Paphos & Coral Bay · Cyprus · Wreck
Vera K wreck
A freighter blown into four sections, resting in its own blast crater
The Vera K is a Lebanese freighter that ran aground off Paphos and was later blown up, leaving it broken into four sections at 11 m. It rests in the crater the explosion created, close to Paphos harbour, with a swim-through and gullies beside the hull, and is a shallow wreck that needs only Open Water.
Also known as Vera K, Vera-K, Wreck of Vera K.
Where it is and how deep
34.7560° N, 32.4113° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The wreck sits at 11 m in the crater left by its demolition, split into four sections with much of the bridge and engine still intact. Alongside the hull lie two large archways, narrow tunnels, a swim-through and a series of gullies, the part of the dive meant for experienced divers. Grouper are among the fish around the wreck.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Vera K
- Type
- Lebanese freighter
- Sunk
- 1974
- Cause
- Ran aground in 1972 and was blown up in 1974 as a hazard to passing vessels
- Lies
- In four sections at 11 m, inside the crater created by the 1974 explosion, with the bridge still fairly intact
The Vera K was a Lebanese freighter that ran aground in shallow water in 1972 and was first used by the army for target practice. Declared a hazard to other ships, it was blown up in 1974, and the demolition left the hull in four main sections in the crater the explosion created, where the bridge still stands fairly intact.
Marine life and season
- Groupers
| 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.
Know before you go
- The swim-through and gullies beside the wreck are an overhead section meant for experienced divers.
Dive videos
SCUBA diving in Cyprus - wreck of the Vera K · Matt Kirk on YouTube
Sources
- The Vera K Wreck — 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
Cave & cavern
A cave roof with amphorae fixed into the rock
A dark, twisting 30 m long swim-through between two ridges
A guide rope and rock steps lead straight onto a shallow wall
Similar dives elsewhere
A 6 m wreck with propeller and rudder on show, snorkelled as often as dived
Wreck
Africa Shipwreck
Milos & Kimolos · Greece
Engine and machinery exposed inside a wave-broken cargo boat
A dynamited navy tug in 5–10 m off Illa Mateua
A 25 m cod boat lost in a storm in 1913, on 12 m of sand