Sailing: Where to Find your Sea Legs in Cyprus
With the sea intricately tied to Cyprus, from the ancient myth about the island’s creation to the modern bustling ports along the island’s coastal cities, sailing is a favourite pastime among locals and visitors alike.
Rugged coastlines and great wind conditions in the open waters make the island a top attraction for sailing enthusiasts. A variety of important races and regattas take place throughout the year, while leisure yachters can also find sailing communities and facilities at the island’s two marinas, five ports, and numerous bays.
All the relevant information for sailing on the island, along with the calendar of events and important guidelines, can be found on the website of the Cyprus Sailing Federation (CYSAF). As the national governing body for the sport of sailing in Cyprus, CYSAF is a member of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and the European Sailing Federation (EUROSAF).
CYSAF is the official body for the promotion of sailing in Cyprus, as well as for representing Cypriot sailing on an international level. The organisation also sponsors championships, races and other sporting events on the Cypriot, regional and international levels and maintains a fleet of dinghies, including Women’s/Men’s RS:X, Laser Standard, Laser Radial, Laser 4.7, Optimist, 470, Finn and Open Sea Vessels.
Five sailing clubs on the island offer exclusive access to a fun adventure as well as lessons for beginners wishing to learn the inner workings of a boat.
Begafigo Sailing Club
The newest sailing club, Begafigo, offers great opportunities to explore the eastern coast of Cyprus and a number of courses and packages to learn the art of sailing.
In 2005, the club was awarded an athletic recognition by the Cyprus Sports Organisation; in 2006, it was honoured by the Cyprus Sailing Federation for its contribution to spreading the sport and expanding sailing tournaments in Cyprus.
Begafigo runs coastal and offshore sailing academies and a Club Championship and also participates in national championships in the ISAF classes of Optimist, Laser and Open Sea. Its academies are also open to non-members and offer introductory or developmental sailing courses to beginners in sailing, seamanship and safety at sea.
To learn more and fill out a membership application, visit the club’s website.
Dhekelia Sailing Club
Located in the British bases in Dhekelia near Larnaca, this sailing club offers lessons and limited membership.
The club also offers lessons for beginners and is a favourite spot for expats. If you want to know more about the club, visit their website for details on their lessons and membership.
Famagusta Nautical Club
The oldest sailing club in Cyprus, the Famagusta Nautical Club has been around since 1960 and has for decades been providing a variety of lessons for beginners and experts alike to become top-notch sailors. Although the Famagusta Nautical Club once occupied the bustling golden beaches of Famagusta, it was forced to relocate to Limassol after the 1974 Turkish invasion.
The club’s history is marked with great athletic achievements, and the club has made a rich social contribution to Cyprus. Members of the club have gone on to become some of the top athletes in their respective sports.
To learn more about this historic club and become a member, visit their website.
Limassol Nautical Club
Limassol’s Nautical Club was founded in 1962 along the coastline of Cyprus’s second largest city, Limassol.
The club offers a variety of activities, but at its core it has always been a sailing club, training athletes and introducing new generations to the freedom of the open waters. To learn more about their lessons and membership, visit their website.
Paphos International Sailing Club
The Paphos International Sailing Club was founded on Cyprus’s western shores in 1999 by a group of sailing enthusiasts.The club started as a place for local aficionados to gather and talk about their common interests in an inviting social setting, and since then it has grown to include power boating, dinghy sailing, and offshore cruising.
To learn more about the club and the services they offer, visit their website.
Sail First Sailing Club
The Sail First Club is one of the most recent sailing clubs to flourish on the island. The club has been involved in the sailing scene in Cyprus since 2012 when they imported ten J80 One Design Racing boats, which have become a normal sight on the waters of Paphos, Latchi, and Limassol.
The club also owns a British Registered Beneteau First 40.7 that also races at the offshore regattas around the island and is used within the Club’s MKM Sailing Centre, where it enables them to teach interested parties within a world-recognised structured training programme.
