Best Anchorages in Cyprus
The easternmost EU island in the Mediterranean — 40km from Turkey, 250km from Lebanon — Cyprus offers year-round sailing, crystalline limestone coves, and one of the finest winter sailing bases in Europe. 29 marine protected areas and a politically divided island require careful navigation of both the sea and the law.
EU
Member — south only
29
Marine protected areas
16°C
January daytime (winter base)
Year
Round sailing possible
North Cyprus — Legal Warning for Sailors
Cyprus is a politically divided island. The north (Kyrenia/Girne, Famagusta) is administered by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), recognised only by Turkey. The Republic of Cyprus considers direct entry to northern ports from any international location to be illegal and captains face prosecution, heavy fines, and possible imprisonment. EU-flagged vessels must clear customs at a southern port of entry (Larnaca, Limassol, or Paphos) before any visit to the north — and even then, re-entry to the south may be refused or complicated by northern Cyprus stamps. Most EU and UK-flagged vessels avoid the north entirely. Seek legal advice before planning any visit to northern Cyprus.
Sailing Regions
Paphos & West Coast
7 anchoragesPaphos is Cyprus's western sailing hub — a port of entry with fuel, water, and fish tavernas on the quayside. Vessels up to 15m/2m draft are accommodated. The Akamas Peninsula to the north is a protected nature reserve; anchoring is prohibited in swimming and marine park zones, but the Blue Lagoon (Chamili Bay) in the lee of the peninsula offers crystal-clear turquoise water in 4–8m over sandy patches. Latsi (Latchi) fishing harbour, just south of Akamas, retains the charm of a working village with floating docks now serving recreational boats.
Akamas Peninsula: anchoring prohibited in swimming zones and nature reserve areas; Blue Lagoon: anchor in sand patches only (Posidonia EU-protected); afternoon westerly sea breeze 15–20 kt most days
Explore Paphos & West Coast anchorages →Limassol & South Coast
7 anchoragesLimassol Marina is the largest in Cyprus — 650 berths for boats 8–115m, up to 4.5m draft, with a 100-ton travel lift and full shipyard. It is the primary base for bareboat and flotilla charters. Lady's Mile beach stretches 8km along the coast west of the new commercial port — a sandy, shallow-water anchorage suitable for settled weather. Governors Beach, between Limassol and Larnaca, offers sheltered limestone coves with excellent swimming. The afternoon Meltemi (westerly) builds to 15–25 knots most days June–September.
Limassol Marina: 4.5m max draft; travel lift 100-ton; Meltemi builds daily 15–25 kt from midday; Lady's Mile: shallow sand, exposed to southerlies — settled weather only
Explore Limassol & South Coast anchorages →Larnaca & East Coast
7 anchoragesLarnaca Marina is the preferred port of entry for Cyprus — the only 24/7 customs and immigration facility on the island. 450 berths, 1.5–3m depth, entirely sheltered in all weather. Cape Greco on the eastern tip is an EU Natura 2000 Marine Protected Area with mooring buoys provided; anchoring is prohibited to protect coralligenous seabed communities and Posidonia meadows. Konnos Bay and Fig Tree Bay just north of Cape Greco offer gin-clear settled-weather anchorages in shallow sand. The Sharav (hot SE wind from the Middle East) reduces visibility during spring.
Cape Greco Natura 2000: anchoring prohibited — use mooring buoys; 29 MPAs total in Cyprus waters; Larnaca preferred entry port (24/7 customs); Sharav hot SE wind spring — reduced visibility
Explore Larnaca & East Coast anchorages →Ayia Napa & Southeast
Coming soonAyia Napa Marina on the southeast coast is a modern full-service destination designed for superyachts alongside leisure sailors. The surrounding coastline has dramatic sea caves accessible only by tender — carved into the limestone cliffs by wave action. The southeast coast faces the open Levantine Basin (towards Lebanon and Israel) and is more exposed to easterly swell than the south coast. Best visited as a day stop or in settled easterly-free weather. September and October offer the most comfortable conditions.
Open to easterly swell from Levantine Basin; sea caves accessible by tender only; Ayia Napa Marina: modern superyacht facilities; distance to Lebanon 250nm, Israel 200nm — strategic eastern Med position
Asprokremnos & North Coast
Coming soonThe north coast of Cyprus (Kyrenia/Girne) is administered by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is not internationally recognised. The Republic of Cyprus considers direct entry to northern ports from any international port to be illegal, and captains may face serious penalties including prosecution if they enter northern Cyprus without first clearing customs at a southern port. Most EU-flagged vessels avoid the north entirely. Sailors planning to visit northern Cyprus should seek qualified legal advice before departure.
CRITICAL: Direct entry to Kyrenia or other northern ports is illegal under Republic of Cyprus law — heavy penalties and possible imprisonment. Always clear customs at a southern port first. Most EU boats avoid north entirely.
Cyprus Sailing Rules — Summary
- !Port of entry — Larnaca preferred: 24/7 customs and immigration at Larnaca Marina. Limassol and Paphos available with standard business hours. All non-EU boats must clear here before proceeding.
- !Posidonia & MPAs: Protected under EU Habitats Directive throughout Cypriot waters. 29 MPAs including Cape Greco Natura 2000. Use mooring buoys where provided; anchor in sand patches only.
- !Meltemi arrives late in Cyprus: The summer westerly (Meltemi equivalent) arrives later than in the northern Aegean — typically May–September, building to F5–7 from midday. Less predictable than Greek or Turkish Meltemi.
- !Winter base: 16°C January daytime, 6+ hours sunshine in December–January, gales infrequent. Larnaca Marina operates 24/7 year-round — excellent for extended winter stays.