Diving in North Cyprus

North Cyprus is one of the Mediterranean's hidden gems for scuba diving. Unlike many heavily developed diving destinations, much of the coastline remains largely untouched, resulting in clear waters, healthy reefs and an abundance of marine life. Whether you're taking your very first underwater breath or you're an experienced diver looking for deep walls and caves, North Cyprus offers an excellent diving experience without the crowds.

The majority of dive centres are based around Kyrenia (Girne), providing access to more than 20 dive sites along the northern coastline.

Why Dive in North Cyprus?

Crystal Clear Water

Visibility is often between 25 and 35 metres, making North Cyprus one of the clearest diving destinations in the Mediterranean. The excellent visibility makes it ideal for underwater photography and for beginner divers gaining confidence.

Long Diving Season

One of the biggest attractions is the exceptionally long season.

• April – November:     Excellent conditions

• June – October: Warmest water

• July – September: Water temperatures around 26–28°C

• Winter diving is also possible with thicker wetsuits.

What Can You See?

North Cyprus is renowned for its healthy reef systems and varied marine life.

Common sightings include:

• Loggerhead turtles

• Green turtles

• Octopus

• Moray eels

• Groupers

• Sea bream

• Barracuda

• Scorpionfish

• Lionfish (now established in the eastern Mediterranean)

• Rays

• Colourful nudibranchs

• Seahorses (occasionally)

The coastline also supports extensive sponge formations and rocky reefs that provide shelter for countless smaller species.

Popular Dive Sites

The Power Station

Probably the best-known local dive site.

Features:

• Rocky reef

• Swim-throughs

• Small caves

• Excellent fish life

• Suitable for beginners through advanced divers

Fred

Named after the diver who discovered it.

Expect:

• Large rocky formations

• Caverns

• Reef fish

• Octopus

• Excellent visibility

Paradise

One of the deeper dives.

Highlights include:

• Walls

• Canyons

• Overhangs

• Excellent marine biodiversity

Recommended for experienced divers.

Karpaz Wreck

Located off the Karpaz Peninsula.

Features:

• Shallow wreck

• Colourful sponges

• Cave systems nearby

• Suitable for Open Water divers

Caves and Reefs

Many dive operators regularly visit:

• Underwater caverns

• Reef walls

• Rocky pinnacles

• Ancient amphora sites

• Swim-throughs

Unlike southern Cyprus, North Cyprus is known more for its natural reefs than large shipwrecks.

Discover Scuba Diving

Never dived before?

No problem.

Almost every dive centre offers Discover Scuba Diving, allowing complete beginners to experience scuba diving under the supervision of a qualified instructor.

A typical session includes:

• Safety briefing

• Equipment introduction

• Shallow-water practice

• Boat trip

• Guided dive

No previous experience is required.

PADI Courses

Most North Cyprus dive centres are affiliated with PADI and offer internationally recognised certifications.

Courses typically include:

• Discover Scuba Diving

• Open Water Diver

• Advanced Open Water

• Rescue Diver

• Divemaster

• Nitrox

• Deep Diver

• Night Diver

• Wreck Diver

• Navigation

• Photography

• Specialty Courses

Certification allows you to dive worldwide.

Boat Diving

Most dives are conducted from purpose-built dive boats.

Trips generally include:

• Equipment

• Professional guides

• Tanks

• Weights

• Refreshments

• One or two dives

Sites are usually reached within 15–40 minutes from Kyrenia harbour.

Snorkelling

Not everyone wants to scuba dive.

Many dive boats also welcome snorkellers, allowing families and mixed groups to enjoy the day together.

The calm, clear water makes North Cyprus an excellent snorkelling destination.

Underwater Photography

The combination of:

• Calm seas

• Clear visibility

• Colourful reefs

• Marine life

• Interesting rock formations

makes North Cyprus particularly popular with underwater photographers.

Diving Safaris

Several operators organise longer excursions to:

• Remote reef systems

• Karpaz Peninsula

• Multiple-dive day trips

• Seasonal expeditions

These are ideal for experienced divers looking to explore lesser-visited parts of the coastline.

Is Diving Safe?

North Cyprus has an excellent safety record.

Professional dive centres follow recognised international standards, with:

• Modern equipment

• Qualified instructors

• Safety briefings

• Emergency oxygen onboard

• Small dive groups

Beginners are always closely supervised.

Best Time to Dive

April - Season begins

May - Excellent visibility

June - Warm water

July - Peak season

August - Warmest sea

September - Outstanding diving

October - Warm water, quieter

November - Good visibility

Winter - Possible with thicker wetsuits

What Should You Bring?

Most equipment can be hired, but many divers prefer to bring:

• Mask

• Snorkel

• Fins

• Dive computer

• Certification card

• Logbook

• Underwater camera

Diving Centres in North Cyprus

Some of the best-known operators include:

• Amphora Dive Centre (Karaoğlanoğlu)

• North Cyprus British Scuba Centre (Kyrenia)

• Cyprus Dive Shack (Escape Beach, Alsancak)

• Cyprus Underwater Explorers (Lapta)

• Scuba Pulse (Yeni İskele)

These centres offer beginner experiences, PADI certification courses, guided dives, equipment rental and boat trips.

Good to Know

• No previous experience is needed for introductory dives.

• Children can usually start junior diving courses from around 10 years old, depending on the programme and medical suitability.

• Allow sufficient surface time before flying—follow your instructor's guidance and recognised dive safety recommendations.

• Most dive sites are reached by boat from the Kyrenia area.

• English is widely spoken at the main dive centres.

Why Try Diving in North Cyprus?

With warm Mediterranean waters, excellent visibility, fascinating underwater landscapes and a relaxed atmosphere, North Cyprus offers diving that appeals to everyone from complete beginners to experienced enthusiasts. Whether you're exploring dramatic reefs, swimming alongside turtles or earning your first diving certification, it's one of the island's most rewarding outdoor activities—and one that reveals an entirely different side of North Cyprus beneath the surface.