Private Jet and Yacht Charter from Cyprus: The Short Answer
Checked October 2026.
- Private jets: Larnaca and Paphos are the Republic of Cyprus's two international airports, and both handle private flights. Larnaca has an executive terminal with passport control and customs inside. In Europe a charter flight must be run by an operator holding an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), and that is worth checking before you pay.
- Yachts: Limassol Marina and Ayia Napa Marina both take yachts over 100 metres. The classic day trips are the Akamas coast and Blue Lagoon from Latchi, the Limassol coast, and the sea caves of Cape Greco. For a week on board, most people fly to Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, Italy or the French Riviera, because the nearest Greek island of any size, Rhodes, is 255 nautical miles from Limassol.
JetSet Travel is an IATA-accredited travel agency in Paphos (IATA 14200130, Tourism Licence 7775). We arrange private jet charter through charter partners and yacht charter for a day or a week, together with VIP airport service, transfers, villas and hotels.
Flying Private from Cyprus
Which airports
- Larnaca and Paphos are the only legal points of entry to the Republic of Cyprus by air. Both are run by Hermes Airports and operate 24 hours.
- Larnaca has an executive terminal for private flights, run by Skylink Services, with a passenger lounge and with customs, immigration and security inside the building. We confirm the handling arrangements for each flight.
- Paphos handles private flights too. We found no dedicated private-jet terminal there; ground handlers meet the aircraft and help passengers through customs and immigration.
- Airports in the north of the island are not legal entry points to the Republic; arriving that way counts as illegal entry. Private aircraft, like airlines, do not fly directly between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey.
Passport control
As of October 2026, Cyprus is not yet part of the Schengen area. It expects to join in 2027, subject to a decision of the EU Council. Until then, every passenger arriving in Cyprus goes through passport control, including on private flights from Schengen countries. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can use a national ID card; everyone else needs a passport, and some nationalities need a visa. See our Cyprus Schengen guide for the latest.
How far is it from Larnaca?
Straight-line distances from Larnaca airport. Actual flight routes are longer, and the distance decides which aircraft can fly the route non-stop.
| From Larnaca to | Distance |
|---|---|
| Athens | 932 km (503 nm) |
| Mykonos | about 795 km (about 430 nm) |
| Dubai | 2,345 km (1,266 nm) |
| Nice (for Monaco and the Riviera) | 2,461 km (1,329 nm) |
| Geneva | 2,627 km (1,418 nm) |
| London Heathrow | 3,283 km (1,773 nm) |
Charter rules: why the AOC matters
Under EU rules, commercial passenger flights, including private jet charters, may only be operated by a company holding an Air Operator Certificate and an operating licence. The European Business Aviation Association warns that illegal or "grey" charters, flown without them, can leave passengers without valid insurance cover, including their own life insurance. Its advice is to ask for the operator's name and AOC number and check them with the aviation authority that issued it.
When we arrange a charter, we tell you which operator will fly you, so you can check.
Yacht Charter in Cyprus
The marinas
| Marina | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Limassol Marina | 650 berths for yachts from 8 m to 115 m; a port of entry with 24-hour customs and immigration |
| Ayia Napa Marina | 360 berths for yachts up to 110 m, with a helipad |
| St Raphael Marina, Limassol | 237 berths for yachts up to 30 m |
| Larnaca Marina | 450 berths, shallow (1.5–3 m) and fully occupied; a long redevelopment is planned from 2027 to 2036 |
| Latchi and Paphos harbours | Small harbours on the west coast; Latchi is the usual starting point for the Akamas coast |
Day charters around Cyprus
- Akamas and the Blue Lagoon, from Latchi: the Blue Lagoon lies west of Latchi on the Akamas peninsula, about 30–45 minutes by boat. Akamas is a protected Natura 2000 area, so boats should keep their anchors off the seagrass.
- Lara Bay is off-limits in summer: from 1 May to 31 October boats may not sail or anchor in waters up to 20 metres deep at Lara–Toxeftra, to protect nesting turtles. Any Akamas itinerary we plan in those months leaves Lara out.
- The Limassol coast, from Limassol Marina: Amathus is 5 nautical miles away, Governor's Beach 12, Kourion 18, Pissouri Bay 22 and Aphrodite's Rock 28.
- Cape Greco and Ayia Napa: sea caves that are best seen from the water, and Konnos Bay, which is sheltered from the prevailing wind by the Cape Greco peninsula.
When to go
Cyprus has a long, dry summer from mid-May to mid-October. Cyprus Tourism puts the open-sea temperature above 22°C from June to November, reaching about 27°C in August. In summer the wind is usually an afternoon sea breeze from the west or south-west, often above 15 knots in May–July, with calmer mornings. Morning departures make for the smoothest day at sea.
Charter licensing
Companies renting out yachts without crew (bareboat charter) need an attestation from the Shipping Deputy Ministry, and each vessel must be inspected and insured. A new Recreational Navigation Law (Law 4(I)/2026) has been passed, but as of August 2026 it was not yet in force. Whoever you book with, ask whether the company and the boat are licensed.
Week-Long Yacht Charters: Why Most Start in Greece
Limassol Marina gives the sea distances: Rhodes is 255 nautical miles from Limassol, Kastelorizo 205 and Heraklion in Crete 395. That is a long passage before a holiday starts, so most week-long charters begin at a base closer to the islands. From Cyprus you fly there and step on board:
- Greece: Athens (Alimos Marina) and Lavrion for the Saronic Gulf and the Cyclades; Lefkada and Corfu (Gouvia Marina) for the Ionian; Kos and Rhodes for the Dodecanese. In the Cyclades the summer meltemi, from June to September, can reach 30 knots, so we match the area to your group.
- Croatia: Split, Trogir and Dubrovnik.
- Montenegro: Porto Montenegro in Tivat, with berths for yachts up to 250 m and customs and immigration on site.
- Italy: Naples, Procida, Castellammare di Stabia and Salerno for the Amalfi Coast and the islands.
- French Riviera: Antibes, Cannes, Nice and Monaco.
For how to fly from Larnaca or Paphos to many of these places, see our guide to luxury Mediterranean trips from Cyprus.
How JetSet Arranges a Charter
- Tell us the plan: route, dates, the number of guests and how much luggage, or for a yacht, a day or a week and the area.
- We find the options: quotes from charter partners for the aircraft or the yacht, with the operator named.
- We add the rest: VIP airport service at Larnaca or Paphos, private transfers, and hotels or villas at either end.
- One team throughout: our Paphos office handles the whole trip in English, Russian and Greek.
See our luxury travel service, or our private clients service if you need non-disclosure agreements and a single point of contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly private from Paphos airport?
Yes. Paphos handles private flights through ground handlers, who meet the aircraft and help with customs and immigration. Larnaca has the dedicated executive terminal.
Do I go through passport control on a private flight to Cyprus?
Yes. Cyprus is not yet in the Schengen area, so every arriving passenger goes through passport control, including on private flights from Schengen countries. At Larnaca this happens inside the executive terminal.
How do I know a private jet charter is legal?
Ask for the operator's name and its Air Operator Certificate number, and check them with the aviation authority that issued the certificate. Flights without an AOC can leave you without valid insurance.
Where is the best day trip by yacht in Cyprus?
The Akamas coast and Blue Lagoon from Latchi is the classic choice, with the Limassol coast and Cape Greco as good alternatives. From May to October, Lara Bay is closed to boats in waters up to 20 metres deep to protect turtles.
Can I charter a yacht in Cyprus for a week?
Yes, but the nearest Greek islands are a long way off (Rhodes is 255 nautical miles from Limassol), so most week-long charters start in Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, Italy or France. A week around Cyprus itself is possible for those who want it.
Planning a private flight or a yacht charter? Tell us the route, the dates and who is coming, and we will come back with options.
