Limassol Marina Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Fully enclosed dredged marina basin offering all-weather protection from all directions. 650 berths accommodating vessels 8–115m LOA. Maximum draft 4.5m — check latest dredging status for deeper-keel vessels. 100-ton travel lift on site; full boatyard and chandlery services. Finger berths and laid lines throughout. Primary bareboat and flotilla charter base for Cyprus. Port of entry for non-EU boats — confirm operating hours before arrival (NOT 24/7); if arriving outside hours, contact Cyprus Ports Authority. For guaranteed 24/7 customs and immigration availability, Larnaca Marina (60nm E) is the preferred port of entry. Call ahead July–August — the marina is at full capacity during peak charter season. VHF Ch 16. Tidal range negligible (<30cm) — alarm radius set conservatively at 30m for pontoon berth.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Limassol Marina is primarily sand and mud with reliable holding when properly set.

1. Check for Posidonia seagrass before dropping the anchor — snorkel or use a waterproof camera to verify a sand patch. Posidonia is EU-protected; fines apply.
2. Anchor in 2–4m. Cyprus tidal range is negligible (<30cm). Wind-driven sea level variation up to 0.5m possible in strong onshore conditions.
3. Deploy at least 5:1 scope (20m chain at 4m depth). Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle.
4. Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain.

Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus, Spade.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Limassol Marina are excellent — the enclosed marina provides all-round all-weather protection. The primary overnight consideration on the south coast is the daily westerly sea breeze and proximity to the Akrotiri SBA restricted zones.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 30m radius before going below. 30m radius for pontoon berth in fully enclosed basin. All-weather protection. 100-ton travel lift on site. Port of entry for non-EU boats — check hours (Larnaca preferred for 24/7 entry).

Open year-round and the primary year-round base for the Limassol region. Peak season July–August sees full occupancy — advance booking essential. May–June and September–October offer excellent sailing conditions with less marina crowding. Winter (November–March) is quiet, good for boatyard work and maintenance. The 100-ton travel lift is in high demand October–November for end-of-season haul-outs.

Navigation Hazards

• Port of entry — non-EU boats MUST clear customs and immigration; confirm operating hours before arrival (not 24/7); Larnaca Marina preferred for 24/7 entry
• July–August peak charter season — marina at or near full capacity; advance booking essential
• Boats visiting TRNC (north Cyprus) ports may face entry complications — check current regulations before planning
• Approach channel: monitor VHF Ch 16 for commercial vessel movements in Limassol port area

Rules & Regulations

• EU member (not Schengen): No customs for EU boats from EU ports. Non-EU boats: Limassol Marina is a port of entry (check hours); Larnaca Marina is the preferred 24/7 entry. Fly yellow Q flag. EES biometric for non-EU crew since October 2025.
• Anchoring fee: Marina berth fees apply: approx. €50–150+/night depending on LOA and season; fuel, water, and power metered separately. Call ahead for rates.
• Restrictions: Call ahead July–August — full capacity during charter season. Maximum draft 4.5m. Non-EU boats: confirm port-of-entry hours before arrival; Larnaca preferred for 24/7 entry. Commercial vessels have priority in the approach channel.

For a full overview, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.

Facilities

• Fresh water: Available
• Fuel: Available
• Restaurant: Full marina village: multiple restaurants, cafes, and bars on site. Chandlery, yacht agents, and provisioning shops within the marina. Supermarkets and Limassol city centre 1–2km. 100-ton travel lift and full boatyard services.
• Provisions: Available
• Wi-Fi: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. Call ahead July–August — 650 berths fill quickly during peak charter season
2. 100-ton travel lift — ideal for haul-out and antifoul; schedule in advance
3. Port of entry: confirm hours before arrival; Larnaca Marina (60nm E) is the 24/7 alternative
4. Charter base — flotillas depart Sunday mornings; arrive/depart weekdays for quieter operations
5. Limassol city centre 1–2km — accessible on foot or by taxi; medieval castle and seafront promenade nearby