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

The best part of this Protaras boat cruise is the mix of swimming, scenery, and lunch on the water. You sail past Cape Greco’s sea caves, stop in clear Blue Lagoon water, and may spot turtles near the boat. The fresh BBQ lunch gives the outing a proper midday meal rather than a quick snack.

I like the limited group size of up to 46 people, which leaves more room to move around than a packed party boat. I also like that snorkeling equipment, a restroom, WiFi, and one cocktail or beer are included in the $48.27 price.

The main thing to consider is the age rule. The cruise is for people 16 and older, but alcoholic drinks are available only from age 18. Pickup can also take time, with transfers lasting anywhere from 5 to 75 minutes depending on your hotel.

Key points to know before you book

• Swim in the Blue Lagoon: The clear water near Cape Greco is the main swimming stop, with snorkeling equipment provided.
• Turtle spotting is possible: Turtles have been seen close to the boat, making the swim especially memorable.
• Fresh BBQ lunch is cooked aboard: Expect chicken, fried potatoes, pourgouri, pasta, and salad, with a vegetarian option available.
• Cape Greco is viewed from the sea: You pass sea caves linked with old pirate smuggling routes, along with Shark Mouth cave and Lovers Bridge.
• The cruise includes several coastal landmarks: You see Agioi Anargyroi Chapel, Fig Tree Bay, Konnos Bay, and the distant border area toward the occupied zone.
• Plan around a late-morning start: The listed start is 10:15 a.m., and central pickup points may require a wait before the boat leaves.

A relaxed morning on the water from Protaras

This is a sightseeing cruise with enough structure to keep the morning moving, but it is not a nonstop lecture or an action-heavy boat trip. You spend most of the time sitting, standing, taking photos, eating, and swimming.

The cruise lasts about three hours. One reported sailing ran closer to three and a half hours, leaving Protaras around 10:30 a.m. and returning just before 2 p.m. Timing can vary with the route, swimming stops, and conditions, so you should leave some room in your day.

The boat holds a maximum of 46 people. That number matters. It is large enough to create a sociable atmosphere, but small enough that you should not feel pressed into every available corner. There are shaded areas, open areas for views, and room to move between them.

Music is part of the mood, with the crew providing a relaxed onboard setting. Commentary is given when useful, including information about the coast and the history of the border area. This makes the trip more than a simple transfer to a swimming spot, but the focus remains on enjoying the sea.

Blue Lagoon swimming and Cape Greco caves

The first major pleasure is sailing into the Blue Lagoon area near Cape Greco National Forest Park. The water here is known for its clear appearance, and this is where you get the chance to swim.

You can use the snorkeling equipment supplied on board. The cruise does not promise a formal guided snorkeling session, so think of the gear as a useful way to look around at your own pace. Bring a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and a way to secure your phone if you want photos from the water.

Turtles have been spotted during the swim stops, sometimes close to the boat. That is a welcome bonus, not something that can be guaranteed on every departure. You should treat wildlife sightings as luck rather than the main reason to book.

The sailing route also takes in the caves around Cape Greco. Shark Mouth cave and Lovers Bridge are among the named sights, and the boat approaches the rocks closely enough for you to see their shapes from the water. Some caves were once used by pirates to move contraband onto Cyprus, which adds a bit of character to what might otherwise be a simple coastal photo stop.

The cave viewing works well for people who prefer to remain on board. You do not have to swim at every stop to enjoy the trip. The boat gives you a different angle on the cliffs, openings, and rock formations than you get from the road or walking paths.

Agioi Anargyroi Chapel at Cyprus’s eastern edge

One of the more unusual stops is Agioi Anargyroi Chapel. The church is described as the most easterly point of Cyprus and is easy to recognize from the sea.

The chapel sits above a cave that served as the original place of worship. The boat moves close to the rocks, allowing you to see the setting from sea level. This is a quick visual stop rather than a land visit, and there is no admission charge.

I like this part of the route because it connects a small religious site with the rocky coast around it. From the boat, the chapel and cave make more sense as a single place. You see not only the building, but also the unusual natural setting that shaped its early use.

There are no steps off the boat here for a visit. If you want a detailed look inside the chapel, this cruise will not replace a land excursion. Its value is the viewpoint and the chance to reach the rocks by boat.

Fig Tree Bay and Konnos Bay from the sea

The cruise passes Fig Tree Bay, one of the best-known beaches near Protaras. From the water, you get a broad view of the beach and the curve of the coast. This is a sightseeing pass, not a beach stop, so you should not expect time to go ashore.

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. Seeing it from the boat gives you a useful sense of how the coves fit together along this part of Cyprus.

These passes are worthwhile if you enjoy photos and coastal scenery, but they are not equal to the swimming stop. You will have more time to appreciate the Blue Lagoon, while Fig Tree Bay and Konnos Bay are viewed as the boat continues along its route.

The sea-level angle is the real benefit. From shore, you see one beach at a time. From the boat, you can look back at the beaches, cliffs, and coves as part of one continuous stretch of coast.

A distant look toward the occupied zone

The route includes a viewing point toward the border of the occupied zone, with Famagusta visible in the distance under suitable conditions. This gives the cruise a historical layer that the beach stops do not provide.

One account of the trip included an explanation of Famagusta and the events of 1974, when the resort was taken by Turkish forces. The commentary is brief enough to fit the relaxed nature of the outing, but it helps you understand why the distant view matters.

This is not a visit to the border or Famagusta. You remain on the boat, looking toward the area from offshore. If you want a full historical tour or an overland visit to northern Cyprus, you need a separate experience.

Still, I think this stop adds value. It reminds you that the coast is not only about swimming and holiday beaches. Cyprus has a divided past, and the view makes that reality visible without turning the whole cruise into a history lesson.

Fresh BBQ lunch served on board

The included lunch is one of the strongest practical reasons to consider this cruise. Food is prepared on board and includes BBQ chicken, fried chipped potatoes, pourgouri, pasta, and salad.

Pourgouri is a Cypriot cracked-wheat dish often compared to couscous. It gives the meal a local touch, while the chicken and potatoes keep it familiar for less adventurous eaters. A vegetarian option is available within the menu, which is useful, though you may want to confirm your needs when booking.

The meal is served during the cruise, after you have had time in the water and seen the main coastal sights. That timing makes sense. You can swim first, dry off, and then sit down for lunch rather than trying to eat before a stop.

One cocktail or beer is included. Alcohol is available only to people aged 18 and older, even though the cruise itself is aimed at people 16 and above. Additional sweet and savory snacks can be bought on board, but they are not included.

You may not need extra food for a three-hour outing if you eat a normal breakfast. If you have a large appetite, the snack counter gives you another option, but remember that outside drinks are not allowed on board.

What the $48.27 price really covers

At $48.27 per person, the fare is reasonable if you plan to swim and eat on the boat. You are paying for the cruise, the coastal route, the BBQ lunch, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket as a flotation aid, restroom access, WiFi, and one cocktail or beer.

Pickup is offered from central points, though the exact arrangement depends on where you are staying. That can add real value if you do not have a car or do not want to arrange your own transport to Protaras Pier.

The price is less appealing if you mainly want a short sightseeing sail and do not care about swimming or lunch. In that case, you are paying for features you may barely use. The cruise makes the best financial sense for you if you plan to swim, eat onboard, and spend several hours enjoying the sea.

A maximum of 46 people also helps the value. You are not paying for a private charter, but you should have more personal space than on a very large excursion boat. There is enough capacity for a friendly group atmosphere without making the trip feel like a floating crowd scene.

Pickup, boarding, and useful planning tips

The main meeting point is Protaras Pier, on the coastal walkway between Protaras and Pernera. The listed start time is 10:15 a.m., but you should check your ticket carefully because pickup times vary by location.

Centralized pickup points are used. You are asked to arrive five minutes early and allow up to 15 minutes for a late bus. Transfer time can range from 5 to 75 minutes, depending on your hotel, so do not plan a tight activity immediately after the cruise.

There are steps to board from the pier, along with steps down to the restroom. This is worth considering if stairs are difficult for you. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed, but the boat is not described as step-free.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a light cover-up. You cannot bring drinks onto the boat, and snacks cost extra. The boat has WiFi, but you should still keep your phone protected around the water.

The cruise needs good weather and a minimum number of people to operate. If poor weather cancels it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this Protaras cruise most?

I would choose this trip if you want several Cyprus highlights in one easy morning. It suits couples, families with older children, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy a social boat setting but do not want a loud party cruise.

It is especially good for you if you value:

• A clear swimming stop with snorkeling equipment
• A cooked lunch rather than packed food
• Sea views of Cape Greco’s caves and coves
• A chance of seeing turtles
• Some historical context about Famagusta
• Pickup help from central locations

The 16-plus age rule makes it unsuitable for younger children. The alcohol rule is separate, so anyone under 18 receives the sightseeing, food, and swimming experience but cannot have the included beer or cocktail.

You should think twice if you dislike boat movement, need a fully accessible vessel, or want a long beach stay. You also may prefer a private charter if you want complete control over the route and timing.

Should you book the St Georgios BBQ cruise?

I would book this cruise if you want a good-value combination of Cape Greco scenery, swimming, turtles, and a fresh lunch. The route has enough variety to keep three hours interesting, and the included food and drink reduce the extra costs that can build up on a day at sea.

The strongest features are the relaxed pace, the clear Blue Lagoon stop, the chance to see turtles, and the limited group size. The BBQ lunch is more useful than a token snack, and the route includes both natural sights and a little Cyprus history.

I would skip it only if you want a quiet private boat, a longer stop on a beach, or a detailed historical tour. For most people aged 16 and over who want an easy half-day from Protaras, it is a practical and enjoyable choice.

FAQ

How long does the Protaras BBQ cruise last?

The cruise lasts about three hours. Actual timing can vary, and one sailing ran for about three and a half hours.

What food is included?

The onboard meal includes BBQ chicken, fried chipped potatoes, pourgouri, pasta, and salad. A vegetarian option is available.

Is a drink included?

Yes. One cocktail or beer is included for each person. Alcohol is available only to people aged 18 and older.

Can I swim and snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. The boat stops in the Blue Lagoon for swimming, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

What sights will I see from the boat?

You can see Shark Mouth cave, Lovers Bridge, Agioi Anargyroi Chapel, Fig Tree Bay, Cape Greco National Forest Park, Konnos Bay, and the viewing point toward the occupied zone.

Where does the cruise start and end?

The cruise starts at Protaras Pier and returns to the same meeting point. Pickup from centralized locations is offered, and you should check your ticket for your exact pickup time.