Latsi: Blue Lagoon Boat Trips with Traditional BBQ

The best part is the time in the water. This four-hour cruise from Latchi Harbour takes you along Cyprus’s Akamas Peninsula for views of the forested coast, then gives you about two hours at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, and a generous BBQ lunch. I especially like the long lagoon stop and the newly added inflatable waterslide, which give this trip more to do than a simple scenic cruise. The main thing to consider is that drinks cost extra, and the boat may anchor some distance from shore, so weaker swimmers should take care.

I also like the clean, renovated boat and the choice of seating. The upper deck gives you open views and a pleasant place to sit with a drink, while the lower areas offer shade and easier access to the water. The crew receives consistent praise for being friendly, polite, and helpful, including with children. The small weakness is the food setup for vegetarians: the BBQ centers on chicken and pork, with salads, potatoes, bread, and other sides, but no dedicated vegetarian main was available.

At $41 per person, this is a strong-value half-day outing if you want your Cyprus beach time served with a bit of fun. You get the boat ride, the Akamas coastline, the famous Blue Lagoon, and lunch for one price. Just bring your own snorkeling gear, towel, sun cream, sunglasses, and some cash for drinks, ice cream, or snacks.

Key points at a glance

• About two hours at the Blue Lagoon: You get unusually generous time to swim, snorkel, use the slide, and eat lunch without being hurried.
• A waterslide and jump area: The renovated Demetris Chara boat has a front-deck inflatable slide and places to jump into the water.
• BBQ lunch is included: Expect grilled chicken and pork, salads, potatoes, rice or couscous, bread, yogurt, and other sides, depending on the day.
• Akamas Peninsula scenery: The cruise passes the Baths of Aphrodite, St. George Island, Manolis Bay, Blaji Bay, and coastal views near the Blue Lagoon.
• Drinks are extra: The onboard bar sells coffee, soft drinks, ice cream, snacks, wine, and cocktails. Several direct reports found the prices reasonable.
• Not suitable for wheelchair users: The boat and water access require mobility, and snorkeling equipment is not supplied.

Leaving Latchi Harbour for the Akamas coast

You meet the Demetris Chara BBQ Boat at Latchi Harbour. The harbor car park has been reported at €2.50, while another account mentions free parking nearby, so check the signs when you arrive rather than counting on one exact option.

The boat ride is part of the appeal, not just a transfer to the swimming stop. You cruise past the coast of the Akamas Peninsula, with the forested interior and rocky bays providing the main scenery. The route includes views of the Baths of Aphrodite, St. George Island, Manolis Bay, Blaji Bay, and the Blue Lagoon.

The descriptions do not promise a long visit at every named place. Think of these as coastal sights along the route, with the Blue Lagoon serving as the main stop. That matters because the trip works best for people who want one substantial swim rather than a string of quick photo pauses.

The boat itself gets high marks for being clean, well maintained, and comfortable. You can look for a place on the upper deck if you want the broadest views. It is also the sunny option, so I would apply sun cream before departure and keep it handy. The lower seating areas may suit you better if you want shelter from the sun or prefer to stay close to the bar.

The crew speaks English and Greek. Lifejackets for adults and children are available, and the staff have been praised for helping families with small children. That makes the trip approachable for mixed-age groups, though it is still an active boat outing rather than a fully accessible sightseeing cruise.

The named coastal sights along the route

The Baths of Aphrodite add a little myth and local character to the cruise. From the boat, you mainly appreciate the coastal setting and the nearby Akamas scenery rather than taking a land excursion into the baths. The same applies to St. George Island, Manolis Bay, and Blaji Bay: they break up the journey and give you changing views as the boat moves along the coast.

If you enjoy taking photographs, sit high and keep your camera ready during the outward trip. The route offers open sea views, rocky shoreline, coves, and the green Akamas interior. An afternoon departure can be especially attractive for photography, since the returning light may be softer and the setting sun can add warmth to the coast.

The cruise may take around 20 minutes to reach the swimming area according to one account, while another describes about 45 minutes before anchoring. That difference likely reflects the route, timing, or the particular point at which the boat begins the stop. I would allow for a scenic sailing period rather than expecting an exact travel time.

Music is played onboard. Local Greek music may add atmosphere for some people, but it can feel repetitive if played continuously. One detailed account also noted advertising interruptions from the music service. This is minor for a four-hour trip, but it is worth knowing if you prefer quiet during your time at sea.

Two hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the heart of this outing. The water is clear and blue, and the boat stops for roughly two hours, giving you enough time to swim, snorkel, jump, use the slide, and have lunch.

The boat may anchor away from the shallowest water. One account specifically advised less confident swimmers to bring pool noodles, and that is sensible advice. You should be comfortable entering the sea from a boat, climbing back aboard, and managing yourself in open water. Lifejackets are available, but the trip is not a pool-style experience with an easy shallow entry.

The new inflatable waterslide is fitted at the front of the boat. You slide directly from the deck into the lagoon, which gives children and playful adults a clear reason to choose this boat over a quieter cruise. There is also a separate jumping area, reported at roughly five meters high, along with the option to jump or climb from the rear of the boat.

You do not have to use the slide or jump. You can simply swim, sit on the deck, or enjoy the view. That range makes the outing work for a family group with different ideas of fun, although everyone should be comfortable with boat-based swimming.

Snorkeling equipment is not supplied. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to look below the surface. The clear water is the main attraction, but the provided details do not promise a guided snorkeling session, special marine-life viewing, or a marked reef. You are choosing this for free swimming in a beautiful cove, not for a formal snorkeling tour.

The two-hour stop is one of the strongest reasons to book. Many short cruises give you just enough time for a quick swim before pulling away. Here, the schedule leaves room to enjoy the water first and still sit down for lunch without rushing.

BBQ lunch while the water stays tempting

The BBQ is cooked onboard while you swim. That is a smart arrangement because you can make the most of the lagoon instead of sitting down as soon as the boat anchors. Once the food is ready, you return to the deck for a substantial meal with the sea still around you.

The main grilled items are chicken and pork. Sides reported on different departures include fresh salad, potatoes, rice, couscous, bread, and yogurt. Portions have been described as large, and the food is presented in a straightforward, home-style way rather than as a polished restaurant meal.

I would rate the lunch as a real part of the value, not a token snack. At $41, the combination of a four-hour cruise, a long swim stop, and a filling meal compares well with other large-boat excursions in the area. The food will not please everyone equally: one account found the meat a little dry, while most of the detailed comments praised the taste, freshness, and quantity.

Vegetarians should plan carefully. A vegetarian main was not available on at least one departure, though salad, potatoes, bread, and other sides were offered. If you do not eat meat, contact the operator before booking if you need more than side dishes.

The bar sells drinks separately. You may find coffee, soft drinks, ice cream, snacks, wine, and cocktails, with cocktails reported at about €5 on one trip. Cash is listed among the recommended items, but card payment was accepted on at least one departure. I would still carry some cash, since the official information specifically asks you to do so.

Choosing your place on the boat

The upper deck is the prime spot for views and fresh air. It is also the most exposed area, so you will want sunglasses, sun cream, and a hat that will not blow away. If you prefer shade, look for a lower seating area early rather than waiting until the boat is underway.

The boat is described as comfortable, clean, and well equipped. The crew also keeps cleaning after wet swimmers come back aboard and after lunch, which helps the deck feel orderly during a busy swimming stop.

This is a shared excursion, not a private charter. You will spend the day with other people, and the slide and jumping points may be popular. The good news is that the long stop reduces the sense of a mad rush. You have time to swim, eat, and return to the water at your own pace.

Families should find the format easy to understand. Children can use the slide, adults can relax upstairs, and the crew has lifejackets for both age groups. Still, parents need to supervise children around the deck, the water entry points, and the jumping area.

The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users. Water access, deck movement, and boarding create practical limits. If you have mobility concerns but are not a wheelchair user, ask the operator specific questions before paying.

Is $41 good value?

For a four-hour trip, $41 is a fair price, especially with lunch included. You are paying for transport along the Akamas coast, boat seating, the lagoon stop, the slide, and a BBQ meal. The fact that the boat spends about two hours at the Blue Lagoon gives it an advantage over trips built around a brief swim.

You should budget extra for drinks. That is not a serious flaw, since many boat trips charge separately for beverages, but the advertised price is not fully all-inclusive. If you buy cocktails, wine, soft drinks, ice cream, or snacks, your final cost will rise.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim. If you only want a quiet boat ride and intend to remain seated, you may find the trip less rewarding than a simple sightseeing cruise. The slide, jumping area, and long swim make the price work.

An afternoon sailing may suit you if you dislike the fiercest midday sun or want lower light for the return journey. Morning and afternoon availability depends on the date, so check the start time when booking. The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Cyprus plans are still shifting.

What to pack for this boat trip

Bring a towel, sunglasses, sun cream, and cash. The official advice also lists these items, and the open upper deck makes sun protection especially important.

Pack your own mask and snorkel if you want to explore underwater. They are not provided. A small inflatable may be allowed, and one account says people brought them, but confirm with the operator if you plan to take anything large or awkward aboard.

Pool noodles can help if you are not a strong swimmer, particularly because the boat may anchor away from shore. The trip is not suitable for fishing, and fishing equipment or fishing activity is not part of the experience.

Wear something that is easy to manage when wet. You will be moving between the deck, the water, and lunch, so a simple swimsuit and cover-up make more sense than anything elaborate. Keep valuables secure and avoid bringing items you would worry about getting splashed.

Who should book the Demetris Chara cruise?

I would recommend this trip to families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who want a relaxed half-day on the water with plenty of swimming time. It also suits you if food quality and portion size matter, since the BBQ receives some of the warmest praise.

The trip is a good match for active children and adults who want a slide and jumping platform. It also works for less active passengers who are happy to sit upstairs, watch the coast, and enjoy a drink.

I would hesitate if you need wheelchair access, dislike shared boat trips, or want a specialist snorkeling tour. I would also check the food arrangements first if you are vegetarian. The water stop is the main event, so strong swimming ability, or at least comfort with boat entry and exit, will make the day much easier.

FAQ

Where does the Blue Lagoon boat trip leave from?

Meet at Latchi Harbour and look for the Demetris Chara Boat.

How long is the boat trip?

The full experience lasts four hours.

How long does the boat stop at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about two hours.

Is BBQ lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included in the tour price.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, but the onboard bar sells beverages and snacks.

What food is served at the BBQ?

The BBQ includes chicken and pork, with sides such as salad, potatoes, rice or couscous, bread, and yogurt reported on different departures.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to snorkel.

Is the waterslide included?

Yes. The boat has an inflatable waterslide that enters the Blue Lagoon.

Is the trip suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What languages are spoken on the tour?

The live tour guide service is available in English and Greek.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want the Blue Lagoon itself to be the priority. The two-hour stop, clean boat, friendly crew, included BBQ, and waterslide make this a well-rounded outing at $41.

Bring your own snorkeling gear, protect yourself from the sun, and plan extra money for drinks. If you can accept a shared boat, open-water swimming, and limited vegetarian food, the Demetris Chara Blue Lagoon trip offers a lot for one half-day in Cyprus.