Sea Caves, Sea caves and scenic viewpoint in Ayia Napa, Cyprus
The Grottes marines are a group of sea caves and a scenic viewpoint located east of Ayia Napa, near Cape Greco, carved into the soft limestone cliffs along the coast of Cyprus. The site features natural arches, rock columns, and passages, some of which sit partly below the waterline while others remain dry above the tide.
The caves formed over thousands of years as the sea gradually wore away the soft limestone of the cliffs, while harder layers above acted as a natural roof and slowed erosion. This process left behind the columns and separate chambers that can be seen today.
Local legends say that pirates and smugglers once used these caves to hide goods, a story that still adds a sense of mystery to the visit. Boat tours departing from Ayia Napa regularly stop here, making the caves a natural part of the way people explore this stretch of coast.
A gravel path of about 650 meters leads from the main road to the site, and the final stretch along the coast can be rocky and slippery, so sturdy shoes are a good idea. There is no entry fee and no restricted access, and early morning or late afternoon visits offer the best light on the rocks.
Some of the caves connect to one another through short underwater passages that swimmers can cross without diving deep. This means that from inside the rock, you can move from one chamber to the next, which feels quite different from simply viewing the formations from the shore.
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