All types of sporting activities can be found on the island, ranging from water bourne activities such as sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving to inland based activities such as horse riding, tennis and bicycle hire.
On most beaches, buoys will separate the swimming area from that of water sport vessels. Most main beaches have a lifeguard on site during the holiday season and flags are displayed to advise on swimming conditions. Always use a registered organisation for water sports.
Cyprus is one of the only destinations in the world where, in spring-time, you can snow-ski in the morning in the Troodos mountains and then go water-skiing in Coral Bay in the afternoon.
Tennis clubs are in the major towns of Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Paralimni. Many of the larger hotels also have tennis courts and are usually very willing to hire out their facilities on an hourly basis and will usually, although not always, provide equipment. Costs vary at the discretion of the site.
In winter the average sea temperature is 17°C thus making Cyprus ideal for year round sailing and yachting. Sailing vessels of all sorts can be hired in most major resorts.
Prices vary considerably depending on the type of boat required. As a rough guide a sailing boat is approximately €22 per hour up to a speed boat at around €65 per half hour.
Hiking is very popular particularly in the spring when the temperature is cooler and the landscape still green. The Cyprus Tourist Organisation provide, free of charge, booklets containing full details of many interesting walks in many locations on the island. The two most popular routes are the Akamas peninsular and the Troodos mountains.
Water sports are available all over the island and charges on public beaches are approved by the Central Beach Committees. Prices do vary from resort to resort but, as a rough guide, windsurfers are approximately €10 per hour, jet skis €22 for 15minutes, banana rides €5 for 15 minutes and ring rides €7 for 15 minutes.
The crystal clear water of the Mediterranean Sea surrounding Cyprus is a colourful world in which to dive if you want to enjoy a breath of serenity. With water temperatures varying from 27 to 16 degrees Celsius, and sunshine almost all year around. Cyprus offers one of the longest diving seasons in the Mediterranean.
Organized Sub-Aqua clubs and Diving centres can be found in all towns and resorts, as well as at a number of hotels.
For more information please contact:
Cyprus Federation of Underwater Activities (C.F.U.A.)
P.O.Box: 21503, 1510 Lefkosia
Tel: 357 22 75 46 47
Fax: 357 22 75 52 46
email: cypf00@cmas.org
There are many horse riding stables across the length and breadth of the island. Most offer a range of treks for beginners or advanced riders. Depending on the district you may take a ride through pine clad forests or a sunset gallop along the seashore.
The average cost will be approximately €55 per hour.
Bicycle hire is available in most towns and seaside resorts at a cost of between €9-20 a day. Mountain biking is particularly popular in Troodos. Traffic drives on the same side as the UK and road signage is in English. This makes it easier for less experienced cyclists abroad.
Anglers have a choice here. For sea fishing there are organised boat trips in almost every resort or you may fish from the rockier coastlines. No licence is required for this or for spear fishing. Cyprus has 21 inland reservoirs throughout the island and these are generally well stocked with trout, bass, carp, perch, roach and other varieties of fish. Licences are required to fish the reservoirs and anglers must be over 12 years old. The licence fee is currently €20 to fish in one reservoir or €35 covers them all. Licences are available from the department of fisheries, and there are branches in all major coastal
In Cyprus snow skiing can be enjoyed from January to the end of March most years. There are two ski lifts on the north face of Mount Olympus, high up in the Troodos mountains, one being 350 metres long and the other 500 metres. There are a further two ski lifts on the south face both at 150 metres long. For full details visit the web site on www.cyprusski.com for all up to date ski conditions and ski hire, which is sometimes of limited availability.
