Cycling
With perfect riding conditions and a myriad of designated routes to explore, there is no doubt that Cyprus is an island made for cycling!
Enthusiasts love the islandโs rugged character, which can go from rocky to clay, and steep to flat, all within the space of 10km. And whilst you will enjoy the feel of the balmy Mediterranean breeze through your hair, unlike other destinations, the islandโs wonderful climate lacks strong headwinds… the ideal setting for exploration by bike!
Climbing
Whilst still an emerging destination for climbing sports, Cyprus has all the elements of a great location for climbing, hiking and orienteering, thanks to its favourable weather conditions, stunning rugged backdrops, complex rock types, and the quality, variety and diversity of its climbing routes (both traditional and sport).
Water Sports
On an island surrounded by crystal clear waters that consistently rank as the cleanest in Europe – and are further enhanced by their pleasant all-year-round temperatures of approximately 16-24ยฐ C – it is only natural that water sports would feature as a popular pastime, and one that offers an abundance of choices.
The range of water sports available in Cyprus start from gentle activities in shallower waters, to pursuits that offer an exhilarating thrill for even the most daring of athletes and everything in between!
A large number of licensed water sports operators can be found directly on public, organized beaches, and on the coastline of hotel strips, where a selection of both fun or challenging sea activities can be booked on the spot, including: banana boats, tube rides, pedalos, water skiing, wakeboarding, bodyboarding, SUP, parasailing, jet skiing, flyboarding, windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking. The relevant guidance and/or safety equipment is provided by the water sport operators, who also offer arrangements for water sports courses.
Diving
Blessed with all the elements that make a diverโs paradise, Cyprus attracts visitors from all over the world for its favourable weather conditions, top-ranking wrecks and diverse marine life.
With warm waters almost all-year-round, the island enjoys one of the longest diving seasons in the Mediterranean, further enhanced by fantastic visibility – thanks to an absence of plankton.
So, whether you are an experienced diver or trying the sport for the first time, Cyprus offers the ideal diving experience.
Sailing
The endless blue seas of Cyprus offer the perfect setting for enjoying sailing and yachting all year round, thanks to their favourable temperatures and flat waters, and a lack of pollutants. Combined with ideal wind conditions, and a stunning, rugged coastline, these factors attract both enthusiasts and professionals from all over the world.
A variety of important races and regattas also take place throughout the year for the sport of sailing, whilst leisure yachters can find community and facilities at two marinas, five ports and numerous bays.
Wind/Kite Surfing
With its enviable and consistent sea and wind conditions all year round, two of the biggest and most adrenaline-filled sea sports can be enjoyed in Cyprus, with the island known worldwide as a top destination for both windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Kite surfing on the island is also attracting big international names to its major events, which include tournaments in the summer months, organised by the two official kitesurfing schools/clubhouses.
The more established sport of windsurfing can be practised on a number of different organised beaches, and with various licensed and established operators and clubs.
GOLF
The allure of teeing off amidst stunning natural surroundings, along with the opportunity to enjoy golf all-year-round in a favourable Mediterranean climate are just two of the factors that are seeing Cyprus emerge as a leading golfing destination – and attracting both amateur and professional sportsmen to the island and its internationally-acclaimed courses.
Along with the opportunity to enjoy a game of golf in scenic tranquillity, the various courses also host annual tournaments on both a national and international level, as well as offering academies, clubhouses and other facilities.
Birdwatching
Tourists are not the only visitors that โflockโ to Cyprus… a variety of feathered friends – both migrating and indigenous – also favour the island, making it a birdwatching (or birding) haven, and of particular significance on a conservation level for both the Mediterranean and Europe.
Thanks to its unique location on the migratory route from Europe, Asia and Africa, Cyprus is a key breeding spot that sees around 250 million birds passing through the island each autumn and spring, including bright pink flamingos in their numbers and wild fowls that frequent the salt lakes of Larnaka (Larnaca) and Akrotiri [Lemesos (Limassol)]. Predatory birds, sea gulls, herns, nightingales, hangbirds, ravens, chickadees and carrion buzzards – amongst others – also soar through in all their flighting glory.
