SCUBA Diving in Northern Cyprus

The temperate climate, together with the clear waters of the Mediterranean, make Northern Cyprus an excellent place for diving and snorkeling. Whether you are an experienced diver, or are just thinking about giving it a try, there are many opportunities here. Northern Cyprus has a number of well-established, PADI-certified dive centres and schools, most of which run their own boats, or charter during the main season. A full range of courses are offered, so whether you are interested in a 'try dive', or want to increase your skills, this is an excellent place to learn and enjoy the wonders of the sea. Dive sites around the Northern Cyprus coast are surprisingly varied, and suited to all levels of experience. The region offers cave dives, wrecks and some quite challenging cliff sites. Visibility here is superb (often beyond 30 metres) and favourite sites range in depth from around 10 metres to above 40. With a vast range of scenery and challenges, there really is something for everyone.

Northern Cyprus waters are clean and support a wide variety of marine life. The area is famed for its marine turtles, and encounters with large species are common. However, the diversity of sea-life is surprising. Here you will find rays, octopus and a great many fish species, as well as invertebrates. There are a number of wrecks off the coast, at varied depths, and some very challenging cliffs, with strong currents for the experienced. For the beginner, parts of the north coast are excellent places to learn to dive. Sheltered coves offer plenty of interesting views in the safety of shallow waters that are all but free from currents.

The diving season in Northern Cyprus is all but year-round too, but the best times are in the summer season, as the seas can be rougher in the spring, and currents are strongest at this time of the year. Northern Cyprus, like many areas, has suffered in the past from treasure hunters. The rule here, as with any other reef environment, is 'leave nothing behind and take nothing away'. There are strict penalties for removing or disturbing any historical artifacts for the region and as a result of previous problems, currently it is only permitted to dive with a registered local centre.

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