By Leonidas SavvasOnce you come to Akamas Peninsula, you will understand why it is my favorite place and why do I always come back here when I visit Cyprus. On the most western coast of Cyprus, untouched by human development, it is an area of great biodiversity and ecological significance with staggering natural beauty deep gorges, a wild landscape and steep cliffs. However, one of the best ways to spend a perfect summer day is under water.
I love the ocean and I am a passionate scuba diver. I always try to log in couple of dives in this area. It certainly does not have a Caribbean like feel and you won’t find neither yellow nor blue fishes over here or coral reef environment. It is a completely different diving experience, and I can promise you, you won’t be disappointed. Scuba around Akamas can be tailored to novice us well as very experience divers, from shallow easy to deep challenging dives, night dives as well as scooter assisted dives. Marine life is abundant and if you look closely you realize it is quite diverse including barracudas, snapper, parrot fish, moray eals and turtles, and my favorite, octopus.
The sites are only a short boat drive, which my scuba buddy prone to sea sickness appreciates. Leaving from a small harbor in the village of Latchi on one of the scuba shop boat heading for St. George’s Island (Agios Yeorgios), I can’t keep my eyes off the majestic summits of the Akamas Peninsula and I wonder if the sky can be any more blue and the ocean any clearer. With only one other couple on the boat, we are by ourselves as tourist boats did not make their way here yet. Splashing into the cool waters is welcome, considering that temperatures can rise quite quickly and approach 35 degrees Celsius and more during the day in August. Though, 3mm suite is quite helpful in these waters.
We slowly descent to about 17 meters and start our wall dive. The visibility is absolutely great and I try to control my excitement and keep calm so I don’t breathe my oxygen faster. I feel like I woke up on a different planet with the rocky landscape around me, and several arches, caves and swim throughs await my curiosity. The aquatic life is quite abundant over here. Red sea sponges, bright orange sea stars, sea urchins can be spotted everywhere. Finally, hidden at one of the swim through, we spot a huge octopus. While my scuba buddy backs off to a “safer” distance, I slowly approach the creature to examine it closely and to try to snap some pictures. It knows I am there and I can see it trying to adjust its colors to the background as it feels threatened. I try to control my buoyancy to stay steady when the octopus decides to move. Now I can see it in all its beauty and length. It must have been at least 1-2 meters long when stretching its legs. My eyes lock onto its eyes as each of us is trying to figure out the others next move and I am unable to focus my camera for a picture. Finally, it decides to sit few meters away and camouflages its color to the rock. Saddened that I wasn’t able to take a quick action picture I at last leave my new friend.
We continue our swim at the same depth around the island, climbing a field of different color seaweed the spreads around and I play hide and seek with Nemo alike. Back on the boat, I am ecstatic about my dive. I am glad that this protected area stays untouched and I am happy to see many of the protected species to strive in this area. I encourage you to visit Akamas during your trip to Cyprus. Once you experience a little piece of it, you will wan to see more and you might as well go for your diving certification. The Blue Lagoon which looks like a shot from a movie is a perfect start for that.I look forward for you to tell me about your experience! And please feel free to contact me for recommendation for scuba/snorkeling shops and accommodations.
