Larnaca: Relaxing Cruise with Fishing and BBQ Lunch

The best part of this cruise is the mix of Zenobia shipwreck snorkeling and relaxed time on the Mediterranean. You are not locked into one activity: fish if you like, swim if you prefer, or stay dry and watch the seabed through the Doremi’s glass bottom.

I like the generous four-hour format and the fact that lunch is cooked on board. I also like the chance to watch planes pass close overhead near Larnaca Airport, a quirky sight that gives the cruise a local touch. The main consideration is that the route, swimming stops, and even departure timing can change with weather and the captain’s decision.

Key points to know before booking

• The Zenobia stop combines a shipwreck story with snorkeling: Learn about the Swedish cargo ferry that sank in 1980, then look for marine life around the wreck.
• Fishing begins about 25 minutes after boarding: Equipment is supplied, and any fish caught can be cooked for lunch.
• The glass-bottom Doremi helps non-swimmers enjoy the sea: You can see underwater life without getting into the water.
• Lunch is a full Cypriot meal, not just a snack: Expect a buffet, BBQ dishes, fruit, and an open bar with water, soft drinks, zivania, and wine.
• The airport section gives you unusual photo opportunities: The cruise follows the west coast of Larnaca, where planes may fly very close overhead.
• The $64 price covers a lot: Hotel transfers, four hours on the water, food, drinks, equipment, and several activities are included.

From Larnaca Marina to the first fishing stop

This cruise begins at Larnaca Marina, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. That matters because a morning boat trip is easier when you do not need to arrange your own ride to the harbor. Transfer times can be delayed by traffic or other factors, so keep a little flexibility in your morning schedule.

Once aboard the Doremi, you have about 25 minutes before the first fishing stop. That short cruise gives you time to settle in, find a sunbed, and get a feel for the boat. The vessel has full facilities and sunbeds, so this is designed as a comfortable outing rather than a bare-bones fishing trip.

The fishing is optional. Equipment is provided, and you can try your luck from the boat without needing prior experience. I would treat it as a fun extra rather than the main reason to book. One piece of equipment has been singled out for improvement, so serious anglers may find the setup basic.

If fishing is not your thing, you have several alternatives. You can sit in the sun, take a swim, or use the provided snorkeling equipment. The boat’s layout lets people choose different levels of activity without splitting up the group.

A refundable deposit is required for snorkeling gear, even though the equipment itself is free. Bring your own gear if you already have it and want to avoid that small bit of administration, but the supplied equipment is useful if you are packing light.

Meeting the Zenobia beneath the water

The cruise continues to the famous Zenobia shipwreck, the key attraction for many people on board. The Swedish cargo ferry sank in 1980 and now rests beneath the water off Larnaca. The English-speaking guide explains the wreck’s story before you have time to look around with a mask and snorkel.

You should think of this as a chance to see part of the wreck and its surrounding sea life, not as a technical wreck expedition. The boat provides masks and snorkeling equipment, and its glass bottom offers another way to view the underwater scene.

That glass floor is especially useful for anyone who does not swim confidently or simply wants a dry view. Children can also watch the water from the boat while other members of the family snorkel. It helps make the experience work for mixed groups.

The stop is valuable because it joins a real local story with a simple water activity. You are not just swimming at an anonymous patch of sea. You are looking at the setting of a well-known shipwreck while learning why it matters.

The amount of time at each stop can vary with conditions and the captain’s judgment. Reports from the October trip described enough time at the stops, but you should still avoid planning a tight afternoon commitment after the cruise. Weather can affect the route and the time spent in the water.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the airport view

After the Zenobia stop, another swimming and snorkeling stop gives you more time in the sea. This second chance is useful because the first stop may be busy with fishing, wreck viewing, or simply getting comfortable with the mask and snorkel.

The Mediterranean water is the main setting here, so pack beachwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen. A camera is also worth bringing, especially for the airport section and the wide views from the boat. Use a waterproof case if you plan to take photos in the water, since no underwater camera service is included.

The cruise follows the west coast of Larnaca and passes close enough to the airport for planes to become part of the view. This is a distinctive feature, particularly for anyone who enjoys unusual aviation photos. The timing of aircraft is not guaranteed, but the proximity to the airport gives this part of the cruise a memorable local character.

I like this change of pace. The wreck stop has a clear subject, while the second swim is more open and restful. You can spend the first half doing something active, then settle into the easy rhythm of swimming, sunbathing, and watching the coast.

Still, do not expect a completely quiet yacht charter. The boat includes an animator, and the mood is built around shared entertainment, food, swimming, and simple activities. If you want a private, silent cruise with only a few people aboard, this is probably not the right choice.

A Cypriot lunch cooked on the Doremi

Food is one of the strongest parts of the value here. The onboard meal includes a Cypriot buffet, homemade local dishes, BBQ, fruit, and an open bar. Drinks include water, soft drinks, zivania, and wine.

The most personal touch is the option to cook fish caught during the cruise. If you manage to catch something, the crew can prepare it directly on board and serve it at lunch. That turns the fishing stop into more than a passing activity.

You should keep your expectations sensible. Catching fish is not guaranteed, and some people specifically hoped for more fruit or a greater range of dishes. The lunch timing may also come later than you expect because the crew may wait until the swimming stops are finished.

That timing makes practical sense. Eating before the final swim can leave you sitting around while others are still in the water, while serving lunch afterward keeps the day flowing. If you are traveling with children, bring a small snack for the morning if they tend to get hungry early.

The meal is best understood as a substantial boat lunch rather than a restaurant visit. You get food in the middle of a four-hour sea outing, with the added pleasure of eating fish you caught yourself if luck cooperates. At $64 per person, the inclusion of food and drinks makes a noticeable difference to the total cost.

What the $64 price really covers

At first glance, $64 may look like a standard half-day boat fare. The value improves when you count what is bundled into it. Hotel pickup and drop-off, the English-speaking guide, an animator, four hours aboard, fishing equipment, snorkeling equipment, swimming stops, a buffet, BBQ, fruit, and drinks are all included.

You would normally need to pay separately for transport, lunch, and drinks on many boat outings. Here, those costs are handled in advance. The open bar is not just water, either. It includes soft drinks, wine, and zivania, a strong Cypriot spirit.

The price works best for people who will use several parts of the package. If you plan to fish, snorkel, swim, eat on board, and have a few drinks, the outing offers solid value. If you only want to sit quietly and look at the coast, a shorter sightseeing cruise might suit you better.

The high overall rating of 4.9 from 48 ratings fits the experience’s strongest points: the crew, the food, the swimming stops, and the relaxed pace. The more useful reading of that number is not that every detail will be perfect. It is that the basic formula works well for families and mixed groups.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

Families are a natural match. Children can try fishing, look through the glass bottom, swim, or simply sit on the boat while adults enjoy lunch. The October outing with children was described as not overcrowded, which is encouraging, though group size can vary by departure.

Couples and friends will also find enough variety to fill four hours. One person can fish while another sunbathes. Later, everyone can meet for the buffet and share the novelty of eating fish caught during the same outing.

This is also a good choice if you want a gentle introduction to snorkeling. You receive equipment, have more than one water stop, and can see the seabed through the boat before getting in. You do not need to be an experienced swimmer to enjoy every part of the cruise.

I would be more cautious about booking it for a strict fishing holiday. The fishing is an optional part of a broader leisure cruise, and the equipment is functional rather than specialized. The boat is built for a social day at sea, not for anglers who need advanced gear or long hours at one fishing spot.

The same goes for serious wreck enthusiasts. The Zenobia is the reason to choose this cruise over a generic swim trip, but the experience is presented for a broad audience. You get an explanation, snorkeling, and glass-bottom views rather than a specialist wreck session.

Practical tips for a smoother morning

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel. Biodegradable sunscreen is requested, and a camera will help you record the airport views and the day on the water.

Keep your schedule loose after the cruise. Weather can change the route, and the captain has the final say on stops and sailing plans. Hotel transfers can also run late because of traffic.

If you want to fish, move quickly once the first stop begins so you have time to try the equipment. If you prefer snorkeling, ask for the gear early and remember that a refundable deposit is required.

Bring patience about lunch timing. The meal may be served after the swimming stops rather than immediately after fishing. That arrangement lets you enjoy the water first, but it may not suit anyone expecting an early meal.

The cruise operates in English, with a live guide and an animator. If you need detailed explanations in another language, this is not the best match based on the information available.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans remain uncertain. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to hold a place without paying immediately.

Should you book the Larnaca fishing and BBQ cruise?

Book it if you want a social half-day on the water with several activities rolled into one. The Zenobia wreck, two water stops, fishing, airport views, a Cypriot buffet, and an open bar give you plenty to do without making the day feel rushed.

I would particularly recommend it for families, couples, and groups with different interests. The glass bottom and sunbeds keep non-swimmers involved, while fishing and snorkeling give active people something to enjoy.

Skip it if your priority is private sailing, advanced fishing, or a quiet luxury boat. Weather can alter the route, the fishing gear is basic, and fish for lunch is only possible if someone catches one.

For most visitors staying in Larnaca, the $64 cost is fair because the transfer, meal, drinks, equipment, and four-hour cruise are included. Pack a towel, keep your afternoon free, and book this when you want a relaxed sea day with a little history and a good chance of getting wet.

FAQ

How long is the Larnaca cruise?

The cruise lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want to book.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, although transfer times can be delayed by traffic or other factors.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing is optional, and the necessary fishing equipment is provided on board.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is free to use, but a refundable deposit is required.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes a Cypriot buffet, BBQ, fruit, water, soft drinks, zivania, and wine. Fish caught during the outing can also be cooked on board and served for lunch.

Can the route change because of the weather?

Yes. The route and swimming stops may change because of weather conditions or the captain’s decision.