Demetris Chara Boat/Blue Lagoon boat trips with BBQ and SLIDE

The Blue Lagoon is the star of the show. This 4.5-hour cruise from Latchi combines a long swim stop, a generous Cypriot-style barbecue, and a boat slide for about $42.33 per person. I especially like the two-hour lagoon stop and the friendly crew, while the main thing to check before booking is the snorkel equipment, since availability has not always been consistent.

You sail along the coast before stopping at the Blue Lagoon, where the crew cooks lunch while you swim. The onboard bar sells soft drinks, beer, cocktails, wine, and ice cream, and selected hotels can arrange pickup. It is a relaxed half-day outing, though the boat can carry up to 120 people, so the exact feel depends on how full the sailing is.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours at the Blue Lagoon: You get plenty of time for swimming before and after lunch, rather than a quick photo stop.
• A proper BBQ meal: Expect generous portions, with chicken or souvla, couscous, potatoes, vegetables, and drinks mentioned as part of the meal experience.
• A slide and jump-off points: The boat adds a little fun for families and anyone who prefers more than simply sitting in the sun.
• Hotel pickup may be available: Pickup is offered from selected hotels, but you must wait at the front of your chosen hotel on time.
• The bar is reasonably priced: Beer, soft drinks, cocktails, wine, and ice cream are available onboard.
• Bring your own snorkel if it matters to you: Some departures have had goggles and snorkels available, but one booking experience specifically reported that they were not supplied.

From Paphos to Latchi Harbour

The advertised meeting point is Latchi Watersports Centre at Latchi Harbour, in Polis Crysochous. If you are staying in Paphos or another nearby resort, selected hotel pickup can make the morning easier. The instruction is simple: wait at the front of your chosen hotel and be there on time.

That timing matters. One delayed departure was caused by people waiting for late arrivals, which is an avoidable nuisance on a trip that already takes much of the day. I would treat the pickup time as firm and arrive a few minutes early.

The transfer itself may give you a different view of northwestern Cyprus. One account describes the route from the city climbing toward mountain villages before reaching the coast on the other side of the island. That adds a useful sense of place: this is not only a boat outing, but also a way to move from resort Cyprus toward the Latchi and Polis area.

If you make your own way to the harbour, the stated starting point is Latchi Watersports Centre. The cruise ends back there, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup from another harbour.

Setting off along the coast

Once onboard, the trip begins with sightseeing as the boat sails toward the Blue Lagoon. The coastal views are a major part of the pleasure, and the slower pace gives you time to settle in, take photographs, and find a comfortable place on the boat.

This is not a rushed transfer straight to the swimming stop. The sailing itself is part of the outing. You can sit with a drink, watch the shoreline, and enjoy the change from harbour activity to open water.

The boat has tables and chairs, according to one detailed account, giving you somewhere practical to eat rather than forcing everyone to balance a plate on their knees. The boat has also been described as clean, with enough room for people to move around comfortably on a less crowded departure.

Still, keep the maximum capacity in mind. Up to 120 people can be accepted, so you should not assume every trip will feel intimate. If a quieter boat matters to you, ask about expected numbers before booking or choose a departure date carefully.

Two hours at the Blue Lagoon

The main stop lasts about two hours, and that generous block of time is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. The boat anchors in the Blue Lagoon, where you can swim in clear water around the vessel.

You are not simply dropped into the water for ten hurried minutes. There is time to swim, return to the boat, eat lunch, and go back into the water afterward. That rhythm makes the stop work well for families and mixed groups, since not everyone needs to swim at the same moment.

The water is repeatedly praised for its clarity and color, with fish visible below the surface. The view from the boat is also part of the experience. You can stay dry and enjoy the setting, swim close to the boat, or use the slide for a more playful entry.

Life jackets were offered on at least one departure for people who were not confident in the water. The information does not promise a particular swimming setup for every sailing, so ask the crew if you need one.

Snorkeling: an important detail

This is the one area where I would plan carefully. One account says goggles and snorkels were available, and another says the boat supplied snorkels. But a separate experience reported being told at first that snorkels were provided, only to learn after leaving the harbour that they were not.

Because of that mismatch, bring your own mask and snorkel if seeing fish and the reef is important to you. You can still enjoy the stop without them, but swimming alone gives you less to do beneath the surface.

The safest approach is to ask at the harbour, not just at booking. Equipment can change between departures, and bringing your own removes the uncertainty.

The onboard BBQ and Cypriot flavors

While you are swimming, the crew starts preparing the barbecue. This is a useful arrangement because lunch is cooked during the lagoon stop rather than taking up a separate stretch of sailing time.

The food is repeatedly described as plentiful and tasty. Details given about the buffet include barbecued chicken, couscous, potatoes, and vegetables. Souvla, a traditional Cypriot meat preparation, is also praised as the real deal by someone familiar with local food.

Do not expect a polished restaurant meal. This is a boat BBQ, with a rustic buffet setup. That is part of the charm, and the portions appear generous enough to make the meal feel substantial rather than decorative.

A drink is included with the meal according to the detailed descriptions, with wine or a soft drink mentioned. The exact selection may vary, so check with the crew if you have a specific preference.

The meal is a major part of the value. At roughly $42.33, you are paying for a long boat trip, a substantial lunch, swimming time, and entertainment. You are not paying only for a short ride to the lagoon.

The slide, swimming, and boat life

The slide is a real selling point for families and playful adults. You can slide into the Blue Lagoon, and the boat also offers places to jump from, including higher and lower levels according to one enthusiastic account.

That gives the stop more energy than a standard sightseeing cruise. If you want quiet, you can simply sit, eat, or swim at your own pace. If you want a bit of holiday silliness, the slide provides it without requiring a separate water-park ticket.

The boat bar adds another layer to the day. Soft drinks, beer, cocktails, wine, and ice cream are available, and the prices have been described as reasonable for a captive onboard audience. One account specifically praises the draft Alpha lager, while another calls the drinks and ice creams reasonably priced.

The bar is not included in the basic tour price unless a drink is part of the BBQ meal. Budget a little extra if you want cocktails, several beers, or an ice cream during the cruise.

What the crew does well

The crew receives strong praise for being friendly, helpful, and attentive. Good staff matter on a trip like this because the day involves boarding, swimming, food service, drinks, and a return to harbour. A calm crew keeps all those pieces moving.

Communication before the trip has also been described as clear. There was one booking mix-up that was resolved, and a weather cancellation was handled by moving the booking to the next day. Those details suggest a provider willing to help when plans change, although you should still check your pickup and departure information before leaving your hotel.

The experience is offered in English. Since the crew needs to explain the swimming stop, food, safety information, and return arrangements, that is useful for English-speaking visitors.

Is $42.33 good value?

I think the price is strong for the amount of time and what is included. The sailing lasts about 4 hours and 30 minutes, and the Blue Lagoon stop takes roughly two hours. You also receive a BBQ lunch, a drink with the meal, access to the swimming area, and use of the boat’s slide.

The value improves if you use hotel pickup. A transfer from a selected hotel means you do not have to arrange separate transport to Latchi Harbour, though pickup is not stated as available from every hotel.

The price is especially appealing for families. A meal, a long swim stop, and a slide are bundled together, so you do not need to pay separately for several activities. Children who tire of sightseeing can swim, eat, and play, while adults can enjoy the coast and a drink.

There are a few limits. The boat may carry as many as 120 people, and bar purchases cost extra. Also, anyone expecting a dedicated snorkeling trip should bring equipment and keep expectations sensible. The main attraction is swimming in the lagoon, not a guided underwater tour.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and groups who want a relaxed day with several activities built in. It works particularly well if you want a scenic boat ride but do not want to spend the whole time sitting quietly.

It also suits people staying near Polis or Latchi, since the meeting point is at Latchi Harbour. Pickup can make it practical from selected hotels in the wider area.

Food-focused visitors should enjoy the souvla, chicken, couscous, potatoes, and vegetables. The BBQ is not an afterthought. It is one of the reasons the trip feels like a complete Cypriot day out rather than a simple swim transfer.

You may want another option if you dislike group outings, need guaranteed snorkeling equipment, or want a small private boat. The possible capacity of 120 means this is a shared excursion, even if your particular sailing happens to be pleasantly uncrowded.

Weather, cancellations, and planning tips

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, so keep the local cut-off time in mind.

Do not assume the cruise operates every month. One December booking occurred when the operator was closed for the entire off-season, and the person only discovered this after waiting for pickup. If you are visiting Cyprus outside the main boating season, confirm the operating dates directly before relying on the trip.

I would pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a personal snorkel if you have one. You should also bring some money or a payment method for the onboard bar, since drinks beyond the meal beverage are not included in the stated price.

Should you book the Demetris Chara?

I would book this trip if you want a generous Blue Lagoon stop, a filling BBQ, and a fun boat atmosphere at a reasonable price. The two-hour swim period is better suited to a real outing than a quick stop, and the food and crew receive unusually warm praise.

Book with three points in mind: confirm hotel pickup, check whether snorkels are available, and verify the sailing date in the off-season. If you want a quiet private cruise or guaranteed reef snorkeling, look elsewhere. For a family-friendly half-day with clear water, coastal views, good food, and a slide, this is a very solid choice.

FAQ

Where does the Demetris Chara boat trip start?

The trip starts at Latchi Watersports Centre, Latchi Harbour, Polis Crysochous 8820, Cyprus.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Latchi Harbour.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from selected hotels. You must wait at the front of your chosen hotel on time.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

How long do you stop at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about two hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An onboard BBQ lunch with several sides is included.

What drinks are available?

The onboard bar offers soft drinks, beer, and cocktails. Wine and a soft drink are also mentioned as meal drink options, and ice cream is available for purchase.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Equipment availability is not fully consistent. Some departures have provided goggles and snorkels, while another reported that snorkels were not supplied. Bring your own if snorkeling is important to you.

What happens if the weather is bad?

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