Protaras: St Georgios Presidential Cruise BBQ & 1 drink. 16+

The best part of this Protaras cruise is the chance to swim in the Blue Lagoon’s clear water after sailing past the sea caves of Cape Greco. If conditions are right, you may also see turtles close to the boat, which adds a memorable wildlife moment to an otherwise easygoing morning at sea.

I like the freshly prepared BBQ lunch and the generous boat space, with a shaded area, restrooms, snorkeling gear, and a maximum of 46 people. I also like the mix of scenery: Cape Greco, Lovers Bridge, Shark Mouth Cave, Konnos Bay, Fig Tree Bay, and the distant view toward the occupied zone. The main thing to consider is that pickup can take anywhere from 5 to 75 minutes, and the cruise depends on good weather.

Key points before you book

• Blue Lagoon swim: The main swimming stop offers clear water and time to cool off from the Cyprus sun.
• Turtle sightings: Turtles have been seen near the swimming areas, sometimes close enough for a memorable look.
• Fresh BBQ lunch: Expect chicken, fried chipped potatoes, pourgouri, pasta, and salad, with a vegetarian option available.
• Cape Greco by boat: You see sea caves, rocky cliffs, Lovers Bridge, Shark Mouth Cave, and pirate-related coastal caves without a long walk.
• Comfortable three-hour format: The cruise leaves from Protaras Pier at about 10:15 am and returns to the same point before the afternoon is gone.
• Adult-focused outing: The experience is marked 16+, while alcohol is available only to people aged 18 and over.

Why the Blue Lagoon is the main attraction

This is not a formal sightseeing cruise where you spend the whole time listening to facts from a seat. The appeal is simpler: you get out on the water, see a handsome stretch of eastern Cyprus, stop for a swim, eat lunch on board, and let the morning unfold at a calm pace.

The Blue Lagoon is the centerpiece. The water is described as crystal clear, and the stop is long enough for a proper swim rather than a quick photo break. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you can look below the surface without packing your own mask and tube.

You should bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a cover-up for the return sail. Life jackets are available as flotation aids, but you should still be comfortable getting into the water and climbing back onto the boat using the access steps.

Turtles are not guaranteed, and no wildlife sighting ever should be. Still, the possibility adds something special. The swimming stop has produced close turtle encounters, and that can turn a pleasant boat outing into the highlight of your Protaras stay.

Leaving Protaras Pier and heading toward Cape Greco

The meeting point is Protaras Pier on the coastal walkway between Protaras and Pernera. The scheduled start is 10:15 am, though your pickup time may be earlier if you use the transfer service.

Pickup uses central collection points rather than a private hotel transfer. You are asked to arrive five minutes before the stated time and allow up to 15 minutes for a late bus. Transfer times can range from 5 to 75 minutes depending on where you are staying, so check the time printed on your ticket carefully.

Once on board, the boat heads along the coast toward Cape Greco National Forest Park. The boat carries up to 46 people, a size that gives the trip some life without forcing everyone into a tight crowd. Space matters on a swimming cruise. You want room to find shade, move around, and watch the coast from different sides of the deck.

There is WiFi on board, but I would treat that as a useful extra rather than a reason to stay online. The best part of the morning is looking outward.

Cape Greco caves, Lovers Bridge, and Shark Mouth Cave

The coast near Cape Greco is the most dramatic part of the route. From the boat, you can see natural caves and rocky openings that were once used by pirates to smuggle goods onto Cyprus.

The cruise also passes Shark Mouth Cave and Lovers Bridge. These are coastal sights that make more sense from the sea because you can see the shape of the rocks from water level. The boat can move close to the rock formations, giving you a better view than you would get from a distant road or lookout.

The pirate stories add a bit of local color, but this is not a history-heavy tour. Commentary is provided when useful, and the captain’s explanations can help you understand what you are seeing. If you want a long, detailed account of Cape Greco’s geology or Cyprus history, this is not that kind of outing. If you want short explanations paired with good views, the balance works well.

Bring a camera that can handle spray and bright sun. The coastline is at its best from the deck, and the views change quickly as the boat rounds the coves.

The Blue Lagoon swimming stop

The swimming stop is where the cruise shifts from sightseeing to holiday mode. You can get into the water, use the snorkeling equipment, and cool down before lunch.

The water is clear enough for snorkeling, though you should keep your expectations sensible. This is an open-water boat stop, not a guided marine-life excursion. You may see fish or turtles, but the operator cannot control what appears beneath the boat.

The access steps are worth noting. There are steps to board from the pier and steps leading down to the washroom, so this outing may not suit anyone who finds stairs difficult. Most people can take part, but you should be ready to move around a boat rather than expect completely level access.

The crew provides life jackets as flotation aids. Alcohol is not the focus of the trip, and only one cocktail or beer is included. Alcoholic drinks are available only to people aged 18 and up, even though the experience is marked 16+. If someone appears to be under 16, photo identification may be requested.

The view toward the occupied zone and Famagusta

The cruise includes a sail to a viewing point near the border of the occupied zone. From the water, you can see toward Famagusta and hear some context about the resort being taken by Turkish forces in 1974.

This part of the trip gives the morning more substance than a simple swim-and-lunch cruise. Cyprus remains politically divided, and the view toward the north is a reminder that the island’s history is still visible in everyday travel.

Do not expect to go ashore or cross any border during this experience. It is a viewing stop from the boat. The value is in seeing this part of Cyprus from a different angle and receiving a short explanation while you are there.

Agioi Anargyroi Chapel and the rocky shore

Agioi Anargyroi Chapel is a clear landmark on the coast and the most easterly point of Cyprus. The small church sits above a cave that served as the original place of worship.

The boat goes right into the rocks near the chapel, close enough for you to touch them from the front of the boat. That detail makes this stop more engaging than simply pointing at a church from far offshore.

The chapel is free to view, and there is no admission charge for any of the coastal sights. You are seeing them from the water, so the stop is brief and visual rather than a chance to explore inside.

This is also a good moment to appreciate how compact the route is. In one morning, you move from tourist beaches to small religious landmarks, rocky caves, and a politically significant viewpoint without spending the day on a bus.

Fig Tree Bay and Konnos Bay from the water

The boat passes Fig Tree Bay, one of the most attractive beaches along the Protaras coast. From the sea, you get a broad view of the sand and shoreline, which is often a better way to understand the shape of a beach than standing on it.

Konnos Bay comes later as another coastal view. It marks the beginning of the national park area and is known for its sandy beach and clear water. The boat does not provide time to go ashore at either beach, so think of these as scenic passes rather than beach visits.

That distinction matters. If your priority is spending hours on sand, book a beach day instead. If you want to see several well-known coves in one outing without changing buses or hiring a car, this cruise makes good use of the coastline.

A BBQ lunch cooked on board

Lunch is included, and the food is prepared on board. The menu includes BBQ chicken, fried chipped potatoes, pourgouri, pasta, and salad. Pourgouri is a Cypriot cracked-wheat dish similar in spirit to couscous, and it gives the meal a local touch beyond standard boat-trip fare.

A vegetarian option is available within the menu. You should still raise any dietary concerns before boarding if you need more than the stated vegetarian choice, since no wider list of special diets is provided.

The meal is one of the strongest value points. At $48.27 per person, you are not paying only for a seat on a boat. The price also covers the cruise, lunch, snorkeling equipment, a restroom, one beer or cocktail, and pickup if you use the centralized transfer service.

Snacks are not included, though sweet and savory items can be bought on board. You are asked not to bring your own drinks, so plan to purchase anything extra from the boat rather than packing beverages in your day bag.

What the three-hour schedule feels like

The experience lasts about three hours, though one detailed account put the time on board closer to three and a half hours. The boat leaves in the late morning and returns to the same pier around early afternoon.

That timing works well if you want to keep the rest of the day open. You can have breakfast before pickup, enjoy the cruise, and still have time for an afternoon at the hotel or beach.

The pace is relaxed, not rushed. You see several coastal points, have two swimming opportunities according to the detailed trip account, and stop for lunch before returning. Exact timing may shift with sea conditions, boarding, and the day’s route.

Music is part of the atmosphere, and the crew keeps the mood friendly and informal. The setting suits couples, friends, and older families who want a social boat outing without a party boat feel.

Price, group size, and practical comfort

At $48.27, the cruise offers fair value if you plan to swim and eat lunch on board. A separate boat ride, restaurant lunch, snorkeling rental, and transfer could quickly cost more, while this package keeps the arrangements together.

The maximum group size of 46 is useful. It is not a private sailing, but it is limited enough to leave room to move around. Shade is available, which matters during a sunny Cyprus morning, though you should not assume every seat will remain shaded throughout the route.

The boat has a restroom, but you reach it by steps. The same applies to boarding from the pier. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a refund. The same applies if the minimum number of bookings is not reached.

Who should book this Protaras cruise

I would choose this cruise if you want several of the eastern coast’s best-known sights in one easy half-day outing. It is especially suited to you if clear water, swimming, casual scenery, and a cooked lunch matter more than a packed program of historical sites.

It also works well for people staying away from the pier, since centralized pickup is offered. Just allow plenty of time for the transfer, especially if your hotel is at the far end of the service area.

I would look elsewhere if you want a private boat, a quiet sailing experience with no music, a long beach stop, or a serious snorkeling expedition. You should also think twice if stairs are difficult or if you need a carefully tailored diet that goes beyond the stated vegetarian meal.

Should you book the St Georgios Presidential Cruise?

For most visitors staying in Protaras, I think this is a sensible buy. The strongest reasons are the Blue Lagoon swim, possible turtle sightings, fresh BBQ lunch, and the variety of coastal sights packed into roughly three hours.

Book it if you want an active but easy morning with good scenery and basic comforts. Skip it if you prefer to control every stop yourself or if you dislike shared boat trips. Check your pickup time, bring swim gear and sun protection, carry photo identification if age may be questioned, and leave room in your day for the schedule to shift with the weather.

FAQ

Where does the St Georgios Presidential Cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Protaras Pier, located on the coastal walkway between Protaras and Pernera in Cyprus. It returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the cruise start?

The listed start time is 10:15 am. If you use pickup, check your ticket carefully because your collection time may be earlier.

How long does the boat trip last?

The advertised duration is approximately three hours. Actual time may vary slightly, with one reported trip lasting about three and a half hours.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered from centralized points. Transfer times vary from 5 to 75 minutes based on your location, and you should arrive five minutes early and allow up to 15 minutes for delays.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes BBQ chicken, fried chipped potatoes, pourgouri, pasta, and salad. A vegetarian option is available.

Are drinks included?

One cocktail or beer is included. Alcoholic beverages are available only to people aged 18 and over. Extra sweet and savory snacks can be purchased on board, and you should not bring drinks onto the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets for use as flotation aids are included.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

The experience is marked 16+. If someone appears to be under 16, photo identification may be requested. Alcohol is restricted to people aged 18 and over.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Weather or minimum-booking cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.