From Protaras: Catamaran Cruise to Blue Lagoon

The best part of this cruise is the route: you see Cyprus from the water, from the eerie outline of Varosha to the sea caves and bright water around Cape Greco. I like the generous swim time and the fact that lunch, fruit, dessert, and an open bar are built into the $69 price. The wide catamaran also gives you room to move, unlike a small, crowded boat.

I also like the easy hotel pickup and the friendly crew, with several reports praising the food, cocktails, and relaxed mood. The main consideration is that this is a popular shared cruise, so it can feel full, and loud music may make conversation difficult. The route and swim stops can also change with wind and sea conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Varosha gives the cruise a rare historical edge: You pass the deserted resort area from the sea while heading toward Famagusta.
• Two or three swim stops are typical: Derynia Bay, Turtle Bay, Blue Lagoon, or another Cape Greco stop may feature in the day’s route.
• The $69 fare covers a lot: Hotel transport, lunch, snacks, fruit, dessert, unlimited drinks, and use of some water equipment are included.
• Mediterraneo III is made for relaxed cruising: You get sun loungers, open deck space, freshwater showers, and easy access to the water.
• Bring your own mask if snorkeling matters: Equipment may be available, but it is not something you should count on.
• Pickup needs checking: Most Ayia Napa and Protaras hotels are covered, but Cavo Maris and accommodation near Green Bay use an assigned meeting point or are excluded.

A half-day cruise with a surprisingly full route

This is not just a quick boat ride to one swimming cove. In four to five hours, Mediterraneo III follows a useful stretch of Cyprus’s eastern coast, combining scenery, swimming, food, and a little modern history.

The boat heads first toward Famagusta. From the sea, you can view Varosha, the fenced-off resort district often called a ghost town. Its empty hotel blocks and abandoned waterfront form a striking contrast with the busy holiday coast nearby. You do not tour Varosha on foot, but seeing it from the water gives the cruise something more than the usual sun-and-swim program.

The route then turns back along the coast toward Protaras and Cape Greco. You pass Derynia Bay and Fig Tree Bay, two familiar names on the eastern coast, before reaching the sea caves and Blue Lagoon area. The exact order can change, and the captain may adjust the program if the sea is rough.

I would think of the itinerary as a moving coastal view with several stops, not as a sightseeing tour with long explanations at every landmark. The host speaks English, but the main attraction is the water, cliffs, bays, and open horizon.

Varosha from the water, a sobering first sight

Varosha is one of the most unusual sights on the route. Before the division of Cyprus, Famagusta was a major seaside resort. Today, the abandoned district is visible from the water, its empty buildings offering a sharp reminder that this is a politically divided island.

The boat does not land there, and you should not expect a guided walk through the town. Still, the view is worth having because it breaks up the usual rhythm of swimming, lunch, and cocktails. If you have spent your holiday around polished resorts, Varosha gives you a different view of Cyprus, one shaped by conflict and separation.

Bring a camera with a zoom setting if you want better photographs from the boat. Do not expect a close architectural study. The value is in seeing the whole shoreline and understanding the setting from offshore.

The first swim stop is in or near Derynia Bay. It is a practical place to get into the water early in the cruise, before you reach the Cape Greco section. You can swim, cool off, and settle into the pace of the day.

Fig Tree Bay and the approach to Cape Greco

Fig Tree Bay appears as part of the coastal run toward Cape Greco. From the catamaran, you get a broad view that you cannot have from the beach. The water, curve of the bay, and busy resort setting make more sense when seen together from offshore.

The best views arrive as the boat nears Cape Greco. This protected area is known for its rocky coast, sea caves, and clear Mediterranean water. The boat passes the caves rather than taking you through a long land-based visit, so keep your phone or camera ready before the catamaran reaches the rocks.

The scale of the coastline is one of the pleasures here. On land, you see one cove at a time. From the water, you can watch the cliffs and openings in the rock pass by as one connected stretch of coast. You may also see marine life, though turtles and dolphins are occasional sightings, not part of the guarantee. Several people have seen turtles, and one cruise included dolphins, but you should book for the coast and swimming rather than wildlife.

Blue Lagoon is the main swimming payoff

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and it earns the attention. The water is clear, calm-looking, and inviting, with the pale rock and bright Mediterranean colors that make Cape Greco so popular.

You usually get enough time for more than a quick dip. Reports describe two or three swim stops, with some cruises offering three separate opportunities. The crew may provide floats, life jackets, paddle boards, canoes, or snorkels, though equipment can vary. You are also welcome to bring your own snorkeling gear.

This is where a mask becomes useful. The surface water is the easy part, but a mask lets you see beneath the boat and around the rocky edges. One passenger specifically wished they had brought one, since not every trip reliably supplies masks. Pack your own if underwater viewing is important to you.

Safety rules matter here. One account noted that swimmers were kept close to the boat because other vessels were moving through the area. That can limit how far you explore and may reduce your chance of seeing fish or turtles near the caves. It is sensible, even if it makes the stop less adventurous than you might hope.

Lunch, fruit, cocktails, and a genuinely useful open bar

The food is a major part of the price. The buffet includes lunch, seasonal fruit, and dessert, with dishes described as including salads, bread, chicken, rice, and mezze. Vegetarian options are available, and the crew has helped diners identify suitable food for special diets.

I would call the meal solid buffet fare rather than a reason to book by itself. Some people describe it as tasty and plentiful, while one person found it simply okay. That is a fair expectation for a boat lunch. You are getting a filling meal in a beautiful setting, not a restaurant tasting menu.

The open bar adds real value. Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, cocktails, and nonalcoholic choices. The bar team has also made drinks outside the printed cocktail selection when possible. Fresh fruit and watermelon have appeared during some sailings, adding a welcome break from alcohol and sun.

Because drinks are included, this cruise can cost less than it first appears when compared with a separate boat trip, lunch, and several drinks bought ashore. It is also useful for families and mixed groups, since nondrinkers are not left with only water.

Pace yourself. Four or five hours in direct sun, with swimming and alcohol, can catch up with you quickly. Drink water, use sunscreen, and eat before ordering another cocktail.

What Mediterraneo III feels like on board

Mediterraneo III is a large catamaran rather than a small speedboat. That makes a difference in comfort. You can move around, find a place in the sun or shade, and avoid being locked into one seat for the entire outing.

The front sun loungers are especially popular. They can go early, so arrive at the boat promptly if you want one. The front offers a fine view over the bow, but it also gets more sun and wind. If you prefer a steadier, less exposed position, look for space farther back.

The boat has freshwater showers, which are handy after swimming. Saltwater in your hair and on your skin becomes tiresome by the end of the afternoon, especially if you have long hair. Floats and life jackets are available, and some sailings have included two paddle boards or canoes.

Music is part of the atmosphere. Many people enjoy the playlist, and the general mood is relaxed rather than a full party cruise. Still, one important drawback is volume: music can be loud enough to make conversation with family or new acquaintances difficult. If quiet sailing is your priority, this may not be your ideal boat.

The catamaran can also approach capacity in the busiest season. It is not usually described as cramped, but the amount of open space depends on how full the departure is. September and October may offer a calmer feel than the peak summer weeks, though weather remains the deciding factor.

Pickup from Protaras and Ayia Napa

Hotel pickup is included from major hotels in Ayia Napa and Protaras, with collection generally beginning at 3:00 PM. In September and October, pickup begins at 2:00 PM. The cruise lasts four to five hours, so some departures may run into sunset, depending on the season and schedule.

Your confirmation should tell you the pickup point. Cavo Maris Hotel and accommodation within walking distance of Green Bay are not covered by standard pickup, so you may be assigned a meeting point or need to make your own way to the departure location.

Transport has generally been prompt and easy, and some departures have used unusual open-sided or double-decker buses. That can be fun, but it is not always ideal in hot weather. Air conditioning has also been an issue on at least one return transfer, and one substitute coach was reported to be poorly maintained. The boat operation receives much stronger praise than every transfer vehicle.

For that reason, I would allow a little flexibility after the cruise. Do not schedule a tight dinner reservation immediately after the stated return time.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a relaxed half-day on the sea with swimming, food, and drinks included. It works well for couples, families, solo visitors, and groups who want a simple way to see Cape Greco without arranging several separate activities.

Solo travelers should find the social setup easy, especially because the crew is active and welcoming. Families will appreciate the water equipment, freshwater shower, buffet, and nonalcoholic drinks. People who want a gentle first catamaran trip should also find the format approachable.

It is less suitable if you want a small, quiet boat, a serious snorkeling expedition, or a long visit at each landmark. You will see Varosha and the coastline from the water, but you will not tour the ghost town. You will pass the sea caves, but safety rules and boat traffic may keep you away from the rocks.

The cruise also depends on your comfort with sun, saltwater, and shared space. Bring a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and a dry bag or protected pouch for valuables. Pets are not allowed.

Is $69 good value?

At $69 per person, the package is strong value if you use what is included. Hotel pickup, a four to five hour cruise, lunch, open bar, fruit, dessert, and several swimming stops would cost considerably more if bought as separate pieces.

The real question is not simply the ticket price. It is whether you want an all-in-one boat day. If you plan to buy drinks and lunch anyway, the open bar and buffet make the fare attractive. If you do not drink and prefer a quiet, small-group boat, some of the value is less useful to you.

The crew is one of the most consistent strengths. The captain and bar staff keep the boat moving, serve food and drinks, help people into the water, and respond to practical needs. One crew member even searched underwater for a lost pair of glasses. That kind of care is not guaranteed on every boat trip, but it tells you what sort of service this operation aims to provide.

The occasional weak point is transport, not the cruise itself. Check the vehicle when you board and keep expectations modest for the road transfer. Once Mediterraneo III leaves the harbor, the experience becomes much more consistent.

Should you book the Protaras Blue Lagoon cruise?

Book it if you want good swimming, a full buffet, and an open bar without spending a whole day arranging transport and meals. The route gives you more variety than a simple trip to Blue Lagoon, especially with the Varosha view and the Cape Greco coastline.

I would book early in the summer if you want a front lounger or a preferred date. Bring your own snorkeling mask, arrive ready for sun, and treat turtle or dolphin sightings as luck rather than a promise.

Skip it if your main goal is solitude, silent sailing, or close exploration of the sea caves. For most people staying in Protaras or Ayia Napa, though, this is a well-priced and easygoing way to put a memorable half-day on the water.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately four to five hours.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $69 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is available from major hotels in Ayia Napa and Protaras, or from an assigned meeting point.

What time does pickup begin?

Collection generally starts at 3:00 PM. In September and October, collection starts at 2:00 PM.

Is pickup available from Cavo Maris Hotel?

No. Pickup is not available from Cavo Maris Hotel or accommodation within walking distance of Green Bay.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. The price includes a buffet lunch, seasonal fruit, dessert, and an open bar with alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

How many swimming stops are there?

The cruise program commonly includes two or three swimming stops, but the exact number and locations can change with weather and sea conditions.

Can I bring snorkeling equipment?

Yes. You are welcome to bring your own snorkeling equipment on board.