Paramali Bay Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Little-visited bay west of Limassol en route to Paphos, in 3–6m over a mixed bottom of sand in the centre with rocky outcrops toward the edges. Fair holding overall — the sand in the centre of the bay gives good holding when the anchor is correctly placed, but the rocky perimeter makes placement critical. Snorkel to identify the sand patch before dropping the hook; do not rely on chart depth alone. Protected from N, NE, E, and SE; exposed to W, SW, and NW — a reverse profile to most south coast bays. Best approached in E or NE winds, which provide shelter from the dominant quadrant. Protected from the afternoon westerly sea breeze by the headland to the W. No services ashore — carry all provisions. Day anchorage preferred; overnight only in reliable E or NE conditions. 90m alarm radius for mixed bottom and W/SW/NW exposure. Tidal range negligible.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Paramali Bay is primarily sand and rock with variable holding that requires extra attention.

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 3–6m. 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 (30m chain at 6m 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 Paramali Bay are best in settled conditions — the anchorage is exposed to W and SW and NW winds. 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 90m radius before going below. 90m radius in 4–5m sand/rock. Fair holding — snorkel to find sand patch before anchoring; rocky edges can cause poor set. W/SW/NW exposure — day anchorage preferred; overnight only in reliable E/NE conditions.

Best April–October as a day anchorage or overnight stop in settled E/NE conditions. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are ideal — settled conditions are more frequent and the bay is quiet. Summer afternoons bring the westerly sea breeze from the SW, which is the exposed direction here — plan to be anchored and settled before noon, or depart for Pissouri Bay (6nm E) which has better SW protection. Not suitable from November onwards. Carry all provisions — this is a remote, facilities-free anchorage.

Navigation Hazards

• Rocky bottom around bay edges — fair holding only; snorkel to find central sand patch before dropping anchor; do not anchor on rock
• W, SW, and NW exposure — leave immediately if westerly or SW builds; exposed sectors directly oppose the summer afternoon sea breeze direction
• No services — completely self-sufficient required; carry full water, fuel, and provisions from Limassol or Pissouri
• Remote location — nearest fuel and water 16nm E at Limassol Marina; plan fuel consumption carefully

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: Free
• Restrictions: Day anchorage preferred — overnight only in reliable E or NE conditions. Snorkel inspection essential before anchoring — rocky bottom around bay edges gives poor holding; anchor on the central sand patch only. Exposed to W, SW, and NW — leave if westerly builds. Carry all provisions from Limassol or Pissouri before arrival.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Pissouri village (6nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Pissouri village (6nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Pissouri village (6nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Snorkel inspection before anchoring is essential — find the central sand patch and avoid the rocky edges
2. Best approached in E or NE wind — these provide shelter from the dominant protected sectors
3. Day anchorage recommended — overnight only in light, settled, or E/NE conditions with reliable forecast
4. One of the least-visited anchorages on the south coast — genuine solitude and no charter traffic
5. Provision fully in Limassol or Pissouri before heading west — nothing available ashore