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Konnos Beach is a stunning and popular beach located in the eastern part of Cyprus, near the resort town of Protaras. Cyprus is known for its beautiful beaches, and Konnos Beach is often considered one of the most picturesque. Snorkelers are drawn  to the beach for the exciting underwater world waiting to be explored. Konnos Beach is also one of the best snorkeling spots in the Ayia Napa region to encounter green sea turtles, which often frequent its calm and crystal clear waters.

Rocky beds in Konnos Beach, Cyprus
Rocky beds in Konnos Beach, Cyprus.

How to get to the Konnos Beach snorkeling spot

Konnos Beach is located between Protaras and Ayia Napa on the southeast coast of Cyprus. By car, the driving time to reach the beach is less than 10 minutes from Protaras, 20 minutes from Paralimni, and 15 minutes from Ayia Napa.

After leaving the main road, that is well sign-posted, there is a winding road on which several parking areas are found. This road descends to Konnos Beach. It offers beautiful views of the cove.

Konnos Beach snorkeling map, Cyprus

Water entrance for snorkeling Konnos Beach

Once you are on the beach, we advise you to walk to the second beach, which is behind the rocky point (see map). You will be closer to the best snorkeling areas. Water entrance is easy, from a gently sloping sandy beach.

Konnos Beach snorkeling exploration tips

Once in the water, you can first explore the area facing the beach (area 1 on the map). Surrounded by rocks, it is very sheltered and offers moderate depths (↕3 to 12 feet).

Bluespotted cornetfish in Konnos Beach
A bluespotted cornetfish in Konnos Beach.

This is a good area to observe the fish that live in the island’s coastal waters: wrasse, spinefoot, seabream, pipefish, and occasionally small schools of barracuda. You will also notice beautiful hatpin sea urchins.

Hatpin urchin in Konnos Beach
A hatpin urchin (protected species).

Beyond the rocks, the slope descends rapidly on sandy bottoms punctuated with large boulders (↕25-40ft). It is in this area that green sea turtles frequently visit. Most of them are quite small and tend to be shy.

The turtles are mainly encountered during summer (June to September), but sightings are also possible in spring and autumn. If you don’t see turtles in Konnos Bay, you can try your luck in Green Bay, just10 minutes away, where they are more abundant.

Green sea turtle over rocks and sand beds in Konnos Beach
Encounter with a green sea turtle in Konnos Beach.

If you go further than the designated swimming area, take a diving flag with you. Regardless, do not go further than the large mooring buoys. Boats and jet skis traffic is quite heavy beyond.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

You can purchase snacks at a spot that overlooks the beach (see map).

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth30ft/10m
  • Water entranceEasy, from a sandy beach
  • Potential DangersBoat traffic
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersHigh
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyYes

MAP Spot

These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.