ORIKLINI AND DHEKELIA BEACHES

After Larnaka, it's best to know: you have to get as far away from the oil refinery as possible to regain some semblance of beauty. Difficult, since the Oriklini shoreline is immediately occupied by large hotels and housing estates. But you can still find what you're looking for. The beach at Yanathes, for example, is supervised and managed by the tourist office, which monitors water quality (just remember to look at the pavilion before you go for a swim). This part of the coast is popular with kitesurfers and yachtsmen, and there are equipment rental outlets everywhere. From the Sandy Beach hotel onwards, the seaward side is a little better, but behind that it's all concrete. You just have to look the right way! Nature reclaims its rights - temporarily - as soon as you enter the territory of the Dhekelia sovereignty base, as real estate developers are more closely supervised. The beach narrows and soon comes to an end, with a rocky shoreline, the first military installations and the power station. Further along, still on the base, you'll find a pretty little sandy cove near the village of Ormidia, followed by long stretches of sand. Beware, these beaches are partly protected: they are the nesting grounds of green turtles. They end at the red cliffs, a good diving spot accessible only by boat.