Lara Bay
One of the main sea turtle nesting sites in Cyprus
The story
Lara is a bay on the west coast of the Akamas Peninsula, north of Paphos. Both species of sea turtle found in Cyprus lay their eggs on its sandy beaches: the loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta, and the green turtle, Chelonia mydas. There are seven species of sea turtle in the world. The bay is part of the Lara–Toxeftra marine protected area, monitored by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research. The department counts these beaches among the most important turtle nesting sites in Cyprus. The summer rules for beachgoers, no umbrellas, sunbeds or tents, and no staying on the beach overnight, have been in force here without a break since 1989.
Where turtles lay their eggs in Cyprus: on the beach at Lara (Akamas Peninsula, Paphos District). And which species nest in Cyprus: the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and the green turtle.
Visiting
From June 1 to September 30 you may not put up umbrellas, sunbeds, tents or camper vans, fish (except with a rod from the shore), or be on the beach from evening to morning, starting one hour before sunset and until one hour after sunrise. All year round you may not drive onto the beach, drop litter, light fires or collect sand crabs. Disturbing or feeding turtles and touching nests and eggs is also forbidden.
Photos
Sources
- Τμήμα Αλιείας και Θαλασσίων Ερευνών: υπενθύμιση για τη νομοθεσία στην προστατευόμενη περιοχή Λάρας-Τοξεύτρας (21.08.2026)
- Τμήμα Αλιείας και Θαλασσίων Ερευνών: Έναρξη περιόδου ωοτοκίας θαλάσσιων χελωνών (ανακοίνωση 22.05.2026, PDF)
- Τμήμα Αλιείας και Θαλασσίων Ερευνών: Δίκτυο Θαλάσσιων Προστατευόμενων Περιοχών (Θ.Π.Π. Λάρα – Τοξεύτρα, Κ.Δ.Π. 234/2018)
- Τμήμα Αλιείας και Θαλασσίων Ερευνών: Προστασία θαλάσσιων χελωνών και κώδικας συμπεριφοράς (2 από τα 7 είδη, 24.05.2023)
This text was written by AI from open sources. An expert will still check it. Found a mistake? Write to us. Support
.jpg){kind=link}