BBQ Boat: Nafsika II Sunset BBQ, Waterslide & Swimming Trip

The best part of the Nafsika II trip is the long stop at Cyprus’s Blue Lagoon, where you can swim in clear water, snorkel around the rocks, and launch yourself from the boat’s new inflatable slide. It is part coastal sightseeing, part swimming party, and part open-air barbecue.

I like the generous portions of chicken and pork, along with salad, couscous, yoghurt, and bread. I also like the easygoing crew, especially Theo, who has helped sort out problems when plans changed. The main consideration is timing: the trip can finish a little before the advertised four hours, and on some dates you may reach the harbor before the sun has fully set.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about two hours: You get real time in the water, not just a quick photo stop.
• The BBQ is plentiful: Fresh chicken and pork are served with salad and other sides, plus local red or white wine and orange squash.
• The slide is the family favorite: It sends you straight from the boat into the lagoon and is popular with children and adults.
• The route includes several coastal sights: You pass the Baths of Aphrodite, Saint George’s Island, Manolis Bay, Blaji Bay, and the Blue Lagoon.
• The trip starts at 3:30pm: The return is planned for sunset, though actual timing can vary with conditions.
• The $41 price is strong value: It combines a cruise, swimming stop, meal, drinks, and onboard entertainment.

From Latchi Harbor to the Akamas coast

You meet the Nafsika II at Latchi Harbor, opposite the Yiangos & Peter Hotel and Restaurant. Look for the boat itself rather than relying only on a sign, and arrive early if you want first choice of seating.

Nafsika II has several seating areas and a fully stocked bar. The upper deck is the best place to settle in with a drink and watch the coast pass by. You can also choose a lower seating area if you want more shelter from the breeze or easier access to the barbecue.

The boat is described as beautifully refitted, and cleanliness comes through as one of its strongest practical points. The crew keeps the boat tidy and serves food in an organized way. That matters on a swimming cruise, where wet feet, food service, and a busy deck can quickly make things feel cramped.

The boat leaves at about 3:30pm, giving you a useful stretch of daylight for the outward journey. The cruise lasts roughly four hours, though one account puts the total time at about three and a half hours. I would treat the stated duration as an approximate guide rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

Coastal views, caves, and named stops

The outward route follows the Akamas coastline from Latchi. The trip passes the Baths of Aphrodite, Saint George’s Island, Manolis Bay, Blaji Bay, and other coastal sights before reaching the Blue Lagoon.

The Baths of Aphrodite are linked to the familiar Greek myth of Aphrodite bathing in the area. From a boat, you are not getting a full land visit or a long archaeological stop. Instead, you get a coastal view and a chance to place the site within the wider Akamas setting.

Saint George’s Island and the bays along the route give the cruise its sightseeing value. The coastline changes as you move west, with rocky edges, small inlets, and clear water below the boat. I would spend the outbound leg on the top deck, then shift to the shade or a lower deck when you want a break from the sun.

This is not a quiet nature cruise. Nafsika II has music, a bar, family groups, and the general energy of a swimming excursion. One passenger found the music too loud and disliked the club-style selection. If you want a peaceful boat ride with soft commentary, this may not be your ideal choice. If you like a social atmosphere, the music and bar add to the holiday mood.

The available guides speak English, French, Greek, and Russian. Theo is specifically praised for being helpful when a group arrived late or when poor weather forced a change of plan. That does not guarantee every situation will unfold the same way, but it suggests you will have a named member of the crew to approach if you need help.

The Blue Lagoon swimming stop

The main event is the stop at the Blue Lagoon. The water is crystal clear, and you can swim and snorkel around the rocky edges. Several accounts describe roughly two hours in the water, although the exact sequence of swimming, food, and the slide can vary.

This length of stop is a major advantage. Many boat trips give you just enough time to get wet, take a photo, and climb back aboard. Here, you can swim, rest on the boat, snorkel, eat, and return to the water without feeling rushed.

Bring your own snorkel gear if you have it, since the activity information confirms snorkeling but does not specify equipment rental or loan. The water clarity makes it worthwhile, especially around the rocks where fish can be seen. Do not assume you will spend the whole stop snorkeling, though. The focus is a relaxed swim rather than a guided marine-life session.

The Blue Lagoon is also the point where crowding and weather matter most. The Nafsika II is described as clean and not crowded on some departures, but conditions can vary. Wind can affect the outing, the water, and the meal service. One October trip could not cook on the boat because of the wind, so the BBQ was prepared before departure and served hot instead.

That is a sensible safety adjustment, but it is worth knowing if the cooking show is part of your picture of the evening. The meal remains central to the trip, but the crew cannot control the weather.

The inflatable slide into the sea

The new waterslide changes the tone of the trip. After the meal, the crew inflates the slide, and you can slide from the boat directly into the Blue Lagoon. One account describes about 45 minutes of slide time.

Children are likely to make the most of it, but adults are not left out. The slide is simple rather than extreme, which is exactly why it works for a mixed-age group. You do not need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy the ride, but you should be comfortable entering the sea from the boat and following the crew’s instructions.

The sequence may vary. On some trips, there is swimming first, followed by food, then the slide. On others, the boat remains at the lagoon while the crew prepares the meal and the water activities continue around the schedule. The useful point is that you get both open-water swimming and a structured activity, rather than choosing between them.

If you are booking mainly for snorkeling, the slide can make the stop feel less peaceful. If you are traveling with children or want a playful afternoon on the water, it is a strong reason to choose Nafsika II over a plain sightseeing cruise.

A generous BBQ on the lower deck

The meal is one of the most praised parts of this experience. The included BBQ features fresh chicken and pork, served with seasonal salad. Additional meal details include couscous, yoghurt, and bread, and portions are described as large and filling.

The food is cooked onboard when conditions allow. The lower deck is used for the barbecue, so you may see the crew preparing the meal while you continue swimming or relaxing. That gives the meal a more genuine boat-trip feel than a prepacked sandwich.

Local wine, either red or white, is included, as is orange squash. The bar is fully stocked, but the supplied information does not say that all bar drinks are included, so plan on paying separately for anything beyond the listed wine and squash.

At $41 per person, the food helps make the price attractive. You are not paying only for a boat ride and a short swim. The fare covers the coastal cruise, the Blue Lagoon stop, the BBQ, listed drinks, and the waterslide. For a four-hour outing, that is a solid package, especially for families who would otherwise pay separately for a meal and a water activity.

The food is not restaurant dining, and you should not expect a long menu or special dietary service unless arranged separately. Still, the combination of hot meat, salad, sides, bread, and drinks gives you a proper meal rather than a token snack.

Children under two travel free, which improves the value for families with very young children.

The return ride and the sunset question

The trip returns toward Latchi as the light changes. The mountains and coast look different in the evening, and the ride back is often the calmest part of the outing. You can sit upstairs with a drink, dry off, and watch the sun move behind the coast.

The sunset is an important part of the sales pitch, but keep your expectations flexible. The advertised plan is a return at sunset, yet one departure reached the harbor around 8pm when sunset was at 8:08pm. If watching the sun disappear over the water is your main goal, check the seasonal departure and return times before booking.

Weather also affects the final ride. Wind may make the boat feel less comfortable, and the crew may need to adjust the meal or route. The activity is weather dependent, and a cancellation because of weather receives a full refund.

The journey back is not a separate sightseeing tour with new stops. Its value is the changing light, the chance to relax after swimming, and the social feel of the boat. I would save a dry layer for this part, particularly outside the hottest months.

Who will enjoy Nafsika II most

This is a good match for families, couples, and groups of friends who want several holiday activities packed into one outing. Children have the slide and swimming, adults have the food and wine, and everyone gets coastal views without arranging separate transport to the Akamas coast.

It also suits you if you want a social boat atmosphere rather than a private charter. You can choose from different seating areas, use the bar, and spend time on the upper deck. The boat is large enough to offer choice, but this is still a shared activity.

I would be more cautious if you want silence, a small boat, or a carefully timed sunset photography session. The music can be loud, and the schedule may run closer to three and a half hours than four. You should also think twice if you dislike sea swimming or are hoping for a land visit to the Baths of Aphrodite.

For families, the waterslide is the clearest reason to book. For adults, the strongest case is the combination of a long Blue Lagoon stop and a filling evening meal. For couples, the sunset ride can be pleasant, but the shared, lively atmosphere may not feel especially romantic on every departure.

Practical booking advice for $41

The $41 fare is good value when you use the whole package. A boat trip alone can feel expensive if the swimming stop is brief, but Nafsika II gives you a substantial amount of time at the Blue Lagoon, a meal, drinks, and a slide.

Arrive early to improve your choice of seating. One passenger specifically advised getting there ahead of time, and that is sensible if you want a particular place on the upper deck. The meeting point is easy to identify: Latchi Harbor, opposite the Yiangos & Peter Hotel and Restaurant, with Nafsika II nearby.

Book with the weather in mind. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the operator gives full refunds when weather forces cancellation. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your Cyprus plans are still shifting.

Do not arrive late if you can avoid it. A group that was five minutes behind schedule needed a complicated transfer to another boat because the harbor berth had to be cleared. Theo helped solve the problem, but relying on that kind of rescue is not a good plan.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and something light for the ride back. Bring a snorkel if you prefer using your own equipment. Since the included drinks are local wine and orange squash, bring your budget for any extra bar purchases.

Is the Nafsika II Sunset BBQ worth booking?

Book this trip if you want a full, easygoing half-day on the water. The Blue Lagoon stop is long enough to matter, the BBQ is generous, and the slide gives the outing a clear family-friendly hook. The crew, cleanliness, and helpful service add real value.

Choose another option if your priority is a quiet cruise, a guaranteed sunset at sea, or a small private boat. For most people staying near Paphos or Latchi, though, $41 buys a lot: coastal scenery, clear-water swimming, snorkeling, a hot meal, drinks, and a memorable ride back along the Akamas coast.

FAQ

Where does the Nafsika II cruise depart from?

It departs from Latchi Harbor. Look for the Nafsika II opposite the Yiangos & Peter Hotel and Restaurant.

What time does the trip begin?

The trip begins at approximately 3:30pm.

How long does the cruise last?

The advertised duration is four hours. Actual trips may last closer to three and a half hours, depending on timing and conditions.

What places do you pass on the cruise?

The route passes the Baths of Aphrodite, Saint George’s Island, Manolis Bay, Blaji Bay, the Blue Lagoon, and other parts of the Akamas coastline.

How long do you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The swimming stop is generally about two hours, although the exact schedule can vary.

Is the BBQ included in the price?

Yes. The included meal features chicken and pork BBQ, seasonal salad, and additional sides such as couscous, yoghurt, and bread.

What drinks are included?

Local red or white wine and orange squash are included. The boat also has a fully stocked bar for other drinks.

Is the waterslide suitable for children?

The inflatable slide goes from the boat into the Blue Lagoon and is especially popular with children. Children under two travel free, though the provided information does not specify a separate age or height rule for using the slide.

What languages are available on the tour?

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

What happens if the weather is poor?

The trip is weather dependent. If the operator cancels because of weather, you receive a full refund.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.