Summer sailing and sunbathing, anyone? Though Cyprus covers a modest 3,572 square miles, the island offers abundant opportunities for travelers seeking relaxation and seaside adventure. With numerous Blue Flag beaches — a designation given to beaches and marinas that meet strict environmental and safety standards — visitors can confidently enjoy water activities such as swimming, windsurfing and kitesurfing.
© Deputy Ministry of Tourism Cyprus
Calm, sheltered waters and mild temperatures make sailing and yachting enjoyable year-round. In addition to chartering boats or joining guided excursions, visitors can watch a lively calendar of races and regattas. Wind conditions favorable for windsurfing and kitesurfing are especially consistent around the Larnaka (Larnaca) coast near Mazotos and Kiti villages. Licensed watersports operators at many public beaches provide wakeboarding, bodyboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, jet skiing, water skiing, tubing, banana boat rides, canoeing and kayaking.
Warm, plankton-light waters and excellent underwater visibility give Cyprus one of the Mediterranean’s longest diving seasons. Sunken wrecks and rich marine life attract divers of all levels. A standout is the wreck of the MS Zenobia, recognized among the world’s top wreck dives. The Swedish Challenger Class roll-on/roll-off ferry sank off Larnaka in 1980 while on her maiden voyage; today the ship rests with dozens of lorries suspended in its cargo bays, offering a haunting and memorable dive experience.
© Deputy Ministry of Tourism Cyprus
Another must-see underwater attraction is the Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa, the world’s first submerged sculpture museum, designed to restore and enrich the seafloor ecosystem. Situated beside an artificial reef created when the Kyrenia was deliberately sunk in 2015, the museum displays more than 90 submerged sculptures by artist and environmentalist Jason deCaires Taylor. These works serve both as striking visual features for divers and snorkelers and as habitats encouraging marine life to flourish.
Whether you prefer lounging on pristine beaches, trying wind-driven sports, exploring shipwrecks or discovering submerged art, Cyprus provides a diverse coastal playground. The combination of safe, clean beaches, professional watersports services and unique diving attractions makes the island an appealing destination for summer leisure and aquatic exploration.