BBQ Boat: Nafsika II Sunset BBQ, Waterslide & Swimming Trip

Blue Lagoon fun with dinner included. The Nafsika II sunset cruise combines a scenic ride along the Akamas Coast with two things I especially like: generous onboard BBQ portions and plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling in the Blue Lagoon. The new waterslide gives the trip extra family appeal, while the return ride offers fine evening views. One thing to consider is timing: the boat may reach Latchi close to sunset, but not always after sunset.

The $41 price is strong value when you count the chicken and pork BBQ, salad, drinks, bar access, cruise, swim stop, and waterslide. The main drawback is that music can be loud, and the full four hours may not always be spent at sea. Still, the clean boat, friendly crew, and helpful service make this one of the better-value water trips in the Paphos District.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Lagoon is the main event: Expect roughly one to two hours for swimming and snorkeling, depending on the day’s schedule.
• The BBQ is more than a snack: Chicken and pork are served with seasonal salad, couscous, yogurt, and bread, with portions described as notably generous.
• The waterslide changes the mood: After dinner, the inflatable slide is set up so you can splash back into the lagoon.
• The cruise begins at 3:30 p.m.: The ride back is timed for evening views, though the exact sunset moment can vary.
• Theo and the crew are a real strength: Helpful service has made a difference when weather or late arrivals caused changes.
• This suits families and mixed-age groups: Swimmers, casual sightseers, children, and adults looking for a relaxed evening can all find something to enjoy.

Leaving Latchi Harbor at 3:30 p.m.

You meet Nafsika II at Latchi Harbor, opposite the Yiangos & Peter, or Y&P, Hotel and Restaurant. Look for the boat itself rather than a separate office. Arriving early is sensible if you want a better choice of seating, especially because the vessel has several areas with different views.

Nafsika II has been refitted and offers seating indoors, outside, and on the upper deck. I would head upstairs first if the weather is pleasant. From there, you get the widest views as the boat leaves the harbor and follows the Akamas coastline.

There is also a fully stocked bar. Drinks are not all listed as included, but local red or white wine and orange squash are included with the meal. The bar gives you somewhere to buy an additional drink and makes the boat feel more like a social evening cruise than a simple transfer to a swimming spot.

The trip lasts about four hours, with a scheduled start at 3:30 p.m. The first part is a relaxed coastal ride. Several people have described the crossing to the Blue Lagoon as taking about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on conditions and the exact route.

That timing matters. You are not rushed straight to the swim stop, but you should also understand that a good part of the outing is spent sitting, chatting, and watching the coast. If you want nonstop swimming, choose a dedicated beach or swim excursion instead.

Coastal views past the Baths of Aphrodite

The route follows the Akamas Coast and passes several well-known points: the Baths of Aphrodite, Saint George’s Island, Manolis Bay, Blaji Bay, and the Blue Lagoon.

The Baths of Aphrodite are seen from the boat rather than treated as a long land visit. This is useful context when planning your day. You get a coastal look at the area, but this cruise is not a walking tour of the baths or the Akamas Peninsula.

The same applies to Saint George’s Island and the smaller bays. Their value is visual. The boat lets you see stretches of coast that are difficult to appreciate from inland roads, and the ride gives you a calm introduction to this part of Cyprus before the more active portion begins.

The views are best enjoyed from the upper deck, though you may prefer a lower or shaded area if you are sensitive to sun or wind. Weather can affect the ride. One October outing had strong wind, and the BBQ could not be cooked onboard, though the food was still served hot and enjoyable.

That is worth keeping in mind for an evening at sea. The route is attractive, but wind can change the feel of the trip quickly. The operator cancels when conditions are unsuitable and provides a full refund in that case.

The Blue Lagoon swim stop

The Blue Lagoon is the clear centerpiece. Once the boat arrives, you can enter the crystal-clear water for swimming and snorkeling. The length of the stop varies in the individual accounts, but roughly 90 minutes to two hours is a useful expectation.

This is the part of the trip where you should be ready to get wet. Bring swimwear under your clothes, keep a towel handy, and protect your phone and other valuables. The water is praised for its clarity, and fish can be seen around the rocks when you snorkel.

The setting is especially good for people who want a pretty swim without arranging transport to a remote coastal spot. You remain with the boat, have access to the crew and onboard facilities, and can return for a drink or a rest when you need one.

You should not expect an empty lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is a popular stop, and the atmosphere can be lively, particularly in summer. One of the amusing touches noted during the swim was the chance to swim toward an ice cream boat and enjoy a beer at floating tables. That extra purchase is not part of the $41 package, but it adds to the holiday feel.

The water stop is also where the trip works well for different ages. Confident swimmers can snorkel and explore around the rocks. Children can enjoy the water and later use the slide. Anyone who prefers not to swim can stay aboard and take in the view.

A BBQ that earns its place in the itinerary

The included meal is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Fresh chicken and pork are cooked for the BBQ, with seasonal salad and drinks. The meal may also include couscous, yogurt, and bread, creating a filling plate rather than a token serving.

Several diners were surprised by the size of the portions. That is useful when judging the price. You are not simply paying for a boat ride with a small sandwich. The food is substantial enough to function as dinner, which helps make the $41 fare feel reasonable.

The BBQ is prepared on the lower deck, allowing the crew to handle the cooking while the boat remains organized. It is a practical setup, though the smell of cooking and the meal service may make that deck busier for a while.

Food quality can depend on the weather. On a windy day, the crew cooked before the trip and served the food hot instead. That is not quite the same as watching a meal cook onboard, but it shows the operator has a workable backup plan.

Local wine and orange squash are included. The wine adds a pleasant Cypriot touch to the meal, while orange squash gives children and non-drinkers an easy option. Additional bar drinks are available, but you should not assume every drink at the bar is included in the ticket.

The meal usually comes after swimming, though the exact order can vary with conditions and crew timing. A typical flow is water first, food second, and the waterslide after dinner.

The new waterslide is a real family bonus

Nafsika II’s inflatable waterslide is more than a small extra. It gives the second half of the Blue Lagoon stop a playful lift and is a major reason families may prefer this boat over a quieter cruise.

The slide is brought out after the BBQ and lets you go from the deck into the lagoon. Children have especially enjoyed it, but adults can join in too. The reviews include plenty of evidence that the slide is not just advertising decoration. It is used as part of the swim stop and becomes one of the most memorable moments of the evening.

The slide also changes the rhythm of the trip. You start with a scenic cruise, swim and snorkel, eat a proper meal, and then return to the water for a more energetic session. If you prefer a peaceful sunset sail with no splashing, the slide and music may feel less appealing.

That balance is important. This is not a luxury yacht cruise built around quiet contemplation. It is a friendly, good-value outing with a clean boat, food, swimming, and a bit of family amusement.

The ride back and the sunset question

The return to Latchi is intended to take place around sunset. The Akamas hills and the sea can look excellent in the evening light, and several people have particularly enjoyed the views on the way back.

But sunset timing is not guaranteed to match the final minutes of daylight. On one June trip, the boat reached the harbor at about 8 p.m., while sunset was around 8:08 p.m. If watching the sun drop below the horizon from offshore is essential to you, check the expected times and accept that the boat may arrive shortly before the actual sunset.

The trip begins at 3:30 p.m., so the late afternoon departure is part of the appeal. You avoid the hottest part of the day and finish with softer light. In warm weather, this can be more comfortable than a midday cruise.

Music is another variable. The boat uses music to keep the atmosphere lively, but one account found the selection unpleasantly loud, making conversation difficult. This was not a universal complaint, but it is a fair consideration if you want a quiet evening.

Service, cleanliness, and small practical tips

The crew receives strong praise for friendly and helpful service. Theo is mentioned by name as someone who helped solve problems, including a late arrival and a weather-related change.

One late party arrived five minutes behind schedule, after the boat had to move to make room for another vessel. Theo arranged for them to reach the Blue Lagoon on another boat, and their bags were transferred safely. You should not treat that as a promise that late arrivals will always be rescued, but it does show a useful level of care when plans go wrong.

The boat is repeatedly described as clean, and that matters on a four-hour outing. You will spend a long stretch onboard, eat there, use the seating areas, and return from the water several times. A clean, well-kept vessel makes the whole afternoon more comfortable.

Arrive early for a preferred seat. The upper deck is the natural choice for views, but seating preferences vary, and the most popular spots may go first. You should also bring the usual swim-trip basics: a towel, sun protection, dry clothing, and something secure for your belongings.

The tour runs in English, French, Greek, and Russian. That helps if your group includes people who prefer one of those languages, though the core activity is simple enough to follow through the crew’s instructions and the flow of the day.

Is $41 a fair price?

At $41 per person, this is good value if you plan to use the full package. The fare covers a four-hour coastal cruise, the Blue Lagoon stop, swimming and snorkeling time, a chicken and pork BBQ, seasonal salad, local wine or orange squash, and the waterslide.

The value is strongest for families and couples who would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip and dinner. A generous BBQ plate can turn the outing into your evening meal, saving both time and another restaurant bill.

The value is less clear if you do not drink, do not eat meat, or have no interest in swimming. The meal is centered on chicken and pork, and the main activity is getting into the lagoon. You may still enjoy the scenery, but the package is built around food and water time.

The four-hour claim should also be treated as an approximate schedule. One outing ran closer to three and a half hours. That is not a serious problem for most people, but it matters if you have a tight evening plan or are booking another activity immediately afterward.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking make the arrangement less risky. Weather cancellations receive a full refund. These terms are useful in Cyprus, where wind can affect a coastal trip.

Who should book Nafsika II?

I would recommend this cruise to families with children, couples wanting an easy evening out, and groups with mixed interests. The swimmer gets clear water, the hungry person gets a proper BBQ, the child gets a waterslide, and the sightseer gets a coastline ride without much planning.

It also suits you if you want a social atmosphere rather than a silent sailing trip. The bar, music, upper deck, and communal meal make it easy to spend time with friends or family.

I would be more cautious if you need a guaranteed sunset at sea, dislike loud music, or want a small, private boat. The vessel offers different seating areas, but this is still a shared cruise. Wind can also change the meal arrangements and the feel of the ride.

The overall rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 107 ratings, which matches the main strengths of the outing: friendly service, a spotless boat, tasty and plentiful food, and a Blue Lagoon stop long enough to enjoy properly.

Should you book this four-hour sunset cruise?

Book it if you want a simple, well-priced Cyprus evening that combines scenery, swimming, dinner, and a little harmless chaos on a waterslide. The Blue Lagoon swim and generous BBQ give you the best return for your money, and the crew adds warmth to what could otherwise be a standard boat ride.

Skip it if your priority is a guaranteed late sunset, a very quiet deck, or a small luxury sailing experience. For most families and casual holidaymakers staying in the Paphos District, though, Nafsika II offers a well-balanced outing from Latchi, with enough food, water time, and fun to fill an evening without stretching the budget.

FAQ

Where does the Nafsika II cruise depart from?

It departs from Latchi Harbor. Look for Nafsika II opposite the Yiangos & Peter, or Y&P, Hotel and Restaurant.

What time does the cruise begin?

The trip begins at 3:30 p.m. and returns around sunset, though the precise return time can vary.

How long is the Nafsika II trip?

The stated duration is four hours. Some outings may finish closer to three and a half hours, depending on conditions and scheduling.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes fresh chicken and pork BBQ, fresh seasonal salad, local red or white wine, and orange squash. The meal may also include couscous, yogurt, and bread.

Can I swim and snorkel at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The cruise includes a stop at the Blue Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling in clear water.

Is the waterslide included?

Yes. The inflatable waterslide is used from the boat into the Blue Lagoon during the swim stop.

What happens if the weather cancels the cruise?

The tour is weather dependent. If the operator cancels because of weather, a full refund is provided. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.