Protaras: Luxury Yacht Cruise with slide, BBQ Lunch & Drink

Cyprus looks best from the water. This Protaras cruise combines coastal views, the divided island’s story, two swimming stops, and a generous Cypriot lunch aboard the St Georgios II. I especially like the huge inflatable slide and the warm, funny crew. The main catch is that swimming time can feel short, and turtles are never guaranteed.

At $47 per person, this is unusually good value if you want a relaxed family outing rather than a quiet sailing trip. You get lunch, one drink, WiFi, a guide, and the chance to swim in the Blue Lagoon and near Turtle Bay. Bring patience for the busy boarding area, and arrive early if your group wants seats together.

Key things to know before booking

• Varosha adds real context: You pass the abandoned district of Famagusta and hear how the events of 1974 divided Cyprus.
• The St Georgios II is built for fun: A modern yacht, open sun decks, an air-conditioned lounge, a front captains table, and a large water slide make it more than a simple sightseeing boat.
• Two swim stops break up the cruise: The Blue Lagoon offers turquoise water and lunch, while Green Bay gives you another chance to snorkel and look for turtles.
• Lunch is a proper meal: Expect baked chicken, homemade chipped potatoes, Cyprus couscous, salad, bread, and tzatziki, with vegetarian and children’s choices available on request.
• Transfers cover the main east-coast resorts: Pickup is available from Protaras, Pernera, Ayia Napa, and Kapp####is, but the exact point may be a short walk from your hotel.
• The tour is not suitable for limited mobility: Boarding involves about 15 steps, and the toilets are reached by stairs.

Setting out from Protaras Pier

The St Georgios II leaves from the end of Protaras Pier, near the Evelena Hotel. If you are staying close to the Protaras seafront, walking may be easier than arranging a transfer. The departure point can be a little confusing, so allow time to find the boat rather than arriving at the last minute.

If you select hotel transport, pickup is available from central points around Ayia Napa, Protaras, Pernera, and Kapparis. The pickup point may be two to seven minutes from your hotel on foot, and the bus can arrive 20 to 60 minutes before departure. Be ready five minutes early, then allow up to 15 minutes in case of delay.

The boat itself is one of the strengths of the day. You have an open upper deck for sun and views, a lounge with air conditioning, and the front captains table, which quickly becomes a popular place for photographs and sea watching. The boat is described as clean and modern, though seating can become tight when people spread bags across benches.

For the best chance of sitting with your group, arrive early. This matters most for families, since the boat mixes people who want to sunbathe, swim, eat, take photographs, and simply sit in the shade.

Seeing Famagusta and Varosha from offshore

The first section heads toward Famagusta. From the sea, you look toward Varosha, the abandoned district often called a ghost town. The guide explains the events of 1974 and the division between the two parts of Cyprus.

This is a short stop, but it gives the cruise more substance than a simple day of sun and music. You will not walk through Varosha, and this is not a full historical tour. Instead, you see the area from the boat and receive a clear introduction to one of the island’s most difficult political stories.

I appreciate the way this fits into a holiday cruise. You get the background without losing the easygoing mood of the day. The spoken languages on board are English, Greek, and Arabic. Written information in other languages is available through the cruise app, so check the app if you need help in another language.

As the yacht turns along the coast, the views become more scenic. You pass Fig Tree Bay, one of Protaras’ best-known beaches, before reaching the Cape Greco National Park area.

Cape Greco’s photo stops and sea caves

Cape Greco is the visual heart of the cruise. The boat passes Agioi Anargyri Church, Lovers Bridge, and the Sancta Maria Shrine. These stops are designed for photographs, and you can get close views from the water that are difficult to manage from shore.

The coast here is a mix of pale rock, small inlets, caves, and clear water. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole cruise looking through it. The best part is seeing how the coastline changes as the yacht moves between open sea and sheltered coves.

The guide adds information during the cruise, often with plenty of jokes. The crew’s friendly manner is one of the most praised parts of the experience. They help with swimming, keep an eye on the water slide, and make the boat feel social rather than formal.

The tradeoff is that this is a shared excursion, not a private yacht charter. Music plays during parts of the journey, and seating is not always abundant. If you want silence, privacy, and long stretches of uninterrupted sailing, choose a smaller boat or a private charter instead.

Blue Lagoon: swimming, lunch, and the big slide

The yacht moors at the Blue Lagoon for a longer break. This is where the day shifts from sightseeing to recreation. You can swim, snorkel, use the slide, or stay aboard and enjoy the view.

The water is the star here. It is clear and turquoise, and the sheltered setting makes it a good place for a swim. Life jackets and pool noodles are available at no charge, which helps less confident swimmers and younger children enjoy the stop.

The inflatable slide is the main attraction for many families. It is large, fast, and more dramatic than the usual small boat slide. Some people find the landing a little hard, so use care and follow the crew’s instructions. The slide is best for people who are comfortable entering the water and climbing back aboard.

Lunch is served on the boat and is more substantial than the price might suggest. The usual meal includes:

• Baked chicken
• Homemade chipped potatoes
• Cyprus couscous
• Salad
• Bread
• Tzatziki

Vegetarian patties can be prepared, and chicken nuggets are available for children, but you need to request these after boarding. Portions are generous, and several people found there was enough food to return for more. If you have a specific dietary need beyond these choices, the supplied information does not promise another menu, so ask the crew as early as possible.

One complimentary drink is included. You can choose beer, wine, soda, or juice. The bar remains open for extra drinks and snacks, and prices are described as reasonable compared with some bars in town. Water is not necessarily free, so bring cash or a card and check the price before ordering. One small bottle of water was reported at €2.

Green Bay and the search for turtles

On the return journey, the yacht stops at Green Bay, also called Turtle Bay in the cruise description. This is the second major swimming stop and the place where you have the best chance of seeing turtles in their natural setting.

You may snorkel, swim, or watch from the boat. Turtles are wild animals, so there is no promise of a sighting. Some people see one or two turtles close by, while others see only a distant shape or none at all. Treat the turtle stop as a chance, not the main guarantee of the day.

The crew asks you not to touch marine life. That is a sensible rule, especially in a popular swimming area. Keep your distance, avoid chasing turtles, and let them move freely.

Snorkel equipment is available for a refundable €20 cash deposit. You receive the deposit back when the set is returned safely. Bring cash if you want to use the gear, even if you plan to rely on the free life jackets and pool noodles.

Swimming time is one area where expectations need adjusting. The cruise provides two water stops, but the first can feel rushed, while the second is generally longer. If your priority is spending hours in the sea, a dedicated snorkeling trip may suit you better. Here, the swimming is part of a wider half-day outing that also includes history, scenery, lunch, and entertainment.

The return past Protaras

After Green Bay, the St Georgios II follows the Protaras coastline back toward the pier. This is a good time to move between the sun deck and the air-conditioned lounge, depending on the heat.

The free WiFi lets you share photographs before you reach shore. It is a small extra, but useful if you want to send pictures of Cape Greco or the Blue Lagoon during the cruise.

The return sailing is not another major sightseeing stop. It gives you time to relax, listen to music, look back over the coast, and finish your drink. If you have spent the day sliding, swimming, snorkeling, and eating, the quieter final stretch is welcome.

Transfers return to the selected resort locations after the boat docks. Drivers will wait no longer than five minutes at pickup points, so keep your confirmation and exact meeting location handy.

Food, service, and the feel on board

The crew receives consistent praise for being friendly, funny, helpful, and professional. The atmosphere is informal, and the staff make a point of helping families, children, and less confident swimmers.

The food is another major strength. This is not just a token sandwich or snack box. The baked chicken, potatoes, salad, couscous, bread, and tzatziki create a full lunch, and several servings are generous. One chef named Ahman receives special praise for the food, while Panayiotis, identified as the owner, is described as particularly welcoming.

The service is not perfect in every small detail. Boarding can bring some confusion, especially around the departure location or booking details. Seating may also become awkward if people leave bags on benches. These are manageable problems, but you should arrive early, keep your belongings compact, and listen carefully to the crew’s instructions.

The bar offers extra drinks and snacks, and the boat does not allow you to bring your own drinks aboard. Bring sunscreen, a towel, cash, and a payment card. Smoking is not allowed indoors, and drones are prohibited.

Is $47 good value?

At $47, this cruise offers a lot for the money. You receive the boat trip, guide, lunch, one drink, WiFi, two swim opportunities, and the slide. Add the scenery around Cape Greco and the chance to see Varosha from the water, and the price compares well with many standard coastal excursions.

The value is strongest for families and first-time visitors to the Protaras area. You do not need to organize separate transport, lunch, a boat ride, and a swimming stop. Everything is grouped into one straightforward outing.

The price does not include extra drinks or the €20 cash snorkel deposit. Transfers are optional, and the available pickup option can disappear once the bus is full. If you are staying near Protaras Pier, compare the transfer price with the ease of walking to the boat.

The advertised duration can vary from about 210 minutes to five hours, and a shorter 3.5-hour cruise is also referenced. Check the departure details carefully, because the exact length affects how much time you receive for swimming and sightseeing.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to families, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a lively introduction to the Protaras and Cape Greco coast. Children and teenagers have plenty to do, while adults get scenery, lunch, history, and a chance to relax.

It also suits people who want a little structure. You do not need to plan where to swim, where to eat, or how to reach the coast. The crew takes care of the basic rhythm of the day.

I would hesitate if you dislike shared excursions, loud music, crowded seating, or scheduled stops. It is also a poor fit for anyone with mobility limitations because boarding and the toilets require stairs.

Should you book the St Georgios II cruise?

Yes, if you want a cheerful, good-value boat day with excellent food, friendly service, and two swim stops. The cruise offers more variety than its price suggests, and the water slide gives it a fun edge that many sightseeing boats lack.

Book with realistic expectations. The cruise will not guarantee turtles, long snorkeling sessions, or private-yacht quiet. Arrive early, request a vegetarian meal or children’s meal on board, bring cash for the snorkel deposit and drinks, and choose the no-transfer option if you can easily walk to Protaras Pier.

For most visitors staying in Protaras, Pernera, Ayia Napa, or Kapparis, this is an easy day out with strong value and enough local context to make the views mean something.

FAQ

Where does the St Georgios II cruise depart from?

The boat departs from the end of Protaras Pier. If you walk toward the Evelena Hotel, you should be able to see the boats from there.

Can I book hotel pickup?

Yes. Pickup is available from selected central locations in Ayia Napa, Protaras, Pernera, and Kapparis. The exact point may be a two to seven minute walk from your hotel.

How early should I be ready for the transfer?

Be at the stated pickup point five minutes before the scheduled time. The bus may arrive late, so allow up to 15 minutes of waiting time.

How long does the cruise last?

The stated duration ranges from about 210 minutes to five hours, depending on the selected departure. A 3.5-hour version is also referenced, so check the available time when booking.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch normally includes baked chicken, homemade chipped potatoes, Cyprus couscous, salad, bread, and tzatziki.

Are vegetarian and children’s meals available?

A vegetarian patty and chicken nuggets can be prepared. Request the option when you arrive at the boat.

Are drinks included?

One drink is included. You can choose beer, wine, soda, or juice. Additional drinks and snacks are available to buy at the bar.

Can I use snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is available with a €20 cash deposit. The deposit is refunded when the equipment is returned safely.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. The cruise visits an area where turtles may be seen, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the boat suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. Boarding requires about 15 steps, and the boat toilets are also reached by stairs.