A 543-berth marina is to be built 30 kilometres east of Girne as part of a £12 million scheme to boost yacht tourism in North Cyprus. Work on the new marina and its linked Port Cyprium Village development of 47 luxury villas is scheduled to begin next month in and around a  cove at Kuchuk Erenkoy, near Essentepe.

Covering 25 donums, the complex is designed to maximise the yacht tourism potential of the country’s coastal waters, most of which were officially opened to the public last year for the first time since 1974. Only small areas of sea around Snake Island, Teknecik Power Station, Varosha (south Faqmagusta), and between Erenkoy and Limniti on the TRNC’s western border are still “off-limits” to non-military vessels.

The Port Cyprium Village and Marina complex, which is expected to be completed in two years,  will be a  25 minute drive from Girne and just  20 minute from Ercan Airport via the Gecitkale pass on the new north coast road.

The marina will be equipped with full boat-lifting, repair and servicing facilities. It will also feature a clubhouse with 20 guest rooms, a taverna, three restaurants offering fine dining to fast food, a bowling green, spa, gym and two tennis courts. A range of watersports, including diving and sailing, will also be available.(cyprus today)