Wine tasting on-board the Demetris Chara BBQboat BlueLagoon tours

Wine and seawater make a fine Cyprus pairing. This four-and-a-half-hour boat trip combines a tasting of Cypriot wines with a generous barbecue lunch and a long stop at Blue Lagoon. You can board at Latchi port or arrange pickup from Paphos, making the outing useful if you do not have a car.

I especially like the unusual mix of a proper wine host, swimming time, and a relaxed boat ride. The wine tasting gives the trip more purpose than a standard sightseeing cruise, while the two-and-a-half-hour Blue Lagoon stop leaves enough time to eat, swim, and sit back without watching the clock. The main consideration is that about two hours are spent sailing to and from the lagoon, so you should book this for the full combination of boat time, food, wine, and water rather than for a short swim alone.

Key points to know before booking

• Gergana leads the wine experience: Guest accounts identify the wine host as Gergana, with Geny and Gerry also used in descriptions, and praise her warm service and strong grasp of local wines.
• Blue Lagoon gets a long stay: The boat anchors for about two hours and 30 minutes, giving you far more time than a quick photo stop.
• Lunch is included: You receive barbecue food during the lagoon stop, so the price covers more than transport and drinks.
• Two pickup choices help: You can use pickup from Paphos or meet the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at Latchi port.
• This is a small wine experience within a larger boat trip: The maximum group size is 80, but the wine tasting itself may feel more personal if only a few people select it.
• Bring a full morning appetite: The wine flows generously, so eating beforehand is sensible even with lunch included.

Why this boat trip feels different from a standard cruise

Many Blue Lagoon outings focus on a swim, a meal, and a view from the deck. This one adds a guided tasting of Cypriot wine, which changes the pace. You are not simply waiting to arrive at the water. The sailing becomes part of the experience.

The wine host gives the day a more personal touch. Gergana receives the strongest praise, with descriptions of attentive service, local recommendations, and plenty of wines to try. Another account names Geny, while another says Gerry, so the host’s name may appear differently depending on the booking or account. The consistent point is the same: the wine service is treated as a central part of the outing, not an afterthought.

I like that balance. You get the easy pleasure of a boat day, but the tasting gives you something to learn and discuss. If you enjoy wine but do not want to spend half a day in a formal cellar, this is a good middle ground.

The mood can also change depending on how many people book the wine option. One couple found themselves as the only pair taking part in the tasting. What felt awkward at first became a private-feeling session, with close attention from the host and help taking photographs during the swim. If you prefer a lively group tasting, that arrangement may feel quiet. If you like personal service, it could be a lucky outcome.

Boarding at Latchi or starting with Paphos pickup

You have two ways to begin. The first is pickup from Paphos. The second is meeting the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at Latchi port.

Pickup is useful because Paphos and Latchi are not the same departure point. One account describes a pickup from an Airbnb roughly 45 minutes from the boat, with the driver making scenic stops when attractive viewpoints appeared. That suggests the transfer can add a little sightseeing, though you should treat this as a pleasant possibility rather than a guaranteed part of the schedule.

If you meet at Latchi port, you avoid the transfer and begin at the boat. This option suits you if you already have transport or are staying closer to Latchi. The meeting instructions specifically direct you to find the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at the port, so allow enough time to locate it without turning the start into a race.

Confirmation is sent when you book. The experience is offered in English, and mobile tickets are accepted. Service animals are allowed, and the departure point is near public transportation. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness, particularly if you plan to make full use of the swimming stop.

Sailing past Latchi Beach toward the lagoon

Once aboard, the boat heads along the Mediterranean. Latchi Beach is the first beach you pass, giving you an early change of scene before the main stop.

This part of the trip accounts for much of the two-hour round-trip sailing time. I would not treat it as empty travel. It gives you time to settle in, look out from the boat, and begin the wine service at an unhurried pace. Still, you should know what you are buying: the day is not a four-hour stay at Blue Lagoon. Roughly half of it involves being underway.

That makes seating and personal expectations important. If you love the feeling of a slow boat ride, the journey is part of the pleasure. If your priority is swimming, the long sailing time may feel less efficient than a fast transfer boat.

The views are one of the strongest reasons to stay on deck. The route along the coast gives you a different angle on the water and beaches than you get from land. The boat ride also creates a natural rhythm: sail, taste, eat, swim, then sail back.

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about two hours and 30 minutes

The boat anchors at Blue Lagoon for approximately two hours and 30 minutes. This is the heart of the outing.

A long stop matters because you can divide your time in several ways. You might swim first, eat afterward, and return to the water once the boat quiets down. Or you can stay on deck with a glass of wine and enjoy the view without getting wet. The tour does not force you to treat the lagoon as a hurried photo opportunity.

The blue water receives the strongest praise in the guest accounts, and the setting clearly provides the visual payoff for the boat ride. You can take a dip, relax onboard, and enjoy lunch without having to choose only one activity.

The extended anchorage is also useful for photographs. One wine host took pictures while the couple swam, which is a thoughtful touch if you want more than a few arm’s-length snapshots. Do not assume that dedicated photography is a guaranteed service for everyone, but it shows how attentive the host can be when the group is small.

The practical drawback is that swimming conditions and comfort depend on the weather. This experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. The boat may also feel busier when more people book, since the maximum group size is 80.

Barbecue lunch gives the day some substance

The included lunch is barbecue fare served during the Blue Lagoon stop. That is a useful feature on a wine-focused boat trip. You are not left trying to manage several tastings on an empty stomach while waiting for food at the end.

The food receives positive comments, and it works well with the casual setting. This is not presented as a formal restaurant meal. Think of it as a filling outdoor lunch that lets you keep enjoying the water and boat rather than stopping the day for a separate dining break.

I would still eat a hearty breakfast before boarding. One couple gave exactly that advice because the wine service continued generously once the first bottle was opened. Lunch is included, but it may come later in the schedule, and wine can affect you quickly on a boat.

You should also pace yourself. The tasting is a pleasure, not a challenge. Sip slowly, eat well, and alternate your attention between the wine, the scenery, and the water. You can always enjoy fewer samples and still get the point of the experience.

What the Cypriot wine tasting adds

The wine portion is the feature that gives this trip its identity. You sample a variety of Cypriot wines while sailing and during the wider boat experience. The host explains the wines and the local area, so you receive more context than you would from simply ordering a glass at a waterfront bar.

Gergana is praised for being an expert on local wines and for making the session feel welcoming. The accounts also credit her with recommending other places to visit on the island. That kind of local advice can be valuable because it connects the boat trip to the rest of your Cyprus plans.

The tasting may be especially appealing if you want an introduction to Cyprus wine but do not have time for a vineyard visit. You can sample several styles in one sitting, ask questions in English, and enjoy the coast at the same time.

There is one important expectation to set. The wine service may not involve the entire boat. If only a few people choose the tasting, you could have a very intimate session. That is excellent for questions and personal attention, but less suitable if you want a large social wine event.

Is $90.02 a fair price?

At $90.02 per person, the cost is not bargain-basement, but the package includes several separate pleasures: a roughly four-and-a-half-hour boat outing, the Cypriot wine tasting, barbecue lunch, and the Blue Lagoon stop. Pickup from Paphos is also offered, which may save you the hassle and expense of arranging your own way to Latchi.

The value is strongest if you plan to use all parts of the package. A wine lover who enjoys swimming and wants a full boat day will likely find the price sensible. The value is weaker if you only want a quick ride to Blue Lagoon or if you do not drink wine.

The maximum group size of 80 is worth noting. This is not automatically a quiet, private cruise. Your experience may depend on how full the boat is and how many people join the wine tasting. The most personal accounts came from a very small tasting group, so you should not assume that level of attention on every departure.

Still, the combination is unusual. You are paying for more than a cruise with drinks thrown in. The tasting, food, and long anchorage give the day several layers, and the generous lagoon time helps justify the fare.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would recommend this outing to:

• Wine lovers who want to try several Cypriot wines
• Couples looking for a relaxed, food-and-water day
• People staying in Paphos who value included pickup
• Visitors who want swimming time without giving up a proper meal
• Anyone who prefers a slow coastal boat ride to a rushed excursion
• People comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity

You may want another option if you dislike long periods on a boat, do not drink alcohol, or want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour. Families can enjoy the water and barbecue, but the wine tasting may be less relevant to children. The maximum capacity also means you should not book this expecting a private charter.

The tour is booked, on average, 18 days in advance. That is a useful sign to plan ahead, especially if your Cyprus dates are fixed.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Start with a solid breakfast. The wine pours generously, and lunch is part of the schedule rather than something you eat before departure.

Choose your departure option carefully. Paphos pickup is convenient, while meeting at Latchi port makes more sense if you are already nearby. If you use pickup, be ready at the confirmed meeting point and allow for the transfer time.

Bring what you need for a swimming stop, but remember that the provided details do not list specific equipment or changing facilities. The safest approach is to arrive prepared for time in the water and time relaxing on the boat.

Keep your schedule open for the full four hours and 30 minutes. The trip includes approximately two hours of sailing and two hours and 30 minutes at Blue Lagoon, so it is not an activity to squeeze between closely timed plans.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Demetris Chara wine boat?

Book it if you want a full Cyprus day built around local wine, barbecue, and a long Blue Lagoon stop. The strongest reason to choose it is the combination of a real tasting host and enough free time to enjoy the water. Gergana, also identified as Geny or Gerry in different accounts, seems to add much of the warmth and character that makes the outing memorable.

Skip it if your main goal is simply reaching Blue Lagoon as quickly as possible. The two-hour round-trip sailing time is a major part of the experience. For the right person, that is not wasted time. It is the point: a slow coastal ride, generous pours, lunch, and a swim in one easy package.

FAQ

Where does the Demetris Chara BBQ boat tour depart from?

You can meet the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at Latchi port, or choose pickup from Paphos.

Is pickup from Paphos included?

Pickup from Paphos is offered as one of the two meeting options. The other option is meeting at Latchi port.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes.

How much time is spent traveling by boat?

About two hours are spent traveling to and from Blue Lagoon.

How long does the boat stay at Blue Lagoon?

The boat stays at Blue Lagoon for approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a barbecue lunch served during the Blue Lagoon stop.

What type of wine is included?

You sample a variety of Cypriot wines during the tasting.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 80 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also result in a different date or a full refund.