SUGGESTED 10-DAY SAILING ITINERARY FOR NORTHERN CYPRUS
Base: Karpaz Gate Marina (N35⁰33.5' E34⁰13.6').
VHF: Ch 16/10. Website: www.karpazbay.com
1: Karpaz Gate Marina to Kyrenia Harbour (N35⁰20.20' E33⁰20.20')
Kyrenia Harbour - VHF: Ch 16/12. Website: www.delta-marina.com
2: Kyrenia Ancient Harbour to Escape Beach (N35⁰20.84' E33⁰14.11')
3: Escape Beach to Alagadi Turtle Beach (N35⁰20.1' E33⁰28.9')
4: Alagadi Turtle Beach to Kaplica Bay (N35⁰24.1' E33⁰44.2')
5: Kaplica Bay to Karpaz natural bay (N35⁰40.5' E34⁰31.2')
6: Karpaz natural bay to Monastery Bay (N35⁰ 38.333' E34⁰ 32.398')
7: Monastery Bay to Famagusta (N35⁰ 08.4' E33⁰ 57.4')
Famagusta - VHF: Ch 16/08
8: Famagusta to Karpaz Gate Marina
Northern Cyprus cruising guide
SAILING INTINERARY
Kyrenia Ancient Harbour
N35⁰20.20' E33⁰20.20'
VHF: Ch 16/12
Kyrenia Ancient Harbour is on the northern coast and is 48nm (10-hour sail) from Karpaz
Gate Marina. It is a bustling, atmospheric harbour, full of history and charm and cooled
during the hot summer months by sea breezes and mountain air. Anyone preferring a
shorter sail could stop at Kaplica Bay or Alagadi Turtle Beach (see later in itinerary).
Visitors planning on entering the marina by sea should contact the port beforehand. Facilities
available to boat owners include electricity and water, laundry and ship technical services.
The custom house is located in the west corner of the harbour.
Founded in the 10th century BC and shaped like a horseshoe, Kyrenia Castle guards the
harbour and towers over the entrance – a reminder of the importance of the port in 1489
when the Venetians changed the island.
Kyrenia Harbour is packed full of interesting shops, as well as cafes, restaurants and bars.
Other points of interest in the area include the shipwreck museum, which houses one of the
world’s oldest wrecks – a 4th century BC Greek merchant ship which sank less than one mile
from an anchorage in Kyrenia.
Bellapais Monastery, which dates back to the early 13th century, is in the nearby picturesque
village of Bellapais, while St Hilarion Castle is named after St Hilarion, a hermit monk who
fled from persecution in the Holy Lane and lived and died in a cave on the mountains.
Korenium Golf and Beach Resort is a par 72, 18-hole international standard golf course.
Kyrenia Ancient Harbour
Escape Beach
N35⁰20.84' E33⁰14.11'
Anchorage Area
As the name suggests, get away from the bustle of the town and view the beautiful coast of
Kyrenia during the short one-hour sail to Escape Beach, a scenic stretch located just 5nm
from Kyrenia.
The anchorage is protected from southerly and westerly winds, with a sandy bottom good for
anchoring. You can enjoy a whole host of water sports and there is also a pier to moor up a
dinghy.
Anchor at the entrance of the bay, keeping clear of the shore for the safety of swimmers, and
stay overnight, weather permitting.
A beach club, bar, restaurant, museum, shower and WC facilities are within easy reach.
Alagadi Turtle Beach
N35⁰20.1' E33⁰28.9'
Anchorage Area
From Escape Beach, head east for a two-hour sail (12nm) to the large public, sandy beach,
Alagadi Turtle Beach, which has views of mountains behind it. Loggerhead and green turtles
come to nest here and it is a great place for swimming.
Again, anchor at the entrance of the bay in the sandy bottom. Protected from southerly
winds, it is possible to anchor overnight if the weather is good.
There is a beach club, bar, and restaurant, as well as shower and WC facilities.
Alagadi Turtle Beach
Kaplica Bay
N35⁰24.1' E33⁰44.2'
Anchorage Area
Kaplica Bay is one of the most beautiful spots to anchor between Kyrenia and Karpaz Gate
Marina and is 21nm from Alagadi Turtle Beach. Within the local area of the bay is a
mountain range as well as an interesting coastline, while the sandy beach provides a great
base for swimming and snorkelling.
The four-hour sail provides an excellent view of the north west coast of Northern Cyprus, but
it is advised to keep a clear minimum of 2nm from the shore as there are hidden reefs. There
is a very well-protected fishing harbour 1nm east of the bay.
Anchor in the bay, which is protected from southerly winds, on a sandy bottom and stay
overnight, weather permitting.
There is a beach club, bar, restaurant, and hotel, as well as shower and WC facilities, plus
the bay is very close to the Kaplica Village for provisions.
A natural bay at Karpaz Peninsula
N35⁰40.5' E34⁰31.2'
Anchorage Area
Heading further east along the coast, feel free to stop after 20nm to experience the facilities
and entertainment on offer at Karpaz Gate Marina again if time allows.
Otherwise, continue for another 16nm or three hours sailing from Karpaz Gate Marina to visit
an unspoiled anchorage point at a natural bay with a beautiful sandy beach. The bay offers a
great spot for snorkelling and swimming and is located within the protected Karpaz National
Park where the Karpaz wild donkey roams amongst an array of flora and fauna.
Again, stay 2nm clear from the shore due to reefs, anchor in the bay, which is protected from
southerly and westerly winds and has a good sandy bottom, and stay overnight in good
weather.
The Karpaz wild donkey
Golden Sands – St Apostolos Andreas Monastery
N35⁰ 38.333' E34⁰ 32.398'
Anchorage Area
A further 12nm from the natural bay, or 28nm from Karpaz Gate Marina is the Panhandle of
North Cyprus. The 2.5km long Golden Beach boasts miles of beaches, where sailors may
have a whole beach to themselves, and is ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
Nearby is the historic Apostolos Andreas Monastery, one of the Karpaz Peninsula’s most
popular tourist attractions, which is dedicated to St. Andrew, the patron saint of travellers. A
place of pilgrimage, some believe in the healing properties of the waters and the site is
considered holy by both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The monastery is especially busy on
August 15th (Assumption Day) and November 30th (St Andrew’s Day).
Keeping a minimum of 2nm from the shore due to the reefs, do not navigate between the
mainland and the isles at the point of the Karpaz Peninsula.
Unprotected from easterly winds, anchor in the bay in the sandy bottom and stay overnight
in good weather.
There is a restaurant, bar, market, shower and WC facilities.
Golden Beach on the Karpaz Peninsula
KARPAZ PENINSULA
Karpaz Peninsula is dubbed as the most unspoilt region of Northern Cyprus and as an
"untapped beauty". It is home to wild donkeys which are known as the symbol of Cyprus.
As well as numerous Byzantine churches, the most notably the Monastery of Apostolos
Andreas, the area boasts some of the finest countryside. The Karpaz Peninsula has been
called the nature reserve of Cyprus as birds, wild flowers, and sea fossils are to be found
everywhere. From remote golden beaches to luxurious 5-star hotels, and from wild donkeys
to the modern marina, Karpaz has much to offer and is an important destination. The 'mustsee' beach is Karpaz Golden Beach at the tip of the peninsula, featuring miles of golden
sand backed with romantic sand dunes, and home to breeding sea turtles. It is the most
famous and perhaps the most beautiful beach in Cyprus
Panagia Kanakaria Church
The church is just outside Boltashli village. The mosaics of this church are world famous for
the rumours about burglary.
Nitovikla Castle
The castle is located on a cliff on the coast 4 miles south of Kuruova Village. It is thought to
have been built for protection against Egyptian raids during the Bronze Age.
Ayios Trias Basilica
The 5th Century basilica, situated near Sipahi village on the Karpaz Peninsula, was
discovered by chance in 1957. It includes a nartex, an atrium, and additional rooms. There
is a wonderful variety of mosaic patterns on the Basilica floor.
Ayios Thrysos Church
Built in the 15th Century BC, the Ayios Thrysos Church is white washed and is empty except
for a few wooden pews and the shell of the iconostasis.
Aphendrika (Urania)
This is said to have been one of the island's foremost cities, where you can see the oldest
surviving domed church in Cyprus. Aphendrika also includes ruins of an ancient marina and
tombs from the Hellenistic period, a fortress from the Late Greek period.
Ayios Philon Church
To the north of Dipkarpaz lie the spectacular seafront ruins of Ayios Philon Church. Stones
from the ancient city were used to build a 10th century church, the ruins of which still stand,
and mosaics are still visible from a far earlier basilica.
Apostolos Andreas Monastery
The Monastery is found at the tip of the peninsula. The monastery is a key religious site, and
the focus for Greek Cypriot pilgrimages on the important festivals of Orthodox Easter and St
Andrew's Day. The oldest surviving building is a 15th century seaside chapel, now
essentially a crypt below the main icon-decorated church.
Famagusta Harbour
N35⁰ 08.4' E33⁰ 57.4'
VHF: Ch 16/08
About 45nm further down the east coast, the city of Famagusta is home to the largest port of
North Cyprus.
It is well worth spending a couple of days in the city if possible. The many historic artefacts
nearby include: Greek St. George Church, Sinan Pasa Mosque (St. Peter & St. Paul
Church), Lala Mustafa Pasa Mosque, The St. Barnabas Monastery, The Canbulat Tomb &
Museum, The Salamis Ruins of the city of Salamis that was founded towards the end of the
Bronze age, Namik Kemal Dungeon in the courtyard of the Venetian Palace, and The St.
Barnabas Icon & Archaeology Museum.
Please contact the authority from VHF Ch. 16 or 08 before entering the harbour and they will
advise about mooring location. The harbour’s working hours are week days from 8.30am to
15.30pm. Check the entrance of the harbour from the chart to keep clear of the shallow
water (3-5metres) lying on the SE-NW direction.
The Salamis Ruins