Wine tasting on-board the Demetris Chara BBQboat BlueLagoon tours

The best part of this boat trip is the unusual pairing: Cypriot wine tasting on the water, followed by a barbecue lunch and a long stop at Blue Lagoon. Wine host Gergana, also referred to as Geny or Gerry in tour accounts, gives the tasting a personal touch, with local wine and plenty of attention for the people taking part.

I like the 2.5-hour stay at Blue Lagoon, which is longer than a quick photo stop, and I like that pickup from Paphos is available. The main point to consider is that the boat can hold up to 80 people, while the wine tasting may attract only a small number of participants. That can feel wonderfully private, but you should not assume the whole boat will join in.

Key points to know before booking

• The wine tasting is led by a dedicated host: Gergana, Geny, or Gerry is named in the tour accounts, with advice on local wines and the island.
• Blue Lagoon is the main event: You get about 2 hours and 30 minutes anchored there for swimming, relaxing, lunch, and photos.
• The barbecue lunch is included: Food is served during the Blue Lagoon stop, so you are not buying a separate meal onboard.
• The full outing takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes: Roughly two hours are spent sailing out and back.
• You can start in Paphos or Latchi: Pickup from Paphos is offered, or you can meet the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at Latchi port.
• The price is $90.02 per person: That is fair if you value the wine host, meal, boat ride, and long swim stop as one package.

Why this Paphos boat trip feels different

Many boat outings around Cyprus focus on swimming, scenery, or a meal. This one adds a proper wine element, making it a better fit for you if you want more than a standard coastal cruise.

The setting helps. You are tasting Cypriot wine while moving along the Mediterranean, then continuing the conversation at anchor with the water nearby. You do not need to choose between a food-and-drink experience and a Blue Lagoon boat trip. This combines both, although the wine component remains the most distinctive reason to book.

The tasting may also feel more personal than expected. One account describes only two people taking part in the wine session. At first, that could feel awkward if you expected a large group, but it also means the wine host can give you direct attention, answer questions, and adjust the pace around your interests.

That small-group possibility is worth keeping in mind. The boat itself can carry up to 80 people, so the wider cruise may be lively and shared. The wine experience, however, can be much smaller. I see that as a benefit if you want individual attention, but less so if you pictured a formal tasting room with a full table of wine enthusiasts.

Boarding at Latchi or taking the Paphos pickup

You have two ways to join the outing. The first is pickup from Paphos. The second is making your own way to Latchi port and finding the Demetris Chara BBQ boat there.

Pickup is useful because Paphos and Latchi are separate bases for the day. The supplied details do not give a fixed pickup schedule or exact transfer time, so you will want to check those details when booking. One pickup account involved a 45-minute journey from accommodation to the boat, with the driver making scenic stops when asked. That suggests the transfer can add useful sightseeing, though you should allow extra time rather than treating it as a simple hop across town.

If you meet at Latchi, the arrangement is more direct. You go to the port, locate the Demetris Chara BBQ boat, and board there. Since the boat is the key landmark, confirm the meeting instructions and arrive with enough time to find it without a last-minute dash.

The experience is offered in English. Confirmation is sent at booking, and mobile tickets are accepted. These are small details, but they make a difference on a boat day, when you do not want to print papers or search for instructions at the port.

The cruise past Latchi Beach

Once onboard, the boat heads out along the Mediterranean. The first beach named on the route is Latchi Beach, which gives you an early coastal view before the main stop at Blue Lagoon.

The sailing time is about two hours in total, counting the outward and return journeys. That means the cruise is not simply a short transfer to a swimming cove. You have time to settle in, look back at the coast, and enjoy the boat setting before lunch and swimming take over.

The exact route description is simple, so do not book this expecting a long series of guided land stops. This is a boat-based day, and the pleasure comes from the open water, the coastline, the wine, and the time spent anchored.

You should also remember that the weather matters. The trip requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. A calm, sunny day will make a major difference to the comfort of the sailing and the appeal of the swim stop.

Blue Lagoon gets the time it deserves

Blue Lagoon is the central stop, with about 2 hours and 30 minutes at anchor. That is the strongest practical feature of the schedule. Many boat outings allow only enough time for a rushed swim and a few photos. Here, you have room to eat, swim, dry off, and sit back without watching the clock every few minutes.

The water is described as gorgeous, and the lagoon is clearly the visual high point of the trip. You can take a dip or stay onboard and enjoy the view. That choice matters if your group has mixed interests. A strong swimmer can head into the water, while someone who prefers not to swim can remain with the boat and still take part in lunch and the wine session.

The long stop also gives the wine tasting a relaxed setting. You are not being pushed through a short tasting before the boat moves on. The wine host can talk about Cypriot wines while you enjoy the surroundings, then you can shift from tasting to swimming or photography.

Bring what you need for a wet boat stop. The tour details confirm swimming and relaxing onboard, but they do not spell out equipment, changing facilities, or towel arrangements. Pack swimwear and anything you normally need for a day around the water, and check the operator for any specific onboard arrangements.

Cypriot wine with Gergana, Geny, or Gerry

The wine host is one of the most praised parts of this experience. The supplied accounts use the names Gergana, Geny, and Gerry, possibly reflecting different spellings or references to the same wine host. The important point for you is that a dedicated person guides the tasting rather than leaving you to sample bottles without context.

The host explains local wines and the area, serves several wines, and offers recommendations for the rest of your time in Cyprus. That makes the tasting more useful than a simple list of pours. You get a better sense of what you are drinking and how it connects to the island.

The exact number of wines is not stated, but one account says there were many wines to try and advises eating a hearty breakfast because the bottles kept coming. Take that warning seriously. Wine on an empty stomach, combined with sun and boat motion, can turn a pleasant morning into a tiring one. Have breakfast first, drink water, and pace yourself.

The wine session also seems flexible. It may be the main focus of your booking, or it may sit alongside a larger boat outing where other people are primarily there for the lagoon and barbecue. If you are hoping for a formal educational class, ask for current details before booking. If you want a friendly introduction to Cypriot wine with food and scenery, the format should suit you well.

Barbecue lunch at anchor

Lunch is included and consists of barbecue fare. It is served during the Blue Lagoon stop, so the meal fits naturally into the day rather than interrupting the cruise with a return to port.

That is good value for a half-day boat trip. You are paying for transport on the water, a swim stop, a meal, and the wine tasting in one booking. You also avoid having to leave the lagoon to search for lunch while the boat is anchored.

The available details do not list the barbecue menu, dietary choices, or drinks served with lunch. If you have an allergy, special diet, or strong food preference, contact the provider before booking. Do not assume the barbecue can be adjusted unless the operator confirms it.

The food also helps balance the wine tasting. Eat a good breakfast before boarding, then use lunch as another chance to slow down and drink water. The combination of sun, food, alcohol, and swimming calls for a little common sense.

Is $90.02 a fair price?

At $90.02 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Blue Lagoon. You are paying for more than a boat ride, though. The package includes the cruise, the long stop, barbecue lunch, and a guided Cypriot wine tasting, with Paphos pickup available.

I think the price is reasonable if you care about wine and would otherwise book a separate tasting. The dedicated host adds something you cannot get from a basic sightseeing cruise, and the small wine group can provide a more personal session.

The value is less clear if you only want to swim. In that case, a simpler boat trip may offer the same water views for less money. This experience earns its price through the combination of wine, food, and time at the lagoon.

A useful way to judge it is to ask yourself what you want from the day. If your ideal outing includes local drink, a barbecue meal, coastal scenery, and swimming, the package brings those pieces together. If you dislike wine, do not drink alcohol, or plan to spend most of the day in the water, you may not get the full benefit of the price.

Group size, comfort, and the social side

The maximum group size is 80 people. That is large enough for the boat to feel busy, especially around boarding, lunch, and the swim stop. You should not picture a private yacht or a quiet two-person cruise.

At the same time, the wine tasting can be much smaller than the full boat group. That creates an unusual mix: a shared excursion with the possibility of a near-private wine conversation. Some people will love that contrast. Others may prefer a wine tour where every participant has signed up for the same purpose.

The tour asks for a moderate level of physical fitness. That is a practical warning rather than a strict athletic requirement. You should be comfortable with a boat outing, getting around onboard, and taking part in swimming if you choose to do so. Service animals are allowed, and the departure point is near public transportation.

Because the tour depends on weather and a minimum number of participants, a cancellation is possible. If the operator cancels for poor weather or because the minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this outing if you are staying in Paphos or near Latchi and want a full half-day on the coast without arranging separate activities. Wine lovers get the clearest benefit, especially if you want local context rather than anonymous bottles poured on a boat.

It also suits couples and small groups. A small tasting group can feel more attentive, and the Blue Lagoon stop gives you time to enjoy the water at your own pace. The barbecue makes it practical for a relaxed day out rather than a quick cruise.

Families and mixed-age groups may also find the format useful, provided everyone is comfortable with the boat and the group setting. Swimmers can use the lagoon, while others can stay onboard. Keep in mind that the wine focus and open-water setting may not suit very young children or anyone who dislikes alcohol-centered activities.

I would be more cautious if you need a tightly scheduled itinerary, a detailed wine syllabus, or confirmed dietary arrangements. The supplied information gives a clear outline, but not a full wine list, food menu, or detailed pickup timetable.

Should you book the Demetris Chara wine cruise?

Book it if you want Cypriot wine, barbecue, and a long Blue Lagoon stop in one outing. The strongest features are the personal wine host, the generous 2.5 hours at anchor, and the chance to swim or remain onboard without rushing.

Skip it if wine is not important to you or if you want a small private boat. The vessel can take up to 80 people, and the experience is built as a shared cruise. For the right audience, though, the $90.02 price buys a well-rounded half-day with food, drink, scenery, and water time.

FAQ

Where does the Demetris Chara wine boat tour depart?

You can either use pickup from Paphos or meet the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at Latchi port.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

How much time is spent at Blue Lagoon?

The boat stays at Blue Lagoon for about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is included and served during the Blue Lagoon stop.

Are drinks or wines included?

The experience includes a tasting of Cypriot wines. The supplied details do not specify the full wine list or all other drinks served.

Is pickup from Paphos available?

Yes. Pickup from Paphos is one of the two meeting options.

What language is the experience offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Cancellation is also possible if the minimum number of participants is not reached.