Diving in Cyprus includes the famous wreck Xenobia. This large Swedish ship, that was carrying over 100 lorries, lies on it's side in around 40m close to the resort of Larnaca. At the shallowest, 17m, it is accessible to many divers. And for those suitably experienced, it is easily penetrable.Another wreck is the First World War's gunboat HMS Cricket. Again reachable by Larnaca's dive centres, it lies upside down at 30m.
There are plenty of wrecks, deep and shallow, around Cyprus. Many of the dive centres offer you the chance to complete the PADI deep or wreck diving specialties, or even both at the same time.
But Cyprus diving isn't just wrecks. There are plenty of sites with broken amphorae, caused by the natural geological process in the area.
The fish life isn't as much as some destinations, but Grouper and other fish can be found. But the wrecks and geology do make Cyprus and interesting diving location.
The Xenobia, in the surroundings of Cyprus, is a very interesting wreck for divers to meet due to its size as well as to the good conditions in which it is, usually described as intact. The Xenobia was a ship which was sunk in 1980 after suffering problems in its computer controlled system area.
Divers who wish to meet this wreck would have to dive about 42 meters into the water where it sleeps. An important part of it can be easily accessed and seen, although there are some areas where divers might find it almost impossible to be able to access them or explore them.
Once divers reach the Xenobia, they are able to see a ferryboat with one hundred and eight loaded articulated Lorries. Each Xenobia lorry was transporting different cages, and still some of them can be observed just the way they were when the ship was sunken. This way, divers who approach the Xenobia lorries could see cargos of objects such as toys, paint and eggs among many others.
The Xenobia engine room is a legendary area among divers due to the difficulty it presents for them to reach it and have access to it. Some divers have been able to access this area after going through many difficulties, and it is not advisable for divers who do not count with an important amount of experience on their past to try to explore this area.
The Xenobia engine room has been almost unreachable for divers through the pass of time, and many of them have seen it as a challenge. This is due to the fact that, until a few time ago, this room’s entry point had remained hidden and divers had found it impossible to access this area unless they could find such point.
Marine Legends of Cyprus
On top of the natural beauty of Cyprus is the unorthodox collection of rarities which are so highly prized by divers. Rarities such as the "Zenobia", an enormous sunken ferry, which according to experts is one of the best wrecks to dive in the world. To this day we can't resolve the mystery of its loss, but what can be more challenging for adventurers than a secret? All we know is that the cargo vessel began to sink in "Larnaca" harbour, the report stated that the ship encountered technical problems but it has since been rumored that the boat sank because of something more sinister. Fortunately no lives were lost during the accident so divers can explore the wreck without fear of disturbing anything other then the new residents, the abundant and colourful sea life.
The "Zenobia" has become a Mecca for wreck divers. She lies on her left side, allowing the novice diver to explore her right side in only 18 metres of water or if you are more experienced you can dive to her left side, to a depth of 42 metres. Thus the "Zenobia" is as interesting for beginners as for experienced wreck divers.
The wreck is perfect for divers; they can access the cabins, restaurant and auxiliary rooms. Techno-dive enthusiasts can test their skill on three different levels of cargo deck; upper, middle and lower and since the "Zenobia" sunk with full holds, trucks litter the wreckage adding greater challenges for the diver to master. Only the most experienced dive to the lowest cargo deck and to engine room beyond.
The ship is so big and the water is so transparent that it is possible to see the "Zenobia" from the surface; in fact if you fly over the wreck on your approach to Cyprus you will see it from your aircraft seat!
No diver could say that they had completely investigated the wreck because each dive brings something new, new discoveries, new impressions and new emotions. Any diver who has explored the "Zenobia" can talk about their experience for hours….but then again, what use are words? Being told about the wreck by somebody else is no substitute for seeing the wreck for yourself, so our instructors will help you not only see the wreck but also explore it…
The "Zenobia" is not the only treasure in the Cyprus treasure house. There is also the "Achilles" and "Vera K", well known wrecks off Paphos. The "Achilles" lies 5 kilometers from Paphos harbour at a depth of 11 meters, lying on the seabed with her keel upwards, it is possible to dive under as well as around the boat, but be careful the wreck has some new residents, eels!
Bits of wreckage from the "Achilles" were thrown over a 300 meter radius from the boat as she sank, so the wreck takes up a large geographical area offering a great opportunity to discover the seabed around the site.
Another popular wreck dive is not far from Paphos harbour, The "Vera K" was a Turkish registered cargo vessel that sank in a small hollow in the seabed, allowing the diver to combine wreck diving with the exploration of a reef and its dwellers.
Cyprus is famous for its underwater caves, but Paphos with its stony seabed is the underwater jewel of the island. The "Amphitheatre" with its terraces is only accessible to divers, but how can an amphitheatre be under the water, we hear you ask? It's not an optical illusion; underwater currents over thousands of years eroded the cave roof, finally bringing it down uncovering three ring shaped walls, 10-12 meters high. Dive only 12 meters below the surface and the feature and its dwellers, such as shells and shoals of quick moving fish in all the colours of rainbow, will appear in front of you. What memories of your holiday could be better than photos taken in this underwater fantasy world?
The Amphitheatre, Agius Georgius harbour, the romantically named Avdimou Wall with their caves…beginners as well as qualified divers cannot fail to be moved by the beauty of these places, the legends of Cyprus are waiting for you! Discover them with us!