Protaras: Luxury Yacht Cruise with slide, BBQ Lunch & Drink

The slide is the star of this family-friendly cruise. The St Georgios II combines a clean luxury yacht, lively crew, two generous swim stops, and views stretching from Protaras toward Famagusta and Cape Greco. I especially like the large inflatable slide and the generous Cypriot lunch, both unusual at this price. The one catch is that seating can feel tight, and turtle sightings depend entirely on luck.

For about $47, you get a roughly three-and-a-half-hour cruise, though the full outing can take up to five hours with transfers. I also like the relaxed mix of sightseeing and swimming: you learn about divided Cyprus, see Cape Greco’s coastal landmarks, then spend real time in the water rather than simply admiring it from the rail.

Key points at a glance

• The St Georgios II has a huge inflatable slide, with life jackets and pool noodles available for use.
• The route combines history and scenery, including Varosha, Fig Tree Bay, Cape Greco, and Lovers Bridge.
• The Blue Lagoon stop includes lunch and swimming, with chicken, potatoes, salad, Cypriot cous cous, bread, and tzatziki.
• Turtle Bay is a hopeful wildlife stop, but turtles are never guaranteed and may remain some distance away.
• The crew is a major part of the appeal, with friendly, funny service and an informative guide in English, Greek, or Arabic.
• Transfers are optional, and the boat leaves from the end of Protaras Pier near the Evelena Hotel.

Why this Protaras boat trip offers good value

A boat cruise can be an expensive way to spend a few hours, especially once you add lunch, drinks, and transport. This one keeps the main price near $47 per person and includes the cruise, guide, lunch, WiFi, and one complimentary beer, wine, soft drink, or juice.

That package matters because the day is not just a short sightseeing ride. You get a proper meal, two swimming opportunities, a slide, a guide, and access to a bar. Additional drinks cost extra, but several people found the bar prices reasonable compared with Protaras restaurants and bars.

I would not call the food fine dining, but that is not the point. The portions are generous, and the meal is more substantial than the token sandwich or snack often served on a boat trip. The usual plate includes baked chicken, homemade chipped potatoes, Cyprus cous cous, salad, bread, and tzatziki. Vegetarian patties are available, and chicken nuggets can be prepared for children if you ask the crew when you board.

The strongest value comes if you want several holiday pleasures in one outing: sea views, swimming, lunch, music, local history, and a little harmless chaos on the slide. You do not need to arrange separate transport to Cape Greco or pay for a restaurant lunch afterward.

Boarding the St Georgios II at Protaras Pier

The boat is at the end of Protaras Pier. If you walk toward the Evelena Hotel, you will see the boats from that direction. This is worth checking before departure because the pier area can create some confusion, especially if you are arriving by taxi or on foot.

The St Georgios II is presented as a luxury yacht, and the practical details support that impression. You have an open relax deck for wide coastal views, a lounge with air conditioning, and a front captain’s table that gives you a prime position for watching the route. The boat has toilets, but you must use about 15 steps to board, and the toilet area is also reached by stairs.

I would arrive early if you are travelling with family or a larger group. The boat has limited seating in the most desirable areas, and bags can take up more space than expected. Sitting early also helps if you want a good view from the front or would like to keep your party together during lunch.

The boat provides free WiFi, which is handy for sending photos while you are still on the water. You should bring a towel, sunscreen, cash, and a payment card. Do not bring your own drinks, and smoking is not allowed indoors.

Famagusta and Varosha: a short lesson in divided Cyprus

The cruise first leaves Protaras and heads toward the Famagusta area. The sightseeing portion is not a long land visit. Instead, you view the coast from the boat and pause for photographs while the guide explains the story of Varosha and the events of 1974 that divided Cyprus.

Varosha was once a major seaside resort. Today, its abandoned buildings and closed shoreline are a powerful reminder of the island’s political division. Seeing the area from the water gives you a useful introduction without turning the cruise into a formal history lecture.

The explanation is brief, but it adds weight to the outing. You are not simply passing hotels and beaches. You are looking at a place shaped by conflict, displacement, and an unresolved political situation. The guide speaks English, Greek, and Arabic, while other languages are available in written form through the cruise app.

If you want a long, detailed study of Cyprus politics, this is not the right format. The Varosha section lasts only a few minutes as a photo and sightseeing stop. Still, it gives you enough background to understand why this part of the coast looks and feels different from the resort areas around Protaras.

Fig Tree Bay and the Cape Greco coastline

After the Varosha views, the boat follows the coastline back toward Protaras and Cape Greco. You pass Fig Tree Bay, one of the area’s best-known beaches, then enter the Cape Greco National Park area.

This is where the open deck earns its keep. From the water, you see the coast as a continuous line of coves, cliffs, rock formations, and bright swimming spots. The yacht gives you more distance from the shore than a beach visit, so you get a better sense of how the bays fit together.

The route includes several well-known landmarks:

• Agioi Anargyri Church
• Lovers Bridge
• The Sancta Maria Shrine
• Coastal caves and rock formations

These stops are made for photographs. Lovers Bridge is particularly easy to appreciate from the sea, where the shape of the rock and the clear water form a natural picture frame. The Sancta Maria Shrine adds a small religious and cultural detail to what could otherwise be a purely scenic cruise.

The guide keeps the journey entertaining with commentary and humor. The crew’s friendliness is repeatedly part of the experience, and that matters on a boat where you spend several hours in close quarters. The mood is social, with music during the sailing sections, but you can also retreat to the air-conditioned lounge when the sun becomes too strong.

Blue Lagoon: lunch, swimming, and the main water stop

The boat eventually moors in the Blue Lagoon area near Ayia Napa. This is the main pause for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and the slide. The stop is scheduled for about 45 minutes, so you have enough time to eat and get into the water, although you may need to choose between lingering over lunch and making repeated trips down the slide.

The water is the visual highlight of the cruise. Its turquoise color and sheltered setting make it a natural place for a swim, and the boat gives you direct access without needing to find a crowded beach entrance. Life jackets and pool noodles are available at no extra charge, which helps less confident swimmers join in.

Then comes the inflatable slide. It is much larger than the small children’s slides found on some excursion boats, and it is designed to give adults as much fun as children. The landing can be lively, so follow the crew’s instructions and give the person ahead of you enough space. One person found the slide a little painful, so it is not entirely weightless fun. Use sensible judgment, especially if you have back or neck problems.

Lunch is served onboard. The chicken, potatoes, salad, cous cous, bread, and tzatziki make a filling plate, and you can generally ask for more if you are still hungry. Vegetarian and child-friendly options need to be requested from the crew rather than assumed.

The bar remains open throughout the trip. Your first drink is included, but water and other drinks are not automatically free. One useful detail from the practical experience onboard is that small bottled water may cost extra, so bring cash and do not rely on complimentary water being available.

Turtle Bay and Green Bay swimming

On the return journey, the boat visits Turtle Bay, also identified as Green Bay in the route. This is the second swimming and snorkeling stop, and it is the place where you may see turtles in their natural environment.

The word may is important. Turtles are not guaranteed. Some people see one or two, sometimes fairly close, while others may see nothing. Even a sighting can be brief or at a distance, so do not book this cruise as a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

The stop lasts about 45 minutes, which gives you more time than a quick photo pause. You can swim, snorkel, use a life jacket, or simply watch the water from the boat. Snorkeling equipment is available with a €20 cash deposit, refunded when you return the set safely.

Please do not touch marine life. That is good practice in any coastal setting, and it protects the turtles as well as the quality of the experience for everyone else. If you see one, keep your distance and let it move freely.

This second stop is also useful if the Blue Lagoon felt rushed. A few people found the first swim too short, while the Turtle Bay stop gave them more time to relax. The total swimming time is generous for a half-day outing, but families with children may still wish for longer in the water.

The crew, music, and atmosphere onboard

The crew is one of the clearest strengths of the St Georgios II. The staff are described as professional, welcoming, funny, and attentive, with the guide balancing information and jokes rather than delivering a dry speech.

That friendly tone suits the boat. This is not a silent yacht charter or a formal private sailing trip. It is a social family cruise with music, a working bar, a slide, shared lunch tables, and plenty of activity around the swim stops.

Small touches add to the good feeling. One child was invited to steer the boat, and the crew sang Happy Birthday to a passenger. Those moments are not guaranteed, but they show the personal style the team aims for.

The atmosphere can vary depending on how full the boat is. On busy departures, seats may be harder to secure and the deck can feel crowded. If you prefer quiet, privacy, and lots of empty space, choose a private charter instead. If you like easy conversation and a crew that keeps the mood light, this setup should suit you.

Transfers, timing, and who should book

You can meet the boat at Protaras Pier or choose a transfer from selected resorts in Ayia Napa, Protaras, Pernera, or Kapparis. Pickup locations are centralized, so your actual meeting point may be a two-to-seven-minute walk from your hotel.

Pickup can be 20 to 60 minutes before departure, and the bus may arrive up to 15 minutes after the stated time. Be ready five minutes early. Drivers wait no longer than five minutes once they arrive, so this is not the moment to make a last-minute coffee stop.

The cruise itself is listed as 210 minutes, while the full experience can reach five hours when transfers are included. Check the departure time carefully, since the exact itinerary can change with sea conditions and the crew may not be able to give much advance notice.

This is a strong match for:

• Families with children and teenagers
• Couples who want swimming mixed with sightseeing
• Visitors staying in Protaras, Pernera, Kapparis, or Ayia Napa
• Anyone who wants lunch and transport included
• People who enjoy a friendly, lively boat rather than a quiet yacht charter

It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments because of the steps onto the boat and to the toilets. The slide and swimming stops also require reasonable comfort around water, although life jackets are available.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility if you are planning around weather and other Cyprus outings.

Should you book the St Georgios II?

I would book this cruise if you want strong value and plenty of variety in one half-day. The best parts are the friendly crew, the generous lunch, the clean modern boat, the Blue Lagoon swim, and the large slide. The Varosha explanation also gives the trip more substance than a simple coast-and-swim excursion.

Go with realistic expectations. Turtle sightings are luck, not a promise. The boat can feel busy, seats may be limited, water and extra drinks cost more, and the swim stops may feel short if you want a full day in the sea.

For families, first-time visitors to Protaras, and anyone looking for an easy outing with food included, this is a very good choice at around $47. Arrive early, pack sunscreen and a towel, bring cash for drinks and the snorkel deposit, and keep your eyes open at Turtle Bay. You might come back with more than photographs.

FAQ

Where does the St Georgios II cruise leave from?

The boat is at the end of Protaras Pier. If you head toward the Evelena Hotel, you should see the boats from there.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included only if you choose the transfer option. Transfers are available from selected locations in Ayia Napa, Protaras, Pernera, and Kapparis.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise is listed as 210 minutes, while the complete outing can take up to five hours when transfers are included. Check availability for the exact departure time.

What food is served onboard?

The included lunch consists of baked chicken, homemade chipped potatoes, Cyprus cous cous, salad, bread, and tzatziki. A vegetarian patty and chicken nuggets for children can be requested onboard.

Is a drink included?

One complimentary drink is included. You can choose beer, wine, soda, or juice. Additional drinks and snacks are available to buy from the bar.

Are snorkeling sets provided?

Snorkeling equipment is available with a €20 cash deposit. The deposit is refunded when you return the set safely.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. The cruise visits Turtle Bay in the hope of seeing turtles, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the boat suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. Boarding requires about 15 steps, and the toilets are accessible only by stairs.