Amphora Cave: A Submerged Historical Dive

Amphora Cave, located just off the coast of Yeroskipou, Cyprus, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue for divers and snorkelers of all skill levels. This underwater site is renowned for its network of caves and swim-throughs. The cave's name comes from the ancient amphorae that adorn the ceiling of one of its chambers. These ceramic jars, once used for storing and transporting goods like wine and oil during the Roman era, became embedded in the cave roof over centuries due to seabed movements. A team of American archaeologists investigated the site and believe the decorative roof is due to movement of the sea bed. This natural process has transformed the cave into a living museum, where history and marine life intertwine. The diving experience at Amphora Cave is characterized by calm waters and excellent visibility, often exceeding 20 meters. The cave is relatively shallow, with depths ranging from 5 to 12 meters, making it suitable for beginner divers and snorkelers. The mostly sandy, flat surface of the site offers an experience of cave with reef and offers plenty of natural light. Divers can witness a different side of the underwater world as nocturnal creatures emerge from their hiding places. Marine life to spot includes bream, damselfish, hermit crabs, moray eels, octopi and wrasse. At the deepest part of the dive are meadows of Posidonia seagrass where pearly razorfish in iridescent gold and red tones make their home, and sometimes stingray, whilst scorpionfish hide among the seaweed.