Cyprus - Zenobia

[jobrooksuk]

Hi

I have just booked myself a long weekend in Cyprus and would quite like to spend a day diving the Zenobia (if anything to keep me out the bars). Having checked the websites of dive centre's out there the prices all come in at around £75 - which is money I don't really have (although obviously I would have to find it as a last resort as you can't go to Cyprus and not get wet)!

I know that some places have ex-pats/ locals who are regular divers who are happy to let other divers accompany them - does anyone know of any BSAC members in Cyprus who I could try to contact?
I Arrive in Paphos at 22:10 on 26th June and Dept at 23:10 on 30th June so ideally would be looking to dive on the 28th/29th. I am a BSAC Advanced Diver and OWI.

Thanks
Jo

[Rob Dobson]

Try Dive Tek Cyprus. I have just spent a week diving the Zenobia with them and they are very professional and accommodating. They have ties with BSAC so worth a call and see what they can work out for you...

Brilliant wreck BTW - absolutely superb

[Whoji]

Are the any Dive Operations that offer more than single cylinder rec dives in paphos?

I will be out there in august and will be TDI Adv Nitrox and Deco qualified.

[Rob Dobson]

Dive Tek are a technical dive centre. I was on a COPIS Meg CCR and OC bailout for the week doing 1-2 hr dives on the Zen. The guys I was with were on OC twins with stages. Mix and nitrox to boosted O2 are readily available.

[Whoji]

Sounds good, the trouble is they are in protaras.

Ill be in paphos with no car hire, any one know any in Paphos?

[Rob Dobson]

Originally Posted by Whoji

Sounds good, the trouble is they are in protaras.

Ill be in paphos with no car hire, any one know any in Paphos?

I don't know the geography of the island, so I won't pretend to know the distances. AFAIK there are 2 tech centres on the whole island. Dive Tek which are about 45 mins from the Zenobia and do the transfers to and from the site and another centre called DiveInn (or something) which are close to the Zenobia but seem to be a recreational centre that offers TDI courses as opposed to a full on Tech Dive centre.

These are the only 2 choices on the entire island as far as I know (and I did ask around a fair bit). There are *lots* of single cylinder air diving recreational centres but nothing else offering twins, gases and CCR.

[James The Badger]

Originally Posted by Whoji

Are the any Dive Operations that offer more than single cylinder rec dives in paphos?

I will be out there in august and will be TDI Adv Nitrox and Deco qualified.

I spent 9 month in Paphos as an Instructor in 2005 and to be honest, the problem with Paphos diving is its rubbish. Shallow and bugger all to see! So don't waste you cash. The zen is a slightly different story...
The reason you are being charged £75 for the Zen is its a whole day trip. Limasol is a few hours from Pahos by mini bus transfer. Lunch is normaly included. Check if that is UK or Cypriot pounds as well. Whatever the cost it is well worth as many dives as you can get on it.
Try Zenobia divers ot or Dive inn for the Zen dives and make your own way up there by hire car from Paphos.

[Whoji]

Ok thanks Rob

[Manta]

The £75 includes transfer from your hotel to Zenobia and back, lunch, equipment rental and guide.
If you calculate
£20-25 for equipment rental
£20-25 car rental
£5-10 food
£ ??? boat to take you to Zenobia

The total is not far away from £75

[paramedic paul]

I dived the Zen this time last year and the price was £70 Cy pounds. That was bus travel from paphos, 2 dives (guided) and a good bbq lunch! Worth every penny I thought, but if you don't have it then i suppose it is a lot but as the Zen is one of the top 10 worldwide dives (I read that somewhere!) it might be worth trying to find it!

P.S I dived with Cy Dive