Ayia Napa: Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Drinks

Cape Greco’s sea arches and Blue Lagoon’s bright turquoise water are the stars here, but the real pleasure is having room to enjoy them. This is a small-group catamaran cruise with sunbeds, shaded seating, water toys, and a freshly prepared lunch served onboard.

I like the limited group size, which can mean as few as seven passengers and usually keeps the boat from feeling crowded. I also like the private chef and open bar, a step above the basic excursion boat menu. The drawback is price: at $170 per person, this is a serious splurge, and rough seas can shorten the swimming stops.

Key points

• Cape Greco by catamaran: Look for sea caves, stone arches, cliffs, and wide views along Cyprus’s southeastern coast.
• Blue Lagoon swimming: The shallow, clear water makes this the main swimming and snorkeling stop.
• Chef-prepared lunch: Expect a Mediterranean-style meal with seasonal produce, dessert, and options for seafood lovers, vegetarians, and children by request.
• Small-group feel: The maximum is 20 people, with some departures carrying only 15 to 20 passengers.
• Plenty of water gear: SUP boards, snorkeling equipment, noodles, life jackets, fishing gear, and a pink flamingo float are provided.
• Drinks throughout the day: Coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, local beer, and white wine are included.

A relaxed day from Ayia Napa Marina

This cruise is designed for people who want the sea day to feel comfortable rather than hurried. You board near Riva Beachhouse, close to Ayia Napa Marina, and settle onto a modern catamaran with sunbeds, shaded lounges, an onboard toilet, an outdoor shower, music, and Wi-Fi.

The boat carries no more than 20 people. That matters in Cyprus, where many popular boat trips can feel packed during the warm season. On some departures, the ratio is especially comfortable, with around seven passengers and three crew members. You get more room to sit, less competition for shade, and easier access to the water toys.

The crew welcomes you with coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, and local pastries. It is a light brunch rather than a full breakfast, so eat something beforehand if you usually need a substantial morning meal.

You’ll receive a safety briefing before sailing. Shoes are not allowed indoors, and smoking is not allowed inside. Bring a hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel. Towels and sunscreen are not supplied.

Sailing past Cape Greco’s cliffs and arches

The first sailing stretch takes about 40 minutes. This gives you time to settle in and watch Ayia Napa recede as the coast opens up. The crew offers drinks, and you can choose a sunbed or shaded lounge depending on how strong the sun feels.

Cape Greco National Forest Park is the first main scenic area. It is known for rough limestone cliffs, natural stone arches, sea caves, and clear water. From the boat, you get a low coastal view that you cannot quite match from a road or lookout point. The cliffs appear more dramatic from sea level, especially when the catamaran passes below the rock formations.

This stop lasts about 30 minutes and combines a photo pause with swimming and snorkeling. Local snacks, coffee, tea, beer, and wine are available. The water is the main attraction, but the setting is just as important. Even if you do not want to swim, the boat gives you a pleasant place to sit and watch the coast.

A word about cliff jumping: the area is associated with jumps into the sea, but you should follow the crew’s instructions and use only the activities they allow at the stop. Conditions can change quickly, and the boat’s safety briefing matters more than the temptation to copy something you see from shore.

Blue Lagoon is the main event

After Cape Greco, the catamaran sails for roughly 70 minutes toward Blue Lagoon. This is a longer stretch, but it is part of the pleasure. You can sit in the shade, stretch out on a sunbed, listen to music, or keep a drink nearby while the coast slips past.

Blue Lagoon is where the cruise spends the most time, about two hours and 50 minutes. The water is shallow enough in places for sunlight to reach the sandy bottom, giving it the bright turquoise color that makes this stop so popular. On a calm day, the sea looks almost painted, and the clear water is well suited to a leisurely swim.

You can use the supplied snorkeling mask and fins, try a stand-up paddleboard, float on an inflatable noodle, or climb onto the bright pink flamingo. Swimming jackets are available, which is useful for anyone who is not fully confident in open water.

Fishing equipment is also provided for a gentle fishing session. The program does not promise a catch, so treat it as a quiet extra rather than a major activity. Children can use the onboard toy box by request, though unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

The main caution is the weather. A strong swell can change the plan. On one rough-water departure, three planned swimming stops became two, with more time at those remaining stops. That is a sensible safety decision, but it means you should not book this expecting every stop to happen exactly as planned.

Lunch prepared in the onboard kitchen

Lunch is one of the reasons this cruise costs more than a basic boat outing. A private chef prepares the meal in the onboard kitchen using fresh ingredients. The food is Mediterranean in style, with a main course, dessert, and seasonal local produce.

Menus can accommodate seafood lovers, vegetarians, and children if you request the appropriate option in advance. That is worth doing when you book, especially for children or anyone with dietary needs.

The meal is served while you are near Blue Lagoon, so you can eat, look out over the water, and return for another swim afterward. Local snacks appear at other points during the day, and the open bar includes water, soft drinks, local beer, and white wine.

The drinks selection is good for a daytime cruise, but do not expect every alcoholic option. Spirits are listed at Blue Lagoon, while the general inclusions specifically name beer and white wine. Red wine is not allowed onboard. On a rough return trip, drink service may be less active while the crew helps passengers who feel seasick, so keep that in mind if unlimited drinks are a major reason for booking.

What the crew and boat add

The boat itself is a large part of the experience. Sunbeds make it easy to spend time outside without sitting on a hard bench, while shaded lounges give you a break from the Cyprus sun. The outdoor shower is handy after snorkeling, and the onboard WC means you are not dependent on a beach facility.

The English-speaking crew handles the water equipment and helps keep the day moving. Their role is especially important when conditions change. Rough water can affect swimming access, comfort, and drink service, so a crew focused on safety is more valuable than a rigid schedule.

Free Wi-Fi and music are included, though the best use of your time is likely to be watching the coast, swimming, or talking with the people in your group. For birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions, you can notify the crew in advance and receive a complimentary branded gift.

The catamaran also carries life jackets, liability insurance, personal feminine hygiene products, and a full set of basic swimming equipment. These are small details, but they reduce the amount of planning you need to do.

Is $170 a fair price?

At $170, this is not the budget choice. Basic Cyprus boat outings can cost far less, sometimes around $30 to $60, depending on what is included. You are paying a premium here for the smaller group, modern catamaran, chef-prepared lunch, drinks, water equipment, and more comfortable seating.

The value improves if you plan to spend most of the day onboard. Seven hours is long enough to enjoy several swims, a proper meal, the sailing time, and the scenery without feeling like you are rushing from one stop to the next.

The value is also stronger for couples, families, and small groups who care about space and service. If you mainly want a quick ride to Blue Lagoon and do not care about lunch, shaded seating, or a small group, a cheaper excursion may suit you better.

I would also factor in the weather. A calm day can make the price feel reasonable because you get full use of the water toys and swimming stops. A rough day may still provide a pleasant boat ride and a good meal, but the water portion may be reduced.

Timing, pickup, and practical details

The full outing lasts between 330 minutes and seven hours, depending on the selected option. The published route includes the welcome and safety briefing, around 40 minutes of initial sailing, Cape Greco, the longer sail to Blue Lagoon, nearly three hours there, and about 80 minutes on the return.

Meet near the Riva Beachhouse parking area 15 minutes before departure. The crew member wears a DanEri logo shirt. You can park at the covered Agia Napa Marina Car Park or the uncovered marina car park.

Hotel transfers are not included, though they can be arranged upon request. Some options include pickup and drop-off from Nicosia, and available drop-off points include Oroklini, Paralimni, Livadia, Pyla, Protaras, Pernera, Nicosia, Ayia Napa, Larnaca, Dromolaxia, and Riva Beachouse. Check the exact option carefully before paying.

Port authorities require each passenger’s full name, date of birth, passport or ID number, and nationality. Have those details ready when booking. Arrive on time because the catamaran cannot wait for late passengers under port rules.

The cruise can be canceled or rescheduled for bad weather. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now-pay-later booking is offered. Pregnant people, anyone with a pre-existing medical condition, people over 95, and families with children under two should check suitability with the operator before booking. If you are prone to seasickness, bring appropriate medication and check the forecast.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this for a couple wanting a polished day at sea, a family that values a safe mix of swimming and relaxing, or a small group celebrating a special occasion. The pink flamingo, SUP boards, fishing gear, and toy box give children something to do, while the lunch and shaded seating keep adults comfortable.

It also suits people who want to see Cape Greco from the water rather than spend the day on a beach. You get scenery, swimming, snorkeling, food, and sailing in one outing.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, get severe seasickness, or want a strict sightseeing schedule. The trip is built around sea conditions, and the crew may change the swimming plan for safety. It is also not suitable for pregnant women, people over 95, or people with certain medical concerns.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a full, comfortable sea day and are willing to pay for space, food, and service. The small group, clean modern catamaran, helpful crew, and fresh lunch give it a clear advantage over a crowded low-cost boat ride.

Skip it if your priority is simply reaching Blue Lagoon as cheaply as possible. At $170, the price makes sense only when you use the whole package: the Cape Greco scenery, the long Blue Lagoon stop, the water toys, open bar, and chef-prepared meal.

My practical advice is to choose a calm-weather date, request any special meal in advance, bring your own towel and sunscreen, and arrive early. If the sea is kind, this is one of the more comfortable ways to experience Cyprus’s southeastern coast.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The meeting point is near the Riva Beachhouse parking area at Ayia Napa Marina. A crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt welcomes passengers there 15 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The listed duration is between 330 minutes and seven hours, depending on the option you select. The route includes Cape Greco, Blue Lagoon, sailing time, lunch, and swimming breaks.

What is included in the $170 price?

The price includes the modern catamaran, English-speaking crew, coffee, tea, local pastries, chef-prepared lunch, water, soft drinks, local beer, white wine, snorkeling gear, SUP boards, swimming jackets, noodles, a flamingo float, fishing equipment, life jackets, Wi-Fi, music, and use of the onboard WC and outdoor shower.

Are towels and sunscreen provided?

No. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, hat, and swimwear.

Can I snorkel at Cape Greco and Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided, and both Cape Greco and Blue Lagoon include opportunities for swimming and snorkeling, subject to sea conditions.

Is lunch suitable for vegetarians and children?

Yes. Seafood, vegetarian, and children’s meal options are available on request. Provide the details when booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfers are not included as standard, but they can be arranged upon request. Some booking options include pickup and drop-off from Nicosia, so check the option details before booking.

Can the cruise be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The cruise may be rescheduled or canceled in bad weather. Swimming stops can also change when waves make conditions unsafe.

What is the maximum group size?

The maximum group size is 20 people. Some departures may have considerably fewer passengers.