Reefwander
Rocky limestone coast with green scrub running out to a flat-topped headland, deep blue and turquoise sea on the left — Cape Greco & Ayia Napa

Cape Greco & Ayia Napa · Cyprus · Cave & cavern · Reef

Nissia Caves

Into a cave through its roof, out through its mouth at 18 m

Area photo: Fry72, Karel Frydrýšek · CC BY-SA 4.0

A series of through caves and caverns next to Green Bay in Protaras. The route crosses a shallow reef to 12 m, drops into the largest cave through its roof and leaves by the mouth at 18 m. Slipper lobsters shelter inside, groupers and moray eels are common around it, and the cave depth suits Open Water divers.

Also known as Green Bay 2, Green Bay Caves.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Nissia Caves: typical dive to 18 m (to 60 ft), deepest point 22 m (72 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit18 m22 m maxtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

35.0002° N, 34.0690° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.

The dive

The dive starts from Green Bay, or from the jetty when it is available, which makes the entry much easier. A shallow reef crossing drops to 12 m, and the route then enters the largest cave through an opening in its roof. The cave exits through its mouth at 17 to 18 m, and along the way there are more swim-throughs, small caves and overhangs.

Slipper lobsters are often in the cave, and monkfish, groupers, bream, sea peacocks, moray eels and squid are common around it; turtles, seahorses and nudibranchs are also recorded. Divers with good air consumption can return around the island and come out in Green Bay 1, a version of the dive that lasts about 55 minutes.

Marine life and season

  • Groupers
  • Sea turtles
  • Nudibranchs
Month-by-month season rating for Nissia Caves
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Season follows Cape Greco & Ayia Napa: Diving is possible year-round; May to October brings the warmest water and greater marine-life abundance.

Know before you go

  • The route passes under a cave roof between 12 and 18 m; stay with the guide through the overhead sections.

Sources

  1. Nissia Caves — Scubago
  2. Diving spots Ayia Napa - Protaras — Visit Famagusta
  3. Dive sites — Sirens Dive Centre
  4. Dive sites: Herbies Diving Paradise — Herbie's Diving Paradise

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