Protaras: Luxury Yacht Cruise with slide, BBQ Lunch & Drink

The best thing about this cruise is that it gives you a full taste of the eastern Cyprus coast in one outing: Varosha and Cyprus’s divided past, Cape Greco’s sea caves and landmarks, two swim stops, lunch, and a giant inflatable slide. The St Georgios II is a clean, attractive yacht with an open upper deck, an air-conditioned lounge, and a front captain’s table that quickly becomes the prime viewing spot.

I like the generous traditional lunch and the crew’s warm, funny approach. Baked chicken, chips, salad, Cyprus couscous, bread, and tzatziki make this more than a token meal, and you can choose one complimentary beer, wine, soft drink, or juice. I also like the generous swimming time, free life jackets and pool noodles, and the chance to see turtles at Green Bay.

The main caution is space. On a busy sailing, seating can feel tight, especially around lunchtime, so arrive early if your group wants to sit together. The cruise also requires about 15 steps to board, and the sea conditions can change the route or timing.

Key points to know before booking

• Varosha from the water: Learn about the abandoned resort district and the events that divided Cyprus in 1974.
• A proper swim-and-slide stop: The Blue Lagoon includes swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and the yacht’s huge inflatable slide.
• Turtles are possible, not promised: Green Bay is the best chance to see them, but marine life follows its own schedule.
• A strong food-to-price ratio: At about $47 per person, lunch, the cruise, one drink, WiFi, and optional transfers are included.
• Friendly multilingual crew: Spoken guidance is available in English, Greek, and Arabic, with written information through the cruise app in other languages.
• Plan for a busy family boat: The yacht suits families and mixed-age groups, but it is not a quiet private charter.

Why this Protaras cruise offers good value

At about $47 per person, the St Georgios II cruise packs a lot into one half-day outing. You get coastal sightseeing, a guide, a substantial lunch, two water stops, WiFi, one drink, and use of the large slide. If you add hotel transport, the price covers a practical pickup and return from selected resorts in Ayia Napa, Protaras, Pernera, and Kapparis.

The value is strongest for families. You do not need to arrange separate transport to Cape Greco, find a beach with water access, buy lunch, and rent equipment. The boat also carries free life jackets and pool noodles, while snorkeling equipment is available with a refundable €20 cash deposit.

This is not a private luxury cruise in the quiet, exclusive sense of the word luxury. It is a lively shared boat with music, a bar, children, families, and a full passenger load on popular days. The appeal is comfort and variety rather than solitude.

The boat is described as the St Georgios II, and it has a relaxed upper deck plus an indoor lounge with air conditioning. You can sit outside for the views or retreat indoors during the hottest part of the day. The front captain’s table offers the most unusual view, although everyone will want a turn there.

Meeting the boat at Protaras Pier

The boat is at the end of Protaras Pier, near the Evelena Hotel. If you are staying close to central Protaras, walking may be easier than taking a transfer. One booking note is worth checking carefully: some pickup points are only two to seven minutes on foot from your accommodation, rather than directly outside the hotel.

Optional transfers cover listed central locations, with pickup generally 20 to 60 minutes before departure. You should be at the stated meeting point five minutes early and allow another 15 minutes in case the bus is delayed. Drivers wait no longer than five minutes after the pickup time, so this is one part of the day where almost on time is not good enough.

If you meet the boat yourself, arrive early. A few passengers found the departure point confusing, and early arrival also helps you claim seats for your group. The boat can become busy, and bags taking up extra room made lunchtime seating harder for some groups.

Famagusta and Varosha from the sea

The first major part of the cruise heads toward Famagusta. From the water, you look toward Varosha, the once-famous resort district that has remained largely abandoned since the events of 1974.

This is not a long land tour, and you do not enter the closed area. Instead, the guide gives context as the boat passes and pauses for photographs. That makes the stop brief, but it adds something important to the day. You are not just looking at attractive coves and beaches. You are also seeing a physical reminder of the island’s division.

Expect roughly five minutes for the Varosha viewing, with additional sailing time around Famagusta. Keep your camera ready, but listen to the explanation too. The value here is the context, not a long list of photo angles.

The historical talk is available in spoken English, Greek, and Arabic. If you speak another language, the cruise app provides written material that you can read on the boat. The supplier notes that booking platforms may label every language as spoken, so do not expect a live talk in languages beyond those three.

Passing Fig Tree Bay and Cape Greco

On the way toward Cape Greco National Park, the yacht hugs the Protaras coastline and passes Fig Tree Bay. From the boat, you get a different view of one of the area’s best-known beaches, with the coast opening up around you instead of being blocked by sunbeds and umbrellas.

The Cape Greco section brings several quick photo stops and scenic passes. Look for the small Agioi Anargyri Church, Lovers Bridge, and the Sancta Maria Shrine. These are short viewing moments rather than extended shore visits, so the cruise works best if you enjoy seeing several places from the water.

The boat’s upper deck is the right place for wide coastal views. The indoor lounge helps if the sun is strong, but you will want to step outside for the landmarks. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a towel. The deck can be breezy while the boat is moving, then hot when it is moored.

Blue Lagoon: swimming, lunch, and the giant slide

The Blue Lagoon is the day’s main pause. The boat moors in the turquoise water, giving you time to swim, snorkel, float, and use the huge inflatable slide. This is the most playful part of the cruise, and children, teenagers, and adults who still enjoy a ridiculous splash will get the most from it.

The slide is large enough to be a real feature rather than a small pool toy. It can take your breath away, and one useful detail from the practical side is that some swimmers found it less painless than expected. Use care as you enter the water and follow the crew’s instructions.

The first swim stop may feel short if you want a long, quiet swim. The full stop is listed at around 45 minutes, but that time includes swimming, lunch, the BBQ service, and the general movement of a busy boat. Get in the water soon after the boat moors if swimming matters more to you than finding the first plate of food.

Lunch is one of the cruise’s strongest points. The usual plate includes baked chicken, homemade chips, Cyprus couscous, salad, bread, and tzatziki. Vegetarian passengers can request a vegetarian patty, and chicken nuggets can be prepared for children if requested when you board. Portions are generous, and some passengers were able to return for more.

This is simple food, not restaurant dining, but it is hearty and well suited to a day in the sun. The chicken and chips are the safer choice for children, while the tzatziki, salad, and couscous add a taste of local cooking. Request special meal choices early rather than waiting until lunch is being served.

One drink is included: beer, wine, soda, or juice. The bar remains open for other drinks and snacks, and prices were described as reasonable compared with some town bars. Bring a card, but also carry cash. Do not assume bottled water is free. One practical report found that small bottles were sold for €2, and the water was room temperature.

Green Bay and the search for turtles

The return route includes Green Bay, sometimes called Turtle Bay in the cruise description. This is the second swimming and snorkeling stop, and it is the best chance to see turtles in their natural setting.

The crew cannot guarantee turtles. Some sailings see one or two, and some may see none. Even when a turtle appears, it may stay at a distance. You should treat a sighting as a bonus, not the main reason to pay for the trip.

The second stop is often the better one for swimming because it receives more time and comes after lunch. Bring your own mask if you have one, or use the boat’s snorkeling sets with the €20 cash deposit, refunded when you return the equipment safely. Touching marine life is not allowed, and that rule matters in a protected coastal area.

Life jackets are available at no extra charge, which helps less confident swimmers join in. The crew also provides pool noodles. The sea may look calm, but you should still use the flotation equipment if you need it, especially when the boat is busy and you are swimming away from the ladder.

The crew, music, and onboard atmosphere

The crew is one of the main reasons this cruise earns such strong marks. The tone is friendly and informal, with jokes, music, and plenty of help getting people into the water or settled for lunch. A child may even get the chance to steer under supervision, though that should not be treated as a guaranteed part of the day.

Panayiotis, identified by one booking party as the owner, was especially welcoming, and Ahman was praised for the food. These personal touches help explain why the boat feels more like a family-run outing than a basic sightseeing transfer.

The spoken languages are English, Greek, and Arabic. The app provides written information in other languages. Free WiFi is available, so you can share photos while returning along the Protaras coast.

The atmosphere is lively rather than peaceful. Music plays during the sailing, and the bar is open. If you want a silent morning on the water, this is not the right boat. If you want a social outing where children have something to do and the crew keeps the energy moving, it fits well.

Timing, comfort, and practical limits

The advertised duration ranges from 210 minutes to five hours, and the exact length depends on the selected departure and conditions. Some passengers describe the cruise as about three and a half hours, while the full schedule can run longer. Sea conditions may change the route or order of stops, sometimes without advance notice.

Boarding requires about 15 steps. The toilets are also reached by stairs, so this cruise is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Once aboard, you can choose between the open relaxation deck and the air-conditioned lounge, but seating is shared and not guaranteed in a particular location.

Bring:

• Towel and sunscreen
• Cash for the snorkeling deposit and extra purchases
• Credit card for bar spending
• A swimsuit and dry clothing
• A phone or camera, protected from splashes

Drones are not allowed, and smoking indoors is prohibited. Do not bring your own drinks onto the boat.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your plans are still moving, but the more urgent booking issue is transport. Transfer places can sell out, leaving only the option to reach Protaras Pier yourself.

Who should book the St Georgios II?

I would choose this cruise for families, couples who want a social day on the water, and anyone trying to combine Cape Greco scenery with swimming. It is especially good for mixed groups because one person can relax in the lounge, another can snorkel, and children can use the slide.

It also suits visitors who want some history with their beach time. The Varosha explanation gives the day more substance than a simple coastal ride, even though the viewing period is short.

I would hesitate if you need step-free access, dislike shared boats, or want a quiet private charter. I would also avoid making turtles the deciding factor. You might see them, and you might not.

Should you book this Protaras yacht cruise?

For about $47, this is a strong-value half-day outing. The boat is attractive, the crew is consistently warm, the lunch is generous, and you get two proper water stops instead of a quick photo pause followed by a long ride home.

Book it if you want food, swimming, scenery, history, and family-friendly fun in one package. Arrive early for better seating, request vegetarian or children’s food when you board, bring cash for the snorkeling deposit and drinks, and keep your expectations realistic about turtles and timing.

Skip it only if you need a quiet or fully accessible boat. For most able-bodied visitors staying around Protaras or Ayia Napa, the St Georgios II offers one of the easiest ways to spend a full, varied day along this stretch of Cyprus.

FAQ

Where does the St Georgios II cruise depart from?

The boat is at the end of Protaras Pier, near the Evelena Hotel. You can also select an optional transfer from listed pickup points in Ayia Napa, Protaras, Pernera, and Kapparis.

How long does the cruise last?

The advertised duration ranges from 210 minutes to five hours. The exact duration and starting time depend on availability and the selected option, and sea conditions can affect the schedule.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and return are included only if you choose the transfer option. Pickup locations are centralized and may be a two to seven minute walk from your accommodation.

What food is served at lunch?

Lunch includes baked chicken, homemade chips, Cyprus couscous, salad, bread, and tzatziki. A vegetarian patty is available by request, and chicken nuggets can be prepared for children if requested when you reach the boat.

Is a drink included?

Yes. You receive one complimentary beer, wine, soda, or juice. Additional drinks and snacks can be bought at the onboard bar.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. The boat visits Green Bay, where you may see turtles in their natural environment, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Do I need to pay for snorkeling equipment?

Snorkel equipment is available with a €20 cash deposit. The deposit is refunded when you return the equipment safely. Life jackets and pool noodles are available free of charge.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. Boarding requires about 15 steps, and the toilets are accessible only by stairs.