Cyprus – a Closer Look

Published 8 months agoon September 5, 2025

Returning to Cyprus more than three decades after first learning to dive there, Jane Morgan sets out to rediscover the island’s underwater world…

Way back in 1991, I learned to dive in Cyprus. One try dive was all it took—I was instantly hooked and wasted no time signing up for my BSAC Novice course. As a beginner, I didn’t get to experience many of the island’s more exciting dive sites, so when the opportunity came to return—34 years later—my very first thought was: the Zenobia. For me, this trip wasn’t just a dive holiday; it was a long-awaited dream come true.

LIMASSOL BAY

Let’s face it—wreck diving is practically a rite of passage for British divers. With so many incredible wrecks scattered around our coastline, it’s no wonder we’re drawn to them. As a photographer, I’ve always had a soft spot for wreck dives—and for good reason. Unlike marine life, wrecks don’t swim away, giving you all the time in the world to line up the perfect shot. They offer strong focal points, rich textures, and often double as thriving artificial reefs. So, when we got the news on day one that the wind had scuppered our planned check-out dive and we’d be diving two wrecks instead, I’m pretty sure I did a little happy dance.

The following day, we made our way to Limassol on Cyprus’s southern coast to meet our hosts for the day—Blue Thunder Diving. Both wrecks on the schedule had been deliberately sunk in February 2014 to serve as artificial reefs within the Dasoudi Marine Protected Area (MPA). The MPA includes four designated dive sites, along with several no-entry zones where the fisheries department has installed structures to provide safe havens for fish and octopus populations—part of a broader effort to support marine regeneration.

With our dive guide Andreas leading the way, we loaded our gear onto Prodive III—Blue Thunder’s custom-built dive boat—and headed about a kilometre offshore to our first dive site of the day.

CONSTANDIS

We descended the shot line to a maximum depth of 25 metres, where it was secured to a concrete block roughly 20 metres from the bow of the wreck. While a guideline is available to lead divers to the site, we didn’t need it—visibility was spectacular, with stunning clear blue water revealing the upright silhouette of the wreck almost immediately.

After a leisurely swim around the exterior of the 23-metre-long vessel, we moved onto the deck for a bit of fun exploration. At the stern, two hatches offer easy swim-throughs, and continuing forward brings you to the engine room—well worth a peek, though a torch is recommended. Ours illuminated a mini army of lionfish guarding their precious hideaway.

Back on deck, we checked out the bridge and took in the bustling marine life. Shoals of amberjack cruised by in the blue, while slipper lobsters tucked themselves into crevices among the structure. I had a great time chasing a curious little pufferfish around the stern and spotting nudibranchs scattered across the deck.

LADY THETIS

Our second dive of the day took us to the Lady Thetis, just a short hop from the Constandis and resting upright at a depth of 18 metres. Formerly a tourist vessel, the wreck is both easy to navigate and ideal for penetration. Large windows allow plenty of ambient light, though the engine room is notably empty—its engine long gone. The chimney and bridge, once made of aluminium, have corroded away over time, and the mast now lies collapsed on the seabed. Still, there’s plenty to explore — tables remain intact on the top deck, and a network of stairwells and doorways invites curious divers in for a closer look.

The propeller is encrusted with a vivid array of invertebrates, and the wreck played host to some impressively large nudibranchs—perfect for macro enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates the strange and beautiful life that thrives on these artificial reefs.

Stay tuned for my next instalment from Cyprus and the absolute cherry on the cake, The Zenobia.

Book your next diving adventure in Cyprus with Oyster Diving: https://oysterdiving.com

Blue Thunder Diving: https://prodive.com.cy

Visit Cyprus: https://www.visitcyprus.com

Jane Morgan

Jane’s lifelong love for the ocean began in childhood and has shaped the course of her life and career. After learning to dive in 1991, she spent much of the '90s teaching scuba and working on marine conservation projects in the Philippines and Borneo. A chance encounter with a film camera on a dive trip to Egypt in 2001 ignited a passion for underwater photography, inspiring her to leave the corporate world and pursue a full-time career in dive travel and photojournalism. Since then, her work has been published in a wide range of national and international magazines, books, and newspapers. She has filmed underwater for the BBC, judged major photography competitions, and received numerous accolades—including the prestigious Plongeur d'Or at the Festival Mondial de l'Image Sous-Marine. In 2009, Jane became a freelance photojournalist, and in 2011 completed a BA (Hons) in Marine and Natural History Photography at Falmouth University, where she now works as a Dive Safety Officer. Based in Cornwall, Jane dives locally year-round and is passionate about showcasing the rich marine life found in UK waters. As a proud ambassador for Dynamic Nord and Fathoms Free, she actively supports marine conservation initiatives and advocates for ocean protection through her storytelling. In her newest role with Scubaverse, Jane combines her love of travel, diving, and storytelling—sharing experiences from around the world to inspire others to explore, protect, and connect with the underwater world.