Diving the St. Hilarion Wall (Kyrenia)

Site Overview

St. Hilarion Wall (Kyrenia) is a wall, drop-off dive site in undefined, Cyprus, set in the open Mediterranean waters off Kyrenia. The St. Hilarion Wall is a steep volcanic-limestone wall near Kyrenia that drops past 40 m, clad in gorgonians and sea fans and alive with amberjacks. The site reaches a maximum depth of 40 m with an average around 28 m, and the typical profile suits advanced divers holding at least an Advanced Open Water certification. Conditions are typical of the Cypriot coast: visibility generally runs from 20 to 40 metres, the current is moderate, and the water temperature ranges between 16 and 28 degrees Celsius with moderate surge exposure. The marine community is centred on Red Gorgonian, Violet Sea Fan, Greater Amberjack, Blue Shark, with the full species list detailed below for those planning a dive. It is a dramatic deep wall where amberjacks school and the rare summer blue shark may appear in the blue. Because of its advanced rating and the need for an Advanced Open Water certification, St. Hilarion Wall (Kyrenia) is best approached with the right thermal protection and, where relevant, appropriate specialist training. It is a representative example of why Cypriot diving, with its wrecks, reefs, caves and gorgonian walls, attracts divers who want Mediterranean life and history in equal measure, and it pairs easily with the other sites of the undefined region for a varied holiday.