By: Augusta Tate

Larnaca offers many great tourist attractions, and one of them is a diving and snorkeling experience that explores the remains of a sunken shipwreck. The Zenobia was a Swedish ferry boat that sank just outside Larnaca in 1980 due to a pumping system failure carrying many vehicles and large shipping containers. This shipwreck site is considered one of the best diving sites in the world and the top in all of Cyprus.

Many expert divers visit this site to explore the ship’s ruins, as it is easily accessible, and even beginners come here to practice and complete their diving training.

Reaching the boat that took us to the site was very easy, especially if you’re in downtown Larnaca, located right next to the beach. The walk from our place to the Blazer Hotel was about 30 minutes, maybe a little under, and all you do is follow the beach past Larnaca Castle to the port. The walk is very pleasant, as it is right along the water, and the cool ocean breeze helps alleviate the heat. There are an array of seafood restaurants along the way, although I haven’t been to any. I’ve heard from other students that the seafood restaurants get better the further away you get from the main beach.

When you arrive at the port, the Zenobian tour guides are very welcoming and nice. However, I recommend planning to go on a calm weather day, when the weather is relatively calm, which is most days. This is because they will reschedule the trip if it is too windy outside, ensuring the safety of swimmers and divers.

Many people from all over the world come to this spot to dive, and you can have the opportunity to meet interesting people and new faces during this experience. During my boat ride, I had the chance to meet an English gentleman who had been diving in the Baltic Sea for many years and a younger man that happened to also be from the States. The crew also offers a variety of drinks; however, if you prefer coffee or tea, you will need to make it yourself using the instant coffee available.

Once you are driven to the spot on the boat, there you can see mini buoys in the water, and the boat will stop right in the middle of a line of three. This is how they can determine the ship’s location. You will be given the option to have food flippers fitted to your size if you need extra help while swimming. However, if the water is relatively calm, you won’t need them.

If you are afraid of deep water, this experience can help alleviate that fear in a way. I only went snorkeling, so I can’t say what the experience is for those who want to scuba dive. But they do provide snorkeling goggles with a tube, so you don’t have to bring your own, and they are great quality.

Once you get into the water, you can immediately see the ship directly down, still fairly deep, but it is a comfort that you can see the ship on its side. There isn’t a guide to follow or someone giving a tour; it’s a very much a do-it-yourself experience, which, in my opinion, was very nice because it gave us a chance to explore the area freely. You can follow the entire length of the ship from above. It’s very easy to see, and there are mini buoys, like I mentioned earlier, to help guide you a bit. You’re able to get a clear view of the starboard side of the ship or the left side and an even more clear view as you swim towards the front, as that’s where the seafloor rises. Even from the surface of the water, you can see an array of life. Schools of fish hang out around the nearby boats. And they will swim right underneath you disturbingly, which is fascinating and wondrous to see. Apparently, the divers who came with us saw a sea turtle that blended in very nicely with the colors of the rocks at the bottom.

I cannot stress enough how beautiful and clear the Mediterranean Ocean is. It’s truly breathtaking just how deep blue it’s, especially once you move away from the main beach. The Zenobia Wreck is definitely an experience worth having, and I would absolutely do it again, given the chance. I would encourage those seeking adventure that’s not too far away from the main part of Larnaca.