A 543-berth marina is to be built 30km east of Kyrenia as part of a 12 million scheme to boost yacht tourism in North Cyprus.
Work on the new marina around a cove at Kk Erenkoy, near Esentepe is set to be started shortly. The marina is designed to maximise the yacht tourism potential of the country's coastal waters, most of which were officially opened to the public last year for the first time since 1974. Only small areas of sea around Snake Island, Teknecik Power Station, Maras (south Gazi Magusa), and between Erenkoy and Yesilirmak on the TRNC's western border are still "off-limits" to non-military vessels.
The Marina Complex, which is expected to be completed in two years, will be a 25-minute drive from Kyrenia and just 20 minutes from Ercan Airport via the Geitkale pass on the new north coast road.
Lying on the ridge of Esentepe, Korineum golf & country club is the first of its kind in North Cyprus pertaining to the world standards. This beautiful golf field, combining green and blue in its magnificent view, offers tranquil hours.....
The marina will be equipped with full boat- lifting, repair and servicing facilities. It will also feature a clubhouse with 20 guest rooms, a tavern, and three restaurants offering fine dining to fast food, a bowling green, spa, gym and two tennis courts. A range of water sports, including diving and sailing, will also be available.
The man behind the ambitious scheme is Altan Hussein, a 51year-old contracts engineer and keen yachtsman who holds joint Turkish Cypriots and British nationality. "I started planning for this project while working in Saudi Arabia in 1991 and have lived and breathed it seven days for the last two-and-a-half years," he told Cyprus Today on Monday. "We will have the first professional marina in North Cyprus offering first-class facilities and berths which are desperately needed in this part of the Mediterranean.
Right strategic location
The marina will be overlooked by the nearly Moulos archaeological site and benefit from a nearby ancient breakwater to provide additional protection for yachts.
"I searched long and hard for the right strategic location for my marina and this is it," said Mr Hussein as he viewed the bay at Kk Erenky. "I employed a specialist firm of marine engineers to carry out a full survey and they concluded that it was perfect, with little need for deep sea excavation.
"I am investing 8 million in the marina itself but with whole development, the total cost is 12 million to ensure the high specifications and quality levels which I always envisaged."
Location
In terms of location, it has great assets of being close to Kyrenia and the Airport and to the newly opened 21-hole Korineum Golf and Country Club, which is just 10 minutes along the main coastal road.
Conclusion
"All the ingredients are here to bring high quality tourism and lifestyle to North Cyprus." Mr Hussein and his mission to create the marina was sparked by a passion for sailing and the fact that, like many others, he was frustrated by a lack of yachting facilities in North Cyprus. "Yacht tourism is very big business and with enormous potential," he said.
"Marinas throughout the eastern Mediterranean are full and there is a constant need for more berths and services.
"As we have now been successful in having most of the North Cyprus coastal waters opened up it is perfect to exploit this potential."
Work on the new marina around a cove at Kk Erenkoy, near Esentepe is set to be started shortly. The marina is designed to maximise the yacht tourism potential of the country's coastal waters, most of which were officially opened to the public last year for the first time since 1974. Only small areas of sea around Snake Island, Teknecik Power Station, Maras (south Gazi Magusa), and between Erenkoy and Yesilirmak on the TRNC's western border are still "off-limits" to non-military vessels.
The Marina Complex, which is expected to be completed in two years, will be a 25-minute drive from Kyrenia and just 20 minutes from Ercan Airport via the Geitkale pass on the new north coast road.
Lying on the ridge of Esentepe, Korineum golf & country club is the first of its kind in North Cyprus pertaining to the world standards. This beautiful golf field, combining green and blue in its magnificent view, offers tranquil hours.....
The marina will be equipped with full boat- lifting, repair and servicing facilities. It will also feature a clubhouse with 20 guest rooms, a tavern, and three restaurants offering fine dining to fast food, a bowling green, spa, gym and two tennis courts. A range of water sports, including diving and sailing, will also be available.
The man behind the ambitious scheme is Altan Hussein, a 51year-old contracts engineer and keen yachtsman who holds joint Turkish Cypriots and British nationality. "I started planning for this project while working in Saudi Arabia in 1991 and have lived and breathed it seven days for the last two-and-a-half years," he told Cyprus Today on Monday. "We will have the first professional marina in North Cyprus offering first-class facilities and berths which are desperately needed in this part of the Mediterranean.
Right strategic location
The marina will be overlooked by the nearly Moulos archaeological site and benefit from a nearby ancient breakwater to provide additional protection for yachts.
"I searched long and hard for the right strategic location for my marina and this is it," said Mr Hussein as he viewed the bay at Kk Erenky. "I employed a specialist firm of marine engineers to carry out a full survey and they concluded that it was perfect, with little need for deep sea excavation.
"I am investing 8 million in the marina itself but with whole development, the total cost is 12 million to ensure the high specifications and quality levels which I always envisaged."
Location
In terms of location, it has great assets of being close to Kyrenia and the Airport and to the newly opened 21-hole Korineum Golf and Country Club, which is just 10 minutes along the main coastal road.
Conclusion
"All the ingredients are here to bring high quality tourism and lifestyle to North Cyprus." Mr Hussein and his mission to create the marina was sparked by a passion for sailing and the fact that, like many others, he was frustrated by a lack of yachting facilities in North Cyprus. "Yacht tourism is very big business and with enormous potential," he said.
"Marinas throughout the eastern Mediterranean are full and there is a constant need for more berths and services.
"As we have now been successful in having most of the North Cyprus coastal waters opened up it is perfect to exploit this potential."
SHARE
