Dive Blog
Welcome to our Blog, here you will find out the latest from us.
Saturday, 06 May 2023 06:13
Learning To Dive. Taking the Plunge!
Seen all the amazing stories, pictures and videos of other people exploring the amazing world of diving, seeing all the tremendously colorful tropical fish and dramatic seascapes that have been constant on social media these days? Feeling left out and ready to see it for yourself? What better way to see the aquatic world than to fully immerse yourself into it as a certified SCUBA diver! SCUBA diving is a unique sport in that it gives you access to another world, not reachable by everyone – but to access that world requires a level of training and practice before…
Friday, 07 April 2023 08:10
Diving in Cyprus, Your very own Cyprus Diving adventure!
Being situated in the Eastern Mediterranean, we are lucky here in Cyprus to have one of the longest dive seasons in the med, with warm, clear waters through most of the year. The surrounding waters are also home to a large abundance and diversity of marine inhabitants, from our resident nesting turtles and rays that frequent our expansive seagrass beds, to a large variety of tiny invertebrates and nudibranchs found all along our rocky coastal reefs. For such a small island, the…
Thursday, 17 March 2022 05:13
Getting back to Scuba Diving
After a long winter lay off, or due to the epidemic and related issues, getting back into doing some diving is something to look forward to with excitement for many divers. For others it may however delay them or make them consider ever getting back into the water again. For warm water divers or those without dry suits the winter means a period of no diving. Also for many of course dive travel has been greatly affected by the Covid pandemic, which means for many that there has been a long absence from diving. We are having many enquiries from…
Wednesday, 09 March 2022 08:05
Cyprus Wrecks, Reefs and Marine Reserves
Cyprus wrecks, reefs and protected marine reserves. Over a number of years, and even more so quite recently, Cyprus has further developed and increased it's range of excellent dive sites. With new wrecks, marine parks and newly founded protected marine reserves there is a range of fantastic diving to suit all experience levels and divers preferences. While Cyprus is already home to the famous Zenobia Wreck it now boasts a number of marine parks, new wrecks and fully designated marine reserves. This has seen more great dive sites being established along with flourishing marine life species across the island. Cyprus…
Monday, 21 February 2022 12:38
Cyprus Turtle Migration
Marine turtles are migratory and often travel thousands of miles. For those visiting the shores of Cyprus we see a general timing of when we can expect to see more turtles, and then when they start to disappear. We also see the same turtles returning to the same areas and many remain very territorial. We tend to see turtles arriving around the start of March to begin their feeding and mating. Eggs are then laid on many beaches over the main summer months while a lot of feeding goes on after their long journeys to Cyprus. Some stay over the…
Monday, 31 January 2022 12:41
Best Diving in Cyprus
Many people ask us which is the best diving in Cyprus, or which are the best or our favourite dive sites here. Diving can have very personal interests and preferences when it comes to choosing which types of dive sites different divers would like to visit. Therefore the answer to this question is very dependant on each divers own interests and personal preferences. Our answer is often about the fact that there are so many different types of dives and dive sites across Cyprus, and that each has it's own particular points of interest and range of marine life. Everyone…
Sunday, 09 January 2022 09:02
Breathing and Buoyancy Control
Buoyancy really is the ultimate foundation skill in the repertoire of a good diver. It is the base on which all other skills are laid, giving a diver full and proper control underwater to get the most from all aspects of diving. With good buoyancy a problem does not become an emergency, it remains a problem to be solved calmly underwater. Good photography, spotting more marine life, true weightlessness, longer dives, more exploring opportunities and generally more relaxed dives are the result of good buoyancy control and awareness. The secret to mastery of buoyancy is the correct amount of air…
Thursday, 09 December 2021 12:34
When Divers Can't Dive
We have hundreds of enquiries from people every year looking to dive, try diving or sign up for a course. It could be an enquiry for anything from a diver just looking to do 1 days diving to a large group of technical divers looking to dive for a week. So why do a high number of divers enquiries request dives that they are not able to do, both from qualified and unqualified divers ? And why do Dive Companies often let them do dives beyond their personal experience, qualification level and personal abilities ? For example we have many…
Tuesday, 30 November 2021 03:51
Buying a new wetsuit
Choosing a quality wetsuit is worth it's weight in gold. It should keep you warm and allow you to do dives that would be impossible or uncomfortable without thermal protection. Also having your own personal suit means that you avoid all the pitfalls of rental wetsuits - poor fit, poor condition, other peoples odours and so on. Wetsuits must fit you well, fit is everything. A properly fitting wetsuit keeps you warm by only allowing a small layer of water into your suit and trapping it while your body heats it up to help keep you cozy. If it's too…
Thursday, 11 November 2021 10:31
Best Dive Sites in Cyprus
We are always asked which are the best dive sites in Cyprus and we always answer that it very much depends on individual divers preferences. Divers love very different types of diving or to have the opportunities to dive a number of varied types of dive sites. From reefs to wrecks, wall dives, marine rich areas and protected marine reserves, seamounts, islands, caves and a great range of depths Cyprus diving has it all. The best dives sites are spread right across the island from the North and West coast, around the Paphos and Pissouri areas, over to Limassol and…
Tuesday, 19 October 2021 06:47
Cyprus Diving in Winter
Due to it's location in the eastern mediterranean Cyprus has a much longer summer season and milder winter than all of it's western European neighbours. This gives Cyprus a long diving season along with an extended holiday season well into November and even early December, with many arriving on the island for the Christmas and New Year period too. We get asked a lot of questions on the climate and sea conditions during the winter and if we even get a winter in Cyprus at all. Mid January to the middle of March is normally when Cyprus gets it's winter…
Tuesday, 21 September 2021 12:31
Biggest thing you can learn in Technical Diving Training
Many recreational divers think about the step into technical diving and it can be on someones bucket list for ages. Do I step into this other world of diving ? Why do I want to do technical diving ? Divers are then very excited to take a new step with their diving, to understand new theory and skill sets, and to look forward to going deeper for longer. As experienced recreational divers and Instructors many divers are pretty confident in their overall diving abilities but many see technical diving as a way of further improving those skills. However many realise…
Monday, 06 September 2021 05:53
Choosing Dive Equipment
Most divers have some kind of struggle when deciding which or what dive equipment to buy. So many debates and questions face us when we decide to buy our equipment. What are the best brands ? Which BCD should I choose and why ? Which regulators ? What are the reviews like ? What colour shall I have ? What are the dive professionals using ? Why the difference in price ? The first tip I would give is to see if it is worth buying any equipment. Are you a frequent diver ? If you dive frequently then it…
Wednesday, 18 August 2021 07:41
Top Tips for Equalizing when Scuba Diving
Middle ear equalization is a basic, required skill for divers that enables the equalization of the pressure in the sinuses and middle ear spaces with ambient pressure. Here are some tips for easier equalizing. Before you even board the boat make sure that when you swallow you hear a 'pop' or 'click' in both ears. This tells you that both Eustachian tubes are open. Several hours before your dive, begin gently equalizing your ears every few minutes. This has great value and is said to help reduce the chances of a block early on descent say many diving Doctors. Chewing…
Wednesday, 04 August 2021 09:09
How Divers can protect our Seas
All divers and indeed snorkellers can help to take steps to protect and conserve the oceans we love so much. We are the people who see what is happening underwater, and we have contributed our knowledge to the understanding of this underwater world in so many ways over the years. However, now our contribution is more important than ever. Here are some guidelines for anyone in the wider diving community to think about and perhaps incorporate into their diving practices. We must protect and preserve our diverse marine environment. We all recognise that we are in a climate emergency and…
Tuesday, 20 July 2021 05:13
Travel Update for Cyprus
After an update we wrote back in May we thought we would write a further update as so much has happened in the last 3 months. Travel restrictions have been dropped between the UK and Cyprus along with all the other Green and Amber listed countries. Travel within the EU is a lot easier with the relevant testing required depending on each countries individual data. All travel now requires the relevant safe passes, testing and all the general mask and social distancing protocols that are required by country. Here in Cyprus vaccinations have gone to plan and continue to increase…
Thursday, 08 July 2021 10:24
Choosing Dive and Accommodation packages
Many divers seek the right dive and accommodation packages to suit their experience and diving preferences. They can include individuals, couples, families and of course dive groups and clubs of all sizes. Many dive packages are set and you have a set dive schedule with standard accommodation to suit what you are willing to pay for. For many a flexible dive package with a choice of dives and different accommodation is a better option as they can better provide what an individual or group is looking for and to best suit their diving experience. We provide a very flexible approach…
Tuesday, 29 June 2021 03:25
More to Scuba than just Diving !
I start each and every Open Water class by introducing myself and telling everyone a little about myself and when and how I got into diving. Then I go around the room and ask the students to introduce themselves and talk about their reasons for learning to dive. You always get a wide variety of replies from 'I always wanted to try it' to 'because he/she are making me' and 'it's always been on my bucket list'. Little do they know the world of scuba that they are getting into. Once you are certified you don't just dive in the…
Friday, 11 June 2021 07:30
Cyprus Diving and Travel Update
With the continuing positive situation in Cyprus with regards to Covid diving in Cyprus is fully open. Dive boats and Dive Centres are fully operational with the obvious protocols all in place. Daily diving and courses are in full flow with all dive sites accessible as diver numbers this year continue to grow. First dose vaccines have now been administered to almost 60% of the population of Cyprus with almost 40% being fully vaccinated. This is expected to reach almost 70% and 50% respectively by the end of June or early July. Along with this the number of positive daily…
Thursday, 03 June 2021 07:25
What are the best dive options for new divers ?
New or newly certified divers often ask about what their next step should be and what dive options they have. So what comes next ? In our experience there are some main topics we are asked about and that we discuss with new divers in order to make the most of their new found life below the waves. This may seem like a no-brainer but before diving right into another course it's essential to gain more diving experience and our advice is to dive, dive, dive ! After getting certified find opportunities to practice and gain more comfort in the…
Thursday, 20 May 2021 09:24
Diving in Cyprus in 2021
Diving in Cyprus is now fully open with no major restrictions on vehicle travel, numbers of divers or dive boat operations. There is the obvious distancing, equipment sanitizing and some wearing of masks etc but with managed numbers and being outdoors diving here in Cyprus is very safe and fully accessible. With vaccinations at almost 50% of the population to date and numbers of new cases in Cyprus decreasing on a daily basis to very small numbers we also expect Cyprus to go to the Green category for many countries soon. Cyprus also has the highest daily testing rates in…
Tuesday, 11 May 2021 04:52
Buoyancy Control and Diving
As every good diver will know buoyancy control is not a part of diving - it is diving ! Many people sign up as divers to do buoyancy speciality courses, while others say that there should be no need for this if you are trained correctly in the first place. It is a topic for lots of discussion between divers and considerable debate. Good buoyancy control is essential to good diving. That feeling of weightlessness, the ability to ascend and descend effortlessly, to be able to glide at will without touching or disturbing anything, are all why we want to…
Wednesday, 28 April 2021 05:05
Travel Update to Cyprus - May 2021
It has been a long road since March 2020 but there is new optimism with the vaccinations now rolling out across many countries and results clear to see. Let's hope the rest of the world can catch up soon. Here in Cyprus last summer the situation was much better than expected and with almost zero cases it was seen as one of the safest destinations from June onwards. After a lengthy lockdown the country started to open up again form the middle of May 2020 and had done a great job in almost eradicating cases on the island. Unfortunately during…
Thursday, 15 April 2021 06:31
Things to know about learning to dive
Whether it is a bucket list thing to do, something you have always wanted to do, or something you have recently been inspired to do, learning to scuba dive is an experience like no other. We get asked many questions about learning to dive, how to get started or questions on what is involved and so on. How do you learn ? Who can learn to dive ? Do you have to be a good swimmer ? Is diving safe ? How long does it take ? Are there any sharks ? and many more. To enrol on the course…
Monday, 29 March 2021 04:22
Want to be a better Diver ?
By being a responsibe diver in turn makes you a much better and more proactive diver. Scuba diving still comes with inherent risk so don't just go through the motions and be that responsible diver. Taking responsibility for yourself rather than relying on others to cover everything you have forgotten or are not able to do will make you a much better diver, and a better dive buddy too. Taking good care of your dive gear, before, during and after every dive is something that many divers neglect. A responsible diver makes sure everything is functioning normally, there are no…
Friday, 12 March 2021 06:00
Holiday Travel to Cyprus 2021
There has been a lot of information in the media recently about Cyprus opening up to tourism and being a safe destination for a holiday in 2021. We have been keeping a close eye on developments and things are certainly looking a lot more positive for the coming summer. Vaccinations in certain countries are going very well including the UK and Isreal while Europe is now starting to get better numbers. Cyprus hopes to have half a million people vaccinated by June which is a massive proportion of the total population. In the coming weeks Cyprus will be categorizing more…
Tuesday, 02 March 2021 13:01
Reasons to learn to dive in 2021
There are many reasons to learn to dive or just to try diving for the first time in 2021. Many of us are feeling that the fun stuff is on hold at the moment with all the restrictions, but things are starting to open up for 2021 and it may be time to start some new adventures. With eLearning you can start your course by learning all the theory about scuba diving online at home so any current restrictions don't have to stop you getting started. Then later in the year you can enrol for the in water training and…
Friday, 12 February 2021 07:12
Why is Cyprus such a top diving destination ?
Tens of thousands of people come to Cyprus every year to go diving, learn to dive or to try diving for the first time. So just what is it that makes Cyprus such a popular and top diving destination ? We have met and spoken with thousands of divers over the past 15 years and along with our own experience it is interesting to get differing points of view from a wide range of different peoples perspectives. For qualified divers there is of course the draw of a number of excellent wreck dive sites here, but there is also a…
Monday, 01 February 2021 13:17
Speciality Courses - Why do them ?
Most diving agencies offer a range of Speciality Courses that covers a variety of training with different types of diving. In relation to these courses you can sometimes hear comments like 'it's just another course to get more money' or people question their overall value. While others see them as opportunities to gain more diving experience under the guidance of a professional, to enable them to do dives that they are not currently qualified for, or to continue to gain valuable knowledge to extend their diving abilities and experience levels. For us the latter is true, but as we have…
Thursday, 21 January 2021 11:01
Dive Trip Planning
When planning a dive trip of any sorts there are always a number of important things to consider to ensure the best trip possible. So wether it's a local day trip or a full weeks diving holiday abroad with flights and accommodation, here are our recommendations. A dive trip can be planned for any number of people and can be for divers to either book a full diving itinerary or to complete a training course. Diving trips are planned as an adventure and many divers or groups have a list of the places they want to visit. Trips need to…
Tuesday, 12 January 2021 06:20
Good news for travelers to Cyprus in 2021
Great news for travelers to Cyprus in 2021 ! The Cypriot authorities have planned an action plan for the gradual resumption of flights and operations to the airports of Cyprus. The country categories used so far to allow entry to Cyprus are replaced with four others. The plan will enter into force from March 1st 2021. The amended action plan is expected to further boost the interest of airline companies to carry out additional flights to Cyprus, improve connectivity and increase passenger traffic. People who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 will not have to present a negative PCR test certificate…
Saturday, 02 January 2021 06:12
Advanced Open Water Diver Course - when to do it ?
Many divers ask us when is the best time to do the 'Advanced Diver Course' and also why and if they should do it. Many people also say that the name of the course is misleading in that someone with only 9 dives can be an 'Advanced Diver' which does not really describe their experience accurately. The Advanced diver course is known by a number of names depending on the relevant diving agency, but in general they are all pretty much the same and look to achieve the same goals. For example with SDI it is callled the Advanced Adventure…
Monday, 14 December 2020 05:44
eLearning Dive Course Theory
Most dive agencies around the world now provide an option of online eLearning for the theory section of a range of dive courses. This range is increasing all the time and all agencies are now taking online eLearning very seriously and especially now with the current pandemic. The online eLearning section of the relevant course covers the theory sections of the course. This includes the self studying part of the course, any relevant quizzes, videos and any final exam. Before eLearning this was only completed with a paperback course manual and a classroom session to go over the knowledge, quizzes…
Monday, 30 November 2020 13:23
Diving for New and Experienced Divers
Regardless of your diving experience there are still many questions that run through divers minds. It maybe what diving to do next, or what actions they should take next to develop and improve their diving experiences and abilities. Many divers ask or discuss what they should do next with their diving and there are so many options to choose from. Here are just a few fields that are discussed after many years and numerous conversations on the subject with a range of divers. Purchasing equipment is always a great way to open up new experiences and in gaining further knowledge.…
Monday, 23 November 2020 07:58
Does Scuba Diving Improve Mental Health
When I first started scuba diving one of the biggest impacts on me was how relaxed I felt after having a dive. I had a very high pressured job and would feel very stressed by the end of the week, as soon as I was in the water and after my first dive of the weekend I would come out completely relaxed and back to normal. Everything in the world felt great again and my headaches would also be gone. I have commented on this to other divers for years and many have had very similar experiences. There is a…
Thursday, 12 November 2020 07:21
A Great Year of Diving in Cyprus
Even with the difficulties faced since March around the world we have still been fortunate to have enjoyed an excellent diving season this year and we are still diving regularly in November. It has also been one of the best years of diving we have ever experienced with fantastic marine life encounters and the very best quality diving. Due mainly to Cyprus doing an excellent job of controlling the spread of the covid virus the country was pretty much fully open from May and June of this year. Cyprus was also seen as a safe destination so while numbers of…
Thursday, 29 October 2020 10:31
Best Dive Centres in Cyprus
There are many Dive Centres, Resorts and shops in Cyprus with varying degrees of experience, size, professionalism, services and safety standards. A number retain excellent owners and staff with many years of experience and a good solid background of training. Then there are those that have some experience and tend to concentrate on entry level type courses and standard dive trips due to their limited knowledge, while others are to be quite honest inexperienced and unprofessional due to a poor background of training and experience. Dive Centres can also range from a shack on a beach to small one room…
Friday, 16 October 2020 13:01
Night Diving in Cyprus
Night diving in Cyprus offers a variety of great night dives with a completely different range and variety of marine life to see. All of the marine species you would normally see during the day go into hiding while all of those hiding during the day come out to feed. The best night dives to see the most nocturnal marine life is along the rocky coastline areas of Cyprus. Paphos in particular has some beautiful topography and with all the rocky reefs the dive sites here come to life just after the sun goes down. Rocky harbour walls are also…
Tuesday, 06 October 2020 07:26
Diving in Cyprus Sea Conditions
Sea conditions in Cyprus are generally excellent throughout the year and you can have perfect conditions for diving during any month. Obviously conditions in the summer months tend to be generally calmer, warmer and have better visibility, with the winter months then being more unpredictable. From about the middle to end of November the weather continues to be warm but with temperatures cooling and more chances of rain the sea conditions start to change. Temperatures start to drop and there is more wind and stormier weather but the climate can still be excellent right up until the end of the…
Friday, 25 September 2020 04:41
Best Dive Packages for Divers ?
We are always asked what types of dive packages we can provide and indeed there are many elements to a dive package that individuals or groups of any size can choose from. We welcome on average about 6 or 7 large dive groups each year and a great number of smaller groups, couples and individuals every year looking for the best dive package for them. The answer from ourselves is always the same and it consists of what each individual group is actually looking for and requires plus a few recommendations from us. Each package should be flexible to suit…
Wednesday, 09 September 2020 05:00
Diving in Cyprus in 2020
Diving in Cyprus this year has continued without too much interruption since the end of May. Cyprus has done a great job in controlling the virus and we have been fortunate to be able to continue diving throughout the rest of the year so far. At the end of May the main lockdown in Cyprus finished with limited restrictions and after a number of false starts and ongoing enquiries we were allowed to start diving again in smaller groups. Dive Centre and shop sanitizing protocols were obviously put in place with social distancing too, and strict guidance was received from…
Monday, 17 August 2020 13:12
Master Scuba Diver
With the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating you reach the highest non professional level in the PADI System of diver education. It means that you have acquired significant training and experience in a variety of dive environments. The Master Scuba Diver rating sometimes is seen as a card collecting exercise by some without any real merit but it should be one of the most important achievements in diver training and which fully enhance a divers general abilities. With the right choice of specialities and Instructor the MSD rating can also be a great base of skills going into the Divemaster…
Friday, 24 July 2020 06:24
The Zenobia Wreck is still the best !
After diving the Zenobia wreck for over 15 years I can safely say that it is still one of the best dive sites in the world, and for many reasons ! People often ask if you ever get bored of diving the wreck and quite honestly the answer is always a resounding no. I must have dived her at least a thousand times and to all depths with both recreational and technical dives. There are so many dives you can do as there are so many different decks, so much cargo and so many different depths of dives. The Zenobia…
Thursday, 16 July 2020 06:46
Diving on the new Eplida Wreck in Cyprus
After watching the new Elpida wreck being sank in December 2019 we have dived her many times since and she is a great addition to the dive sites and official artificial reefs programme here in Cyprus. The Elpida was a Greek container ship and the name means Hope in Greek. She is almost 70m in length and lies at a depth of 30 metres. The top of the hold is at 20m and the bottom is 27m, with the general quarters and bridge at depths between 20m and 14m. The tip of the masts are at 10m and the wreck…
Thursday, 02 July 2020 04:09
Learn to dive in Cyprus
Cyprus offers the perfect conditions for anyone who is either looking to try diving for the first time or is looking to learn to dive and qualify as a new diver. With warm, clear and calm waters Cyprus has an ideal environment in which to learn how to dive and all in the most perfect and safest locations for beginners. For beginners it is a very important time to get the best initial introduction to the underwater world with the right instruction and in the best environment possible. This helps the new diver gain in confidence as their experience progresses…
Monday, 08 June 2020 07:33
Jubilee Shoals Dive Site
Jubilee Shoals is often described as the second best dive site in Cyprus after the Zenobia Wreck, for many reasons we think that on it's day it is at least as good ! Located just a few kilometres out to sea off the beach in Pissouri - Jubilee Shoals is the biggest known reef in Cyprus. Stretching hundreds of metres to the east and west and with depths of between 16 metres at it's pinnacle down to at least 70 metres at the bottom. The reef has a sheer wall on it's southern side which makes for a spectacular free…
Monday, 18 May 2020 09:38
Great to be back diving again
It was great to be back diving again over the last few days. It is an absolute pleasure to experience the underwater world again after a 10 week break due to the lock down here in Cyprus. Personally it is the longest I have gone without a dive for over 15 years and how good it was to get back underwater. It was also especially pleasing because we took the time to dive some new areas in search of new dive sites and found a fantastic new area off the main bay of Pissouri. I have been told by the…
Wednesday, 06 May 2020 08:56
Back to diving in Cyprus !
It gives us great pleasure to announce that diving in Cyprus is back ! After seven weeks of lock down the Cypriot Government recently annouced new reduced measures from Monday the 4th of May as part of a schedule to get the country back to normal. This allowed all Dive Centres to re-open for people to visit the shops. Part of the second phase which starts on the 21st of May includes us being allowed to take people diving again which is fantastic news. Bars, restaurants, tavernas, coffee shops, shops and beaches are also all opening with certain restrictions from…
Tuesday, 28 April 2020 13:00
Cyprus Marine Life is Booming !
Following on from a previous post of the effects on marine life during the shut downs, unusually close sightings in Cyprus have continued to increase. We can't wait to get in the water to see what is going on down there. With the latest developments in Cyprus we should be back diving again in the next few weeks ! Large pods of dolphins, monk seals, mobula rays and much more have been spotted much more frequently and in much closer proximity to the coastline than ever before. A pod of 20 to 30 Dolphins were seen off the coast…
Monday, 20 April 2020 07:13
Covid-19 and Diving in the future
The future for the diving industry at this current time looks uncertain with no one really knowing what the timescales are for major improvements in cases of the virus, and even then what that will then mean for divers and Dive Centres to start diving again. Around the world this will happen at differing rates by country as some see increasing cases while others are decreasing and restrictions start to be lifted. However Dive Centres, staff and divers should remain optimistic and positive for the future and be planning for better times ahead. Take Cyprus for example. The numbers of…
Thursday, 09 April 2020 06:45
Online eLearning Dive Courses
At Cyprus Diving Adventures our aim is to provide the very best in quality training and to produce the best divers possible. We have excellent indoor and outdoor training facilities. These include classrooms, superb confined water sites connected to the sea and all the lastest materials, eLearning, DVD’s and teaching technologies to create the best possible learning environment. Cyprus is one of the top training locations in the world. Our experienced Instructors have years of experience teaching in the UK, here in Cyprus and other parts of the world. At the moment many dive agencies have both a number of…
Monday, 30 March 2020 08:25
Current events and Cyprus marine life
Due to the recent events with COVID-19 it has already been well documented how the reduction of human activity has began to affect the natural world. So what is happening out there ? Reports have shown dolphins in the canals of Venice and more wild animals moving further into urban areas. Also the air quality has significantly improved in major industrial areas and only in just a few weeks. On a recent jog here in Cyprus I came across rabbits moving across previously busy major walkways and roads. Birds and particularly sea birds seem to be everywhere in Cyprus and…
Friday, 20 March 2020 08:59
Diving Equipment Cleaning and Sanitizing
At Cyprus Diving Adventures we take diving safety very seriously and it is our highest priority at all times. In light of recent events with the coronavirus we have implemented strict procedures within the Dive Centre and with particular regard to our diving equipment. We are following guidelines from the local authorities and also one of the leading experts in global diving safety - DAN (Divers Alert Network) as follows. In light of the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), questions have arisen in the dive community about disease transmission when using rental equipment, especially regulators. With the threat…
Friday, 13 March 2020 02:58
Best Diving in Cyprus ?
As dive professionals we often get asked which dives are the best in Cyprus or which are the best dives we have ever done. To be honest I would dive in a puddle and be happy, it's just that experience of being weightless underwater and exploring another world that does it every time for me. Diving in Cyprus offers such a range of different dives and dive sites that any one of them on their day can be one of the best dives I have ever done. I have been on a 15 metre shore dive off Paphos with 40…
Thursday, 13 February 2020 07:12
Divemaster - which type do you want to be ?
Being a Divemaster is one thing, but to be a good one is a completely different professional. Divemaster is typically the first professional level within the recreational diving industry. It’s a multifaceted role that non-professional observers often misunderstand, and it’s not uncommon during an open-water class for a student to proudly proclaim that they intend to be a divemaster. There are slight variations on the divemaster theme within each training agency and the role varies widely. Being both a great diver and a great divemaster does have some overlap but being a great divemaster is much more than being a great diver.…
Thursday, 30 January 2020 05:37
Wreck Diving in Cyprus
Wreck diving in Cyprus is now becoming ever more popular and is a big draw now to those divers who just want to dive on wrecks all week to those who have never dived a wreck before and want to dive one for the very first time. Cyprus is now home to a large number of wrecks, this number has greatly increased over the past 5 years due to a program of sinking artificial reefs by the local authorities. The wrecks are at a range of different depths, vary in size and all have different stories to tell. This gives…
Monday, 13 January 2020 07:01
Pissouri Village, Cyprus
Pissouri is the third largest village district in the Limassol district of Cyprus, and is located in the Southwest of Cyprus just off the A6 motorway midway between Limassol and Paphos (34 kilometers from both). The main Pissouri village is located about 3 kilometers from the sea on the Cape Aspro ridge, and about 500 feet above sea level. The whole stretch is an absolutely gorgeous spot where the waves that softly lap up against a pebbled and sandy shoreline, partly cradled by the rocky cliffs that drop down to the sea, making the whole setting picture perfect. It is…
Tuesday, 31 December 2019 06:08
DCS Information
Here we have some very interesting information on diagnosing and reasons for some DCS examples. There are no tests or imaging methods such as X-ray, CT scan or MRI that can diagnose DCS. The diagnosis of DCS is typically reached by a process of elimination. This can be more difficult when a preexisting condition mimics the symptoms of DCS. Three primary factors are associated with the diagnosis: provocative dive profiles, proximity of symptom onset to diving and symptoms consistent with DCS. Some might argue that a preexisting musculoskeletal condition could predispose the individual to an increased risk of DCS in…
Monday, 23 December 2019 15:21
Cyprus Diving Holidays
Many people look to go diving as part of their holiday plans and Cyprus is one of the top holiday destinations in Europe and the meditteranean with world class diving. Up to 2 million people visit Cyprus every year and many return time after time. People say that once you have visited Cyprus you will want to come back again and again to enjoy this wonderful island. We first came here over 22 years ago and have been living here for over 13 years so we know exactly what they mean. So why is Cyprus so popular and why is…
Wednesday, 11 December 2019 05:23
Elpida - New Wreck in Cyprus
As previously mentioned we were awaiting the final date for the sinking of our latest wreck and it finally went down to the seabed on Saturday 7th December 2019 ! As part of the ongoing programme to create protected areas of artificial reefs all around Cyprus it is with great pleasure that we announce our latest wreck for recreational and technical diving. The Elpida was sank perfectly flat on the seabed and is a great addition to the islands plans for the continuing growth of diving tourism in Cyprus. The Elpida, which means Hope, is a large 63m commercial vessel from…
Tuesday, 03 December 2019 06:59
Marine Reserves in Cyprus
In recent years in Cyprus there has been growing pressure in general towards more protection for wildlife, coastal areas and national parks. Wether it be the quiet sandy beach areas that need to be left clear of any development for nesting Turtles, the natural habitat of the Akamas National Park that needs protection from more buildings or marine reserves that need ongoing protection from illegal fishing these natural habitats are now more than ever being protected by local authorities. Good news for the diving industry in Cyprus is that we have an ongoing programme of either making new artificial protected…
Tuesday, 26 November 2019 12:38
Cyprus Diving Adventures
When choosing our company name, and after several years of diving all around Cyprus, we wanted to use it to highlight the many reasons why Cyprus is such a great place to go diving. After diving in Cyprus for almost 15 years I have experienced a range of different types of diving including numerous wrecks at a range of depths, fantastic island dives with dramatic walls and caves, deep underwater seamounts and an incredible range of marine life in good numbers. Everyone tells me when they visit that the med is empty of fish but I always strongly disagree. I…
Monday, 04 November 2019 09:48
Diving in Cyprus
Diving in Cyprus offers such a great range of dive sites from reefs to wrecks, walls to caves and has an abundance of varied marine life. This is perfect for all levels of experience, personal preferences and for those looking for a package of dives that includes many different types of diving. Dives include a number of wrecks including the Zenobia, the wrecks at Limassol, HMS Cricket, The Liberty, Laboe and 2 new wrecks being sank very soon. Massive reefs like the largest one at Jubilee Shoals are another example of the stunning underwater topography all around Cyprus along with…
Friday, 04 October 2019 12:53
New Wrecks in Cyprus !
Coming soon !! Watch this space for more updates and information on sinking and when we can start diving on the new wreck and reef ! It’s been a long time in the making but we are pleased to report that Cyprus's new artificial reef is nearing completion and will be ready at the end of October to welcome visitors - both marine and human! As we previously reported, the ‘Elpida’ and ‘LEF1’ vessels are being suitably prepared by the Fisheries Department to be sunk off the coast of Voroklini with the aim to enrich marine biodiversity and cement Cyprus's…
Tuesday, 10 September 2019 07:09
What makes a good Dive Centre ?
There are thousands of Dive Centres around the world and scores of various diving buisnesses here in Cyprus alone. So what makes a good all round Dive Centre and what should you look for when choosing one for any diving requirements ? Of course one of the top priorities in any dive business is it's staff. With so many Dive Centres now you can have an owner and staff who have very little experience. Unfortunately this is down to the relevant Dive Agencies who allow someone with very basic experience to become a professional, and without any working experience then…
Saturday, 31 August 2019 10:52
Cyprus Diving Season
The Cyprus diving season is generally seen as being from about March or April until the end of October. In fact with Cyprus being located so far east in the Mediterranean the general weather and sea conditions are excellent in November and usually right through December too. In Cyprus you can dive all year round and conditions can be excellent in January although far harder to predict, with February and March seeing the wetter and rougher weather. As we approach September and October a lot of other Mediterranean countries are closing their Diving Centres for the winter, here in Cyprus…
Thursday, 22 August 2019 08:20
Facts About Cyprus Diving
Here are a number of facts that you may or may not know about diving in Cyprus; Cyprus has over 50,000 visitors every year who go diving in some form or another. The coastline of Cyprus has been awarded more blue flag awards for the cleanliness of it's sea and beaches per capita and coastline than anywhere else in the world. Cyprus is home to the 'Titanic of the Mediterranean' - the Zenobia wreck. Underwater visibility is typically 20 to 40 metres and the sea never gets lower than 17degC in the winter. Summer water temperatures can reach 30 degrees.…
Friday, 26 July 2019 05:35
Cyprus Diving Holidays
After months of attempting to co-ordinate opposing work schedules, my husband Ed and I found ourselves with a week off in July. That we wanted to spend it mostly underwater was obvious – but where? Our AOW last year had given us a taste for wreck diving, and every search we did turned up the MS Zenobia in Cyprus as one of the best in the world. Add in glorious sunshine with a chance of turtles, and Cyprus was an easy, close-by and affordable option. And then there is the halloumi… Our hideaway for the week was a beautiful apartment at the…
Thursday, 18 July 2019 08:34
Diving In Cyprus for all levels
Diving in Cyprus has a great variety of dives that includes a lot of great diving for all ages and experience levels. We have divers visiting Cyprus for a wide range of types of diving from 1 day try diving to a range of courses and dive packages. There is such a number of dive sites to choose from for any number of days diving and dive groups of all sizes are regular visitors here. The range of dive sites, topography and depths available give the ideal dive sites for beginners doing their first experience dives, Open Water and Advanced…
Friday, 10 May 2019 05:51
Open Water Diver Course
The Padi Open Water Diver Course is the name of the entry level course for those looking to learn to dive for the first time. This is the name of the Padi version of the course for new divers and the name is similar with most diving agencies. The BSAC version is called the Ocean Diver Course. For all entry level courses there is some study, classroom sessions, a swim check, shallow (confined) water training dives and open water training dives. With the Padi Open Water Diver course the study consists of either a paperback manual with a DVD to…
Saturday, 04 May 2019 06:50
Dive Training Standards
A recent news article reported on a diving incident that should never happen if standards and procedures were followed correctly when diving and if the diver had remembered the training. We have noticed over the last few years how many people we have had book diving with us as an Open Water diver and in fact they haven’t been taught, or remembered, even the basic relevant skills and safety checks necessary for the level of qualification they had paid for! Students, without having any prior knowledge about diving put their trust in the Instructor and Dive Centre to do their…
Thursday, 25 April 2019 06:12
Diving in Cyprus
Diving in Cyprus has something for everyone, for all tastes, ages, dive type preferences and for all experience levels. Cyprus is also a perfect dive location for dive training and completing courses from entry level through to specialities and professional ratings. With generally calm seas, excellent visibility and warm temperatures divers are attracted in their thousands to experience the fantastic diving that Cyprus has to offer. In the north and west coast there are a number of islands sitting off the mainland that are the pinnacles of some spectacular underwater features. These include massive walls, swim throughs, a multitude of…
Wednesday, 27 March 2019 06:26
Prevent problems as a Rescue Diver
Why become a Rescue Diver ? What can you gain as a diver from this course and indeed continuing to refresh your rescue skills ? Apart from medical issues, what do you think most causes or contributes to serious dive incidents ? Gear failure ? Conditions ? Panic ? No, while these can all be factors, the number one cause or contributor in serious accidents is bad decisions and diver error. When we make good choices and follow accepted diving practices, unpleasant experiences are very rare, even when the unexpected happens. But when divers make poor decisions, the probability of injury, death…
Thursday, 14 March 2019 07:20
Learn to dive in Cyprus
Learning to dive or trying diving for the first time is very popular in Cyprus with it's perfect diving conditions. Many holiday makers visiting Cyprus have a diving experience on their list of top things to do, with some just wanting to try diving for the first time and some looking to get qualified with a course. In fact many return to do another try diving experience or a number of them as that is as far as they want to go but they enjoy it so much. Anyone from the age of 8 can try diving for the first…
Monday, 04 March 2019 10:14
Cyprus Diving at it's best !
Cyprus is home to many dive sites with differing levels of interest, marine life and difficulty. Some dive sites are excellent for training yet not for marine life, whereas others are of a more advanced level and home to fantastic underwater topography and abundant marine life. Dive sites like the Cynthiana, Pistol Bay and the Ampitheatre are all excellent for dive training of all levels, have great underwater features and varied marine life. Depths vary from 5 metres to 30 metres. Diving on Jubilee Shoals then provides a dramatic 70 metre sheer wall starting from a pinnacle at 16 metres,…
Thursday, 28 February 2019 07:50
Spring and Summer Season in Cyprus
There is plenty of winter diving in Cyprus with this period generally considered from the end of December through until the start of March. Diving in Cyprus has something for everyone all year round but generally most people start to think about getting back in the water from the Spring onwards. Weather conditions in the Spring and Summer are gloriously sunny and the water really starts to warm up from April. Sea temperatures can quickly rise to 20degC and to the mid twenties by as early as May. June and July then slowly get much hotter and the sea temperature…
Monday, 11 February 2019 13:19
Wreck Diving in Cyprus
The Zenobia wreck is regularly voted as one of the best dives in the world, a 'top ten best wreck' in the world and the best dive in Europe. A truly fantastic dive site which attracts thousands of divers to explore her every year. Dive her once and you will want to come back and dive the Zenobia again and again. Dive the wreck for a week and you would still not be able to see everything or do all the dives she has to offer. Diving is available on the Zenobia for all experience levels and it is a…
Saturday, 26 January 2019 10:06
TDI Cyprus
TDI, which stands for Technical Diving International, claims to be the largest technical diving agency in the world. It was one of the first agencies to offer mixed gas and rebreather training. TDI specializes in more advanced diving techniques, particularly with open and closed circuit sysyems, and with mixed gases of oxygen, air and helium. Cyprus is home to a TDI regional office and a number of TDI Dive Centres providing technical dives and a full range of courses. TDI also has a sister organization for recreational scuba diving which is called SDI, Scuba Diving International. TDI was founded first…
Saturday, 12 January 2019 10:13
Zenobia Wreck Story
The Zenobia Wreck has a lot of stories associated with her ill fated voyage through the Med, and with every year the conspiracy theories seem to get more extravagant and the truth somewhat stretched. Zenobia was built at the Kockums Varv AB shipyard in Sweden and was delivered to her owners Rederi AB Nordo in late 1979. She left Malmo, Sweden on her maiden voyage bound for Tartous, Syria on 4 May 1980 and was loaded with 104 tractor-trailers with cargo destined for the Mediterranean and the Middle East. She passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on 22 May 1980, stopping first at Heraklion, Crete and then to Piraeus,…
Saturday, 15 December 2018 08:54
Advanced Open Water Diver Course
The Advanced Open Water Diver course is for those divers looking to continue building their experience as a diver following a period as a novice diver. Any diver from any diving agency can complete this course and it is a great way to further improve your ability and knowledge as a diver under the direct supervision of an Instructor. The course is completed over 5 adventure dives and up to a maximum depth of 30 metres which also gives 18 to 20 metre divers further depth progression. The 5 dives are each a taster of different types of dives, so…
Saturday, 15 December 2018 08:45
Learn to Dive with the Open Water Diver Course
For those looking to learn to dive and qualify as a diver there is an excellent entry level course called the Open Water Diver Course. The Padi version of the course is the most popular in the world and it is perfect for those looking to get qualified while on holiday or on a short break. The Padi Open Water Diver course takes you from only having tried diving before during a try dive, or as someone that has never dived before, to being a fully qualified autonomous diver. This 3 to 4 day course starts with some initial studying…
Saturday, 15 December 2018 08:38
Try Dives and Try Diving
Try dives as many call it are for people looking to try diving for the first time, without having to have any experience and without having to complete a full diving course. Many dive agencies have different names for this and Padi's first experience diver programme is called Discover Scuba Diving. For holiday makers this is the most popular diving activity in Cyprus with thousands experiencing the underwater world for the first time in our warm, clear, calm and very safe waters. It is a fantastic experience for individuals, couples, families and groups of friends to enjoy together. For a…
Thursday, 13 December 2018 13:28
What is Technical Diving ?
What is technical diving? Ask most newly qualified open-water divers and they may struggle to explain exactly what that term means. Even recreational-diving instructor candidates often don’t necessarily have a one-sentence answer. For years, my go-to explanation was: ‘Remember the limits you learned — not to exceed certain depths and times? Technical diving teaches you to go beyond those depths and times, but plan for it.’ Oversimplified? Perhaps. So, let’s look at other definitions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines technical diving as “all diving methods that exceed the limits imposed on depth and/or immersion time for recreational scuba…
Monday, 26 November 2018 09:44
Zenobia Wreck Dive Trips
For dive trips, diving holidays or diving packages there is always one dive on everyones mind that is firmly on any dive groups diving agenda. That of course is the Zenobia Wreck. Divers visiting Cyprus come to dive a wide range of dive sites. We provide daily dive trips to many locations including of course the Zenobia with trips 7 days per week in the main season. Often we advise our divers to do more than just the one trip to get the most from this amazing wreck as 2 dives are just not enough to get the best feel…
Wednesday, 07 November 2018 07:32
Dive Packages
Dive packages or diving holidays for groups of divers has always been very popular in Cyprus. Typically a couple, a few friends or a dive club plan a dive trip abroad which include a package of dives, accommodation and airport transfers. Dive Centres like ourselves then provide a package deal based on the number of divers, accommodation requirements and the dives they wish to do. Most packages are flexible to suit the divers preferences and also their experience levels for the appropriate dives. Here in Cyprus we provide anything from a 2 diver or 2 day package up to any…
Friday, 19 October 2018 11:54
Busy Diving Season in Cyprus
What an incredibly busy season we have had this last few months. With Cyprus being situated in the eastern mediteranean the climate and sea conditions remain excellent right through into November and December, even in January and February the diving conditions can be perfect. As a result we have many dive groups and dive clubs of all sizes visiting during September and October to enjoy the superb diving and some of the best sea conditions of the year. Sea temperatures are still at 26degC even at depth and the outside temperature is a perfect 25-27degC. The sea is also very…
Saturday, 11 August 2018 08:06
Limassol Wrecks and Reef
The Limassol wrecks were sank as 2 artificial reefs for scuba diving in February 2014. The Constandis lies on the seabed at 24m and the Lady Thetis at 19m, both perfect depths for long dives to enjoy thorough explorations of the wrecks. In the meantime a number of artificial reefs have also been sank inbetween the 2 wrecks which lie just 200m apart from each other, and you can do a big dive from the main reef now to the Lady Thetis. The wrecks themselves are very interesting with safe penetration and lots to explore both inside and outside…
Friday, 03 August 2018 09:28
Beautiful Diving in Cyprus
Diving in Cyprus offers such a wide range of dives and many different types of diving to suit all tastes and experience levels. With varying depths and degrees of difficulty there are many dives to choose from including easy shore dives, deep shore dives, reefs, islands, seamounts, wrecks, wall dives, caverns, caves and all with very different ranges of marine life too. Along the Paphos coastline there are many beautiful and interesting shore dives with depths up to 30 metres not too far from shore. There are also varying reefs with many swim throughs, caves and caverns to explore all…
Tuesday, 03 July 2018 10:59
Boat Diving in Cyprus
Boat diving opens up a lot of extra diving access to some of the best dive sites and diving in Cyprus. With many excellent shore dives due to some major areas of rocky coastline there are also some major dives waiting to be explored all around Cyprus and all just out of reach from the shore. None are a major boat trip out to sea and all tend to be within 20 minutes from the coast. Here are just a few to choose from. In the northern area of the Akamas National Park is St Georges Island, a fantastic dive…
Tuesday, 05 June 2018 10:08
Many Faces of the Zenobia Wreck
The Zenobia Wreck is world famous for being a fantastic wreck to dive and one of the best in the world for a number of reasons. Many talk about the 104 lorries, trailers and so on that can be seen on every dive, the sheer scale of the wreck and the abundant marine life that can be seen here. For me the wreck has a lot of treasures. Some are hidden, some are rarely visited and some are just passed by without anyone noticing. There are individual areas to explore on the Zenobia each with it's own story to tell…
Thursday, 10 May 2018 11:48
Try Diving - Discover the World of Scuba Diving
You often hear people talk or ask about try dives or try diving, a description used for a persons first experience underwater with scuba diving equipment. It is a very popular programme with thousands of people trying scuba diving for the first time every year all around the world and it is also known as Discover Scuba Diving. Cyprus is the perfect location to try diving with it's crystal clear, warm and very safe sea conditions. Try diving can have many different guises and come in many forms of what sort of experience or what sort of diving actually takes…
Thursday, 03 May 2018 03:59
An abundance of marine life to enjoy while diving in Cyprus
Having dived in Cyprus for almost 20 years I have seen and continue to see a great variance and abundance of marine life all around the island. The med is not known for good sea life and in parts it is sparce, this is mainly due to exploitation and over fishing. However there have always been a lot of dive sites in Cyprus that have enjoyed fantastic marine life and in big numbers, you just need to know where to go and where to look. Also in Cyprus there is a big development in marine reserves, new fishing controls, artificial…
Wednesday, 04 April 2018 10:59
Diver Accommodation
Individual divers, couples and groups of all sizes are often looking for good value accommodation as part of their complete dive package. Air transfers are also normally included so all our divers need to do is to find a good flight. Preferences on type of accommodation normally depends on personal tastes, who and how many are in the group. There is a large range of accommodation choices available here in Pissouri Village, Pissouri Bay and surrounding areas. With everything from private residences to holiday villages, hotel apartments and one of the best 5 star resort hotels in Cyprus there is…
Wednesday, 28 March 2018 08:32
Pissouri Dive Centre
Every year our Dive Centre in Pissouri is subject to a lot of changes and improvements for the coming main season which is between April and November. We strive each year to continually improve what we can offer our divers when they visit our Centre and continue to provide a full range of services. This year is no exception with a number of new and exciting developments that have taken place. A good Dive Centre should be able to offer a full range of services to meet all it's divers requirements. These include a range of dive sites to choose from,…
Thursday, 15 March 2018 13:55
Open Water Diver Course Options
The Padi Open Water Diver Course is probably the most popular dive course completed in terms of numbers. The entry level course has evolved over the years into a state of art dive course with various options to suit peoples varied preferences. The Open Water Diver Course used to be taught by planning the maximum dive times on traditional dive tables. This then moved on and we began to see the eRDPml which is an electronic version of the dive tables and does exactly the same planning with an additional advantage of multilevel dive planning too. The eRDPml replaced the…
Friday, 09 March 2018 07:26
Diving in Paphos
With it's rocky shore line diving in Paphos offers a range of diving to suit all levels of experience and has some of the most interesting diving in Cyprus. The clear blue waters and range of dive sites are excellent for beginners, dive courses, divers of all certification levels and technical divers. Paphos or Pafos as it is known locally is situated on the south west of the island and is subject to some rough westerly winds at times. The depth of the sea also drops off quicker and deeper than most other areas of Cyprus. Coupled with it's rocky…
Tuesday, 06 March 2018 06:24
Zenobia Wreck Cyprus
The Zenobia wreck in Cyprus is the best wreck by far in the mediterranean and is voted regularly as one of the top 10 best wreck dives in the world. Due to the sheer scale of this wreck, the many areas to explore with so many points of interest, the accessibility with depths of 17 to 42 metres and fantastic marine life, you can easily see why this is a dive haven for all levels of recreational and technical divers. The Zenobia was a ro-ro ferry travelling from Sweden to Syria and what many may not know this was actually…
Tuesday, 27 February 2018 08:35
Dive Season Preparation in Cyprus
At Cyprus Diving Adventures we dive all year round and we have divers out every month, the main season however starts in the spring. March and April start to enjoy sunny, warm conditions and there are more people visiting the island, from May until October is then a very busy period for diving with lots of diving well into November. Easter is a busy time for visitors and the temperatures start to rise, the skies are clear blue every day and as we get into May the dive season is in full swing. June, July, August, September and October are…
Tuesday, 13 February 2018 06:05
The Dive Guide and Divers Roles
Many divers choose to dive with a dive professional, so what is there role and responsibilities and those of the divers too ? The dive guide’s proper role is to assess the dive site’s conditions, safety and suitability for the group. The guide must make sure the divers are informed, and, if he or she deems it necessary, cancel the dive. The dive guide is also supposed to give a thorough briefing on how the dive will take place, hazards and interesting stuff, and to make sure that everyone gets into and out of the water okay. They can also set…