Protaras: Famagusta, Blue Lagoon and Turtle Cove Boat Trip

Turtles and clear water make this short cruise special. From Protaras Pier, you get a pleasant coastal outing with two swimming stops, sea views toward Famagusta, and time to look below the surface from a glass-bottom viewing area. I especially like the spacious 32-meter boat and the chance to swim in Cape Greco waters without paying for a full-day cruise.

The air-conditioned cabin, shaded deck, toilets, and reasonably priced drinks make the trip easy for families. I also like that the cruise keeps moving, passing Fig Tree Bay, Konnos Beach, the sea caves, and Kamara tou Koraka before reaching the swimming areas. The main drawback is that the boat may not travel as close to Famagusta or the sea caves as you expect, and the trip can finish closer to two and a half hours than three.

Key points at a glance

• Two swimming stops: Usually one near the turtle area and another at the Blue Lagoon or Konnos Beach.
• Turtle sightings are possible, not guaranteed: The clearest chance comes during the stop near Turtle Cove, but nature does not follow a timetable.
• Large boat with useful facilities: Expect a 32-meter vessel, sun deck, air-conditioned indoor seating, toilets, a bar, and underwater viewing windows.
• Famagusta is viewed from offshore: You get coastal and city views from the water, but this is not a shore visit to Famagusta.
• Bring your own snorkel: A mask and snorkel make the swim stops far more rewarding.
• Good low-cost outing: At $29 per person, the cruise offers several hours on the water, two swims, and coastal sightseeing without including a meal.

Setting Out From Protaras Pier

The boat leaves from the large pier beside the Evalena Hotel in Protaras. Departures are listed at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, giving you a choice between a late-morning outing and an afternoon cruise.

You do not get hotel pickup, so plan your own way to the pier. Arrive with enough time to find the boat and settle in. The operator is Antonakis Gregoriou Boat Trips, and the boat is easy to identify at the main pier.

The cruise is conducted in English. It is wheelchair accessible, although you may still want to confirm the exact boarding arrangements if you use a mobility aid, since boat access can vary with the pier and sea conditions.

This is a shared boat trip, but the vessel is larger than the small speedboats used for some Cape Greco excursions. That matters. You have room to sit inside, move around the deck, or find shade without feeling packed into one narrow row of seats.

What the 32-Meter Boat Offers

The boat has an open upper deck, an air-conditioned interior, toilets, and a bar selling cocktails, beer, soft drinks, snacks, and ice cream. Food and drinks are not included, but the onboard prices are described as reasonable.

I would choose your seat based on the weather. The upper deck gives you the best open views and plenty of sun, while the indoor section is useful during the hottest part of the day. Shade is available, which is important on a Cyprus summer afternoon.

The glass-bottom feature includes underwater viewing windows. There are also eight aquariums containing freshwater fish. The viewing area gives children something to do while the boat is moving, though the underwater glass may not always be perfectly clear. One earlier passenger noted that the glass could use cleaning, so treat this as a pleasant extra rather than the main reason to book.

A few practical details make a difference. Decks and stairs can become slippery after the swimming stops, so walk carefully and keep loose items secure. The captain’s commentary may also be hard to hear at times over the speakers, especially if you are sitting outside. You will get more from the trip if you listen when possible, but the scenery does most of the work.

The Famagusta View From Offshore

The first major sight is Famagusta from the sea. This is a photo stop and sightseeing pass, not a visit ashore. You will see the city and coastline from offshore, which gives you a different angle from the usual road or viewpoint.

Keep your expectations measured. The advertised route suggests a cruise toward Famagusta, but the boat may remain some distance away. One account described the view as quite distant, with the boat not going as far as expected. If seeing Famagusta close up is your main goal, this cruise will not replace a land excursion.

Still, the sea view has value. You can photograph the coastline without traffic, crowds, or buildings blocking the horizon. The boat’s slower pace also gives you time to watch the shore rather than simply passing it in a blur.

The route then turns along the coast toward Cape Greco. This is when the trip becomes more scenic, with views of resort beaches, rocky shore, and clear water.

Passing Fig Tree Bay and Paralimni Marina

The cruise passes Fig Tree Bay, one of the best-known beaches near Protaras. From the water, you get a useful sense of its position and shape, along with a broader view of the resort coastline.

Paralimni Marina appears along the route as a scenic stop and viewing point. The boat may slow for photographs and commentary, but do not expect a long walk-around stop. This section is best understood as a moving coastal tour.

The route suits you if you like seeing several places in one outing. It is less suitable if you want long, quiet time at each location. The boat keeps to a schedule so it can reach the swim areas and return to Protaras on time.

Konnos Beach, Sea Caves, and Cape Greco

The coastline becomes more dramatic near Konnos Beach and Cape Greco. Konnos is known for its sheltered bay and clear water, while Cape Greco brings rocky formations and sea caves into view.

Kamara tou Koraka, often called the Cape Greco natural bridge, is another photo opportunity along the way. The boat passes these places rather than offering a long land visit. That is still useful because some coastal formations are easier to appreciate from the water.

The route description mentions sea caves, but the boat may not go close to them. One account specifically noted this as a disappointment. You should treat the caves as part of the coastal view, not as a guaranteed close-up stop.

This stretch is also where the boat’s size becomes a trade-off. A large vessel feels stable and gives you room to move, but it cannot approach every narrow inlet the way a small boat can. If you want to enter caves or reach tiny coves, choose a smaller specialist trip instead.

Swimming With Turtles at Turtle Cove

The first major swimming experience takes place near the turtle area. The water is clear enough for you to see below the surface, and sea turtles are known to visit these waters.

You should bring a mask and snorkel. Several people found that the underwater view changed the experience completely, allowing them to see fish, rocks, and turtles more clearly. You are allowed to bring your own snorkel gear, and this is one of the few items I would consider essential.

Turtle sightings are common enough to make this a popular choice, but they are not guaranteed. Some departures see turtles nearby, including adults and young turtles, while others see only clear water and marine life. The boat staff may attract turtles by offering food, a practice that can keep them near the boat for photographs.

That practice raises an ethical question. The boat also has aquariums with fish, and past accounts have criticized the conditions of tanks used for marine animals. If animal welfare is important to you, ask the crew how the animals are kept and decide if the display fits your standards. You can still enjoy the natural sea life without treating a turtle sighting as a certainty.

The swimming stop itself is the stronger part of the experience. The water is refreshing, and you can choose to swim, snorkel, or stay aboard. Non-swimmers can use the viewing area and watch from the deck while others get in.

The Blue Lagoon Stop

The boat continues to the Cape Greco Blue Lagoon, sometimes described in the schedule as Blue Lagoon, Ayia Napa. This is the second main swimming stop and one of the clearest-water sections of the trip.

The lagoon is popular for good reason. The water has the bright, clean appearance people hope to find on a Cyprus boat outing, and the setting makes a better swim than a quick roadside beach stop. You can take photographs from the boat before getting in, then use your snorkel to look for fish.

The stop includes free time, swimming, and snorkeling. Exact time in the water may vary with the day’s schedule and conditions, so do not assume you will get a long private beach stay. There is no land excursion here.

Konnos Beach may also feature as a later swim or photo stop, depending on how the route is operated. The published schedule lists both Konnos Beach and the Blue Lagoon, but the precise order and length of each stop can change. Ask the crew when the boat leaves each area so you have time to dry off and collect your belongings.

Food, Drinks, Shade, and Family Comfort

You pay separately for everything from the bar. Drinks, snacks, ice cream, and cocktails are available, but this is not a lunch cruise. Bring water or buy it onboard, and consider a small snack if you are booking the afternoon departure.

Fresh fruit has sometimes been served during the return journey, including watermelon. It is a modest touch, but welcome after swimming. Do not count on a full meal, pizza, or unlimited drinks, since those details are not part of the standard offering.

Families should find the setup comfortable. Children have the aquariums, underwater windows, coastal views, and two chances to swim. The large boat gives parents more space to keep an eye on everyone, while the air-conditioned interior provides relief from the sun.

The trip also suits mixed-age groups. People in their single digits through their sixties have enjoyed the calm sailing and swimming options. You can take part as much or as little as you like.

Music is played during the cruise, usually at a relaxed level. The mood is casual rather than formal. You will not get a quiet, private sailing experience, but you also do not need to dress up or prepare for a demanding excursion.

Is $29 a Good Price?

At $29 per person, I consider this a strong value if you want a short coastal trip with swimming. You are paying for roughly three hours on a large boat, two swim opportunities, coastal sightseeing, access to the air-conditioned cabin, and the chance to see turtles.

The real duration may be closer to two hours and twenty minutes or two and a half hours on some departures. That is worth noting when comparing prices. Even at the shorter length, the cost remains reasonable, especially for families who would rather avoid an expensive full-day cruise.

The value drops if you mainly want a close view of Famagusta or a detailed visit to the sea caves. You are paying for a broad coastal route, not a specialist history trip or a small-boat cave tour.

The trip receives a 4.6 rating from 428 bookings, which fits the overall picture: strong value, friendly staff, clean facilities, and enjoyable swims, with some uncertainty around exact timing and route distance.

Who Should Book This Boat Trip?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and first-time visitors who want an uncomplicated way to see Cape Greco from the water. It is also a good choice if you have only a few hours and want swimming without committing to a full day.

You will get the most from it if you:

• Bring your own mask and snorkel.
• Pack sun protection and a dry change of clothes.
• Expect a sea view of Famagusta, not a visit to the city.
• Accept that turtle sightings depend on nature.
• Use care on wet stairs and deck areas.
• Arrive ready to buy your own food and drinks if needed.

I would choose another excursion if you want a private boat, close access to caves, a long snorkeling session, or a guaranteed turtle encounter. I would also think carefully about the aquarium displays if keeping wild animals in tanks concerns you.

Should You Book It?

Book this cruise if your priority is clear water, two swims, and good value from Protaras. The large boat, shade, clean toilets, air conditioning, and friendly crew make it easier than many basic coastal trips, while the Cape Greco scenery gives you plenty to look at between stops.

Just keep the limits in mind. Famagusta is viewed from offshore, the route may finish early, the commentary can be difficult to hear, and turtles are never promised. For $29, though, this is a sensible and enjoyable half-day outing, especially if you bring snorkeling gear and measure the trip by the quality of the swimming rather than the exact mileage.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat departs from the large Protaras Pier beside the Evalena Hotel.

What time does the boat depart?

The listed departure times are 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

How long does the trip last?

The advertised duration is three hours. Some accounts indicate that the cruise may last closer to two hours and twenty minutes or two and a half hours.

Does the trip visit Famagusta?

The boat cruises toward Famagusta and provides coastal and city views from the sea. It does not include a shore visit to Famagusta.

Are swimming stops included?

Yes. Swimming stops are included, usually near the turtle area and at the Cape Greco Blue Lagoon or Konnos Beach.

Can I see turtles?

Turtles are often seen near the turtle swimming area, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard, including soft drinks, beer, cocktails, snacks, and ice cream.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. It is still sensible to confirm boarding details before departure if you need specific assistance.