Akamas Peninsula & Latchi · Cyprus · Reef
Fontana Amorosa
A gully swim-through home to big groupers at an old Roman port
Photo: Mboesch · CC BY-SA 4.0
A reef off the old Roman anchorage of Fontana Amorosa, just outside the Blue Lagoon on the Akamas coast. Rock formations, holes and crevasses shelter groupers, octopus and morays, and the shallow profile makes it a dive for every level of certified diver.
Also known as Fountain of Love.
Where it is and how deep
35.0894° N, 32.3008° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive begins on a large sandy patch at around 7 m, where stingrays have been spotted, before heading onto the reef. Its rock formations hold morays, lionfish, shrimp, crabs and cuttlefish, and the many holes and crevasses suit dusky grouper and octopus. Japanese puffer fish are a regular find.
The deepest part of the reef reaches 15 m. Where the reef extends out of the bay, a small current can run along its top. On the way back to the boat, a canyon offers a swim-through, and big groupers hide in the gully.
Background
Fontana Amorosa translates as the fountain of love. The site was an old Roman port with a freshwater spring nearby. Roman ships would come in, take on fresh water and then throw their amphora over the side of the boat as a gift to the gods.
Marine life and season
- Groupers
- Octopus & cuttlefish
- Stingrays
| 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.
Know before you go
- A small current can run along the top of the reef, usually at around 3 m, where it extends out of the bay.
Dive videos
Will Diving at Fontana Amorosa, Akamas, Cyprus · Mike McCormac on YouTube
Questions divers ask
Is Fontana Amorosa suitable for newly certified divers?+
Yes. The dive stays within 15 m and suits divers of all levels; Scuba Diver certification is the minimum.
Sources
- Dive Sites, Akamas Peninsula with Latchi Dive Centre — Latchi Dive Centre
- Fontana Amorosa — Cydive
- OpenStreetMap — OpenStreetMap
Photo credits
- A curving dark-sand bay with calm blue water, low rocky headland and three small boats at anchor by Mboesch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
More dive sites in Akamas Peninsula & Latchi
Roman quarry blocks scattered below three stepped underwater bays
Wall
Turtles at a volcanic rock during mating season
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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
Cave & cavern
Blow holes and swim-throughs in a protected turtle bay
16th-century stone anchors among amphora shards off the island
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