Protaras: Adults Presidents Cruise with Slide, BBQ & 1 Drink

The sea does most of the entertaining. This three-hour adults-only cruise from Protaras combines the turquoise Blue Lagoon, two swim stops, a freshly cooked BBQ lunch, and a look toward Famagusta and Varosha. I especially like the spacious St Georgios 1 yacht and the crew’s warm service, with names such as Eslam, Hassan, Carlos, and Lee praised for making people feel welcome. The main consideration is that the slide and turtle sightings depend on conditions, while steep stairs make the boat a poor choice for anyone with limited mobility.

At $47 per person, this is a strong-value outing if you want scenery, swimming, food, and a little Cyprus context in one package. I would arrive early for a good seat, avoid sitting near the BBQ if smoke bothers you, and bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash for extra drinks.

Key points to know before boarding

• St Georgios 1 has a story: This classic yacht was once used privately by former Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides.
• Blue Lagoon is the main event: You get time to swim, snorkel, use the platform, and possibly take the inflatable slide.
• Lunch is more than a snack: Expect grilled chicken, chips, couscous, pasta, salad, and tzatziki, with vegetarian choices available.
• Two swim areas add variety: Blue Lagoon offers bright turquoise water, while Green Bay is the better chance for marine life.
• Varosha adds substance: The cruise points toward Famagusta and its abandoned Varosha district, part of Cyprus’s divided modern story.
• It is adults-only, but not quiet: The mood is friendly and social, with music, commentary, a bar, and a cheerful crew.

Why St Georgios 1 makes this cruise different

Many boat trips in Protaras are simple sightseeing runs with a swimming stop attached. St Georgios 1 gives the outing a little more character. It was once the private yacht of Glafcos Clerides, a former president remembered in Cyprus for his public service and support for dialogue between the island’s divided communities.

You can still see period details around the boat, including classic fittings, polished rails, and the captain’s instruments. That does not turn the cruise into a museum visit, but it gives the yacht a sense of place. You are not simply stepping onto a generic excursion vessel.

The boat has an open Relax Deck, an air-conditioned lounge, sea-facing windows, and a Captain’s Table near the front. The layout lets you choose your mood. Sit outside for broad coastal views, move inside when the sun gets fierce, or find a shaded spot between swimming stops.

The experience is adults-only for anyone aged 16 or above. If you look younger than 16, photo identification may be requested. That age rule helps keep the mood more relaxed than a family boat packed with small children, though you should still expect music, conversation, and plenty of activity around the swimming areas.

Protaras to Famagusta: a short lesson in Cyprus

The cruise begins from the end of Protaras Pier. If you choose transport, hotel pickup and drop-off are available from a long list of locations around Protaras and Ayia Napa. If you make your own way there, boarding closes at 9:45 AM, so do not cut it close.

The first part of the trip follows the Protaras coastline. The views are the kind that make you stop checking your phone: clear water, pale cliffs, coves, and the bright shoreline around Cape Greco. The boat passes through the Famagusta District, where the guide explains some of Cyprus’s modern political story.

The most striking subject is Varosha, the abandoned resort district near Famagusta. Once a major holiday destination, Varosha has remained largely empty since the division of Cyprus in 1974. From the boat, you see the area from offshore rather than entering it, so do not expect a close-up visit or a walking tour.

Still, this portion matters. It gives the pretty coastline a human dimension. The commentary connects the view with Clerides’s efforts toward dialogue and reconciliation, adding context without turning the whole trip into a formal history lesson. The guide languages spoken onboard are English, Greek, and Arabic. Other languages are available through a cruise app in written form, despite the unusually long language list shown in the booking information.

One practical point: some seating positions make the commentary harder to hear. If you sit at the very front, the loudspeaker may not carry clearly at first. The crew has been known to walk around and repeat key information, but sitting where you can hear the guide will make the Famagusta section much more worthwhile.

Cape Greco’s best coastal views

After the Famagusta section, the boat turns along the coast toward the signature sights around Cape Greco. This is where the camera gets busy.

You pass Fig Tree Bay, a broad golden curve of beach and one of the best-known coastal views near Protaras. The water is often clear enough to show why this part of Cyprus draws so many swimmers, though the view from the boat gives you a wider sense of the bay than you get from the beach.

Cape Greco brings sharper cliffs and more dramatic rock formations. The boat route allows you to see the coast from angles that are difficult to reach on foot. It also passes the whitewashed Agioi Anargyri Chapel, perched above the sea, and Lovers Bridge, a natural rock arch that has become one of the area’s familiar photo stops.

The boat may pass close to rock formations, depending on sea conditions. That makes for memorable photographs, but the exact route can change with wind and waves. It is best to treat the listed sights as planned highlights, not fixed guarantees of distance or timing.

Some people may find the sightseeing portion a little short. One four-star assessment felt the boat did not travel far enough, while another found that the trip spent more time stopped or swimming than cruising. If your ideal boat tour means covering a large stretch of coast, this may feel compact. If you prefer a steady mix of views, water time, and lunch, the pace works better.

Blue Lagoon: the main swimming stop

The Blue Lagoon near Ayia Napa is the centerpiece of the outing. When the boat anchors, the water takes on the bright turquoise color shown in the photographs. This is the moment to stop taking pictures and get in.

You can enter from the swimming platform, use the ladder, or jump from the boat. The inflatable slide is an added bit of fun, but it is not guaranteed. Wind and sea conditions determine whether the crew can set it up safely, so do not book this trip solely for the slide.

You can also use a mask and snorkel to look for small fish. The water is clear, and the setting is excellent for a relaxed swim rather than a serious snorkeling expedition. There is plenty to enjoy even if you simply float near the boat and look back at the cliffs.

The stop is scheduled for about 45 minutes, although the exact timing can shift. That gives you enough time for a proper swim, a little snorkeling, and a return to the deck without feeling rushed. A few people found the change from swimming to lunch rather quick, so keep an eye on the crew’s instructions and do not wait until the last minute to get out.

Lunch is served onboard after or around the Blue Lagoon stop. The usual spread includes:

• Freshly grilled chicken
• Homemade chips
• Cyprus couscous
• Pasta
• Crisp salad
• Tzatziki

Vegetarian items are available from the selection onboard. The meal is not fine dining, but it is exactly the sort of substantial food that works after time in the water. Most people find there is plenty to eat, and the fresh cooking is one of the strongest parts of the value.

There are shaded areas and interior seating, which matter in Cyprus’s strong sun. Still, bring sunscreen and a towel. You should also bring cash for drinks and snacks beyond the one included beverage.

Green Bay and the chance to see turtles

The second major water stop is Green Bay. This is where the cruise looks for marine life, especially green sea turtles. You may see one surface near the hull, and several sightings are possible, but no responsible operator can promise turtles on a particular trip.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it is also important to set expectations. Some outings produce several turtle sightings. Others may have no turtles at all. Do not touch marine life, even if a turtle swims close enough to seem within reach.

Green Bay gives you another chance to swim and snorkel after lunch. The 45-minute stop also breaks up the return journey. The two swimming locations are useful because conditions can vary from one bay to another. If wind makes one stop unsafe, the route may be changed or a stop may be skipped, sometimes with little advance notice.

The turtle search is best treated as a bonus rather than the purpose of the $47 fare. The turquoise water, coastal views, lunch, and boat itself still make up the core experience.

Food, drinks, and the onboard atmosphere

The cruise includes one glass of wine, beer, soda, or juice per person, along with water. Additional drinks and snacks are available from the bar for purchase. Some special offers may include unlimited wine for an extra charge, but that is not part of the standard package described here.

The crew receives unusually strong praise for friendliness and attention. Eslam is singled out for kindness, Hassan for helpful service, Carlos for bartending and creating a welcoming atmosphere, and Lee for being especially helpful during the trip. The names matter because they point to the kind of service you can expect: staff circulate, explain things, and help people who are unsure about boarding, swimming, or transport.

Music adds to the holiday mood. It is generally described as chilled and enjoyable, with a more lively feel at times. This is not a silent nature cruise, and the sound system may compete with commentary if you sit in an awkward spot.

Your choice of seat can affect the outing. The front offers good views and less BBQ smoke, but commentary may be harder to hear there. One person sitting toward the rear had smoke blowing over the table for roughly half an hour before departure. If you have respiratory problems or simply dislike cooking smoke, head forward before the BBQ gets going.

The boat is often described as clean, well kept, and spacious enough that people have their own table and seat. It can still feel busy on a full departure. If you need a very quiet, private yacht experience, this is not that. It is a friendly shared cruise with a polished boat and a social atmosphere.

Is $47 good value for three hours?

At $47, the price is reasonable for what is included. You receive the cruise, a guide, Wi-Fi onboard, lunch, water, one drink, and hotel transport if you select the pickup option. Comparable activities can charge separately for food, transfers, or drinks, so the bundled price helps.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim. A standard sightseeing cruise without water time would make the three-hour duration feel short, but here the Blue Lagoon and Green Bay stops account for a large part of the experience. You are also getting views of Cape Greco, Fig Tree Bay, Lovers Bridge, the chapel, and the Famagusta area.

The value is weaker if you want a long coastal expedition. The boat stays within the Protaras and Cape Greco area, and some of the time is spent anchored. That is good for swimming and lunch, but less satisfying if your goal is to cover a huge section of Cyprus by sea.

At roughly three and a half hours on some departures, the schedule can run slightly longer than the stated three hours. That is useful if you have a strict afternoon plan, so leave some room afterward.

Practical details that affect your day

You need to manage about 15 steps to board, and the toilet is reached by a steep staircase. The trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Wet decks, ladders, and swimming platforms also require ordinary care.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Food and personal drinks are not allowed onboard, and the operator asks you not to bring beverages onto the boat. Drones are not permitted, smoking indoors is prohibited, and touching marine life is not allowed.

The cruise includes onboard Wi-Fi, though the main reason to bring your phone is the scenery. The boat’s app can provide written information in many languages, while live spoken commentary is in English, Greek, and Arabic.

Sea conditions control the route. The Blue Lagoon, Green Bay, and slide may be affected by wind. If the weather changes, the crew can alter the plan without advance notice. Pack a light layer if you are visiting outside the hottest part of summer, since the breeze can make swimming feel cool in spring.

The trip has a 4.8 rating from 243 bookings, which fits the strongest pattern here: people value the crew, food, boat, and swimming stops most. The occasional complaints are specific rather than broad: limited distance, an early lunch, weather changes, smoke near the BBQ, and steep toilet stairs.

Who should book the Presidents Cruise?

I would book this cruise if you want a well-rounded half-day on the water rather than a specialist sailing trip. It suits couples, friends, solo adults, and anyone who likes mixing sightseeing with swimming and a proper meal.

It is especially good for you if:

• You are staying in Protaras or Ayia Napa
• You want an adults-only boat
• You enjoy swimming from a yacht
• You like a friendly crew and background music
• You want some Cyprus context without a full museum tour
• You value lunch and transport included in the price

I would think twice if you have limited mobility, dislike shared excursions, need guaranteed turtle sightings, or mainly want to use the slide. You may also prefer another boat trip if covering a large distance matters more to you than swimming time.

Should you book it?

Yes, if the combination of Blue Lagoon swimming, a generous BBQ lunch, coastal views, and friendly service sounds like your kind of morning. At $47, it offers a lot without demanding a full day, and the former presidential yacht gives it more personality than a basic beach transfer.

Book it with realistic expectations. The turtle sightings and slide are bonuses, the route can change, and the Famagusta view is from offshore. Arrive early, sit away from the BBQ smoke if needed, and listen for the guide’s instructions. Do that, and this is a very easy way to add a memorable stretch of sea to your Protaras stay.

FAQ

How long is the Protaras Presidents Cruise?

The advertised duration is three hours. Some departures may last closer to three and a half hours, so allow extra time if you have plans afterward.

What food is included?

Lunch includes freshly grilled chicken, homemade chips, Cyprus couscous, pasta, salad, and tzatziki. Vegetarian items are available from the onboard selection.

Is a drink included in the price?

Yes. Each person receives one glass of wine, beer, soda, or juice, plus water. Other bar drinks and snacks cost extra.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. Green turtles are sometimes seen around Green Bay, but sightings depend on nature and sea conditions.

Is the inflatable slide always available?

No. The slide is dependent on wind and sea conditions, so its use is not guaranteed.

Is this cruise suitable for children or people with mobility impairments?

No. The cruise is for people aged 16 and above, and it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boarding requires about 15 steps, and the toilet is accessible only by steep stairs.