The Akrotiri Salt Lake is an unusual and attractive geological feature that at this time of year can look spectacular with its clear blue waters and scores of pink flamingos, gently searching for shrimps, their staple diet. The lake is one of two tombolos in Cyprus that stand below sea level and that are filled in the winter months by water permeating through the sandstone bedrock.

The Akrotiri Lake lies between the capes of Zevgari and Gata.Originally there was just a tiny island and the two rivers, Kouris and Garylis deposited large amounts of pebbles, mud and stones joining the island to the mainland and forming a lake in the depression. On medieval maps a break is shown on the east-side of the peninsula - where Lady’s Mile is today. This popular beach was named after a horse that was exercised there every day by her owner, who was a British officer. It is said that it was a popular place for wild boar hunting until the18th century and the area was much frequented by many goats.

The Larnaca Salt Lake is certainly an impressive sight for visitors and residents alike as the aircraft make their final approach into Larnaca Airport. There is a causeway between the main Larnaca Salt Lake and smaller pools which leads to the village of Kiti with its famous church - the Panayia Angeloktisti {meaning ‘built by the angels’}. Overlooking the main lake stands the mosque of Hala Sultan Tekke which contains the grave of Um Haram, still one of the most important Moslem sites of pilgrimage.

Both salt lakes quickly dry out once the water seeping into them evaporates too quickly. By July both have a thick glistening salt crust nearly10cm thick. Larnaca Salt Lake has always been the most important commercially, and is still referred to as Aliki- the Greek word for salt. A local legend tells how the area used to be filled with luscious vines and one day, Saint Lazarus {Patron Saint of Larnaca} was so thirsty he stopped and asked for some grapes. The owner told him that there were no grapes and the saint was so incensed he changed the vineyard into a salt lake!

Traditionally it has been the villagers from Aradippou who have collected the salt, often more than 100 of them with their donkeys, fitted with large woven panniers, would gather the salt which was ready for collection by August. From Medieval times onwards, the salt was exported at the rate of at least 25,000 tons a year, with another 4,000 tons sold locally to the leather tanners and cheese makers

Both Salt Lakes, but particularly Akrotiri are unique wetlands attracting an assortment of migratory ducks. The Merra is another small important wetland area, that has been successfully renovated so that cranes, grebes and herons can rest there. The flamingos are the most numerous and spectacular birds to overwinter at the Salt Lakes.

There are two species - the Lesser which is usually a stronger shade of pink, and the greater, which has a pink bill with a black tip and long red legs. The flamingos are en route south from the Caspian Sea to Africa, and the most ever seen in Cyprus is 15,000, with more favouring the Akrotiri lake. At this time of year they certainly make a spectacular and memorable sight….