Active recreation on the water in Cyprus

During the high season in Cyprus, outdoor enthusiasts can engage in water sports that do not require any special training. Wakeboarding, boating and banana boating, rowing, water skiing and motorcycling are just some of the activities offered to tourists in almost every major city on the island. We've compiled descriptions of water sports spots around the island.

Wakeboarding and water skiing

Wakeboarding is an exciting sport that is accessible to both children and adults. The main task for a beginner is to learn how to stand on the board from a lying position in the water when the boat starts moving. Next, the athlete can ride behind the boat on a board, performing, if his level of training allows, various movements, jumps and tricks.

The main advantage of wakeboarding over kite surfing and some other water sports is that you can start training on the water almost immediately - wakeboarders do not need to undergo special training and hours of safety instruction. If the athlete falls or drops the cable, the boat stops and returns after him, after which he can continue to cut through the waves on the board.

Parasailing

To soar above the sea, a parachute, a cable and a powerful boat are enough for vacationers in Cyprus. Parasailing allows you to lift one, and sometimes two or three people into the air. The parachute is controlled by the instructor and the boat driver, and a special platform is usually equipped for landing on the boat.

Riding on a “banana”, “flying fish” or “cheesecake”

This noisy and fun entertainment is ideal for families with children and small groups of friends. An inflatable projectile with a group of people on it moves at high speed across the sea following a boat or jet ski. Sharp turns ensure that most of the crew falls into the water (which is rarely dissatisfied). Various water centers offer a range of entertainment similar to these: they always include some kind of inflatable device (its behavior on the water will depend on its shape) and a boat to which it is attached with a cable.

Catamaran or pedalo

You can rent a catamaran or pedal boat at almost any water sports center in Cyprus, as well as at some hotels and at most beaches. It's a relaxing experience that allows you to relax on the water and enjoy the scenery, while a little exercise helps you get a little fit after lying on the beach.

Jet ski or jetski

Only persons over 18 years of age can rent a jet ski on the island, and before doing so, they must undergo safety instructions and listen to all the instructions of the trainer. On a jet ski you can reach high speeds and make various turns on the water.

Canoeing

You can often find canoe rental shops on the coast. Thanks to their design, these boats rarely capsize and are very stable in the waves (although, of course, it’s not worth going out to sea with them in strong winds). If you have a license, you can even go fishing with a canoe, and boating is great for families with children.

Water sports centers in Cyprus

You can go wakeboarding and water skiing (the principle is the same, only instead of one board there are two skis) in Limassol at the station. They also offer to rent a boat or jet ski, go fishing, ride on “bananas”, “sofas” and other inflatable structures, and the most experienced can take windsurfing courses.

At the center in Lahti (Paphos district) you can rent a canoe for 1 or 3 people (swimming with small children is allowed only in a designated safe area), go parasailing and windsurfing, ride a banana boat, cheesecake or water ski, and also sail jet ski. In addition, diving is taught here and yachts are rented out.

The water sports center is located in Protaras. Water skis and wakeboards, “flying fish”, speed boats and jet skis, parasailing and canoeing are just a few of the water activities offered here for the whole family.

Another water entertainment station in Protaras, operating since 1976, is called. Here you can rent a boat and spend a few hours on the open sea alone with family or friends, fly over the water with a parachute, ride a catamaran or “flying fish” and try your hand at wakeboarding.

The company, located in the Fig tree harbor in Protaras, was founded in 1967. Here they teach you how to water ski and wakeboard, and rent out kayaks, catamarans, hovercraft, speed boats and jet skis. Also available to vacationers are all kinds of “bananas”, “cheesecakes” and “flying fish”.

The water sports center is located next to the Malama Holiday Village in Protaras. The center operates a wakeboarding school, where you can not only master the basics of this sport, but also learn complex tricks to participate in competitions. Other available activities include catamarans, kayaks, jet skis, paddle boards, cheesecake boats and parasailing.

In Pissouri you can visit the water entertainment center in the hotel Columbia Beach Hotel.

Offers a standard range of water sports on site at the Amathus Hotel in Paphos, as does the center Paphos watersports near the Almyra hotel.