… The other day when I was in Larnaca I had about two hours to kill before a late afternoon family “do”. The most obvious thing for me to do in the scorching heat was to go and cool off on a beach somewhere. My first stop was “Finikoudes” marine parade. Parking was easy but when I stepped out onto the beach I realised that way, way, way in the distance into the sea people were hardly knee deep in the water… I got back into my car and drove off! I was adamant to find still waters that run a little deeper!
I arrived at the parking area of McKenzie Beach… the “whole town” was on the beach! … (Hmmm!) I got back into my car and chose the opposite direction… I was adamant to find a beach where I can actually swim… (wow … a purpose!)
… “Maybe I should  just take the 30 minute drive to the white sandy beaches of Ayia Napa… have my swim… check out the vibe… and still make it back in time for our family-do”. Whatever the case… I decided to drive on and see what happens. Well, after ten minutes of being separated from the sea by massive petrol tanks (or whatever! $£!*#@!)… I was finally driving along the sea again… and I found a spot… a “blue flag” beach halfway to Dhekelia…
I walked into the water… and I walked… and I walked… and I walked… It was warmer than bath water! … Normally I swim to the “Red-ball” … Now I was walking!
Well, eventually I made it to “two-thirds-body-depth” (two hundred metres later!)… What a relief to finally feel cool water … on my FEET!! … Yep, slightly cooler and only a few centimetres from the floor …  what to do? What to do? … I plunged under water and swam along the sea floor several times to feel “the coolness” … Finally! I found my “coolness”… Finally! I achieved my purpose…  ($%^£*!#) … My take is that the Nicosia crowd would probably opt for the drive to Ayia Napa or Protaras… and even if there’s no “coolness” in the water… at least there’s white sand, “Full-Body-Depth” swimming … and maybe a “cool” body or two…
The Limassol crowd have a long sea-front and an amazing marine parade. One can find any one of many public beaches, gardens, walkways, coffee shops, water sports, marinas, hotels and many other amenities. There are many beach options available on this stretch (over ten kilometres) and they’re all relatively easy to get to.
Other popular options in proximity to Limassol are fifteen minutes away; Eastwards, Governor’s Beach, famed for its pure white smooth rocks… westwards is Kourion Beach, famed for its amazing cliffs in the distance that protrude into the sea. Kourion is one of the most well preserved ancient sites in Cyprus, and is situated on the cliff backdrops directly behind the beach (well worth a visit)…
Anyway… let’s cut to the chase … I think the real reason why I’m focusing on the “Ease-of-Beach” idea is because I live in Paphos. “Beaching” in Paphos is r-e-a-l-l-y easy… In Paphos, “Beaching” means anything from soaking the day away in the sun on Coral Beach, playing bats late afternoon after work at Helios Beach, grabbing a Frappe and a game of cards at one of the “lazy” summer beach bars at Riccos Beach… or simply diving off the “Mbania” platform opposite the Paphos Castle…
And if that’s not enough, fifteen minutes eastwards one can imbue oneself in the cool waters and mysticism of ‘Petra to Romiou’. The large rocks, the majestic white cliffs and the turquoise waters indeed make for one of the most picturesque and awe inspiring locations in Cyprus…no wonder the poets chose this location as the mythological place for their goddess to be born!
On the other hand, if we opted to go fifteen minutes westwards… we would enter a whole new dimension; Akamas! One can either start the Akamas experience by taking a short hike to Avakas gorge and then spend the day at Lara Beach, or move further into this protected region and discover “new” beaches and forest locations, even camp over for the night.
Paphos is also the one province that also boasts beaches on its northern part… It only gets better! If serene, picturesque, idyllic and peaceful is what you’re looking for then you can start off by diving off a boat into the turquoise waters of the “Blue Lagoon”… go snorkelling in the rocks below the cliffs of the ‘Baths of Aphrodite’… or explore one of several beaches along the ‘Aphrodite’ road, considered to be, if not, the best waters on the island.
There are many other choices along this Bay of Chrysochou (‘Of Gold’). If you’re staying for a few days you can also Laze along the beaches of the quaint fishing village of Latchi, savour the sunsets across the Akamas Peninsula from the “little” Eucalyptus forest beach of Polis… or take a drive and discover Argaka, Pomos and lest we forget Pachiammos…
Indeed, it is a “Beach Blessing” to be living in Paphos! … And each beach has a different character from every other. That said, there are many more “spots” that one can discover on one’s own accord… there are so many options within … five, ten, fifteen, twenty, thirty… minutes…
This also makes Paphos one of the best towns for night beach parties … whether it’s a high powered trans-party or time between friends… it’s easy! … And, oh, there is nothing better than soaking one’s feet in sea water at 6 am (after a “heavy night” out, of course) … it’s easy; after all, you’re only five minute from home!
Moral of the story: When in Paphos… Always be sure to keep a spare towel and swimming trunks in your car… chances are, you’ll probably land up on a Beach… it’s Easy!

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