Akamas Peninsula & Latchi · Cyprus · Wall · Sand slope
Amphitheatre Bay
Roman quarry blocks scattered below three stepped underwater bays
Photo: Michal Klajban · CC BY-SA 4.0
A former Roman stone quarry on the Akamas coast where three underwater bays step down the seabed, each backed by a mini wall. Quarry blocks lie scattered on the bottom, and the site suits divers of all levels, including those who want to practise their skills.
Also known as Ampitheatre, Amphitheatre.
Where it is and how deep
35.0761° N, 32.3169° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The boat anchors over a large sandy area about 7 m deep. The route leads out along a small rock ledge to the seagrass, then turns left to the first of three underwater bays, each with a mini wall starting at about 9 m.
The first bay drops to 15 m and the next to 21 m, and more experienced divers can carry on down to 30 m. Moray eels, octopus and small rays are often seen, along with damselfish, flounder, sea stars, nudibranchs, sea snails and sea cucumbers. Climbing out of the bays on the way back, the route passes large stone blocks that fell from the boats carrying them away from the quarry.
Background
Amphitheatre Bay was originally a Roman stone quarry, and stone cut there was loaded onto transport boats; some of the large blocks fell overboard and still lie on the seabed. In much later years the site was handed over to the British Army, which used it as a firing range.
Marine life and season
- Octopus & cuttlefish
- Stingrays
- Nudibranchs
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Akamas Peninsula & Latchi: July to September brings the warmest sea; January to April is the coolest stretch, near 17 °C.
Dive videos
Will Diving at Amphitheatre, Akamas, Cyprus · Mike McCormac on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How do the depths work at Amphitheatre Bay?+
The dive starts over sand at 7 m. The three bays step down, the first to 15 m and the second to 21 m, and more experienced divers can continue to 30 m.
Sources
- Dive Sites, Akamas Peninsula with Latchi Dive Centre — Latchi Dive Centre
- Amphitheatre (OpenStreetMap) — OpenStreetMap contributors
Photo credits
- A turquoise cove framed by low pale rock and green scrub under a dark grey sky by Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
More dive sites in Akamas Peninsula & Latchi
Wall
Turtles at a volcanic rock during mating season
Reef
Canyons and gullies cut through dark volcanic rock
A big cave inside the island at the middle of the lagoon
Reef
Swim-throughs where the current pushes divers like a washing machine
A gully swim-through home to big groupers at an old Roman port
Cave & cavern
Blow holes and swim-throughs in a protected turtle bay
16th-century stone anchors among amphora shards off the island
Similar dives elsewhere
Twin gorges between three walls, 10 m down to 40 m
Seahorses on the sand in 3 to 10 m, then a wall from 10 to 40 m
A reserve wall to 20 m with a small arch full of life
A great arch under the white limestone stack off Masua