DK Travel : Cyprus : Outdoor

Page
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Whip Snake

The inoffensive whip snake, glossy black in colour, flees from people but is sometimes seen wriggling at speed across country roads.
Windsurfing

Agia Napa and Protaras have the best windsurfing conditions, but boards can be rented by the hour, half-day or day at all the island’s resort hotels and public beaches. The best time of day for windsurfing is often mid- to late afternoon, when a light breeze usually springs up.
Wreck of the Achilleas

Mystery surrounds the wrecking of the Achilleas, which blew up not far from the shore and sank in 1975 in 11 m (36 ft) of water. The wreck is in three sections, at varying depths, and is infested by silvery hordes of smaller sea denizens. Grouper and even a moray or two can also be seen around the ship from time to time.
Wreck of the Ektimon

This is an excellent beginner’s dive, in only 6 m (19 ft) of water. The Ektimon itself, a Greek freighter which ran aground in 1971, has almost disintegrated, but its propellers still mark the spot.
Wreck of the Vera K

Sunk during World War II, part of this Lebanese freighter’s hull lies in only 8 m (26 ft) of water, near the Moulia Rocks just offshore from Geroskipou Beach. It is surrounded by shell casings and amphorae and the wreck attracts plenty of fish. An excellent dive for beginners.
Wreck of the Zenobia

This 170-m (555-ft) Swedish truck ferry went down off the coast at Larnaca in 1980 on her maiden voyage (no lives were lost) and lies 43 m (140 ft) underwater. Today it is considered the best dive in the Mediterranean and many claim that it is also one of the best in the world. More than 100 cargo lorries can all be seen, fully intact, and the wreck offers good diving opportunities at all levels. Abundant marine life can be seen around the wreck, including grouper, tuna, conger eels and barracuda. More advanced divers can also descend deeper to explore other interesting parts of the vessel’s interior, such as the engine room.
Xiros Valley

Graceful arched bridges criss-cross this rugged river bed. Built by the Venetians, they once carried camel-trains bearing copper ore from mountain mines down to Pafos. The Roudias bridge, near Vrecha village, is one of the best preserved.
Yialias Loop

Mountain breezes take some of the heat out of this 32-km (20-mile) tour, starting and finishing at Lythrodontas.
“Acapulco Beach”

This beautiful beach is the North’s most popular stretch of sand and on summer weekends you certainly won’t be alone – Turkish Cypriots from Nicosia flock here to escape the scorching heat of the city. Facilities include more hotels, watersports and restaurants than most of the region’s beaches.
“Banana” Rides

Bright yellow inflatable “bananas” towed at speed by motor boats can carry half a dozen or so passengers. The challenge is to stay aboard while the boat’s movement makes the “banana” perform an increasingly extreme series of aquatic maneouvres. Life jackets are essential and most operators insist on an over-15s only policy.