Latsi: Blue Lagoon Boat Trips with Traditional BBQ

The best part of this Latchi boat trip is simple: you get a full two-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon, not a quick splash before the boat moves on. The water is clear, the Akamas Peninsula provides the scenery, and the renovated Demetris Chara boat adds a waterslide for children and playful adults.

I like the combination of a clean, comfortable boat and a generous BBQ lunch, with chicken, pork, salads, potatoes, bread, and other sides. I also like the friendly crew, the upper deck, and the chance to swim, jump, or slide from the boat. The main drawback is that drinks cost extra, and there is no stated vegetarian main course, so plant-based diners should plan carefully.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours at the Blue Lagoon: You have enough time for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and a second turn in the water.
• A renovated boat with a waterslide: Use the front slide, jump from the boat, or enter the water by the ladder.
• BBQ lunch included: Chicken and pork are served with salads and filling side dishes, though drinks are not included.
• Akamas coastal scenery: The route passes the Baths of Aphrodite, St. George Island, Manolis Bay, and Blaji Bay.
• Good value at $41: The price covers the four-hour boat trip and lunch, while cocktails, soft drinks, coffee, and ice cream cost extra.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear: Masks and snorkels are not supplied, and a towel, sunglasses, sun cream, and some cash are useful.

Why the two-hour Blue Lagoon stop matters

Many boat outings treat the Blue Lagoon as a short photo stop. This one gives you about two hours, which changes the rhythm of the day. You are not forced to choose between swimming and lunch. You can get into the water first, eat when the BBQ is ready, then return for another swim.

The boat anchors in the Blue Lagoon off the Akamas Peninsula, where the water is clear enough for swimming and snorkeling. The exact position can be some distance from shore, so this is a boat-based swim rather than a beach visit. If you are not a strong swimmer, take extra care and consider bringing a small pool noodle or inflatable. One child-friendly feature is the choice of a ladder, jumping point, or waterslide instead of a single way into the water.

The water stop is the heart of the trip. You can float beside the boat, look below the surface with your own mask and snorkel, or simply sit on deck and enjoy the view. Snorkeling equipment is not supplied, so pack your own if you want to see beneath the surface.

The two-hour pause also gives the crew time to prepare lunch while you swim. That is a practical arrangement. You are not sitting at a table while food is cooked, and you are not hurried out of the water once the meal appears.

From Latchi Harbour through the Akamas coast

You meet the boat at Latchi Harbour, looking for the Demetris Chara Boat. The harbour is easy to reach, and parking is available nearby. One parking report put the cost at €2.50, while another noted free parking in the area, so check the signs when you arrive rather than assuming one rule applies everywhere.

The four-hour trip begins with a cruise along the coast of the Akamas Peninsula. The route includes the Baths of Aphrodite, St. George Island, Manolis Bay, and Blaji Bay. These names give you a sense of the outing: this is not only a transfer to one swimming spot, but a coastal sightseeing ride with several points of interest along the way.

You should expect around 20 to 45 minutes of sailing before the main water stop, depending on the route and conditions. Use this time to settle in, take photographs, and choose your place on board. The upper deck is the best spot for open views and a breeze, while the lower areas may suit you better if you want shade or easier access to the facilities.

The scenery is the quiet pleasure of the outward journey. You see the Akamas coast from the water, with the forested peninsula behind the coves. The route gives you a different view of Cyprus than a road trip can provide, especially around the small bays and islands that are hard to appreciate from land.

A comfortable boat with more than one way into the water

The renovated boat is clean and well maintained, even after people return from the water. The crew keeps the deck in order during the trip and after lunch, which matters on a swimming excursion where wet feet and food can quickly make a boat feel untidy.

The upper deck provides a good place to relax with a drink. A bar on board sells coffee, soft drinks, ice cream, snacks, wine, and cocktails. Drinks are not included in the $41 price, but prices have been described as reasonable, with a cocktail reported at €5. Bring cash as a precaution, although card payment has also been accepted on board.

The new inflatable waterslide is the boat’s most playful feature. It sends you from the deck into the lagoon, and it gives children an activity beyond ordinary swimming. There is also a separate jumping area, reported at about five metres high. That is a serious jump, not a small step, so use the ladder or slide if you prefer a calmer entrance.

Lifejackets are available for adults and children. The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the swimming setup requires you to move around a boat, climb in and out of the water, and manage wet surfaces. Families with young children should stay close to the crew’s safety instructions and use the available lifejackets.

What lunch is like on the Blue Lagoon stop

The included BBQ is one of the strongest parts of the value. The usual meat choices described on board are chicken and pork, served with salads, couscous or rice, potatoes, bread, and yogurt. Portions are generous, and the meal is prepared while you are swimming.

This is a casual boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. You eat on board after the main cooking is complete, with the lagoon still close by. The food has a homemade style, and the side dishes help make it a filling meal rather than a token snack.

The BBQ meat has not been perfect for everyone. One account found it a little dry, so I would keep expectations sensible. Still, the overall meal is a major reason the trip works well at this price, particularly when you add the long swim stop and four hours on the water.

Vegetarians should take note. A vegetarian main alternative is not guaranteed. A vegetarian passenger was able to eat salad, potatoes, and bread, but did not receive a substitute for the meat. If you do not eat meat, ask before booking or bring a suitable snack if you need more than side dishes.

Drinks are separate from lunch. You can buy wine, cocktails, soft drinks, coffee, and ice cream, but budget for them if you want something cold during the afternoon. Sunglasses and sun cream are just as important as your wallet. The sun can be strong on the open deck and around the water.

The return to Latchi and choosing your sailing time

After lunch and more time in the lagoon, the boat returns to Latchi Harbour. The trip is scheduled for four hours, and the crew is generally careful about keeping the day on time. That makes it easier to plan dinner or another evening activity.

If an afternoon departure is available, it may suit you well. The sun can be less fierce later in the day, and the lower light on the return journey can make the coastal views especially attractive. A late sailing may also give you a sunset view, though the exact light depends on the date and departure time.

A morning trip has its own appeal if you want brighter conditions for photographs and swimming. The important point is to check the available start times before booking, since the activity page lists times by date rather than promising one fixed departure.

The sailing itself is part of the experience, but it should not be mistaken for a quiet private cruise. There is music on board, and local Greek music may play for much of the trip. Some people will enjoy the atmosphere, while others may find continuous music or advertising interruptions less relaxing. Bring headphones only if you are comfortable using them around the water, and do not expect a silent nature cruise.

How the $41 price compares with the day you receive

At $41 per person, this is strong value if you plan to use the boat’s full offering. The price includes the four-hour cruise, coastal sightseeing, the long Blue Lagoon stop, and BBQ lunch. You would pay extra only for drinks and personal items.

The value improves if you care about time in the water. Some boat trips give you only a brief swim, while this one makes the lagoon stop the main event. You can swim, snorkel, use the slide, jump from the boat, eat, and still have time to relax before the return journey.

I would not book it simply for a short scenic cruise. If you dislike boats, do not enjoy swimming, or want a beach where you can walk directly into shallow water, this is not the right format. You remain on the boat for the main part of the outing, and the lagoon stop takes place away from the shore.

For families, the waterslide and jumping area add real value. For couples and older visitors, the upper deck, coastal views, food, and relaxed pace may matter more. The trip works for a wide age range, but everyone should be comfortable with boat steps, swimming access, and time in the sun.

What to bring for a smoother four hours

Pack lightly, but bring the things that make a water day easier:

• Towel and swimsuit
• Sunglasses and plenty of sun cream
• Your own mask and snorkel
• Cash for drinks and small purchases
• A pool noodle or small inflatable if you are not a confident swimmer
• A phone or camera with suitable protection from water

Fishing is not allowed. Wheelchair users cannot take this activity, so anyone with limited mobility should choose a different boat or shore-based option.

The boat has lifejackets for adults and children, and the crew can help with the water entry points. Even so, the boat may anchor away from land, and the swimming area is not the same as a shallow beach. Treat the jumping platform and slide as optional rather than essential.

Who will enjoy this Blue Lagoon boat trip most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a social, active half-day on the water rather than a formal sightseeing cruise. The strongest match is a family, couple, or small group that values swimming time, a generous lunch, and a few fun extras.

It is particularly good for:

• Families with children who can follow water-safety instructions
• Swimmers who want a long stop instead of a quick dip
• Visitors who want to see the Akamas coast from the sea
• Anyone comparing boat tours mainly on value
• People who enjoy casual BBQ food and a relaxed onboard bar

You may want another option if you need a vegetarian main course, require wheelchair access, dislike music, or prefer a quiet boat with no jumping and sliding. The experience is friendly and well organized, but it is still an active boat outing, not a private retreat.

Should you book the Demetris Chara Blue Lagoon trip?

Yes, if your priority is time at the Blue Lagoon. The long stop, clean boat, friendly crew, waterslide, and included BBQ make this one of the better-value ways to spend four hours around Latchi. I especially like that the schedule leaves room for a swim before lunch and another swim afterward.

Before you reserve, make three checks: confirm the departure time, ask about food if you need a vegetarian main dish, and pack your own snorkeling gear. Bring sun protection and money for drinks, then settle on the upper deck for the coastal ride. If that sounds like your kind of Cyprus day, $41 is a sensible price for the amount of time and food included.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

Meet at Latchi Harbour and look for the Demetris Chara Boat.

How long is the activity?

The boat trip lasts four hours. Check the available dates for the exact starting time.

How long do you stop at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts two hours, with time for swimming, snorkeling, the waterslide, jumping from the boat, and the BBQ lunch.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included in the booking price. Drinks are not included and can be purchased on board.

What languages are spoken on the tour?

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

Is the boat suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.