North v Southern Cyprus

[cariad]

Has anybody any experience of comparing facilities, prices, moorings and wintering afloat on both sides of Cyprus? Which is favourable, if any?
Thanks


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[jeanne]

Your decision may be simplified when you learn that Southern Cyprus has two marinas, and Northern Cyprus none. There is just one small harbour at Kyrenia.
But things seem to be changing rapidly in Cyprus, due to their desire to join the E.U. The restrictions on the land crossing, the green line, are being eased, and perhaps they will see sense one day. And the day after that, there will be a plan for a marina in Famagusta, which was the only decent port in the country before it found itself right on the dividing line between N and S.
Can anyone update us on the plan to charge yachts a heavy import tax, mentioned on this site recently? Surely not compatible with E.U. membership?
And have the plans for new marinas in the south been affected?

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[rusty_nail]

Let's tackle the tax first: a nasty topic. The authorities wanted to charge 20% 'luxury' tax, as Jeanne said, on top of VAT and 1.7% excise. When everyone realised how absurb it all was, (particularly in light of EU membership), they decided to abolish it. This happened just a few days ago and will take maybe a month to pass through parliament 'officially'.
I have just bought my boat from Greece, and sailed it 'home' to Cyprus. The tax man in Paphos told me to pay the 20%, but the nice man in Larnaca wants only the 1.7% excise. By winter it will not be an issue.

Marinas are full. You'll get a space on the hard in Larnaca, which has the best facilities by far and is well situated near all of the town's amenities.
St Raphael in Limassol is too expensive and not close to main part of town. Poor value. Paphos Port is untenable in winter and has no hard area.

There are plans to add about six marinas in Cyprus (south). They are in various stages of discussion, (rather than development). There will be 102 spaces in Latsi, which is a lovely area north along the coast from Paphos. I have my name on the list for that one!
The others seem to be some way away from development. Plans are affected mostly by officialdom. I hear that the government officials want their cut of the potential profits, so until their palms have been suitably lined, they are with-holding planning permissions.
When the new marinas do eventually come, Cyprus will be a good place for yachting. The weather is great in the winter, so it's an ideal place for a lay up. And you can get all of your English luxuries in the shops.

All the best
Russell

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