Were an ancient Mycenaean Greek in Cyprus to suddenly spring to life, or even Aphrodite herself, she would find the same warm sun overhead. The sun is a resilient force in Cyprus, shining high and bright enough to keep the sea warm for comfortable swimming from early May all the way through October. It helps give the island its quintessential Mediterranean atmosphere.
Even in the middle of winter, when temperatures get on the cool side, the sun usually shines for the better part of the day.
The best place to soak up the Cyprus sunshine is at the beach, and with more than four hundred miles of coastline, there are plenty from which to choose.
The "Blue Flag" is an exclusive eco-label awarded to more than 3.100 beaches and marinas in 35 countries in Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada and the Carribean in 2006.
The "Blue Flag Campaign" is a program launched in 1987 during the European Year for the Environment, which promotes clean beaches and environmentally sound management of coastal areas. The "Blue Flag" is awarded to beaches meeting strict criteria relating to environmental education and information, beach area management and quality of bathing water. The Campaign is owned and run by the independent nonprofit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
With the initiative of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) and the cooperation of the Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association (CYMEPA), the local authorities and the relevant government bodies, Cyprus has introduced the "Blue Flag Campaign" and became a full member of the FEE in 1995.
In 2006 the International Blue Flag Jury awarded the Blue Flag to the following 49 beaches in 13 coastal communities and municipalities of Cyprus: Louma, Pernera, Potami, Vrysi A’ & B’ & C’, Protaras, Nisia Lombardi [Paralimni], Konnos Bay, Kermia, Ammos tou Kambouri, Glyki Nero, Pantachou, Loukkos tou Manti, Katsarka, Pernera, Vathia Gonia, Nissi, Nissi Bay, Lanta, Macronissos and Agia Thekla [Agia Napa], Yannathes [Voroklini], Phinikoudes, Kastella and Mckenzie [Larnaka], Kalymnos beach - CTO [Pentakomo], Aoratoi [Pyrgos], Municipal Beach Pareklisias [Pareklisia], Santa Barbara, Loures, Vouppa, Aphrodite, Onisilos, Armonia and Castella [Agios Tychon], Akti Olympion [Lemesos], Pissouri beach [Pissouri], Municipal beach – CTO [Geroskipou], Pachyammos, Vrysoudia A & B, Alykes, Municipal Baths and Faros [Pafos], Laourou and Coral Beach [Pegeia], Municipal beach, Dasoudi beach - CTO [ Polis Chrysochous].
For any further information about the "Blue Flag", please visit the websites:
www.blueflag.org/map_cyprus.asp
www.fee-international.org
www.cymepa.org.cy