Port Cyprium Marina, North Cyprus
April 10, 2009 by Essential Ed
Filed under See & Do, Water Activities
At long last the final go-ahead has been given for the much talked about and heralded Port Cyprium Marina project. This world class development to include modern berthing facilities and an all inclusive living village has been in the pipeline since 1999, and despite numerous set backs is now due to start construction. Given that North Cyprus is in dire need of a new marina facility this project should prove incredibly popular.
The project is the brainchild of Altan Hüseyin who has fought tooth and nail to get his beloved project off the ground, putting years of his life into attaining his dream. Much time and finance has been given to feasibility studies, protection of the environment and marine surveys to ensure that the project is achievable and sustainable. Altan’s background as a construction contracts and project manager with over twenty years experience makes him a very qualified candidate to realise the project, with a team of experts behind him every step of the way.
Being granted a lease for the location in Kücükerenkoy near Esentepe back in 2005, Altan has worked hard to 
ensure that the marina and its surrounds will be of world standards and will match those of neighbouring Turkey, which presently has around 22 marinas serving an ever growing sailing fraternity. The location of the site is also ideal, being a half hour drive to North Cyprus’ Ercan airport, as well as a short drive into the ancient and popular town of Kyrenia.
Altan has come up against the government, managing to turn around a 30 year old ban on restrictions of yacht travel along the North Cyprus coastline, whilst also having to accommodate the ancient port site of Moulos in the process. This has been (quite rightly from an environmental point of view) a major stumbling block as several revisions have been made to the original plans by the Department of Ancient Monuments before final approval was granted.
This is to ensure that the ancient site is protected, although the preference for excavating the site, to protect and preserve remains is proving difficult to achieve due to archaeological teams being reluctant to proceed because of Greek Cypriot and Greek pressure. Whilst international conventions don’t prohibit excavations for preservation purposes, it is a big problem but one which Altan is more than happy to offer finance for.
However, the project has now finally been given the green light, and the facility is already attracting interest from sailing enthusiasts and people looking to invest in a marina property. When complete it will be able to offer 544 berths (both dry and afloat), a yacht club, clubhouse, hotel, shops and restaurants and other related utilities such as banks, medical facilities, communications and laundry amongst others. In addition there is a dive centre planned with local waters offering a perfect area for lessons for all abilities of diver, as well as a leisure club.
Port Cyprium’s berthing can accommodate a variety of sailing craft, from the smaller size boats from 4 metres to the big super yachts. With that come additional facilities requirements such as fuel supplies, a repair shop and anything else that an arriving crew may need.
On the property side of the project, it is certainly prestigious with around 47 ‘official marina’ luxury villas planned that all come with a private berth included for 10 years, these will certainly attract those yachtsmen who wish to have a private base on their travels around the Mediterranean. Investors will have a choice of 2 or 3 bedroom villas all built in Cypriot/Ottoman style. Interest so far has been very high with Port Cyprium advising that there are possibly now only a few berths remaining. In addition the marina’s club house will have 20 guest rooms which will be used to accommodate passing yachts folk who want to spend a few days on dry land.
If you are keen to register your interest for a berth at Port Cyprium Marina, or would just like to know more about the project, there are now regular updates on the Port Cyprium website for everyone to view. Although the project should take a few years to complete, there appears to be no finish date set in stone at the moment, which is credit to Altan given the fact that he has already spent the last 10 years in being able to realise a start date, so we will keep tabs on progress and update you in the future!
Also if you are a sailing fanatic you will already know the book “Turkish Waters Pilot” by Rod Heikell which on its next publication will show the new project and the now accessible waters to Port Cyprium Marina.
Despite all of its set backs, the realisation of Port Cyprium Marina in North Cyprus is really fantastic news for the island and a welcome development that may well be of benefit to the entire country, including the yearly visit from participants of the Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally who badly need a large marina facility to accomodate them!