Larnaca: Relaxing Cruise with Fishing and BBQ Lunch

The star of this cruise is the Zenobia shipwreck, a sunken Swedish cargo ferry resting off Larnaca since 1980. You can see it through the Doremi’s glass bottom or use the provided mask and snorkel, so this is more than a simple boat ride. I like the close-up look at a famous wreck and the odd thrill of watching planes pass low near the airport.

I also like the easy mix of activities: you can fish, swim, sunbathe, or simply enjoy the view, then sit down to a Cypriot BBQ lunch with drinks included. The main consideration is that fishing equipment may be basic, and the catch is not guaranteed. Weather can also change the route or cancel a swimming stop.

Key points to know before booking

• The Zenobia is the main attraction: See the wreck from the glass-bottom boat or snorkel above it.
• Fishing starts about 25 minutes after boarding: Gear is supplied, but the fishing setup has drawn some criticism.
• Lunch is cooked on board: Enjoy a Cypriot buffet, BBQ, fruit, drinks, and any fish you manage to catch.
• Airport views add a surprise: The cruise follows Larnaca’s west coast, where planes can appear very close overhead.
• You get several ways to use the four hours: Swim, snorkel, fish, sunbathe, or relax on the Doremi.
• The $64 price covers a lot: Transfers, food, an open bar, equipment, and onboard facilities are included.

Setting out from Larnaca Marina

This four-hour cruise begins at Larnaca Marina, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. That makes the morning simple, especially if you are staying away from the waterfront or prefer not to arrange a taxi before an early departure.

Once aboard the Doremi, you have access to sunbeds and full onboard facilities. The boat also has a glass bottom, a useful feature for anyone who wants to see below the surface without getting wet. It gives you something to watch while the boat is moving and offers a second way to see the Zenobia if you would rather stay on deck.

The pace is relaxed rather than tightly scheduled. About 25 minutes after boarding, the boat reaches its first fishing stop. That short run gives you time to settle in, find a place in the sun or shade, and get your towel and beachwear ready.

The cruise is led in English, and an animator is included. No guide name is provided, so you should think of this as a hosted boat outing rather than a private, guide-led excursion with a detailed historical presentation.

Fishing after the first 25 minutes

The first stop gives you a chance to try fishing in the Mediterranean. Equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own rod or tackle. You can cast a line while other people swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or take photos.

That flexibility matters. Fishing can be exciting when you catch something, but it can also mean long quiet stretches. The cruise works better than a dedicated fishing charter for mixed groups because nobody has to spend the entire morning waiting for a bite.

The quality of the fishing equipment may be the weak point. One recent booking review specifically suggested that the gear could be improved. If fishing is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations modest. This is recreational fishing as part of a social cruise, not a serious angling trip.

There is also no promise that you will catch enough fish for lunch. Any fish you do catch can be cooked on board and served with the meal, which is a fun personal touch. Still, book for the full cruise experience, not for a guaranteed seafood catch.

Meeting the Zenobia beneath the surface

The Zenobia gives the day its sense of place. This Swedish cargo ferry sank in 1980 and now rests beneath the water near Larnaca. You can learn about the wreck during the cruise and see the marine life gathered around it.

The stop is especially appealing because the Doremi offers two viewing options. With the glass bottom, you can look down from the boat without changing into swimwear. With the supplied mask and snorkeling equipment, you can get a clearer view from the water.

Snorkeling equipment is free, though a refundable deposit is required. Bring your own biodegradable sunscreen and towel, and pack a camera if you want photos from the stop. A waterproof camera or phone case is sensible, but the cruise information does not promise any special photography equipment.

The wreck is not just an object to look at. It gives the swim stop a story. You are not floating over a random patch of seabed, but above a ship with a known history and a visible place in Larnaca’s maritime identity.

Your actual view will depend on conditions. The route can change if the sea or weather turns poor, and the captain has final say. Water clarity, wind, and the amount of time available can also affect how much you see. That uncertainty is normal for a sea-based outing, but it is worth remembering if the wreck is your top priority.

Swimming and snorkeling in the Mediterranean

A second swimming and snorkeling stop adds variety to the schedule. You can use the provided equipment again or simply swim and cool off. If you prefer dry activities, the sunbeds give you an easy place to relax while others enter the water.

I like this arrangement because it avoids forcing every person into the same activity. A family can split up for a while, with one person fishing, another swimming, and someone else enjoying the deck. You can also move between activities instead of committing to a single long stop.

The cruise is best suited to people comfortable with a flexible water-based morning. You should bring beachwear and a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen is specifically recommended. The boat has onboard facilities, but the supplied information does not give details about changing rooms, so arrive prepared to spend much of the outing in swimwear.

Recent bookings in October describe enough time at the stops and a comfortable, uncrowded feel. Conditions and boat capacity can vary, so do not treat that as a guarantee for every departure. Still, the four-hour length gives the crew room to include fishing, the wreck, another swim, and lunch without making the whole outing feel rushed.

Planes near Larnaca Airport

One of the more unusual moments comes when the boat follows the west coast near Larnaca Airport. Planes can appear directly overhead or very close to your viewpoint, making an unexpected photo opportunity.

This is not the sort of sight you book a Mediterranean cruise for, but it gives the route a local character. You get water, coastline, shipwreck, and airport activity in the same morning. Keep your camera ready if you enjoy unusual travel photos.

The airport location also helps explain why the cruise route feels different from a standard coastal sail. You are not far offshore in an isolated setting. Instead, you remain close to recognizable parts of Larnaca while still getting time on the water.

The route is not fixed. Weather and the captain’s decision can change the path, so the airport flyover should be treated as a possible highlight rather than a promise. The same applies to the exact position of the swimming and snorkeling stops.

A Cypriot buffet served on board

Lunch is a major part of the value here. The onboard meal includes a generous buffet, Cypriot BBQ dishes, fruit, and drinks from the open bar. The bar includes water, soft drinks, zivania, and wine.

This is more useful than a basic snack. After swimming or standing in the sun, you will want something filling, and a hot meal saves you from arranging lunch after returning to shore. Eating on the boat also keeps the morning moving without sending you back to the marina halfway through the experience.

The meal has a local angle rather than being described simply as generic picnic food. Homemade Cypriot dishes and BBQ give you a chance to try familiar island flavors in an informal setting. Any fish caught during the outing can be cooked directly on board and added to lunch.

There are a couple of small cautions. One recent booking review wished lunch had started earlier, although the later timing may have allowed more time for swimming first. Another wanted more fruit. The buffet is described as generous, but if you have a large appetite or specific dietary needs, do not assume every preference will be covered.

You should also remember that caught fish is an extra possibility, not part of the guaranteed menu. The included food is the buffet and BBQ. The personal catch is a pleasant bonus.

What the $64 price really covers

At $64 per person, this cruise offers solid value if you plan to use several of its inclusions. The price covers hotel pickup and drop-off, four hours on the boat, the fishing option, snorkeling equipment with a refundable deposit, a buffet and BBQ, fruit, an open bar, an animator, and access to sunbeds and onboard facilities.

That is a stronger package than a bare sightseeing cruise. You are paying for transport, food, drinks, and multiple water activities in one booking. If you would otherwise pay separately for a marina transfer, lunch, and equipment hire, the cost becomes easier to justify.

The value is lower if you want a serious fishing trip or a specialist wreck excursion. The fishing equipment is not the cruise’s strongest feature, and the Zenobia viewing time depends on weather and sea conditions. Think of the experience as a relaxed combination of food, swimming, light fishing, and sightseeing.

The included open bar is worth noting, especially for people who prefer not to buy drinks onboard. Water and soft drinks make the package practical for families, while wine and zivania suit adults who want something stronger. Drink responsibly, especially if you plan to swim afterward.

Who will enjoy the Doremi most

I would choose this cruise for a mixed group with different ideas about a good morning. One person can fish, another can snorkel at the wreck, and someone else can stay on a sunbed with a drink. That range is the strongest reason to choose it.

Families may also like the format. A recent October booking with children described the trip as comfortable, uncrowded, and well organized, with swimming stops, good food, and a helpful crew. The open deck and varied schedule give children more to do than a simple coastal ride.

It also suits couples and solo visitors who want a social, low-pressure outing rather than a demanding adventure. You can take photos, watch the coastline, and enjoy lunch without needing advanced swimming or fishing skills.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a professional fishing experience, a guaranteed close view of the wreck, or a tightly controlled schedule. The sea decides some of the day, and the captain may change the route. That flexibility is part of boating, but it may frustrate anyone expecting fixed timings and guaranteed conditions.

Practical advice for a smoother morning

Bring a towel, camera, beachwear, and biodegradable sunscreen. Wear something comfortable for moving between the deck and the water, and keep valuables protected from spray.

If you plan to snorkel, be ready for the refundable equipment deposit. You can also choose to bring your own mask and snorkel if you prefer a familiar fit, though the cruise provides equipment at no extra charge apart from the deposit requirement.

Hotel transfers are included, but pickup times can be delayed by traffic or other transport problems. Give yourself breathing room around the start of the cruise rather than scheduling an important appointment immediately afterward.

Book with the weather in mind. Cruises are subject to sea conditions and the captain’s decision, and the route may change. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Cyprus plans are still shifting.

The strongest praise centers on the crew, food, swimming stops, and the relaxed feel of the outing. That matches the design of the cruise: it is not trying to be an intense expedition. It is a comfortable day on the water with several chances to get wet, eat well, and see something distinctive.

Should you book this Larnaca cruise?

Book it if you want one easy half-day package combining the Zenobia wreck, swimming, light fishing, airport views, lunch, drinks, and hotel transport. The $64 price is fair because so much is included, and the flexible activity choices make it a good fit for families and mixed groups.

Skip it if you need specialist fishing gear, guaranteed wreck conditions, or a quiet private boat. For most people, though, the Doremi offers a pleasant balance: enough activity to keep the morning interesting, enough free time to relax, and a proper Cypriot meal before returning to shore.

FAQ

How long does the Larnaca cruise last?

The cruise lasts four hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Larnaca Marina. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkeling equipment are provided free of charge, but a refundable deposit is required.

Can I fish during the cruise?

Yes. Fishing is optional, and fishing equipment is provided. The first fishing stop takes place about 25 minutes after boarding.

Is food and drink included?

Yes. The cruise includes a Cypriot buffet with BBQ, fruit, an open bar with water, soft drinks, zivania, and wine. Fish caught during the trip can also be cooked on board.

Can the route change?

Yes. The route and stops are subject to weather conditions and the captain’s decision. Transfer pickup times can also be delayed by traffic or other factors.