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Ocean Calling

Ocean Atlas · Europe and Mediterranean

Europe and Mediterranean

Cyprus

Well-known wreck diving and Mediterranean reefs, with a turtle nesting coast in Akamas.

Sea stacks of Aphrodite's Rock on the southwest coast of Cyprus
Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite's Rock), near Paphos · Photo: Neil Harvey on Unsplash
Exploring

Ethics pass, open for travel. We found a way to visit this country that meets our animal-welfare standard. Checked by Ocean Calling on 30 Sep 2026. Sources: Fines up to 20,000 euro introduced for harassing protected marine species, Cyprus Mail, 2026; Environmentalists angered by Lara beach violations, Cyprus Mail, 2026; Lara-Toxeftra turtle reserve, SPAMI list, UNEP MAP RAC/SPA.

🧭 Travel advice, checked 30 Sep 2026. The UK FCDO withdrew its emergency Middle East tension wording for Cyprus in early June 2026 and does not advise against travel to the Republic of Cyprus. The US State Department restored Level 1 on 1 June 2026. Sources: Updated UK travel advice reassures Cyprus holidaymakers · US and UK ease Cyprus travel advice Advice differs by passport: check your own government before you plan.

FreedivingScubaTurtlesDolphinsWrecks

Why Cyprus

Cyprus is known for wreck diving and Mediterranean reefs, with octopus, groupers and occasional turtles, and a turtle nesting coast in Akamas. Dolphins are occasionally seen from the boat. September and October are best for warm water, and May and June are a good alternative.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

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When to go

May-Jun, Sep-Oct. Timing changes by place and by animal, so check each place below.

We have researched this place and keep learning about it. There is no trip here yet.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

Ethics pass

Meets the Ocean Calling standard.

Since March 2026 Cyprus law bans harassing or feeding dolphins and whales, with high fines, and official guidance treats close swimming, feeding and touching of turtles as harassment. The Lara Toxeftra turtle reserve in Akamas has been protected since 1989, but in summer 2026 some visitors still broke the beach rules. We dive wrecks and reefs, we let turtles come and go, and we do not sell turtle swims or night nest visits.

Checked 30 Sep 2026. Places change, so we look again every year.

Sources for this check
Places we are exploring

Where in Cyprus

Short notes from our research. Wildlife is never guaranteed.

Cyprus

Exploring

Well-known wreck diving and Mediterranean reefs, plus a turtle nesting coast in Akamas.

🤿 In the water: Mediterranean reef and wreck fish, Octopus, Groupers, Turtles (occasional, seen only by chance and never approached)

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Bottlenose dolphins (from the boat), Rough-toothed dolphins (possible, offshore)

When: May-Jun, Sep-Oct. September and October are best for warm water. May and June are a good alternative.

Animals

Animals recorded in Cyprus

Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.

Two rough-toothed dolphins leaping together, blotchy grey skin visibleRough-toothed dolphinSteno bredanensisSeen in 36 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernScarred Risso's dolphin spyhopping out of the waterRisso's dolphinGrampus griseusSeen in 56 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernStriped dolphin leaping, dark flank stripe clearly visibleStriped dolphinStenella coeruleoalbaSeen in 43 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernCommon bottlenose dolphin swimming over a seagrass bedCommon bottlenose dolphinTursiops truncatusSeen in 89 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernRed lionfish with spread fins over sand in Dauin, PhilippinesLionfish (red and common lionfish)Pterois volitans and Pterois milesSeen in 80 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernLoggerhead turtle at the surface feeding on Portuguese man o' warLoggerhead turtleCaretta carettaSeen in 89 countries in the AtlasVulnerableGreen turtle resting on the reef, shell and head pattern in sharp detailGreen turtleChelonia mydasSeen in 103 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernPod of common dolphins surfacing in calm blue seaCommon dolphinDelphinus delphisSeen in 53 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernMediterranean monk seal head above blue water, whiskers visibleMediterranean monk sealMonachus monachusSeen in 9 countries in the AtlasVulnerableSperm whale mother raising her fluke beside her calf off DominicaSperm whalePhyseter macrocephalusSeen in 114 countries in the AtlasVulnerableFalse killer whale surging through blue water off Rota, Mariana IslandsFalse killer whalePseudorca crassidensSeen in 41 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedCuvier's beaked whale surfacing, pale scarred head and small dorsal finCuvier's beaked whaleZiphius cavirostrisSeen in 42 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSilver-cheeked toadfish resting just above sandy seabed, with its pale belly and dark-spotted backSilver-cheeked toadfishLagocephalus sceleratusSeen in 19 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernNomad jellyfish seen from below in sunlit blue water, a translucent bell with frilly arms hanging beneath, off Haifa, IsraelNomad jellyfishRhopilema nomadicaSeen in 6 countries in the AtlasNot EvaluatedCommon octopus crawling over a rocky seabed in FranceCommon octopusOctopus vulgarisSeen in 32 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernA Black Sea seahorse in the shallow water at Eforie-SudLong-snouted seahorseHippocampus guttulatusSeen in 21 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedDusky grouper underwater at Cabo de Palos, SpainDusky grouperEpinephelus marginatusSeen in 40 countries in the AtlasVulnerableGreat cormorant perched on a branch, with white head plumes and a glossy blue-black backGreat cormorantPhalacrocorax carboSeen in 90 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernScopoli's shearwater skimming just above calm blue waterScopoli's shearwaterCalonectris diomedeaSeen in 37 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernEuropean shag sitting on its nest of dry grass, dark green-tinged plumage and yellow gapeEuropean shagGulosus aristotelisSeen in 31 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernYelkouan shearwater lifting off the sea surface with wings raisedYelkouan shearwaterPuffinus yelkouanSeen in 19 countries in the AtlasVulnerable
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Also in Europe and Mediterranean
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