Avoid Those Winter Blues and Head to Cyprus for some Adrenaline Filled Fun
Winter is coming… but that doesn’t mean you need to travel long-haul to fulfil your sunshine fix. At just 4.5 hours from the UK and with over 300 days of guaranteed sunshine, Cyprus is an ideal destination if you’re looking for somewhere exotic yet close to home
If you’re the adventurous type and want more to get your heart pumping than just lying on a beach, fear not. Cyprus not only has the cleanest bathing waters in Europe and 64 Blue Flag beaches but also a vast range of water sports to suit all ages and abilities
Here, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) shares Cyprus; top water-based activities which are suitable year-round
Windsurfing
One of the first resorts to get serious about windsurfing in Cyprus was Columbia Beach Resort, run by Yiannos and Dia, two of the most experienced water sports operators on the island. The resort became popular due to its location on the safe and enclosed Pissouri Bay and it recently benefited from a six-month renovation. Those looking to learn can also check out WindSurf City who have a wide selection of boards and sails depending on the weight of the student and the wind force
Scuba Diving
Offering the longest dive season in the Mediterranean, clear waters and diverse marine life it’s easy to see why divers from all over the world come to Cyprus. Exploring the sea caves, tunnels and coastal reefs is a must and those interested in wreck dives should explore the Zenobia shipwreck, just off the coast of Larnaka with the Nemo dive centre. Water temperatures range from 16 -27 degrees almost all year round and, due to the conservation work being carried out on the island, you might even spot sea turtles in their natural habitat.
To add to its dive offering Larnaka will also be creating an artificial reef at the beginning of 2018 when the Elpida vessel (which means ‘hope’ in greek) will be scuttled off the coast of Voroklini for divers to explore.
Kitesurfing
Windsurfing is a popular water sport if you’re looking for an adrenaline kick and due to the warm weather and moderate waves in Cyprus, you can practice all year round. KiteHouse Cyprus, based in Limassol, offers a variety of courses and lessons in four different languages – English, Greek Slovak and Russian. For the more experienced, head down to Paramali; the number one kitesurfing destination in Cyprus thanks to its south-westly winds. Located between Limassol and Paphos, there’s plenty of room to manoeuvre your kite at your leisure on this 2km beach.
Stand-up Paddle Board Yoga
Doing yoga on a paddleboard on the crystal-clear waters of Cyprus is a wonderful way to relax your mind and strengthen your muscles at the same time. Working stability, movement and breathing, SUP Club Limassol instructors will teach you how to balance on your board and teach you a variety of exercises on your ‘moving mat’. Don’t worry, you’ll paddle out until you find a calm spot in the water before starting the yoga course so you can experience the peacefulness of floating on the water whilst enjoying the calm nature of yoga.
Sailing
If you’ve spent holidays dreaming of becoming a qualified skipper and sailing out into the sunset at your leisure, why not learn all the skills on a sailing holiday. Cyprus is a wonderful place to get started with its low hazard, warm waters and good southwesterly Meltemi winds which blow along the coast. Horizon Yachting offers courses from basic keelboat sailing to advance coastal cruising. The more experienced seaman can join one of the flotillas or participate in one of their week-long sailing trips around Cyprus that happen throughout the year.
Sea Kayaking
Leaving from a remote beach just north of Coral Bay, a sea kayaking expedition with Zephyros Adventure Sports is the best way to explore the rugged coastline around Paphos. Once you’ve become accustomed to your kayak, you’ll be guided to isolated coves, high cliffs and dramatic arches that have been eroded by the sea over centuries. Once inside the caves, there’s a chance to get out of the kayaks to search for fossils and crawl through small, hidden passages.
Snorkelling
The sheltered Blue Lagoon, on the north coast of the Akamas peninsula, is a snorkeller’s paradise with its crystal-clear turquoise water and colourful aquatic life. Latchi Boat Cruises offer daily trips on their 67ft glass bottom boat, where passengers can watch the beautiful fish moving around on the sea floor from the deck. Take a half-day mini cruise to see the famous Baths of Aphrodite, sea caves at Manolis bay and jump into the ocean to spend some time exploring the seabed of the Blue Lagoon with your snorkel
Cyprus – the third largest island in the Mediterranean – attracts over two million tourists annually. Cyprus is a year-round island appealing to a wide range of personal tastes and lifestyles, from families and couples to the most discerning of culture and nature-oriented travellers. As part of its continued efforts to offer tourists the best quality beaches, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation also recently announced that 47 beaches are now accessible to people with special access needs (26 of those are fully accessible and 21 partly accessible).