One boat ride and your Cyprus photos are basically done. This St Georgios Presidential Cruise BBQ pairs sea-cave sightseeing with real swim time in the clear water near Cape Greco. I like the relaxed pace (you’re not rushed from one stop to the next) and the value package with fresh onboard BBQ plus snorkeling gear. One thing to consider: getting onto the boat and down to the washroom involves steps, so it’s not ideal for anyone who struggles with stairs.

This is a straightforward, fun half-day outing from Protaras for people who want coast views, a couple of scenic stops, and at least one moment of proper time in the water. The group stays small enough to feel comfortable, and the tour includes a bit of history and drama around the coastline—without turning your morning into a lecture.

Key Points You’ll Actually Care About

• Blue Lagoon swim + snorkeling equipment included for a hands-on look at the water
• Cape Greco sea caves seen from the boat, including spots like Shark Mouth cave and Lovers Bridge
• Agioi Anargyroi Chapel: Cyprus’ most easterly point, with a cave underneath you can reach from the boat’s front
• 1 free cocktail or beer (18+ for alcohol), plus an onboard BBQ lunch with vegetarian option
• Small group size (max 46) and life jackets provided for extra peace of mind
• Centralized pickup with variable transfer time, so give yourself a cushion before departure

From Protaras Pier to Blue Lagoon Time in the Water

Your day starts in Protaras, with pickup using centralized points (not door-to-door). You’ll want to be at your pickup spot about 5 minutes early, then be ready to wait up to 15 minutes if the bus runs late. Transfer time can vary quite a bit depending on where you’re coming from, so plan for that mental buffer.

Once you’re at Protaras Pier, the cruise is simple: you’ll board, get briefed, and then start sailing along one of Cyprus’ most photogenic stretches. Expect a schedule built around scenery first, then water.

The headline moment is the sail into the Blue Lagoon area. You’ll cruise past the coastline near the Cape Greco National Park, with references to sea features like Shark Mouth cave and Lovers Bridge. These are the kinds of places you can’t really “get” from shore. From the boat, the rock shapes and cave openings make sense fast, and you’ll likely find yourself slowing down your phone just to look.

Then comes the best payoff: a refreshing dip in the Blue Lagoon’s crystal-clear water. This isn’t a quick toe-in—there’s time to swim and enjoy the water, and you also have snorkeling equipment available. If you’re the type who likes to do more than just look, this is the portion you’ll remember.

Practical note: the tour includes life jackets, which you can use as you like. They aren’t just for show—especially helpful if you’re not a confident swimmer or you want to float while you watch what’s happening under the surface.

Seeing Cape Greco Sea Caves and Pirate-Used Routes

After the first swim break, the cruise keeps rolling along the Cape Greco side. You’ll head toward viewpoints and boat-friendly routes where the coastline changes shape in dramatic ways. This is where the boat format really pays off.

Cape Greco is known for rock and cave formations, and here you get that from the sea. From the water, you can see natural caves that were once used by pirates to smuggle contraband onto the island. That kind of detail matters because it turns the scenery into a story. You’re not just looking at rocks—you’re watching how geography gives cover.

You’ll also pass Fig Tree Bay for a coastline view. From the boat, it’s less about getting out and more about getting your bearings and enjoying the shoreline shapes from a moving perspective.

Then there’s Konnos Bay, viewed from the sea. The emphasis here is on the coastal look and the famous clarity that goes with this part of the national park. If you like beaches but don’t want the hassle of parking, crowds, or switching transport modes, the boat gives you a front-row seat.

A small but meaningful point: you’re doing this in about 3 hours total, so it stays energetic without feeling like you’ve committed half a day to logistics. It’s a good “I want a highlight, not a project” trip.

Agioi Anargyroi Chapel: Cyprus’ Eastern Edge From the Boat

One stop feels built for the photos—but also for the imagination. Agioi Anargyroi Chapel is described as the most easterly point of Cyprus, and it comes with a bonus: there’s a cave underneath it that was the original worship site.

What I like about this stop is how it works in a boat tour. You’re not doing a long walk or spending time navigating uneven ground. You’re approaching the place from the water, and then you can actually go right into the rock area so you can touch the rocks from the front of the boat.

That “get close to the rock” moment makes the chapel feel more physical and less like a distant landmark. It’s also one of those stops where you’ll understand why people use the coast for spirituality and daily life—it’s a defined point, and the setting is memorable.

The good news for your wallet: the admission here is free. The tour includes this without charging extra at the stop.

Border Area Viewpoints and the Occupied Zone Perspective

The itinerary includes sailing toward a viewing point at the border to the occupied zone. You don’t need a deep political background to appreciate why this matters: it’s a place where the coastline and the broader story of Cyprus are hard to ignore.

In a practical sense, this section is also useful because it changes the tone of the cruise. Up to this point, you’re in swim-and-cave mode. Here, the atmosphere becomes more reflective, and you’ll likely listen a bit more closely as you look out over the distance.

One consideration: this part of the experience can feel intense or unfamiliar if you’re expecting only beachy vibes. If you want a purely carefree swim-and-sun day, you might still enjoy it, but it won’t be just a party cruise.

Fig Tree Bay and the Big-Coast Feel

Between the larger cave area and the more specific chapel stop, you’ll sail past Fig Tree Bay for a scenic view.

Why this matters: it breaks up the cruise so it doesn’t feel like nonstop sightseeing in one direction. You get a chance to look at a classic Protaras coastline angle without needing to swap activities.

It’s also a nice reminder that you’re still in the Protaras to Cape Greco region—so the vibe stays consistent. This isn’t a tour that feels like you’ve been transported to a totally different setting. It’s one coherent stretch of Cyprus coast, seen from the water.

And with a total duration of about 3 hours, these sail-by moments are just enough. You get the visual variety without the fatigue.

Konnos Bay Views: Clear Water Starts and Ends on the Sea

Near the end of the cruise, you’ll see Konnos Bay from the sea. The focus is on the view—especially the kind of clarity that makes this coastline so famous.

This stop works well if you’re the type who likes to spend time planning your next day ashore. Even if you don’t hop off, you’ll come away with a stronger sense of what you’d want to explore on foot later (or with a rental car).

There’s also a practical advantage: you don’t have to coordinate beach entry, sunshade setup, or managing your “stuff” on shore. The boat handles the movement, and you can focus on enjoying the view.

BBQ Lunch, One Free Drink, and What’s Actually Included

Let’s talk value, because this is the part that often decides whether a cruise feels worth the money.

Your lunch is included and prepared fresh onboard. The BBQ menu includes chicken, fried chipped potatoes, pourgouri (Cypriot cous cous), pasta, and salad. There’s also a vegetarian option available within the menu. If you’re used to buffet food that tastes like it came from a truck, this is the opposite vibe: food that’s being made for people right there on the boat.

On top of lunch, you get one free alcoholic beverage: either a cocktail or a beer. Alcohol is only available to travellers age 18 and up.

Here’s a small rule that matters: please don’t bring drinks onboard. It keeps the experience smoother and likely reduces chaos during meal time and swim transitions.

Other comfort touches you’ll appreciate:

• Restroom on board
• WiFi on board
• Snacks for purchase if you want something sweet or salty beyond lunch (you’ll have that option)
• Music is mentioned in feedback, and it helps the cruise feel like a social outing without being rowdy

Also: there are steps to access the boat from the pier, and there are steps down to the washroom. If you’re traveling with mobility concerns, this is the one detail you should take seriously.

Group Size, Comfort, and the Overall Pace

This cruise runs with a maximum of 46 travellers. That number is not huge, and it tends to keep the vibe comfortable—especially during swim stops and when people are moving around for food.

The tour is scheduled for about 3 hours, starting at 10:15 am. With pickup variation, you’re best off thinking of the day as: gather in the morning, sail and swim, eat and snack, then head back before the afternoon stretches too far.

The pace is mostly relaxed. You’ll have time to swim and snack, but it doesn’t drag on forever. And because you’ve got snorkeling equipment provided, you’re not stuck watching other people do the interesting water part.

Who Should Book This (and Who Might Skip It)

This is a strong fit if you:

• want a short boat trip with real water time, not just sightseeing
• like the idea of BBQ lunch included without hunting for lunch plans afterward
• care about convenience: pickup, life jackets, snorkeling gear, and a restroom are all handled
• want to see Cape Greco sea caves and signature coastline features without renting a car

You might choose something else if you:

• can’t manage stairs to the boat or the washroom area
• want a strictly family-friendly, calm experience with no alcohol angle (this is 16+, and alcohol is 18+)
• don’t enjoy a stop that includes a border/occupied zone viewpoint element

Price and Logistics: Is $48.27 Good Value?

At $48.27 per person, the headline question is simple: do you get enough to justify it?

You do, because the package isn’t just “a boat ride”:

• BBQ lunch plus a vegetarian option
• 1 free cocktail or beer
• snorkeling equipment
• life jackets
• WiFi and a restroom

So you’re paying for convenience and a planned day at sea, not just transport. You still may want extra snacks onboard, but even if you skip that, the included meal and drink remove the usual hidden costs.

The best value comes if you would otherwise spend time planning swims, finding lunch, and coordinating transport. If you’re already set up to do all that independently, you might weigh the price against the freedom of a self-guided day. But if you want a smooth “morning out on the water” with minimal decisions, this is priced like a sensible day plan.

Quick Tip List Before You Go

A few practical moves make the cruise easier:

• Bring swimwear and keep a towel ready.
• Wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet for pier-to-boat transitions.
• If you snorkel, use the provided gear and don’t overthink it—clarity is the main reason people sign up.
• If you’re sensitive to sun, plan for shade when you’re not in the water.
• Don’t bring drinks onboard; it keeps things simple.

And because it’s weather-dependent, go in with the mindset that this is a cruise. If conditions aren’t right, plans can shift.

Should You Book the St Georgios Presidential Cruise BBQ?

I think you should book if your ideal Cyprus day includes clear water time, Cape Greco cave views from the sea, and an included lunch that doesn’t taste like an afterthought. The combination of swim stops, snorkeling equipment, and a no-stress meal is exactly the kind of value that makes a half-day cruise feel like a “vacation win.”

I’d hesitate only if stairs are a problem for you, or if you want zero political/border context in your sightseeing. If neither applies, this is a solid pick for Protaras visitors who want something fun, scenic, and well organized without turning the day into a checklist.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The duration is listed as about 3 hours.

Is pickup included from Protaras?

Yes. Pickup is offered using centralized pick up points. You should arrive at your pickup point about 5 minutes early and be prepared to wait if the bus is delayed.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:15 am.

What’s included in the BBQ lunch and the drink?

Lunch is included with BBQ chicken, fried chipped potatoes, pourgouri, pasta, and salad (with a vegetarian option available). You also receive 1 free cocktail or beer.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling equipment.

Are the cave and church stops free to enter?

Yes. Admission ticket is free for the listed stop at Agioi Anargyroi Chapel, and the other viewpoints shown are also listed as free.

Is there an age limit for the cruise or alcohol?

The cruise is 16+. Alcohol is only available to travellers age 18 and up.

What should I know about onboard access and rules?

There are steps to access the boat from the pier and steps down to the washroom. Also, you’re asked not to bring drinks onboard. Service animals are allowed.

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