Sea Turtle Snorkelling Tour from the Shore with Videos Paphos

Sea turtles of the Paphos coast

The western coast of Cyprus is one of the few places in the Mediterranean where green and loggerhead turtles both live and nest. Green turtles in particular stay close to shore all year, grazing on the seagrass meadows that grow in the shallow, sheltered water between Paphos and Peyia. That is why a sea turtle snorkelling tour from the shore works so well here: the animals come to you, in clear water only a few metres deep.

On this trip you watch them feed on seagrass, rise slowly to breathe and glide past along the sandy bottom. The guide chooses the spot each day according to sea conditions and recent sightings, briefs you on keeping a respectful distance, and reminds everyone that touching marine life is not allowed. Sightings depend on nature, but this stretch of coast is known for frequent encounters, especially on calm mornings.

Peyia sea caves

North of Coral Bay, the coastline around Peyia breaks into low limestone cliffs that the waves have carved into arches, tunnels and hollow ledges. The Peyia sea caves are one of the most photographed spots in the Paphos district: from the flat rock above you look straight down into water that shifts from emerald to deep blue, and on still days you can see the rocky seabed clearly.

Our first stop on the drive is here, early in the morning when the light is soft and the rocks are quiet. You have time to walk carefully along the ledge, take photos and look out over the open sea while the guide explains how the coast was shaped. Wear shoes with grip, because the limestone is uneven and can be sharp in places; the snorkelling itself starts later, at a separate spot chosen for the turtles.

The shipwreck on the Peyia coast

Just off the rocks near the sea caves lies a rusting cargo ship that ran aground on this coast in 2011 and was never refloated. Over the years it has become a landmark in its own right, its hull slowly changing colour against the bright blue water, and many visitors come to see the Paphos shipwreck simply for the view and the photographs.

The tour stops here on the way to the snorkelling beach, so you can see the wreck from the shore without any extra travel. It is a short photo stop rather than a swim: the guide shares the story of the ship and points out the best angles for a picture with the cliffs and the hull together. Morning light usually gives the clearest colours in the water, which is another reason the tour starts early.

Shore snorkelling north of Paphos

Snorkelling from the shore is the gentlest way to meet sea turtles: there is no boat ride, no deep-water jump and no crowd of vessels. You walk in from the beach with your mask, snorkel and float noodle, and within minutes you are over seagrass and sand where the turtles feed. The coast here also hides shallow underwater archaeological remains, which the guide points out along the way.

The guide stays with the group in the water the whole time and films the swim with an underwater camera, so you can focus on the moment and still keep the photos and videos afterwards. Water temperatures are pleasant from late spring to autumn, and the calmest conditions are usually in the morning. Because you swim in open sea, this activity is for confident swimmers only.