Fig Tree Bay
{{Short description|Sandy beach in Protaras of Paralimni in Cyprus}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Fig Tree Bay
| image = Fig Tree Bay.jpg
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| location = Protaras, Cyprus
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| oceans = Mediterranean Sea
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Fig Tree Bay is a beach in Protaras, Cyprus. It was named Europe's third best beach by TripAdvisor in 2011,{{cite web | url = http://www.prurgent.com/2011-07-02/pressrelease180832.htm | title = Cyprus Beach Is No.1 On Top Ten European Destinations | accessdate = 2013-04-14 | work = TripAdvisor LLC | publisher = PR Web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141227010953/http://www.prurgent.com/2011-07-02/pressrelease180832.htm | archive-date = 2014-12-27 | url-status = dead }} though it had dropped to 13th place by 2013.{{cite web | url = http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravelersChoice-Beaches-cTop-g4#13 | title = TripAdvisor top 25 Beaches, Traveller's Choice | accessdate = 2013-04-14 | work = TripAdvisor LLC}}
Overview
As with all beaches in Cyprus, access to the public is free, whilst the hiring of sunbeds and umbrellas is chargeable. A municipal car park provides parking within a short walk. The beach stretches for 500 metres, and the waters are clean enough for the beach to have been awarded blue flag designation.{{cite web |url=http://www.blueflag.org/Menu/Awarded+sites/2012/Northern+Hemisphere/Cyprus/Famagusta/Protaras |title=Blue Flag beaches in Cyprus |accessdate=2013-04-08 |publisher=Blue Flag |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611185802/http://www.blueflag.org/Menu/Awarded+sites/2012/Northern+Hemisphere/Cyprus/Famagusta/Protaras |archive-date=2015-06-11 |url-status=dead }} The beach takes its name from the fig trees located close to the coast.{{Cite web |title=Fig Tree beach description |url=https://1001beach.com/en/europe/cyprus/fig_tree |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=1001beach |language=en}}
There is an uninhabited islet easily reached by swimming through the shallow waters, the location of which provides a good shelter for the rest of the beach. The islet is covered with low-level local vegetation. In contrast to other local beaches, such as nearby Nissi, Fig Tree Bay has become a popular destination for families. Water sports such as water-skiing, windsurfing, and parasailing are available. From April to October, lifeguards and lifesaving equipment are available on the beach from 9am to 6pm.
In 2010, during structural improvements to the beach, an ancient Greek tomb was unearthed.{{cite news | first = Sarah | last = Ktisti | title = Untouched tomb to unravel secrets of Cyprus's past | date = 21 May 2010 | publisher = Thomson Reuters | url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-cyprus-antiquities-tomb-idUKTRE64K3RS20100521 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170624132241/http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-cyprus-antiquities-tomb-idUKTRE64K3RS20100521 | url-status = dead | archive-date = June 24, 2017 | work = Reuters | accessdate = 2013-04-14}}
In popular culture
The song "Fig Tree Bay" from English musician Peter Frampton's 1972 album Wind of Change is about the beach.
References
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