Keratidi Bay under threat due to severe erosion

Severe coastal erosion in the Keratidi Bay area of Peyia is threatening public infrastructure and luxury residential developments. According to a report submitted to the Environmental Authority, the situation is critical: the shoreline is receding so rapidly that the pedestrian promenade is only 3–5 meters from the cliff edge.

A study by Dion. Toumazis and Associates showed that while changes were gradual until 2014, erosion accelerated sharply between 2014 and 2019. From 1963 to 2014, the coast receded by about 16 meters in the eastern part of the bay and 10 meters in the western part. However, in the following five years alone, an additional 5 meters were lost—averaging one meter per year.

Experts warn that without urgent measures, the pedestrian zone and adjacent green areas could collapse. Part of the public road has already been damaged, with some sections now underwater.

The owners of the Coral Seas residential complex, in cooperation with the Paphos District Administration, have proposed an emergency project costing approximately €300,000. Over five months, the plan includes:

• Construction of a 40-meter underground wall using 12-meter deep piles to reinforce the ground without blocking sea views;
• Placement of large natural boulders at the foot of the slope to dampen wave energy.

According to specialists, a comprehensive protection plan for the entire bay could take up to ten years—time that the area simply does not have.

The Department of Antiquities expressed additional concerns, noting the archaeological value of the seabed and proximity to the Maa-Palaeokastro site. Designers assured that work will be conducted on state land and will not affect underwater monuments.

The situation is considered particularly urgent given Peyia Municipality's plans to extend the coastal promenade towards Sea Caves, a popular tourist route in the Paphos region.