The Municipality of Paralimni-Deryneia is turning its attention to the remarkable world beneath Protaras’ crystal-clear waters as it seeks to attract more diving tourism, a market that draws around 50,000 people a year.
Through a new Diving Guide featuring 12 distinct sites, the municipality is showcasing the area’s underwater attractions, including spectacular caves, reefs, shipwrecks, seagrass meadows, sculptures and sea turtles.
The municipality told Phileleftheros that the underwater map, accompanied by striking photographs of the dive sites, is designed to introduce visitors to a different side of Protaras in an organised and accessible way.
For each location, the guide provides its depth, location, difficulty level, distinctive underwater features and points of particular interest to divers. QR codes are also included to make the sites easier to find.
The municipality is pursuing the same goal through a special publication on the area’s marine flora and fauna, The Marine Jewels of Protaras, produced in collaboration with acclaimed underwater photographer Sakis Lazarides.
The 12 sites in the Diving Guide
1. Cyclops Cave
Located near Konnos, Cyclops Cave reaches a depth of around 40 metres and is aimed at experienced divers. Its underwater landscape features steep rock formations, arches, boulders and cave-like passages.
2. Octopus Reef
Rich in marine life, the seabed here features sandy channels, rocky formations and underwater meadows. The site reaches a depth of around 30 metres and is an area where divers may spot octopuses.
3. Queen’s Baths
At a depth of only around 10 metres, Queen’s Baths is one of the most accessible sites and is also suitable for snorkelling. Its distinctive features include underwater remains and the so-called “Roman wall”.
4. Klavdia – The Trench
This shore dive south of Green Bay reaches a depth of around 25 metres. Its name comes from the shape of the seabed, which resembles an underwater trench with a gradual descent.
5. Green Bay Blue Hole
Described as one of the area’s most atmospheric dives, Green Bay Blue Hole has a maximum depth of 18 metres. The site combines passages between rocks, small caves and a larger underwater cavern.
6. Green Bay
Perhaps the best-known dive site in Protaras, Green Bay has become a landmark for divers familiar with the area.
It is home to the well-known underwater statues, while sea turtles add to the diving experience. Ancient amphora fragments can also be found embedded in the reef, a reminder of the coastline’s long history.
7. De Costa Bay
A sheltered and tranquil bay with a maximum depth of 20 metres, De Costa Bay features Posidonia seagrass meadows that provide an important marine habitat.
Sea turtles, octopuses, schools of fish and other marine species can also be found in the area.
8. Artificial Reef – Golden Coast
An artificial reef between Green Bay and the Blue Hole reaches a depth of around 24 metres.
Underwater sculptures, ceramic fragments and artificial structures have created an unusual environment that is gradually developing into a refuge for marine life.
9. Nemesis Wreck
One of the area’s most notable wrecks is the Nemesis III, a former French fishing vessel built in 1956. It was sunk to a depth of around 26 metres in December 2013 as part of efforts to create an artificial reef near Pernera.
10. Liberty Wreck
A short distance away lies the Liberty wreck at a depth of 28 metres. The wreck is of particular interest because of its structure and the marine life that has developed around it.
11. The Cross – Artificial Reef
Between the two wrecks lies one of the area’s more unusual underwater sites.
At a depth of around 24 metres, a two-metre-high cross has been placed in memory of Russian explorer and seafarer Fyodor Konyukhov, alongside a statue of the Virgin Mary.
12. Kapparis Hidden Spots
The guide’s underwater journey ends in the Kapparis area, home to small sheltered bays and rocky formations.
Marine vegetation, octopuses and sea turtles offer a different diving experience at the northernmost end of the Protaras Riviera.
