Blog · Beaches & North Cyprus ·
Beaches of Morphou Bay and the west coast of North Cyprus
The west coast of North Cyprus is the quiet side of the island. Along Morphou Bay (Güzelyurt Körfezi) you find mostly pebble beaches with clear water, small villages, few crowds and long evenings by the sea. The best-known stretches are Yedidalga and Gemikonağı near Lefke, Yeşilırmak further west, and the wide, natural beach of Akdeniz on the other side of the bay. This is our local guide, written from the beach where we have been teaching kitesurfing since 2009.
Morphou Bay at a glance
Morphou Bay is on the north-western side of Cyprus. It takes its name from the inland town of Güzelyurt (Morphou), the centre of the citrus-growing region, and its shore runs from the foothills of the Troodos Mountains in the south-west to Cape Kormakitis (Koruçam) in the north.
There are no big hotel strips here. Most beaches are simple and natural, so bring what you need for the day: water, shade and something to eat, or plan your day around a beach bar or a village restaurant.
- Around Lefke and Gemikonağı: pebble beaches and clear water that gets deep quickly.
- Further around the bay: wider, more open beaches with more sand, like Akdeniz.
- Along the whole bay: fewer people than on the north coast around Kyrenia, and a slower rhythm.
Yedidalga and Gemikonağı: our home beach
Heaven Surf House is on Ecevit Caddesi in Yedidalga, a small village right next to Gemikonağı (Karavostasi) in the Lefke district — the windiest spot on the west coast of Morphou Bay.
The beach is all pebbles and the water is deep, which makes it a good place for real swimming rather than paddling in the shallows. Water shoes make getting in and out much easier. The water is clear, so a mask is worth bringing.
From April to October a steady thermal wind of around 20 knots blows side-onshore, and the kites come out. On those days, swim away from the launching and landing area and ask us where it is best to get in the water. On calm days the sea is all yours.
Our beach bar is open from 09:00 until sunset, with sun-beds and music, and the shaded camping ground is a few steps behind the beach. The nearest market is a five-minute walk away.
Next door, Gemikonağı has an old port that was once used to ship copper from the mines of the region; it has been inactive since 1992. Its old pier is still a landmark on the shore, especially at sunset. Just behind the coast lie the ruins of the ancient city of Soli, an easy stop on a beach day.
Yeşilırmak and the coast to the west
Follow the coast road west from Yedidalga, past the hill of Vouni Palace, and you reach Yeşilırmak (Limnitis), close to the crossing point to Kato Pyrgos. In front of the village is Asmalı Beach, a pebble beach with a few restaurants that cater to visitors who make the trip out this far.
Off the coast you can see the rocky islet of Petra tou Limniti, where archaeologists found one of the oldest settlements in Cyprus. The area is green and agricultural: Yeşilırmak holds a strawberry festival in May, organised by the local producers together with Lefke Municipality.
Across the bay: Akdeniz and the Kormakitis side
On the north-eastern side of Morphou Bay, towards Cape Kormakitis, lies Akdeniz Beach: a wide, open and very natural sandy beach with plenty of space. For kitesurfers it is a spot with more of an open-sea feeling than Yedidalga, with some chop and onshore wind.
Akdeniz is also a turtle conservation beach. Loggerhead and green turtles come ashore on the beaches of Cyprus to lay their eggs between late May and early August, and conservation volunteers look after the nests. If you visit in summer, keep away from marked nests, don’t dig deep holes and don’t use lights on the beach at night.
For long sandy beaches you can also plan a day trip further away: to the north coast around Kyrenia (Girne), or to the Karpaz Peninsula in the far north-east, known for its unspoilt sand and turtle nesting.
Swimming, snorkelling and paddle boarding
Clear water over pebbles and rocks makes the west coast a lovely place to swim and snorkel. Take your mask along the rocky parts of the shore, and always keep an eye on the wind and on boats. On the quieter beaches, don’t count on lifeguards.
If you would rather stay on top of the water, we rent stand-up paddle boards at Heaven: 850 TL for 30 minutes or 1000 TL for 1 hour. Paddle boarding is easy to learn: with an instructor you can be paddling within 30 minutes, then explore the coast of Yedidalga at your own pace. See all rental prices or just ask at the beach bar.
When the wind is up, the beach turns into a kite spot. Heaven Surf House is the first kitesurf school in North Cyprus, and our IKO lessons start with a two-hour Kite Intro from €90. Read more in our guide to kitesurfing in North Cyprus or go straight to the kitesurf lessons.
Sunsets on Morphou Bay
Evenings are one of the best parts of a beach day here. The sun goes down over the water, the old pier of Gemikonağı turns into a silhouette and the colours stay in the sky for a long time after.
At Heaven the beach bar stays open until sunset, so you can watch it with a drink in your hand, then move to the fire and barbecue area of the camping. For a first impression, have a look at our photo gallery.
Practical tips for beach days in west North Cyprus
- Bring water shoes. Most beaches around Lefke and Gemikonağı are pebbles.
- Plan for the heat. Summers are hot and dry, so bring shade, a hat and plenty of water. Our Cyprus weather guide explains the seasons and sea temperatures.
- Best months for swimming: late spring to early autumn, when the sea is warm; it often stays warm enough well into October.
- A car makes it easy to visit several beaches in one day. During your stay you can also rent a bike, or simply walk along the shore.
- Respect nature. Take your rubbish with you, keep away from turtle nests and leave the beach as you found it.
- Stay by the sea. Camping at Heaven costs 650 TL (€12) per person per night with your own tent. With your own camper, the camper stop costs 1100 TL (€20) a night, or you can sleep in one of our rental campers.
However you spend your days, the west coast rewards a slow pace: a swim in the morning, a paddle or a kite session in the afternoon and a sunset over the bay. See you on the beach — or start planning your stay at Heaven Camping.
