Paphos
Manijin Island
-
MAX DEPTH
18M -
DIVE TYPE
Reef -
CERTIFICATION
Scuba Diver + -
ACCESS
Boat
A very popular dive, this island is actually small enough to dive around it on a multilevel dive profile. Perfect for snorkels as the island provides shelter but also for all levels of divers.
The area between Manijin Island and the coastline is now a protected green zone as during the winter month, Monk Seals visit the shallows and caves to have their pups.
Manijin Island is often paired with Geronisos Island to make for a very interesting 2 tank dive, perfect for those that like caves and swim throughs.
Our youtube video is in 360 mode, TRY IT!! Drag the screen around to see a full view of the dive site!
For this dive a minimum certification level of Scuba Diver is required.
If your last dive was more than 1 year ago then you will be required to complete a refresher before joining any of our scheduled dives.
Begin this dive with a gentle swim following the island wall to the deepest part of the dive at a 18m sandy patch. The island wall hangs over the sandy patch creating amazing patterns and colours in the sand. Enter a swim through at 12m and exit at 8m on top of the reef. This swim through is filled with lights and shades of pink from Peyssonnelia algae.
At the end of this site there is a huge bowl feature! Originally this would have been an air bubble in the rock and eventually the roof collapsed creating the bowl. Enter the bowl through an archway and swim under the overhangs 360 degrees. To exit there is a blowhole, serge over the island reef crates a champagne cork effect shooting you out the top. The final swim through at this dive site is right back at the beginning. This one is much longer and thinner taking you inside the island reef.
We will meet at our well-equipped diving centre in Paphos Harbour. Our friendly and helpful PADI professionals will help you with equipment and begin with an interesting and informative dive briefing. Unless you have your own diving gear, all equipment is supplied by us. We spend a few minutes checking your sizes and will fit you with the suitable gear. All of our diving equipment is well maintained and serviced regularly to ensure your safety and comfort.
Once everyone is ready we will take a short walk to the Paphos harbour where we will board Cydive II. The journey from the harbour to Manijin Island takes around 40 minutes by boat.
(In the case of bumpy seas, we will drive to a small fishing harbour, St George Harbour, and board the boat, from here it is just 5 minutes to the dive site.)
Begin this dive with a gentle swim following the island wall to the deepest part of the dive at a 18m sandy patch. The island wall hangs over the sandy patch creating amazing patterns and colours in the sand. Enter a swim through at 12m and exit at 8m on top of the reef. This swim through is filled with lights and shades of pink from Peyssonnelia algae.
At the end of this site there is a huge bowl feature! Originally this would have been an air bubble in the rock and eventually the roof collapsed creating the bowl. Enter the bowl through an archway and swim under the overhangs 360 degrees. To exit there is a blowhole, serge over the island reef crates a champagne cork effect shooting you out the top. The final swim through at this dive site is right back at the beginning.
After the bowl, make your way along the top of the reef back to the boat.
Sea Bream, Salema and Nudibranch are the most common species found at this dive site.
We have 3 kinds of wrasse found here, rainbow, ornate and peacock wrasse. Their bright colours make them easy to identify.
Damsel fish can be seen in large schools floating above the reef in warm patches of water. In the summer months you can spot the juvenile damsel fish, which are neon purple in colour, hiding in the rocks.
Hidden amongst the rubble we often find tiny nudibranch and curious octopus.
For more information about the marine life we see in Cyprus, head over to our marine life page!
Complimentary fresh fruit and refreshments will be served on the boat before returning to the harbour. Back at the dive centre our PADI professionals will debrief you and help you to complete your logbooks.
