Continent
Europe
Country
Cyprus
Next Big City
Nicosia, Larnaca
Next Town
Kyrenia
 
Type:
Ocean
Rider Ability:
Intermediate, Expert
Features:
Rooms, Camping, Shop, Rescue, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking

Water

Type:
Flat, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Hazards:
Animals, Rocks
Quality:
Crystal clear
Best Tide:
Low tide

Small waves in sideshore westerly (prevailing direction in summer) with flat sections in between increasing in size with wind strength. Nice port tack kickers on way out in a westerly. Big waves and wind on/sideon in winter from the right (north or northeasterly).

Beach

Type:
Sand
Size:
Medium
Hazards:
Rocks, Bystanders, Other
Beach Users:
August

Large, sandy beach with plenty of room except for Sundays in summer when locals come down to swim. Avoid kiting at these times or exercise extreme caution as very few kiters in this area so people become fascinated and may walk straight into your window to have a chat! Most of the time you will have the place to yourself. Also, sea turtles nest on this large beach so please keep well clear of cages set up by conservationists and do not insert anything deep into the sand during summer months. Although water quality is very good and appears crystal clear the Med is subject to heavy pollution and consequently beaches can be littered heavily in winter months when council do not clean up so please do your part and take your litter home.

Weather

Spring:
Shorts, Shorty
Summer:
Shorts
Fall:
Shorty, Normal
Winter:
Shorty, Normal

Season runs from late April to November. Can get extremely hot in July and August (40+°C and high humidity). Shorts and sunscreen all the way. Shorty or thin full suit during winter months.

Wind

Best Months:
May, June, July, August, September
Wind Type:
Thermal, Frontal
Best Direction:
W, WNW, NW
Main Direction:
N, NNE, NE, W, WNW, NW

Best direction in summer is West or Northwest, with northerlies ridable but onshore so be very cautious and do not overfly other beach users. 12-20 knots normal with occasional increasing to 25+. In winter the wind is on/sideonshore from the right (North or Northeasterly). In July and August the heat and humidity generally kills the wind but good either side of these months.



How to get there

Transport
Car, Bus
Access
Short walk

All airports have taxis to Kyrenia (Girne) taking 25min from Ercan airport, and a half from Larnaca and 2.5-3 hrs from Paphos. Numerous hotels, resorts etc in Kyrenia (Girne). Alagadi beach 20min from town by car. Follow the coast road east out of Kyrenia following signs for Catalkoy/Esentepe until you see signs for Alagadi and Acapulco resort. Keep driving past resort and power station until you arrive at Alagadi turn off also signposted for St Kathleen's restaurant (awesome food!). Follow the road to the left of the restaurant and you are there. 3 car parks, one at the far west end (the best for kiting), one in the middle with a small cafe and shower/toilet and one at far eastern end unsuitable except for winter months. Free parking at present (National Park).

Extra information

Rules
Other

No rules just common sense and PLEASE respect the local turtle conservation project. Make sure you launch downwind of small rocky spit in middle of beach for obvious reasons, nice and flat too. This shore is the breeding place for rare turtles! Not the best spot to surf or kite because you disturb some unique wildlife.

Nightlife

Plenty on offer in Kyrenia, from small funky bars to seaside clubs. Bars in the harbor are not the cheapest but the view is amazing.