For more than 15 years, Anassa’s passionate dive team has been helping guests fall in love with the warm crystal waters and historical allure of Aphrodite’s aquatic playground. It may be because of the amazing visibility of up to 30-metres; the warm year-round sea temperatures (peaking at a bath-like 32 degrees in August); the thrill of the canyons, wrecks and swim-throughs; the chance of finding ancient amphorae (two-handled jars) or of sharing the water with passing dolphins. Whatever the lure, it’s not hard to see why the goddess of love and beauty chose to frequent the stunning waters of Akamas.
Anassa’s PADI Five Star Dive Centre is dedicated to leading guests on individual journeys of discovery into the waters that lie directly off the hotel’s beach. With courses and classes for guests aged 8 and above – right up to the professional PADI Divemaster qualification – the adventure is available for the whole family. Junior-sized diving equipment and the pool-like conditions of the shallow sheltered lagoon situated just steps away from the beach offer young marine adventurers the perfect introduction to the underwater world. Older or more experienced divers don’t have to venture too far to benefit from a great experience either: the closest site lies directly in front of the hotel, where a large rocky outcrop with caves offers all sorts of interesting encounters from barracuda, tuna and octopus, to sea sponges and flying gurnards.
The hotel’s private dive boats bring a wealth of additional sites within easy reach. Highlights include St George’s Island – one of the best dive spots in Cyprus – which combines a thrilling sheer drop, wide open cave and exciting tunnels concealing schools of fish and, for the more adventurous, a 16th century anchor lies at a depth 42 metres. The historical interest continues at nearby Fontana Amorosa (or ‘fountain of love’), an old Roman port that is still littered with pieces of ancient Roman amphorae thrown overboard as a gift to the gods. Kopo Island is a great place to spot turtles and battle challenging swim-throughs, while experienced divers will relish the chance to explore the bridge, cafeteria and living quarters of the 172m Zenobia Wreck: a Swedish ferry that sank on her maiden voyage in 1980, creating one of the top ten wreck dives in the world.
Anassa’s dive courses are typically run on a one-to-one basis unless members of the same family want to train together, and theory can be studied online with the PADI system before arrival in order to maximise time spent in the water. The hotel also offers guests the opportunity to take full private day trips at sea complete with snorkels, picnic and even an on-board music system. We challenge you not to fall in love with diving at Anassa!
For more information, please contact Guest Services.
