Paphos & Coral Bay · Cyprus · Cave & cavern · Reef
Amphorae Caves
A cave roof with amphorae fixed into the rock
The Amphorae Caves are a rocky site of gullies and caves hidden beneath Moulia Island, a short boat run from Paphos harbour. The dive stays between 5 and 12 m, and divers come for the cave whose roof is encrusted with amphorae, along with octopus and moray eels.
Also known as Amphora Caves.
Where it is and how deep
No published position for this site — the map shows Paphos & Coral Bay and its other sites; operators know the mooring.
The dive
The dive works through a number of gullies and caves in the rock under Moulia Island, from 5 m in the shallows to 12 m at the bottom. One of the caves has a roof encrusted with amphorae. Octopus live here, and sea bream, damselfish, several kinds of wrasse and moray eels are regular visitors, with some coral growing on the rock.
Background
Moulia Island's caves are known for one roof set with amphorae. A team of American archaeologists explored the site and reported that the amphorae became embedded in the cave roof through movements in the seabed over the last 2000 years.
Marine life and season
- Octopus & cuttlefish
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Paphos & Coral Bay: No month stands out as a peak; January to March bring the coldest water, near 16 °C at its lowest, and the sea warms to about 28 °C in August.
Dive videos
Incredible ancient amphorae, Paphos, Cyprus · Cydive Paphos on YouTube
Amphorae Caves, Paphos · Hearts of Oak Productions / Above and Below Films on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How long is the boat ride to the Amphorae Caves?+
Around 10 minutes from Paphos harbour. Cydive's two-tank trip pairs the caves with the Vera K wreck.
Sources
- Amphorae Caves — Cyprus Dive Center Association
- 2 tank - Vera-K Wreck & Amphorae Caves — Cydive
More dive sites in Paphos & Coral Bay
An easy beach entry at a small harbour north of Coral Bay
Two sea-carved amphitheatres joined over the top of a wall
A dark, twisting 30 m long swim-through between two ridges
A guide rope and rock steps lead straight onto a shallow wall
Wreck
A freighter blown into four sections, resting in its own blast crater
Similar dives elsewhere
Daylit swim-throughs up to 30 m long at Cape Greco
Small caves and walls at 9 m off the Salou headland
Cave & cavern
La Galleria
Cala Gonone & the Gulf of Orosei · Italy
A fully submerged tunnel 25 m long and 10 m wide
Gliding through light-filled rock canyons inside 12 m