropping to around 65 degrees F.
This is a place of ancient ruins, ancient ways, and unfortunately, ancient wars. However, Cyprus is considerably safer to travelers than most of the hyped-up news media would have the average tourist believe.
Xero WreckThere are many caves, walls, and reefs that line the jagged coast of Cyprus. The eastern shore has many established dive sites, as does Larnaca and Protaras, north of Larnaca Bay. Scuba divers can explore the famous wreck of the Zenobia in Larnaca Bay and, with any luck, come across ancient stone anchors and amphoras (a container used to measure bulk or liquids in Roman times), dating back as far as 400 BC.
Also, if you are lucky, you will drift over an ancient artifact that human eyes have not held for hundreds of years. There is a strict policy to ‘look and don't touch’ artifacts, and the local dive instructors, ship captains, and the Cyprus Government take this concept very seriously.
The climate is typical of Mediterranean islands; warm and dry with clear starry nights, and brilliant blue skies in the day. The winters are mild and great for getting away from the harsh northern winters.
There are many resorts, hotels, and great restaurants in most villages- a great mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. There are many tourist opportunities especially along the seaboard. English is widely spoken throughout the island.
Cyprus is a great place for beginner scuba divers to really get their fins wet in an exotic location that offers mild waters temps, clear water, and relatively weak currents in many places. Cyprus is also a great place to explore wreck diving and get practice or certification at some of the best wreck dives, accessible in less than 100 feet of water.