Wine tasting on-board the Demetris Chara BBQboat BlueLagoon tours

The best part of this Cypriot wine cruise is the setting. Instead of tasting wine in a cellar or restaurant, you sample local bottles while the Demetris Chara BBQ boat moves along the Mediterranean and later anchors at Blue Lagoon. The combination of wine, sea air, grilled food, and swimming feels made for a slow holiday day.

I like two things right away: the long 2.5-hour stop at Blue Lagoon, which gives you time to swim without watching the clock, and the personal touch from the wine host. Gergana, also called Geny or Gerry in the tour information, leads the tasting with local wine knowledge and island tips. The included barbecue lunch is another strong point.

The main consideration is that this is a four-and-a-half-hour boat outing with about two hours spent sailing to and from the lagoon. If you want a serious, quiet wine seminar, the barbecue boat atmosphere may feel casual. If you want wine as part of a sunny day on the water, it fits much better.

Key points to know before booking

• Two and a half hours at Blue Lagoon: You have plenty of time for the barbecue, swimming, photographs, and relaxing onboard.
• Cypriot wines with a dedicated host: Gergana, Geny, or Gerry may lead the tasting and explain the local bottles.
• Pickup from Paphos is available: You can also meet the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at Latchi Port.
• Lunch is included: The meal is barbecue fare served during the Blue Lagoon stop.
• A small wine group can feel very personal: On some departures, only a few people take part in the tasting.
• Plan for a full half-day: The outing lasts about 4 hours and 30 minutes, including roughly two hours of sailing.

Why this boat trip is different from a standard wine tasting

Cyprus has a long wine-making tradition, but you do not need to build a full winery day around it to sample local bottles here. This outing brings wine into a very different setting: an open boat, the Mediterranean coast, and a swim stop at Blue Lagoon.

I like that the wine is not treated as a separate event from the rest of the day. You can ask about Cypriot grapes and wine regions, then look up from your glass and see the coast passing by. The pace is social and easygoing rather than formal.

The wine host is an important part of the experience. Gergana has led tastings on the boat, and the tour material also names Geny and Gerry. The host can explain the wines, talk about the local area, take photographs while you swim, and offer suggestions for the rest of your time in Cyprus. That makes the outing more useful than simply being handed a glass and a bottle name.

This is also a good choice if one person in your group cares much more about wine than the others. The rest of your party can enjoy the boat, lunch, and lagoon while you take part in the tasting. On some departures, the wine group has been very small, which can make the session feel almost private.

Starting from Paphos or Latchi Port

You have two ways to join the excursion. Pickup from Paphos is available, or you can meet the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at Latchi Port.

The Paphos option is the simpler choice if you do not have a car or prefer not to sort out the port yourself. One pickup account describes a drive of about 45 minutes from accommodation in Paphos, with the driver stopping at scenic points along the way when requested. That suggests the transfer can add a pleasant sightseeing element, but you should allow enough time for the road journey before the boat departs.

Meeting at Latchi Port may suit you better if you are staying near Polis, Latchi, or the Akamas area. It also gives you more control over your arrival time. The meeting point is the Demetris Chara BBQ boat, so check the exact departure instructions when booking and do not assume that all boats at the port are part of this tour.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is sent when you book. Pickup arrangements are not a minor detail here. The boat itself leaves from Latchi, while Paphos is some distance away, so choose the option that matches your base and transport plans.

Sailing past Latchi Beach

Once onboard, the boat begins the coastal run toward Blue Lagoon. The first beach you pass is Latchi Beach, giving you an early look at the coastline before the main stop.

The sailing portion takes about two hours in total, counting the outward and return journeys. That means the boat ride is not just a short transfer to a swim spot. You should be happy spending a good part of the outing seated, watching the sea, talking, tasting wine, and taking in the coast.

I find that this timing works best when you treat the trip as a complete half-day rather than a quick excursion. The sailing gives the wine tasting room to unfold, and it keeps the Blue Lagoon stop from feeling rushed. It may feel long if your only goal is to swim.

The boat can accommodate up to 80 people, so the overall atmosphere may vary from one departure to another. The wine tasting itself can be smaller than the full boat group. If you are seeking a quiet, intimate cruise from start to finish, the maximum capacity is worth noting.

Two and a half hours at Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon is the main event. The boat anchors here for about 2 hours and 30 minutes, a generous pause compared with trips that make only a brief stop for photographs or a quick swim.

You can use the time in several ways. Swim from the boat, relax onboard, enjoy lunch, take photographs, or simply watch the water and coast. The long stay matters because you do not have to choose between eating and swimming. You can do both without hurrying.

The water and setting are described as the most memorable parts of the day, and the stop gives you the classic Cyprus boat-trip experience without requiring a separate beach transfer. You stay with the boat and return to the same base after the swim.

There is one practical point to keep in mind: the information provided does not specify changing rooms, shower facilities, or a separate beach landing. Plan around a boat-based swim rather than assuming you will have all the facilities of a developed beach.

The boat also serves as your base during the stop. That is useful if someone in your group does not want to swim. They can remain onboard, eat, enjoy the views, and take part in the wine tasting while others get in the water.

Barbecue lunch with Cypriot wine

The included lunch is barbecue fare served during the Blue Lagoon stop. It gives the day some substance and makes the price easier to assess, especially because you are not paying separately for a meal at the lagoon.

The food is part of the relaxed character of the boat. You are not sitting down to a formal wine-pairing menu. Instead, expect a casual meal that fits a sunny day at anchor. That combination works well for most people, though anyone seeking a refined food and wine program should set expectations accordingly.

I would eat a proper breakfast before boarding. The wine tasting can include several bottles, and one guest specifically advised starting the day with a hearty meal because the glasses keep coming once the tasting begins. You should also pace yourself, drink water when available, and remember that the boat ride continues after lunch.

The barbecue is especially helpful for mixed groups. A wine enthusiast gets a focused tasting, while everyone else gets a filling meal and time in the water. That makes the excursion more flexible than a standard winery visit.

What the wine tasting feels like onboard

The tasting is designed for people who want to sample a range of Cypriot wines while seeing part of the coast. The host can explain what you are drinking and connect the bottles with the local area.

Because the setting is a moving boat, the experience is less formal than a tasting room. You may be standing or seated outdoors, with conversation, sea air, and other boat activity around you. I see that as a plus if you like wine presented in a friendly, practical way. It is less ideal if you want a silent room, printed tasting notes, or a strict sequence of technical pours.

The host makes a big difference. Gergana has been praised for her wine expertise, personal attention, photography help, and island recommendations. If you are interested in learning more about Cyprus beyond the glass, ask questions. The tour is well suited to curious drinkers who want context, not just samples.

A smaller wine group can change the feel of the outing. If only you and your partner take part, the first few minutes may feel slightly unusual if you expected a large tasting session. In practice, that can give you more time with the host and more freedom to ask questions.

Is the $90.02 price good value?

At $90.02 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Blue Lagoon. You are paying for more than transport, though. The price includes the boat trip, the wine tasting, barbecue lunch, and the long stop at the lagoon. Pickup from Paphos is also an option.

I think the value is strongest for couples and small groups who want several experiences in one half-day. You get a coastal cruise, a local wine session, a meal, and swimming time. Booking a boat ride, lunch, and wine tasting separately could easily become more expensive and would be less convenient.

The value is weaker if you do not drink wine or if your main goal is simply to spend as much time as possible in the water. You would still receive the boat ride and lunch, but a large part of what makes this trip special would not matter to you.

The high customer score, 4.8 out of 5 from 21 ratings, and 95 percent recommendation rate suggest strong satisfaction. The strongest praise focuses on the wine host, the beauty of Blue Lagoon, the quality of the food, and the longer stop. Those are exactly the elements I would use to judge the price.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for:

• Wine lovers who want to try Cypriot bottles in a relaxed setting
• Couples looking for a special half-day outing
• Groups with mixed interests in wine, food, swimming, and sightseeing
• People staying in Paphos who value included pickup
• Anyone who prefers a long lagoon stop instead of a rushed photo stop

You should think twice if you dislike boats, want a fully formal wine education, or do not want to spend two hours sailing. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, so you should be comfortable getting around a boat and taking part in a swim stop.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation. The boat can carry up to 80 people, so it is not a private charter unless you arrange something separately.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The cruise depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of people, so if that minimum is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or your money back.

This is an excursion to book with a little flexibility in your schedule. The weather rule is normal for a boat trip, but it matters if you have only one open day in Cyprus.

My verdict: book it for wine, food, and an unhurried swim

I would book the Demetris Chara BBQ boat wine tasting if I wanted one easy day that combined Cypriot wine and Blue Lagoon. The long 2.5-hour anchor stop, included barbecue, and attentive wine host give it more substance than a simple coastal cruise.

Choose it especially if you are staying in Paphos and want pickup, or if you are based near Latchi and can meet the boat at the port. Skip it if wine is not important to you or if you want a fast trip with maximum swimming time.

For the best day, eat breakfast first, allow time for the Paphos transfer if needed, bring swim gear, and pace yourself with the tasting. The result should be a relaxed Cyprus outing where the wine is good, the lunch is practical, and the sea gets the final say.

FAQ

Where does the Demetris Chara wine boat tour depart from?

You can meet the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at Latchi Port. Pickup from Paphos is also available.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. About two hours are used for sailing to and from Blue Lagoon.

How long does the boat stay at Blue Lagoon?

The boat stays at Blue Lagoon for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is included and is served during the Blue Lagoon stop.

What kind of wine will I taste?

You will sample a variety of Cypriot wines during the onboard tasting.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not reached.