The blessed island of Cyprus: climate, flora and fauna

Cyprus is an amazing island with unique nature and weather, sunshine almost all year round, rains only in winter, and snow only in the mountains. The island's luxurious real estate and unique climate make it one of the healthiest and most relaxing places to live.

Cyprus climate peculiarities

Cyprus is a subtropical island with a mild climate, moderate temperature fluctuations and moderate humidity - around 60-70% on average. The island offers almost 330 days of sunshine per year, and summers are hot, but not sweltering. The maximum temperatures in the hottest months of July and August average between +30-33°C during the day and around +20°C at night. So those who like hot summers and warm winters will find Cyprus perfect for them.

Even in winter Cyprus can offer good time to visitors: The thermometer reads +5-16°C, the rains are brief, the sea doesn’t get under +16-18°C and the mountain ski resorts are there to welcome you. You can be skiing in the mountains one day and head for the coast for some sea swimming or scuba diving tomorrow.

The weather in Cyprus in April and May will suit those with respiratory problems. It's not too hot (21-25ºC), moderately humid, not windy and the rains are rare. For those with heart problems, asthma or are in need of a balance, the weather in Cyprus in October will be more comfortable, with temperatures under +27° C and the air much drier, as it does not usually rain.
If you are planning a holiday with children in Cyprus, then it is best to go in June, September or October: it's not so hot inland (+26-28°C) and the sea gets warm to a comfortable temperature (+23-26°C).

The water temperature in Cyprus is pleasant: on average, in May the sea warms up to +20 ° C, from July to October - from 23 to 26 ° C, while even in the coldest winter months (January-February) the sea doesn’t cool below +16-18 ° C. By comparison, in the Black Sea such temperatures are reached in April and May.

Flora in Cyprus

Nature has generously blessed Cyprus with olive and almond trees, vines and pines, lemon and orange trees that even grow in the streets. Orange groves abound on the island. Farmers sell sweet, fresh oranges right by the roadside. Towns, streets and yards in Cyprus are dotted with jasmine bushes, Chinese rose hibiscus and South American begonia and bougainvillea.

You have to be extra careful with flowering plants, such as oleander and lantana - they are gorgeous in their riot of colour and scent, but, like many Mediterranean flowers, are poisonous from root to tip, so let your eyes enjoy but keep your hands away from them.

Cyprus forests have their own particular smell and air. Here you can find both pine (pines, cypresses, junipers, cedars) and deciduous trees (sycamore, alder and oak). Interestingly, the national tree of Cyprus is not the olive tree or even vine, but a simple alder oak.

The flora of Cyprus even includes banana trees, which might look a bit surreal if you haven’t seent hem before: they have flowers of incredible size, shape and colour, and the "bunch" of fruit grows "upside down".

The island's distinctive fauna: animals and sea creatures

For animal lovers of all ages, the fauna of Cyprus would add an extra joy to the holiday. The forests are home to long-eared hedgehogs, hares, mice and foxes. It is very rare and lucky to come across a mouflon (a distinctive and rare species of Mediterranean sheep). Quail, partridges and snipes hide between the bushes while at night, owls and bats come out to hunt, and a rare species of bird, the Eleonora falcon, soars over the mountain ranges.

Tree frogs are particularly interesting: their colour range varies from dark brown to light green or even blue. Even in cities all kinds of lizards - geckos, skinks, chameleons - are very common. During the winter (late October to March) you can see numerous migrating birds - flamingos - on the salt lakes.

Diving in Cyprus is very popular with tourists and locals alike: clear waters, stunning views and an experience that's well worth having. Sea turtles, octopus and cuttlefish, as well as parrotfish are all encountered on underwater photo hunts. Sharks are encountered only by fishermen and divers who swim too far into the sea.

By the way, fishing in Cyprus is very popular - you can catch tuna, squid, prawns (both tiger and king prawns), crabs or sea bass for dinner. For information on Cyprus dams that are great for recreational and professional fishing, check out this link.

Marine Dangers in Cyprus

- Barbed sea urchins can be found on rocky beaches, so flip-flops are recommended for safe bathing.
- Jellyfish are rare near the island's beaches, however, should one be encountered, it's best to stay away from them.
- Divers should avoid touching fire worms: although they look beautiful - like a piece of brightly coloured garland - contact with them causes severe allergies.
- Although Cyprus is home to eight species of snakes, only one of them, the viper, poses a real threat to human life. When venturing out into the wild, the right thing to do is to pack knee-high, thick leather shoes, plus carry an antidote.

A pleasant holiday in Cyprus can indeed be unforgettable: the climate is mild, the sun is abundant, the sea is warm, the views are spectacular and the service is excellent. For those who are interested in Cyprus as a permanent residence - find out how to choose property in Cyprus here.