Cyprus, an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, is a perfect holiday destination. It is the third largest and third-most populous island, with significant historical attractions and stunning beaches.

Scuba diving is popular in Cyprus, thanks to its warm waters, diverse marine life, and numerous shipwrecks. One of Cyprus's most thrilling dive sites is the Zenobia (a large cargo ship) wreck, located off the coast of Larnaka. Others include the HMS Cricket, a World War II-era British submarine.

Cyprus isn't just about shipwrecks. It also boasts a wealth of natural dive sites, each more breathtaking than the last. From caves and tunnels to beautiful underwater arches, these sites are a wonderland for divers of all levels.

In this article, we will highlight the best of scuba diving in Cyprus for you to add to your bucket list.

Let’s dive into the list of popular scuba diving spots in Cyprus that are thrilling and offer unique attractions that will leave you wanting more!

1. Zenobia Wreck, Larcana

The Zenobia Wreck is by far the most famous diving spot in Cyprus. It is one of the top ten wreck dives in the world, and it sank just out of the harbour in 1980. This large cargo ship is one of the most enjoyable scuba diving places in North Cyprus and has become a haven for a range of fantastic marine life.

The Zenobia is the perfect location to complete your Advanced Open Water course, with an accompanying guide. At 172m long, it is a two-dive wreck.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Sea urchins, nudibranchs, groupers, barracudas, jacks, triggerfish, lionfish, wrasse, damsel, moray eels, breams, kingfish, octopi, sea slugs, sponges, star fish, stingrays, tube worms, turtles.
• Depth: 18m - 42m
  
• Costs: Individual dives - €65 - €160 & Courses - €519 - €1995

2. MV Elpida Wreck, Larcana

The MV Elpida, a cargo vessel, was intentionally sunk in 2019 in Larnaca's Marine Protected Area, transforming into the region's largest artificial reef. 'Elpida' translates to 'Hope' and is conveniently located just 30 minutes from the Larnaca Marina.

The Elpida wreck is a haven for a diverse array of marine life. It's not just a sight to behold but also an ideal introduction to wreck diving. All decks and cargo containers are easily accessible to divers, making it a comfortable and exciting experience. There are several decks suitable for confined diving and wreck penetration, with a torch advisable for exploring and enjoying the darker crevices.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Amberjack, breams, wrasse, lionfish, blue-spotted cornet fish, cardinalfish, damselfish, grouper, long-spined urchin, octopi, parrotfish, pearl oyster, squirrelfish, thorny oyster, yellow spotted pufferfish, dolphins.
  
• Depth: 10m - 30m
• Costs: Individual dives - €70 - €370 & Courses - €375 - €850

3. Jubilee Shoals, Pissouri

Jubilee Shoals is a reef system of Cyprus containing multiple dive sites within itself such as Jubilee Arches, Finger Pinnacle, British RAF Canberra Wreckage and Jubilee Cavern. You need Advanced certification to fully explore this dive site. Jubilee Shoals offers wreck dives, swim-throughs, caves, rock formations, drift dives, walls, and more.

Jubilee Shoals is brimming with marine life from small to large in every nook and corner. It is a true gem of scuba diving in Cyprus.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Steep walls, arches, caves, amberjack, wrasse, crayfish, damselfish, groupers, moray eels, lobsters, nudibranch, flambelinas, turtles, lionfish dolphins, reef fish, pufferfish, macro life.
• Depth: 20m - 45m
• Costs: Individual dives - €70 - €370 & Courses - €375 - €850

4. Amphitheatre, Paphos l

Located on the Paphos shoreline, Church Bay (also known as Pistol Bay) and Amphitheatre are two great dive sites within 100 meters of each other.

The Amphitheatre dive site is mostly flat with a sandy surface, making it ideal for beginners. Notable features include deep valleys, walls, holes, arches, and overhangs, all within a natural rock formation that resembles a traditional amphitheatre.

The Church Bay dive site is accessible via a rope rail and is perfect for beginners and seasoned divers. It features a gradual slope across boulders and canyons leading to a sandy bottom, where several swim-throughs can be found.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Bream, cuttlefish, grouper, pufferfish, sand smelt fish, turtles, octopi, moray eels, rays, damselfish, flounder, sea stars, nudibranch, molluscs, sea snails, sea cucumbers.
• Depth: 5m - 22m
• Costs: Individual dives - €65 - €160 & Courses - €519 - €1995

5. Cynthiana Beach, Kissonerga

The Cynthiana Beach is a fantastic dive site in Cyprus that offers a variety of different dive routes and boasts some of the best underwater terrain. It is an excellent option for first experience dives, but it also has a lot to offer to divers of all skill levels. There are two large reefs, swim-throughs, gullies, walls, overhangs, and different landscapes to explore. 

Among divers, the Cynthiana is also known as one of the most regular places for spotting turtles on dives, and it is an annual territorial area for several greens and loggerheads.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Turtles, coral reefs, reef fishes, swim throughs, gullies, walls, overhangs, octopui (Isabella is a famous Octopus residing here).
  
• Depth: 6m - 14m
• Costs: Individual dives - €65 - €160 & Courses - €375 - €850

6. Green Bay, Protaras

A picturesque bay in Eastern Cyprus, Green Bay boasts crystal clear waters, an abundance of marine life, and an underwater museum with replica Greek statues and ancient amphorae fragments to discover. Green Bay is also an ideal location for a night dive.

The site has easy access from the shore, providing an ideal confined water training area. The gradual descent makes it the perfect spot for all courses and first dives. The busy dive site is a fish feeding station, with Table Rock attracting an abundance of marine life.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Sea bream, pipefish, damsel fish, octopus, saddle bream, blue-spotted cornet fish, squirrelfish, turtles, sunken statues, parrot fish, wrasse, trumpet fish, cardinal fish, starfish, squids, seahorse.
  
• Depth: 3m - 10m
• Costs: Individual dives - €75 - €160 & Courses - €200 - €990

7. Cyclops Cave, Protaras

Konnos Bay, also known as Cyclops Cave, is a diver's paradise offering something for divers of all levels. Legend has it that the site was home to the mythical one-eyed Cyclops, but now it's a place for underwater explorers.

The shallow waters boast stunning topography including an uphill path between meadows of Posidonia seagrass. The 'Ski Jump' is a gradual slope that is an ideal training site for mapping, night diving, navigation, and deep dives. 'The Rock of Free Fall' is a fun experience for developing buoyancy control.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Huge boulders, rocks, seagrass, bream, grouper, lionfish, moray eels, nudibranch, sea urchins, starfish, squid, jacks, tuna, large pipefish, squirrel fish, parrot fish, cardinal fish, octopus, blennies, wrasse, tube worms, turtles, damsel fish, cornet fish, soldier fish.
  
• Depth: 12m - 50m
• Costs: Individual dives - €65 - €320 & Courses - €200 - €1000

8. Musan, Ayia Napa

Deep under the crystal-clear waters of Pernera Beach lies 'The Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa' (MUSAN) - the only underwater museum in the east of the Mediterranean. It is the world's first underwater forest, consisting of 93 works of art inspired by nature and man.

As you enter the forest, you are greeted by over 8-foot-tall organic structures. Designed by famed artist Jason deCaires Taylor, the museum offers a unique experience for those who appreciate art, beauty, and the ocean's wonder. It's a place of gentle coexistence, conveying messages about protecting the marine ecosystem.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Underwater forest, sculptures, turtles, octopus, squids, pipefish, crayfish, cuttlefish.
  
• Depth: 3m - 10m
• Costs: Individual dives - €160 - €245 & Courses - €360 - €630

9. Canyon, Ayia Napa

Nestled beneath the towering cliffs of Cape Greko, lies the Canyon - a true hidden gem off the beaten path. It is an adventure on its own to get to the Canyon's entry point, however, it is worth the journey!

As you descend into the depths, you'll be greeted by an impressive array of dramatic rock formations, including steep walls, boulders, and swim-throughs. While the marine life here is less prevalent than at other sites, it still offers plenty to see.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Dramatic rock formations, steep walls, boulders, swim throughs, damselfish, grouper, moray eels, octopi, stingrays, pinnacles, saddle bream, ornate wrasse, blue spotted cornet fish, lionfish, turtles.
  
• Depth: 5m - 20m
• Costs: Individual dives - €65 - €300 & Courses - €500 - €1000

10. Limassol Wrecks, Limassol

The Limassol Wrecks are a must-visit for any diving enthusiast. Situated in a protected area, these two wrecks, the Costandis and Lady Thetis, were purposely sunk in 2014 to create an artificial reef, providing a rich environment for marine life to flourish.

Both wrecks boast diverse marine species, making it a perfect spot for underwater photography. The area is prone to mild currents which makes the dive experience even more exciting.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Shipwrecks, amberjacks, banded breams, saddle bream, damsel fish, trumpet fish, morays, turtles, dolphins, groupers, lionfish, octopus, scorpionfish, nudibranchs.
  
• Depth: 18m - 25m
• Costs: Individual dives - €65 - €300 & Courses - €500 - €1900

11. Power Station, Kyrenia

Power Station is a hidden gem of Kyrenia, a dive site located 1.5 miles north of a large power plant in North Cyprus. This site boasts three pyramid rock structures, numerous boulders with walls pitted with indentations full of marine life. 

As you descend, you'll find rocks covered in colorful sponges teeming with solder fish. The site's highlight is the large cave located at the end of the site, adorned with colorful sponges, lobsters, and small marine life.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Nudibranchs, sponges, lobsters, coral reefs, soldier fish, striped groupers, moray eels, amberjacks, stingrays, sea breams, parrotfish, mackerel, caves, rocks, boulders, neptune grass.
  
• Depth: 9m - 35m
• Costs: Individual dives - €40 - €500 & Courses - €140 - €1500

The best time to dive in Cyprus is between March and November. Cyprus has one of the longest dive seasons, with good sea conditions in the Mediterranean.

From June to October, you can enjoy swimming among octopuses, lobsters, seasonal sharks, turtles, and manta rays.

Before you go scuba diving in Cyprus, be sure to carry these essential items: 

• Valid ID proof is a must
• Swimwear, dry bag and towels
• Scuba diving equipment, if you already have
• Hats, sunglasses and sunblock
• First aid kit

Scuba diving operators in Cyprus will also provide you with scuba diving equipment. Be sure to check your equipment before you're in the water to avoid malfunctions.

• Dive only in designated areas, respect your environment and the aquatic life, and always pay attention to the guidelines set by your instructor.
• Wait for at least 2 hours after eating before you go scuba diving.
• Avoid diving under the influence of substances or if advised against by a medical practitioner.
• There should be a time gap of at least 24 hours between flying and going scuba diving.
• Many dive sites in Cyprus require you to have a scuba diving certification to explore deeper waters.

Cyprus is a beautiful island nation with plenty of opportunities for scuba diving. No matter your diving expertise, you will find interesting dives that will excite you. With crystal clear waters, diverse marine life, and plenty of shipwrecks, Cyprus is a must-visit destination for any scuba diving enthusiast.

As intriguing as it is, you should also be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances that might arise when on your trip. That's why it is crucial to get International Travel Insurance before leaving for your trip to Cyprus, that also covers adventure sports like scuba diving! Now, you can perfectly enjoy your scuba diving experience without any financial worries!