Cyprus - March 08 - Equipment list

[andyh1108]

Howdy
Planning to do 1 days diving during holiday in Cyprus early March next year. Not sure if Zenobia will be a little of a stretch as I will only recently have qualified as a Sports Diver so looking at scenic diving around Polis with Polis Diving.
As my first dive away from the UK, what essential personal equipment should I take and, if planning a dive of 30ish mtrs max, would this be a dry or wet suit dive (if wet, how thick?)
Thanks
Andy

[Richard Whitcombe]

Early march you can expect the water to be 20c or maybe even lower. Personally i go for a drysuit in anything under 20c but it depends how well you handle cold.

As for the rest of the kit, as much as you can get away with. Some rental gear is awful, some is good and its a lottery - you wont know until you get there. Also its far nicer to have your own well fitting serviced gear than stock stuff.

So regs, bcd, mask, fins, computer at the minimum. Suit if you have one.

[No Waiting]

Check with the airline how much the sports/diving baggage allowance is and then use all of it!

[Phil Mauer]

I've dived with Polis divers - they will take you to the Zen - if you dive in Cyprus you must do the Zen - dont worry they will only take you to the tourist areas.

Phil

[Dive Tek Cyprus]

Just to reinforce Richard's reply, water temp only just starting to warm-up in March, and offshore on Zen always slightly chillier. We're always still in drysuits in March (warm water softies - been here too long...).

Polis Divers a sound operation, but again, take the kit you feel comfortable in.

Cyprus Airways give special allowance for dive kit, as Cyprus is trying to promote diver tourism.

The Zen is a No.1 dive - you need at least a week to get round it, and then those open holes and doorways start to lure you deeper....you'll be back for more!

Have a good one.

ATB

[Diane Millward]

HI Andy

glad to see you are doing your research!

Bring as much of your own kit as you can, always a good idea to be confortable, and please be aware that you will be asked to do a check dive BEFORE diving the Zenobia, as you must be comfortable with weight and any new kit. We supply 9mm wet suits if you dont bring your dry suit and all our kit is two and a half years old, serviced every year and is Aqualung.

As a Sport diver the Zen should be Ok as you are qualified to 30mtres 35 if you have done your depth progression. We always talk to our clients about their experience when they ask to do the Zen, and offer varying degrees of diving depending on that experience.

Please be aware that the Cyprus Dive Centres Association is in talks with the CTO about getting 4 wrecks made diver safe and sunk around Cyprus, their sinking sites have not yet been decided neither has the dates that this will happen, as they have not got the money yet, and we are members of this association so will be advised on this, hopefully it will be soon, but here in Cyprus nothing tends to move too fast!

Look forward to seeing you in March!

Diane ...Polis Diving Centre