Episkopi Bay
Episkopi Bay is a bay of the Mediterranean Sea on the coast of the Western Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, along the south-western shore of the island of Cyprus. It is formed by the angle of south coast of the island with the Akrotiri Peninsula.
The bay is famous for its beach and fish restaurants.
Despite the ethnic division of Cyprus in 1974, following the inter-communal riots and the subsequent Turkish invasion of the island, a number of Turkish Cypriots chose to remain in the area. It is known in the Greek language as Κόλπος Επισκοπής and in Turkish as Piskobu Körfezi.
The bay is named after the village of Episkopi inland from the middle reach of the bay (outside British territory); the name "Episkopi" means "Bishop's", as that village was the bishop's home after the abandonment of the ancient city of Kourion on coast here. Episkopi Cantonment, the capital of the territory, is a little inland of the bay.
The Symvoulos River enters the Mediterranean here. Episkopi Bay is a nesting ground for green and loggerhead turtles, both of which are on the IUCN list of endangered species. Episkopi Turtlewatch is a local volunteer group dedicated to conservation of the turtles and their nesting beaches.
Location
- Location map: 34°37’60"N, 32°49’60"E