Park Rest Journal — August 2026 · Sea
The east coast of Northern Cyprus between Boğaz and Bafra is the island's longest stretch of sand: around 25 km of fine golden sand with no pebbles, where you can wade 30–50 metres before it gets deep. For families with children in August that is the main argument: warm sea, a gentle slope, facilities and free entry to the municipal sections.
Getting there
From the centre of Famagusta (Gazimağusa) take the coast road signed to Iskele: 20 minutes to Boğaz, 25–30 to the main part of Long Beach, 35–40 to Bafra. From Kyrenia (Girne) allow about two hours via Famagusta. Parking at the public access points on Long Beach is free; there are also dolmuş minibuses (shared, fixed-route) to Bafra from Famagusta and Iskele, but a car is easier.
Where to settle
Municipal Long Beach in Iskele is roughly 3 km of sand with a promenade, running and cycling paths, showers, changing cabins, toilets and playgrounds. Entry is free, a sunbed is 100 TL a day (as of August 2026), and lifeguards are on duty in summer. Further south are the beach clubs Pera and Lush and the Mackenzie restaurant. Bafra is a strip of hotel beaches by Kaya Artemis, Noah's Ark, Limak and Concorde; access for non-guests depends on the hotel, and a sunbed with parasol on the public section cost 100 TL (as of July 2026). Between Long Beach and Bafra there are still wild stretches with no sunbeds or shade.
Long Beach with a 100 TL sunbed is the best option with children.
What's there in the evening
After 18:00 the Iskele promenade comes to life: the cafés and kiosks along the beach are open, and next to the beach clubs the Cem Dana funfair opens, roughly 18:00 to 22:00. At Boğaz, on the southern end of the strip, the fish restaurants sit right on the water. There is little shade on the beach; a parasol comes with the sunbed, and on the wild stretches bring your own.
- Arrive by 8am: the sunbeds on the central section of Long Beach go first.
- Bring your own parasol and a shelter for the wild stretches between Iskele and Bafra.
- Check with the Bafra hotels whether non-guests are admitted to the beach and at what price.
- In the evening take the children to the Iskele promenade and the funfair after 18:00.
- On the public holidays of 1 and 30 August, claim your spot by the water before nine in the morning.