GOLDEN BEACH

Bordered by crystal-clear water, the "golden beach" (Altınkum Plajı, Χρυσή Ακτή/Chrysi Akti) is undoubtedly the most beautiful in Cyprus. Bordered by lightly wooded dunes and bisected by a hill, this strip of sand stretches 3.7 km in length south of the Karpas peninsula, along the road leading to the Apostolos Andreas monastery and Cape St. Andrew. Also known by the Greek names Pachyammos/Παχύαμμος ("thick sand"), Nagomi Ormos/Νάγκωμη Όρμος ("Nagomi Bay") and Chelones/Χελώνες ("turtles"), it's pretty well protected. It's part of Karpas National Park and home to several sea turtle nesting grounds. Green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles are protected here by the German Sea Turtle Karpaz association (sea-turtle-conservation.net), which sometimes organizes nocturnal visits during the summer nesting season. There are no first-aid posts on site, and only wooden structures: a bar-restaurant near the main beach, and bungalows for rent (bigsandcyprus.com) along the road to the east. All other illegal constructions have recently been demolished. Even so, the beach is often covered with garbage washed up by the waves or left by bathers. The beach is attracting more and more people. We advise you to bring a bag with you to dispose of your garbage. The southern part of the beach (after the hill) is popular with naturists, who enjoy a quieter spot.