In the sunshine, different shades of blue are visible.

Considering North Cyprus is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea with over 300 days of sunshine a year, it comes as no surprise that there is a wealth of waterside activities to embrace on your holiday. Seek out one of the many beaches around the island, all offering a unique style and ambiance. Delve upon the golden sands of the Karpaz, kilometers of untouched shores all to yourself, alternatively, take your hamper and relax on one of the coastlines of the Alagadi coves, or check in to a trendy beach club and polish your tan whilst sipping on a brandy sour.

Alternatively, explore along the coast and find yourself a spot wonderfully secluded and sheltered to take a dip amongst the calm summer shores. Dive into the diverse marine and reef life these shores have to offer and reveal shipwrecks, caves, and an abundance of aquatic species. If you have never tried scuba diving before, North Cyprus will be the ideal environment to learn and don a wetsuit. Discover the coast of the island on gullet boats or yacht tours, even taking time out to throw your fishing rod into the deep Mediterranean fishpond. Engage a series of water sports available in most hotel resorts and beach clubs, from inflatable donuts and hot dogs for the kids, jet skis and canoeing for couples, to parasailing and wakeboarding for the devout adrenalin hunters. For families who need flexibility, make it a day at one of the seaside beach resorts with water slide facilities. Sprinkled all over the island, water parks, mammoth pools, animated in-water yoga sessions, and much more to keep everyone happy and occupied. All resorts will be open to non-member visitors, for a reasonable entrance fee, group discounts, and free admission for toddlers.

The number of shades of blue you can find at NCY will surprise you.

Diving

Diving is a very popular activity for many in North Cyprus, and there are some really good clubs that can provide training courses, trial dives, and trips to great diving locations.

If you are interested in donning a wetsuit during your holiday, the diverse marine and reef life of NCY will provide divers with an experience to remember. If you have never tried scuba diving before, do not be concerned North Cyprus is the place to learn. You can participate in trial dives and then go on to do a course and dive if you have time.
If you decide to progress to a sea-based trial dive, then you have a wide choice of courses to participate in. There are several sites located all along the NCY coast and you will find one easily – ship and plane wrecks, caves, reefs, and an abundance of fish that will watch you with intense interest. You will find crystal-clear and unpolluted shores where the marine life is still undisturbed, with underwater visibility of over thirty meters in places. On the island, you can swim with turtles, see stingrays, and chase octopi across corals and rocks.

Kyrenia is the main centre for diving and most of the schools are based there, with over twenty dive sites within easy reach of the harbour alone. You can also join dive safaris to the Karpaz region, where dive sites include underwater caverns and a cargo ship lying below twenty metres.
Instructors should be fully qualified and be able to provide the necessary accreditation and insurance. For serious dive lovers, you have an opportunity to discover the deeper depths of the North Cyprus coastline and some fascinating wrecks. The diving season runs from May through to October. Scuba Diving on your own along the coast of North Cyprus is not permitted, and needless to say, it is illegal to move any historical artefacts.

Boat Tours

A very relaxing way of observing the Mediterranean and the wonderful coastline of North Cyprus, boat trips and sailing are a great way to spend a day. There are many companies extending crafted gullet boats and sailing trips spread across the island, in Kyrenia, Famagusta, and the small fishing town of Bogaz in Iskele. Usually setting off in the morning, you will sail along the coastline, through various shades of blue, stopping off at various sites, always with an opportunity to cool down in the clear waters of the Mediterranean.

A typical lunch on-board lunch will be served, and you should expect to return in the early evening. For those looking for a more romantic experience, short evening trips that sail you toward the wonderful sunset accompanied by a glass of wine are also a very unique experience to treasure. If you are holidaying in a large group or your privacy is inherent, then try arranging a tour just for yourselves, a more intimate expedition that will also allow you to take custom routes. Fishing is another relaxing way to spend part of your holidays, and many of the boats located in Kyrenia or Bogaz offer fishing trips as well. The waters in North Cyprus are home to over eighty species of fish, so you might just hook your catch of the day.

Beaches

Pebble beaches and long stretches of sand all lead to the most beautiful waters of the world the Mediterranean.
Beaches in North Cyprus are usually not signposted, except for the more popular beach clubs. Most provide car parking, on-site restaurants and cafes, sunbeds and parasols, generally with a small entry fee. When there is a charge, it is well worth it, as these popular beaches provide thrilling water sports activities and coast guards for your safety. There is also a grand choice of hotels that you can visit just to use their beaches, for a small rate.
We have compiled a unique list for visitors searching for public beaches to spend their days and even have their own picnics.

Golden Beach
Travel to the northern tip of the island and you will be greeted by the world-famous Karpaz Golden Beach. Kilometres of golden sands and azure sea, this beach is referred to as the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty in mythology. Never too crowded, the secluded Golden Beach is ideal for those seeking privacy and tranquillity whilst absorbing the sun and enjoying the sea blue.

Glapsides Beach
North of Famagusta on the east coast of the island, Glapsides Beach is in a convenient location on the bay. This long sandy beach with shallow waters is run by the Famagusta municipality and flocked by tourists and locals during the summer. Water sports enthusiasts and scuba divers can explore the mystery of the underwater world whilst other land sports devotees can join the regularly run beach volleyball tournaments. Sun beds and umbrellas can be used for a small fee, and food and beverages, showers and toilets are all available. During the weekends of the high summer season, the beach bar becomes very vibrant and you can party until the early hours.

Long Beach
Situated on Salamis Bay, 15 kilometres north of Famagusta and near the ruins of Salamis, this magnificent sandy beach is ideal to spend time relaxing with a range of available facilities. A shuttle service also runs from town to the beach.

Kervansaray Beach
Operated by the Municipality of Kyrenia, this is a popular leisure area to be enjoyed by the public. In the heart of Kyrenia in the Kervansaray area, this beach has a range of facilities. Sunbeds and umbrellas, dressing rooms and showers, restaurants and even an additional artificial grass sunbathing area for those who don’t like to get sand on their feet. The beach also has a car park for the disabled with easy access to the beachside. As the cove of Kervansaray is a stop for most boat tours from Kyrenia Harbour, a designated swimming area is separated by buoys to ensure the safety of swimmers. The beach also has a lifeguard tower with first aid and lifeguard supplies.

Alagadi Beach
15 kilometres east of Kyrenia, another great public beach is Alagadi, where you can see turtles nesting during the summer season. Turtle watching is regarded as one of the prominent attractions of this beach where photo enthusiasts wait for their moment. Alagadi is an ideal spot for families as well as couples, lined with sandy dunes and shallow waters. There are no facilities so don’t forget to bring your own umbrellas, water, and other refreshments – an ideal location to have an afternoon picnic.

Sea Life

Diving

Boat Tours

Beaches

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