Blue Lagoon (Chamili Bay) Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

The most celebrated anchorage on the west coast of Cyprus — stunning turquoise water inside the Akamas Peninsula. Anchor in 4–8m over sand in clearly defined sand patches. Posidonia seagrass meadows are extensive throughout the bay and are EU-protected — anchoring directly over Posidonia is illegal. Snorkel to verify a clean sand patch before deploying anchor. Holding is good where sand is present. EU Natura 2000 site and Cypriot national park: anchoring prohibited in designated swimming zones and MPA core areas — check current zone boundaries before entry. Accessible by boat from Latsi (4nm) or by 4WD track from the Akamas plateau. Very crowded July–August with tourist excursion boats from Latsi arriving from 09:00; arrive the evening before for a quiet overnight. Protected from E, SE, and S; exposed to W, NW, and N. Afternoon westerly sea breeze 15–25kt makes this a day anchorage or early morning/evening overnight — leave before conditions deteriorate. 90m alarm radius reflects full scope deployment in 5–7m sand and the exposed western quadrant.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Blue Lagoon (Chamili Bay) is primarily sand and posidonia 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 throughout Cypriot waters; fines apply for damage.
2. Anchor in 4–8m. Cyprus tidal range is negligible (<30cm) — no tidal correction needed. Wind-driven sea level variation up to 0.5m possible in strong onshore conditions.
3. Deploy at least 5:1 scope (40m chain at 8m 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 Blue Lagoon (Chamili Bay) are best in settled conditions — the anchorage is exposed to W and NW and N winds. The key overnight consideration on the Paphos west coast is the afternoon westerly sea breeze — builds 15–20kt from midday, creating swell at west-facing anchorages.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 90m radius before going below. 90m radius in 5–7m sand. MPA: anchor in sand patches only — snorkel to verify before deploying. Prohibited in swimming zones and MPA core areas. Exposed W/NW/N — leave before afternoon westerly builds.

Best May–October. May and early June are the quietest months — the anchorage is calm in the mornings before the sea breeze builds, MPA enforcement is lighter, and excursion boat traffic is low. July–August the bay is very crowded from 09:00 onwards with day-trippers — an overnight stay gives the only real access to this anchorage in peace. September and October are excellent: warm water, fewer boats, and the afternoon westerly is less reliable. April can work in settled conditions but MPA rules still apply fully.

Navigation Hazards

• Posidonia seagrass meadows — EU-protected throughout Cyprus; anchoring over Posidonia is illegal; snorkel to verify sand patch before deploying anchor
• MPA and Natura 2000 restrictions — anchoring prohibited in swimming zones and MPA core areas; verify current boundaries before entry
• Afternoon westerly sea breeze 15–25kt daily May–Sep — exposed W/NW/N makes this uncomfortable by midday; depart before swell builds
• Excursion boats from Latsi arrive from 09:00 July–August — bay becomes very crowded; arrive evening before for overnight
• No facilities — self-sufficient essential; carry full water, fuel, and provisions

Rules & Regulations

• EU member (not Schengen): No customs for EU boats from EU ports. Non-EU boats: Paphos 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 — MPA restrictions apply; sand patches only
• Restrictions: Anchor in sand patches only — snorkel to verify before deploying anchor. Posidonia anchoring illegal — penalties apply. Prohibited in swimming zones and MPA core areas. Afternoon westerly sea breeze 15–25kt; leave before conditions build. Check current MPA boundaries before entry.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Latsi (4nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Latsi (4nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Latsi (4nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Arrive the evening before in July–August to secure a sand patch before excursion boats arrive at 09:00
2. Snorkel to verify a clear sand patch before deploying anchor — Posidonia meadows are extensive
3. Check current MPA zone boundaries with Cyprus Department of Fisheries before entry
4. Depart by 09:00–10:00 to avoid afternoon westerly; conditions deteriorate rapidly from midday
5. Accessible from Latsi by tender (4nm) for a day visit — swim in some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean