Fig Tree Bay
Popularity over the year
O atrakcji
Fig Tree Bay is the beach Cypriot families post about and east-coast tourists fly in for: a half-kilometre crescent of pale soft sand at the north end of Protaras, framed by low rock at each tip and with a small green islet a hundred metres offshore. The single fig tree that gave the bay its name (planted, by tradition, in the 17th century) is on the headland behind the south end. The water turns from clear glass to deep azure as you wade out — the shallows go on for 40-50 metres before the bottom drops.
The bay is consistently Blue Flag certified, lifeguarded in season, and one of the most family-confident swims in Cyprus. The seabed is fine sand with very little weed; the islet itself is swimmable for confident swimmers — the channel is not deep but boats use it, so be alert. Sunbed pairs with umbrella run around 7-10 EUR a day; concessions cover banana boat, ringo, glass-bottom boat tours and a dive school at the south end.
Insider tips. The bay gets full from 10:30 in July-August. Arrive by 09:00 for a front row, or come for late afternoon — the western flank holds light beautifully until 18:00 and the crowds thin from 16:00. The far southern rocks are the snorkelling spot: small wrasses, sand smelt, occasional bream. The strip of cafés behind the dunes is decent but pricey; for a proper meal walk five minutes south to one of the family fish tavernas off Cavo Greco Avenue.
Combinations. Pair with Konnos Bay (8 minutes south) for a different mood — Konnos is wilder and rockier — or with the church of Profitis Elias on the hill above Protaras for sunset views. The coastal walking path runs for 2-3 km in either direction; the stretch north toward Pernera is gentle and shaded.
Bring. Snorkel mask and reef-safe sunscreen, a sun hat (the morning sun is direct), and water. When. June and September are the cleanest balance of warm sea and tolerable crowd; October sea is still 23°C and the beach is half-empty. It is not Cyprus' most dramatic beach. It is the one that does the simple things — sand, shade, swim, bar — better than almost any other on the east coast.
