Limassol & the Three Stars Wreck

Diving here is done from boats. Centres are based in Limassol, one with its boat at Limassol Marina, and run frequent trips to the wrecks of the artificial reef just off the coast and to the marine reserve on the Akrotiri peninsula. One centre works the local sites from a purpose-built dive boat and a RIB. For bigger outings, some centres drive divers across Cyprus to the Zenobia wreck at Larnaca and to Cape Greco.

The two wrecks of the artificial reef were laid down in 2014 as part of a fish reserve. The Costandis carries a settled community: huge shoals of amberjack, two-banded and saddled bream, damselfish, trumpetfish and morays, with turtles passing through. A huge grouper nicknamed George meets divers on approach and stays close for the dive. Corrosion has left sharp edges on both hulls, and lionfish numbers keep rising. The Akrotiri peninsula holds the Akrotiri Fish Reserve and the sites of Shark Coves and Twin Rocks, and the Three Stars lies partly submerged in shallow water.

Limassol suits newer divers and anyone working through specialty courses. The Three Stars wreck has good visibility and a safe entry route and asks only for an Open Water qualification. The Costandis needs more care: occasional strong currents run there, so a DSMB is advisable, and the wreck is often not visible from the anchor chain, so divers check the mooring with the skipper.