Polis Bay Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Anchorage in the eastern reaches of Chrysochou Bay off the town of Polis in 3–7m over sand and seagrass. Fair holding — seagrass (Posidonia) meadows are common throughout this area and holding over seagrass is unreliable. Sandy patches exist but are interspersed with Posidonia; snorkel to verify a clean sand patch before deploying anchor. Protected from S, SE, and E; exposed to W and NW (Chrysochou Bay is wide and open to the NW). The afternoon westerly sea breeze funnels along the bay reaching 15–20kt by early afternoon — arrival and anchoring before 09:00 is essential. Polis town (2nm inland by road) offers excellent provisioning: supermarkets, a good municipal market, ATMs, and tavernas. Quieter alternative to Latsi Harbour. Check current Posidonia regulations before anchoring. 100m alarm radius reflects the exposed bay position in seagrass/sand mix with W/NW exposure and full scope deployment.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Polis Bay is primarily sand and seagrass 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 throughout Cypriot waters; fines apply for damage.
2. Anchor in 3–7m. 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 (35m chain at 7m 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 Polis Bay are best in settled conditions — the anchorage is exposed to W and NW 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 100m radius before going below. 100m radius in 4–6m sand/seagrass mix. Fair holding — snorkel to verify sand patch. Exposed W/NW; afternoon westerly 15–20kt. Wide bay — full scope required for reliable holding.

Best April–October. May and June offer settled mornings with the sea breeze manageable. July–August the afternoon westerly makes this a morning-only anchorage — arrive early, use the dinghy for provisioning ashore, and depart or move to Latsi before midday. September and October are particularly pleasant with warm temperatures and less predictable afternoon sea breeze. The anchorage is exposed and not suitable for overnight use in NW or W wind conditions at any season.

Navigation Hazards

• Posidonia seagrass meadows — EU-protected; anchoring over Posidonia illegal; snorkel to verify sand patch before deploying anchor; holding is unreliable over seagrass
• Exposed W and NW — Chrysochou Bay has a wide NW fetch; afternoon westerly 15–20kt daily in summer; can be untenable in NW winds
• North Cyprus Green Line proximity — do not proceed north without confirming current boundary guidance from Republic of Cyprus authorities
• No facilities at anchorage — self-sufficient required; Latsi (2.5nm W) for pontoon services

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
• Restrictions: Posidonia meadows present — anchor in sand patches only; snorkel to verify before deploying. Afternoon westerly 15–20kt from midday. Do not proceed north past the Green Line into North Cyprus waters without proper clearance — see current Republic of Cyprus authorities for boundary guidance.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Polis (2nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Polis (2nm)
• Provisions: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. Best provisioning stop on the NW coast — Polis municipal market excellent for fresh fruit, vegetables, and local produce
2. Snorkel to find a clean sand patch before anchoring — Posidonia meadows are extensive in this area
3. Quieter alternative to Latsi — lower boat traffic and a more authentic Cypriot atmosphere inland
4. Latsi (2.5nm W) is the better overnight berth — Polis Bay suits a settled day anchorage
5. Check current North Cyprus boundary guidance — Chrysochou Bay proximity requires attention to heading when departing north