Semi-Submarine Mini Cruise with Swim Stop Larnaca

Larnaca Marina and the Seafront

Larnaca Marina sits at the northern end of the city's seafront, a short walk from the palm-lined Finikoudes promenade and the old quarter. Yachts and excursion boats share the basin, and the ticket and information kiosk stands at the marina entrance, where the staff direct you to the boat. It is easy to reach on foot from most central hotels, and by taxi or bus from the beach resorts east of the city.

Many visitors ask how to get to the Zenobia wreck without diving; the simplest answer is a boat trip from this marina. Departures are at midday, so you can combine the outing with a morning in the old town or a stroll along Finikoudes. Please arrive 15 minutes early, as boarding closes shortly before the boat leaves the quay.

The Zenobia Shipwreck

The Zenobia was a large roll-on roll-off ferry, about 172 metres long, that sank just outside Larnaca harbour in June 1980 on its first voyage. It now lies on its side at a depth of around 42 metres, still carrying the lorries that were on board, and it is regularly named among the finest wreck dives in the world. Groupers, barracuda, amberjacks and shoals of bream live around the hull.

On this trip you visit the Zenobia site without any diving experience. The boat cruises about two kilometres out and holds position over the area so you can look down from the underwater cabin, then anchors for a 20-minute swim. Snorkellers float in deep, clear water above the wreck site and watch the fish rise towards the surface, while the crew keeps an eye on everyone from the boat.

The Underwater Viewing Cabin

What makes a semi-submarine special is the cabin set below the waterline, lined with large windows on both sides. You sit comfortably in an air-conditioned space in summer, or a heated one in the cooler months, and watch the seabed, rocks and sea grass pass at eye level. Fish often come close to the glass, and children love spotting the different species.

You can go down to the cabin at any time during the 80-minute trip, so there is no rush to see everything at once. It is ideal for travellers who do not swim, for grandparents and for small children, because everyone sees the underwater world in total comfort. Infants travel free, and children from four to eleven pay a reduced price, shown in the booking panel.

Finikoudes Beach from the Sea

On the way back the boat runs parallel to Finikoudes, the city's best-known beach and promenade, named after the rows of palm trees that line it. From the water you see the long sandy beach, the seafront cafés and the low skyline, with the squat stone walls of the Larnaca Medieval Castle at the far end. It is a relaxed end to the trip, with time to dry off on deck.

Finikoudes is also where many visitors spend the rest of the day: the beach is shallow and sheltered, and the promenade is lively from late afternoon into the evening. The best time to visit Larnaca for sea trips is from May to October, when the water is warm and calm; the midday departure gives the clearest light in the underwater cabin.