Blue water, rock caves, and lunch on deck.

This 3-hour Protaras cruise links the dramatic Cape Greco coastline with easy swims in the Blue Lagoon, plus real snorkeling gear and onboard BBQ lunch. I love that it’s built for comfort—life jackets, a restroom, WiFi, and shady spots—so you can focus on the scenery instead of logistics. One thing to consider: the boat has steps to get onboard and steps down to the washroom, so plan accordingly if stairs are an issue.

The itinerary also mixes scenic stops with a bit of Cyprus’s geography and history.

You’ll sail past sea caves in the Cape Greco area (including Shark Mouth cave and Lovers Bridge), then swing toward a viewing point near the border to the occupied zone before heading to a set of signature coastal viewpoints. A possible drawback is timing: you’ll have swimming time, but not a long beach day, so if you want to spend hours on shore, this is more of a floating-and-swimming cruise than a stay-put beach outing.

Why This Protaras Boat Trip Feels Like the Right Amount of Time

At about 3 hours (you may see it run closer to 3 to 3.5 hours in real life), this is the kind of outing that fits neatly between mornings and afternoons in Protaras. It’s also a small-group experience—up to 46 people—so it doesn’t feel like cattle at the rails.

The pacing works because the day is structured around moving between “look” moments and “do” moments.

You get sightseeing from the water, then you get a chance to cool off with a dip in the Blue Lagoon. After that, the rest is mostly panoramic viewing from the boat, which keeps the trip relaxed and low-stress.

The Star Stops: Blue Lagoon + Cave Country in Cape Greco

This cruise is at its best when you’re out on open water and the coastline starts changing.

You’ll sail into the Blue Lagoon area and get views of sea caves tied to the Cape Greco National Park region, including Shark Mouth cave and Lovers Bridge. The best part here is that you’re not just staring at the shore—you’re actually passing the rock features from the sea, where they look totally different than they do from land.

Then comes the payoff: a refreshing swim in crystal-clear water.

Even if you don’t snorkel, the stop is where the trip turns into a memory-maker. The cruise also includes snorkeling equipment, so you can choose how involved you want to be—float, swim, or gear up and explore.

A Practical Tip for the Swim Stop

Bring swim gear you’re comfortable with, and consider water shoes if you think you’ll be stepping around in rocky areas.

The trip provides life jackets, and that’s reassuring for anyone who isn’t a strong swimmer, but you’ll still want to be comfortable moving from boat to water.

The Occupied-Zone Viewpoint: A Moment With Weight

After the Blue Lagoon segment, the boat sails to a viewing point at the border to the occupied zone.

This is one of those stops that adds context to the scenery. You get to see the coastline and the region from the water, while the overall commentary helps connect what you’re looking at with the island’s political reality.

The key for me is tone: it’s not a history lecture.

It’s a viewpoint included in the flow of a leisure cruise, so you’ll come away with more than just pretty water, without the trip feeling heavy.

Agioi Anargyroi Chapel: Easterly Views and a Cave Under the Rock

Next up is Agioi Anargyroi Chapel, described as the most easterly point of Cyprus and a distinct landmark.

The cool detail is that there’s a cave underneath it and it’s presented as the chapel’s original place of worship—so the rock itself is part of the story.

You’ll get very close to the rock from the boat.

The plan is to go right into the rocks so you can touch them from the front of the boat. That’s a rare kind of stop: not just a photo opportunity, but a hands-on moment that makes the place feel real.

Fig Tree Bay Beach: Coastline Views Without the Crowds

Then you’ll sail past Fig Tree Bay Beach for a strong view of the coastline.

This is mostly a “look” stop—no beach time promised here—so it works well if you want scenery while keeping the cruise moving.

If you like the idea of seeing famous places but you don’t want to manage towels, sunscreen, and crowds for hours, you’ll probably enjoy this style of stop.

Cape Greco National Forest Park: Pirates and Caves From the Water

From the boat, you’ll view the Cape Greco National Forest Park area and the natural caves that were once used by pirates to smuggle contraband onto the island.

It’s the kind of detail that turns a coast from pretty to interesting.

You won’t be hiking here.

That’s actually a value point: you get the caves and dramatic rock shapes, with a lot less physical effort than land-based exploring.

Konnos Bay: The End Look at Sandy Water

The final coastal view is Konnos Bay, framed as the start of the national park area, known for sandy stretches and crystal-clear waters.

This last look from the sea is a nice way to wind down before heading back to Protaras.

It’s also a good “check your photos” moment.

By the time you get here, you’ve already seen the cave country, so Konnos Bay gives you a different visual mood—less jagged caves, more open-water swimming appeal.

Food and Drink: BBQ Lunch at Sea (Plus 1 Included Drink)

The included lunch is one of the biggest reasons this tour is good value.

On board, you’ll get BBQ chicken, fried chipped potatoes, pourgouri (Cypriot cous cous), pasta, and salad. Vegetarian options are available within the menu, which matters if your group isn’t all meat-eaters.

Then there’s the drink perk: 1 free cocktail or beer with the cruise.

It’s paired well with the relaxed pace, and reviews often point to drinks and the overall party-like-but-not-chaotic vibe, helped along by music on board.

What’s Not Included

There are sweet and savoury snacks you can purchase onboard.

Also, you’re asked not to bring drinks on board, which keeps things simple for the staff and the bar setup.

Snorkeling and the Turtle Moment: The Fun Factor Is Real

The trip includes snorkeling equipment and at least one swimming stop in the Blue Lagoon.

The highlight for many people is the chance to see marine life in very clear water—some reviews mention turtles and even an up-close turtle swim experience.

A quick reality check: wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed.

But the combination of clear water, included snorkeling gear, and multiple water-based moments makes the odds better than a straight sightseeing-only cruise.

What the Boat Experience Feels Like Onboard

Small comfort details add up here.

You get a restroom on board, WiFi, and life jackets as flotation aids, plus plenty of room reported as a positive—people like that the boat isn’t packed so tightly that you can barely move.

One more practical note: there are steps to access the boat from the pier, and steps down to the washroom.

If you’re traveling with anyone who struggles with stairs, this is worth factoring in early.

Pickup, Timing, and Group Size: Simple but Not Instant

Pickup is offered through centralised pick-up points. You’ll want to arrive 5 minutes early and expect the bus might be delayed—up to 15 minutes if it’s running late. Transfer time varies a lot (5 to 75 minutes) depending on where you’re staying, and you should check your ticket for the specific pick-up time.

The tour starts at 10:15 am and the meeting point is Protaras Pier (Pier 23 C2+) along the Protaras–Pernera promenade.

If you’re not staying near a central pick-up point, that longer transfer range is a good reason to keep your morning flexible.

Price: Is $48.27 Good Value?

For $48.27 per person, I’d call this strong value if you want a mixed package: boat time, swimming, included lunch, and gear.

Many similar cruises charge separately for meals, snorkeling gear, or drinks. Here, you’re getting BBQ lunch, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, onboard WiFi, and 1 cocktail or beer.

Add in the fact that you’re limited to 46 people max, and that helps you feel like you’re paying for comfort and experience—not just the route.

Who This Cruise Suits Best (And Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This trip is ideal if you want:

• Relaxed time on the water with a couple of swim chances
• Signature coastal views around Cape Greco, without hiking
• An easy lunch that doesn’t interrupt your day plans
• A reasonable chance at marine life thanks to included snorkeling

It may not be the best fit if you want:

• Hours of beach time on land
• A boat that is step-free for easier movement
• A totally quiet, no-music kind of outing

Should You Book St Georgios Presidential Cruise BBQ & 1 Drink?

If you’re in Protaras and you want one outing that combines Blue Lagoon swimming, cape-and-cave scenery, and a real onboard BBQ lunch, this is a smart pick. The price-to-inclusions ratio is hard to beat, and the small-group size helps it stay comfortable.

Book it if you can handle stairs to the boat and you’re happy with a half-morning to early-afternoon plan.

Skip it if you’re chasing a long, shore-based day or you need a fully step-free setup.

FAQ

What’s included in the BBQ cruise?

The cruise includes use of life jackets, lunch (BBQ chicken, fried chipped potatoes, pourgouri, pasta, and salad, with vegetarian available), snorkeling equipment, a restroom on board, WiFi, and 1 free cocktail or beer.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is about 3 hours. In practice, some departures may feel closer to 3.5 hours depending on the day’s flow.

Is pickup included, and when do I need to be ready?

Pickup is offered from centralised pick-up points. Be at your pick-up point 5 minutes before the scheduled time, and plan for possible waiting up to 15 minutes if the bus is running late.

Are there age limits or ID requirements for alcohol?

It’s 16+. Alcoholic beverages are available only for age 18 and up, and if someone looks under 16 they may be asked for photo ID (passport, driving licence, or country ID card).

Is snorkeling time guaranteed?

Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the itinerary includes swimming in the Blue Lagoon. Wildlife sightings like turtles can happen, but you shouldn’t treat them as a guaranteed outcome.

What’s the meeting point and start time?

The meeting point is Protaras Pier 23C2+JJX, near the Protaras–Pernera promenade. The start time is 10:15 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.