Paphos Harbour Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Official port of entry on the west coast of Cyprus. Enclosed harbour with substantial breakwater providing all-round protection in 2–5m over sand and mud. Good holding throughout. Vessels up to 15m LOA and 2m draft can be accommodated. Call Paphos Port Authority on VHF Ch 16 prior to arrival to confirm customs officer availability — port of entry hours are not guaranteed to be 24/7. Non-EU boats must fly the yellow Q flag on approach and complete EES biometric registration and customs clearance before going ashore. Fuel and water on the quay; chandlery adjacent. Fish tavernas immediately adjacent to the harbour. The historic Paphos castle and Byzantine archaeological site are within easy walking distance. 50m alarm radius reflects the enclosed harbour position — tidal range negligible (<30cm).

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Paphos Harbour 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 throughout Cypriot waters; fines apply for damage.
2. Anchor in 2–5m. 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 (25m chain at 5m 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 Paphos Harbour are excellent — the enclosed harbour provides all-round protection. 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 50m radius before going below. 50m radius in enclosed harbour. Fully protected within breakwater. Non-EU boats: Q flag and EES biometric registration required on arrival. Call VHF Ch 16 before entry.

Usable April–October as the primary west coast base and port of entry. The enclosed harbour provides year-round shelter but tourist infrastructure and tavernas are at their best April–October. Summer (June–August) is peak season with high harbour activity. April, May, and October offer the most pleasant conditions with lower crowds. November–March the harbour is quieter and some tavernas may be closed.

Navigation Hazards

• Customs hours not guaranteed 24/7 — call Paphos Port Authority on VHF Ch 16 before arrival to confirm officer availability
• Non-EU boats: EES biometric registration required since October 2025 — plan additional time at the port of entry for processing
• Summer afternoon westerly sea breeze 15–25kt — approach before 09:00; the enclosed harbour provides full protection once inside
• Draft limited to 2m — deeper-keel vessels must contact harbour master in advance

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 anchoring; harbour fees may apply for berth use — confirm with harbour master on VHF Ch 16
• Restrictions: Verify customs hours before arrival — not guaranteed 24/7. Maximum draft 2m. Vessels over 15m LOA should contact harbour master in advance. Non-EU crew: EES biometric registration on first EU entry since October 2025.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Available
• Fuel: Available
• Restaurant: Fuel and water on the quay. Chandlery adjacent to the harbour. Fish tavernas immediately alongside the waterfront — one of the best concentrations of waterfront restaurants on the west coast. Provisions, supermarkets, ATMs, and pharmacies in Kato Paphos town (5-minute walk).
• Provisions: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. Preferred west coast port of entry — call VHF Ch 16 before arrival to confirm customs availability
2. Paphos Castle and UNESCO archaeological park within walking distance — excellent base for cultural sightseeing
3. Non-EU boats: fly Q flag on approach; EES biometric processing may take additional time
4. Depart before 09:00 if continuing north to Akamas — afternoon westerly builds to 15–25kt daily in summer
5. Larnaca Marina (east coast) is the recommended 24/7 port of entry if customs timing is uncertain