The small port of Kerynia is under Turkish occupation since 1974 and by means of an Administrative Act (ΚΔΠ 265 of 1974) which was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic No.1139 of 4.10.1974 was proclaimed closed for all shipping for the interest of the Republic.

Built on the northern side of Cyprus, it constitutes a unique area which combines harmoniously the sheer slopes of Pentadaktylos mountain range with the clear blue of the rough Kerynia Sea. The little port by itself and in conjunction with the Venetian Castle of the town moves every visitor with its picturesqueness and the disposition of various buildings which surround amphitheatrically its basin.

As stated by Rina Katselli in her book "Of our Kerynia – History of the town" when Cyprus came under the Romans (58 BC to 395 AD) "…they lay the foundations of today’s Kerynia Castle and built a breakwater in front of it in order to protect their boats from the rough northern sea…. the breakwater was visible before the extension of the modern breakwater and was known as "Series Rocks".

During the Lusignan period (1192 – 1489 AD) always according to Mrs Katselli "….the port had its own self sufficiency. It is separated from the town by high walls in order to be able to defend itself even if the rest of the defences had fallen to the enemy. A thick chain rose by mechanical means blocks entry to the enemy ships in the event of a war. There is evidence that the inner harbour operated at this period for the protection and repair of ships exactly under the castle and in the moat".

With the presence of the British in Cyprus (1878 – 1960) Mrs Katselli says "...in 1886 repair works starts at Kerynia harbour which develops slowly but steadily… the repairs carried out by the British are not successful since the two breakwaters leave an opening to the North through which the north currents enter the port unhindered and smash often enough the caiques…".

With the setting up of the Republic of Cyprus "…during the 1960 decade there is a reshaping of the port with the extension of the eastern breakwater and the removal of the western one... A new impetus is given by the extension of the old breakwater which follows the tracks of the old Roman breakwater in front of the Castle and renders it at last, a secure heaven for small recreational ships".

As we have seen above, until 1960 the entrance to the port was from the north and it was thus exposed to the strong north winds and very rough seas and hence its entrance was resited. Today the port of Kerynia has its entrance from the east.

At Kerynia harbour, until its capture by the occupying forces in 1974 there were no facilities for the handling of cargo i.e. no cranes, no warehouses or other equipment. It was used mainly by yachts and small fishing vessels and naturally the small cargo passing through the port prior to 1974 was mainly fish.

It is noteworthy that in the sea area outside the Kerynia port and at a depth of 30m there was an ancient ship of length 14.75m and width 4.30m from the middle of the 4th century BC until 1965 when it was discovered by the diver Andreas Kariolou.

The ship the ‘Kerynia Wreck’ or as it is widely known ‘The Ancient Kerynia Ship’ was raised and assembled in the Castle of the Turkish occupied Kerynia where it can be found today.