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, with Cape Greco’s caves and rocky coast close by. You may also spot turtles during the swim, which adds a welcome touch of wildlife to an otherwise scenic boat ride. I like the freshly cooked BBQ lunch and the roomy boat, which carries no more than 46 people.

I also like that the cruise mixes swimming with Cyprus history and coastal views. You’ll see the eastern edge of the island, the distant border area near occupied Famagusta, and the tiny Agioi Anargyroi Chapel. The main consideration is timing: transfers can take 5 to 75 minutes, and the cruise itself lasts about three hours, so your total outing may take much of the day.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Lagoon swim: Bring a swimsuit, towel, and sun protection for time in clear water near Cape Greco.
• Turtles may appear: Sightings are possible during the swim, but wildlife is never guaranteed.
• BBQ lunch is included: Expect chicken, fried potatoes, pourgouri, pasta, and salad, with a vegetarian option available.
• Cape Greco by boat: See Shark Mouth Cave, Lovers Bridge, pirate caves, Konnos Bay, and Agioi Anargyroi Chapel from the water.
• One drink comes with the fare: You receive one cocktail or beer, while extra snacks and drinks cost more.
• Adults and older teens only: The experience is for ages 16 and up, while alcohol is served only to those 18 and older.

Why this Protaras cruise works so well

This is a coastal sightseeing trip with a proper lunch, not just a short boat transfer to a swim spot. At $48.27 per person, the price includes the cruise, hotel-area pickup at central points, snorkeling equipment, a meal, a restroom, WiFi, and one alcoholic drink. That makes it a solid value if you want several holiday activities bundled into one outing.

I especially like the balance between movement and downtime. You’ll spend part of the trip listening to commentary and looking at the coast, then switch to swimming, snorkeling, eating, and relaxing on deck. The boat has shaded areas and enough room to move around, which matters on a sunny three-hour trip.

The company limits the boat to 46 people. That is not a private charter, but it is a more manageable size than the packed party boats sometimes found around resort beaches. You should still expect a shared excursion, music, and a social atmosphere.

The cruise is offered in English. The commentary is useful when the boat passes the Famagusta area, the chapel, and the old caves. It is not a specialist history tour, but it gives the views some context instead of leaving you to guess what you are seeing.

Leaving Protaras Pier for the eastern coast

The meeting point is Protaras Pier on the coastal walkway between Protaras and Pernera. The listed start time is 10:15 am, though pickup times vary by location. If you use the transfer service, check your ticket carefully and arrive at the stated pickup point five minutes early. The bus may run up to 15 minutes late, and the transfer itself can take anywhere from 5 to 75 minutes.

That wide transfer range is worth taking seriously. A pickup from a nearby hotel may be quick, while a more distant location can add a fair amount of time before you even reach the pier. If you prefer complete control over your morning, making your own way to the pier may be easier, but the tour does not promise private hotel pickup.

There are steps from the pier onto the boat, plus steps down to the restroom. The operator says most people can take part, and service animals are allowed, but anyone with difficulty using steps should consider this before booking.

Once aboard, choose your spot early if shade matters to you. The boat has shaded areas, but those places may be popular on a bright Cyprus morning. Bring a cover-up, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The crew provides life jackets as flotation aids, but you should not treat them as a substitute for normal swimming ability or supervision.

Cape Greco caves, Shark Mouth Cave, and Lovers Bridge

The cruise heads toward the Cape Greco National Forest Park area, where the coastline becomes rocky and full of openings in the cliffs. From the boat, you’ll see natural caves once used by pirates to move contraband onto the island. The boat also passes Shark Mouth Cave and Lovers Bridge.

These formations are best appreciated from the sea. From shore, access can be awkward or limited, while a boat gives you a clean view of the rock faces and lets you see how the caves meet the water. The crew takes you close enough to look into the rocks, though the exact view depends on sea conditions and the boat’s position.

This part of the cruise is more about scenery than a long shore visit. You will not be hiking through Cape Greco or exploring the caves on foot. That is good news if you want a relaxed morning, but less suitable if your main goal is a land-based nature walk.

The coastline also gives you a useful sense of the area’s character. Cyprus is often sold through beach photographs, but here you get the rougher edge of the island, with caves, cliffs, and clear water replacing rows of sunbeds.

The Blue Lagoon swim stop

The Blue Lagoon is the main active part of the trip. The boat stops so you can swim in clear water, and snorkeling equipment is included. You can use the time for a proper swim, float near the boat, or look below the surface with a mask.

Turtle sightings are one of the most memorable possibilities here. Several accounts describe seeing turtles, including close encounters during the swim. Treat that as a lucky bonus rather than a promise. Wild animals move on their own schedule, and water visibility can change.

You should bring your own towel, since one is not listed among the included items. A waterproof phone case is also sensible if you want photos from the water, though that is your own responsibility. The boat provides life jackets for flotation and snorkeling gear, but you should bring any personal equipment you strongly prefer.

A swim stop can feel short once you account for getting ready and climbing back aboard. If swimming is your priority, listen for the crew’s instructions and be ready when the boat announces the return time. This is a shared cruise, so the schedule needs to work for the whole group.

Seeing occupied Famagusta from the water

The route includes a viewing point toward the border with the occupied zone. From the sea, you’ll see the distant Famagusta area and hear some background about the resort’s capture by Turkish forces in 1974.

This is a brief historical element rather than a visit to Famagusta itself. You will not go ashore or tour the abandoned resort. Still, seeing the coastline from offshore helps explain Cyprus’s political division in a direct, visual way.

I appreciate this stop because it breaks up the swim-and-lunch pattern. It also gives the cruise a little more substance than a simple coastal pleasure trip. If you want a detailed account of the Cyprus conflict, you will need a separate museum visit or guided history tour. Here, the commentary is a short introduction while you look toward the coast.

Agioi Anargyroi Chapel and the eastern tip of Cyprus

Agioi Anargyroi Chapel is one of the most distinctive sights on the route. It marks the most easterly point of Cyprus, and a cave beneath the chapel served as the original place of worship.

The boat takes you close to the rocks, close enough to touch them from the front of the boat. That detail makes this more than a distant photo stop. You get a clear look at the chapel’s position above the sea and the rock formations around it.

There is no admission charge, and you do not need to plan a separate visit or find parking. The tradeoff is that this is a boat view, not a full land visit. If you want to enter the chapel or spend time at the site, this cruise will not replace a shore excursion.

Fig Tree Bay and Konnos Bay from the sea

The boat sails past Fig Tree Bay, one of Protaras’s most recognizable beaches. From the water, you’ll get a broad view of the beach and the curve of the coast without having to fight for a place on the sand.

Konnos Bay comes later as another coastal highlight. It marks the beginning of the national park area and is known for its sandy beach and clear water. The boat view lets you see the bay’s shape and setting, though you will not have a scheduled beach stop there.

These views are a strong reason to choose a boat trip rather than spending the whole day at one beach. You see several parts of the coast in a single morning. The drawback is that photo stops pass quickly, and the best angle may last only a few minutes.

A freshly cooked BBQ lunch on board

Lunch is one of the better-value parts of the fare. The crew prepares the food on board, with BBQ chicken, fried chipped potatoes, pourgouri, pasta, and salad. Pourgouri is a Cypriot cracked-wheat dish similar in appearance to couscous, so the meal has a local touch rather than being only standard grill food.

A vegetarian option is available within the menu, but you should make your needs clear when booking or before departure. The provided information does not give a full list of vegetarian dishes, so do not assume every item is meat-free.

The food is served during the cruise, likely after some of the swimming and sightseeing. That timing works well because you can dry off, eat, and settle into the ride home. You can buy sweet and savory snacks on board, but those are extra. Do not bring your own drinks, as outside beverages are not permitted.

One beer or cocktail is included for each eligible adult. Alcohol is available only to people aged 18 and over, even though the cruise itself is for ages 16 and up. If you are 16 or 17, you can join the boat trip but not claim the alcoholic drink. Anyone who appears under 16 may be asked for a passport, driving licence, or national identity card.

Music, shade, WiFi, and the practical details

Music forms part of the atmosphere, so this is not a quiet nature cruise. You can expect a relaxed social setting rather than complete silence. The crew is described as friendly and helpful, and commentary is provided when the boat passes points of interest.

The onboard restroom is useful, especially since the trip lasts about three hours and transfers can make the day longer. WiFi is also available, though you should not book this trip solely for a strong connection at sea.

The maximum group size of 46 gives you more breathing room than a very large excursion boat. Still, the boat will have a mix of swimmers, couples, families with older children, and people who mainly want to sit in the sun. If you need a quiet, private experience, consider a smaller charter instead.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, and the same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached. Last-minute changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable.

Who should book this Protaras boat trip?

I would choose this cruise if you want a good-value half-day on the water with swimming, a cooked meal, and a useful look at the Cape Greco coast. It suits couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who can manage boat steps and follow swim-stop instructions.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Protaras and want to see several coastal sights without arranging separate transport. Pickup is helpful, but allow extra time if your hotel is far from the pier.

I would think twice if you dislike music, shared excursions, or fixed schedules. The trip is not a private sailing experience, and you cannot decide how long to stay at each cave, bay, or swim stop. You should also skip it if your main goal is a long visit on land, serious snorkeling, or a detailed political history tour.

Should you book the St Georgios Presidential Cruise?

For $48.27, this is an appealing package: Cape Greco scenery, a Blue Lagoon swim, possible turtle sightings, a BBQ lunch, snorkeling gear, one drink, and central pickup options. The strongest reasons to book are the clear water, the roomy boat, and the fact that lunch is cooked on board rather than added as another expense.

Book it if you want an easy, active morning with plenty of scenery and a little Cyprus history. Just bring a towel, arrive early for your pickup, check the age and alcohol rules, and remember that the best wildlife moments, including turtles, cannot be guaranteed.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at Protaras Pier, on the Protaras to Pernera coastal walkway in Cyprus. Pickup is also offered from centralized points, with the exact time shown on your ticket.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts about three hours. Pickup and transfer time can add between 5 and 75 minutes, depending on your location.

What food is included?

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

Is a drink included?

One cocktail or beer is included. Alcohol is available only to people aged 18 and over. Extra sweet and savory snacks can be purchased on board, but outside drinks are not allowed.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets for flotation are provided. The boat also has a restroom and WiFi.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of people may also result in a new date or full refund.