Protaras: Adults Presidents Cruise with Slide, BBQ & 1 Drink

The unusual hook here is St Georgios 1, a former private yacht used by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides. You get a pleasant boat ride with polished period details, coastal views, a short lesson about divided Cyprus, and a swim stop in the Blue Lagoon, all in a three-hour adults-only outing.

I like the generous lunch and the crew’s friendly service. The BBQ chicken, chips, couscous, salad, and tzatziki make this feel like a proper outing rather than a quick sightseeing ride, and the included wine, beer, soda, or juice is a useful touch. I also like the chance to see turtles at Green Bay, though nature keeps its own schedule.

The main thing to weigh is the pace. This is a compact cruise, and some of the time is spent stopped for swimming rather than traveling a long distance along the coast. The slide depends on wind and sea conditions, and turtle sightings are never promised.

At a glance

• A former presidential yacht: St Georgios 1 gives the cruise more character than a standard party boat.
• Two possible swim stops: The Blue Lagoon is the main stop, with Green Bay often used for swimming and marine-life viewing.
• A freshly cooked lunch: Expect BBQ chicken, homemade chips, Cyprus couscous, salad, and tzatziki, with vegetarian choices available.
• A useful history lesson: The cruise passes toward Famagusta and Varosha, the abandoned district at the center of a painful chapter in Cyprus’s modern story.
• Adults only: You must be at least 16, and photo ID may be requested if you look younger.
• Good value at $47: Lunch, water, one drink, the cruise, and a guide are included, with pickup available on selected options.

St Georgios 1 gives the cruise a sense of place

Many boat trips around Protaras offer pretty water and a swim stop. This one adds a little character before the boat even leaves the pier.

St Georgios 1 was once the private yacht of Glafcos Clerides, a major Cypriot political figure associated with dialogue and reconciliation. You can see original-style fittings, polished rails, classic details, and the captain’s instruments as you move around the boat. The setting feels more personal than a basic excursion vessel, though you should still think of it as a working sightseeing boat, not a private yacht charter.

You can settle on the Relax Deck, sit inside the air-conditioned lounge, or look toward the front near the Captain’s Table. The boat has shaded areas as well as places for sun, which matters in Cyprus. After swimming, you may want shade and a cool drink. Before swimming, the open deck is the place for views and photographs.

The boat also has Wi-Fi, a bar, toilets, and room for everyone to have a seat. One practical warning: boarding involves about 15 steps, and the toilets are reached by a steep staircase. This cruise is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

The morning begins at Protaras Pier

If you make your own way to the boat, go to the end of Protaras Pier. The latest boarding time is 9:45 AM. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you choose an option that includes transport, with numerous pickup points around Protaras and Ayia Napa.

The boat leaves Protaras and begins with a sightseeing cruise along the coast. You’ll have time to settle in, choose a seat, and take in the coastline before the first major views arrive. The atmosphere is intended for adults, with music, drinks, lunch, and swimming rather than children’s entertainment.

The group size can affect how relaxed the boat feels. Most people find there is enough room to sit comfortably, but this is still a shared cruise. If you want a quieter position, the front deck is a sensible choice. If you sit near the rear while lunch is being prepared, BBQ smoke can drift your way for a while. Anyone with respiratory problems should head forward.

Famagusta and Varosha add substance to the ride

The boat heads north far enough for you to see the direction of Famagusta and the Varosha area. Do not expect a close shore visit or a detailed walking tour. This is a passing view from the water, and the town can appear distant.

Still, this part of the trip is worth your attention. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, and Varosha became a closed-off, largely abandoned district after the division of the island. The guide explains the background while you look toward the coast. It is a brief introduction rather than a full history lesson, but it gives meaning to what might otherwise look like a distant shoreline.

The discussion also connects with Clerides’s role in trying to encourage dialogue between the island’s communities. That link between the boat’s former owner and the subject being discussed makes this section feel less like a random fact added to the microphone commentary.

If you are hoping to inspect Famagusta’s buildings closely, this cruise will disappoint. If you want a simple explanation of why the coastline is politically sensitive, it works well.

Cape Greco delivers the best coastal views

The southern run is the scenic heart of the cruise. The boat passes some of the most recognizable sights around Protaras and Cape Greco, including Fig Tree Bay, the cliffs around Cape Greco, Agioi Anargyri Chapel, and Lovers Bridge.

Fig Tree Bay is easy to recognize by its bright sand and curved shoreline. From the boat, you get the full shape of the bay rather than the crowded beach-level view. Cape Greco brings a harder edge, with pale cliffs and clear water below. The boat travels close to some rocky sections when conditions allow, giving you good angles for photographs.

Agioi Anargyri Chapel is a small whitewashed building beside the sea. It is one of those sights that looks especially neat from offshore, with the bright walls set against the rock and water. Lovers Bridge, a natural rock formation, is another quick photo stop as the boat passes.

The route can change because of wind and sea conditions. That is not just fine print. One sailing may reach a planned swimming area while another has to alter the route or skip Green Bay. The captain’s priority is safe handling, so keep expectations flexible.

The Blue Lagoon is the main event

At the Blue Lagoon, the boat anchors in clear turquoise water. You get around 45 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing, along with lunch during this part of the outing.

The water is the reason most people choose this cruise. From the platform, you can enter for a swim, look for small fish with a mask, or simply float near the boat. The water can look almost unreal in good weather, and this is where the cruise feels most like a holiday rather than a sightseeing circuit.

There is an inflatable slide, but it is not guaranteed. Wind and sea conditions determine if it can be used. Do not book this trip solely for the slide, because it may be closed even when the rest of the cruise runs normally.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. You should also bring cash for bar purchases. You may not bring food or drinks onto the boat, and the crew asks you not to touch marine life. That last point matters at a stop where turtles and fish may be nearby.

Lunch is a real strength

The meal is freshly cooked onboard and usually includes BBQ chicken, homemade chips, Cyprus couscous, salad, and tzatziki. Vegetarian items are available from the selection, so mention your preference to the crew rather than waiting until the meal is served.

I like that lunch is substantial. After swimming, a small snack would feel thin, but this spread gives you a proper plate and helps justify the price. The food is served onboard rather than requiring another stop, which keeps the outing moving.

The timing can feel brisk. On some departures, the swim and meal come close together, so you may find yourself choosing between staying in the water and getting back for lunch. If you want the first serving and a calmer seat, return from the water when the crew signals that food is ready.

One included drink is part of the price. You can choose wine, beer, soda, or juice, and water is also provided. Additional drinks and snacks cost extra. The bar is available throughout the cruise, and some drink packages may be offered separately, but do not assume that extra drinks are included in the basic $47 fare.

Green Bay offers the turtle possibility

Green Bay is the other major stop, with about 45 minutes set aside for swimming, snorkeling, and looking for marine life. The area is known for the possibility of green turtle sightings, and turtles may surface close to the hull.

Seeing one is a wonderful bonus, but it is not part of the guarantee. A turtle can appear several times on one sailing and not at all on another. The same goes for the stop itself if wind conditions make it unsafe or impractical. One departure had to skip Green Bay because of the weather.

If you do see turtles, watch without chasing or touching them. The boat’s rules are clear on marine life, and keeping a respectful distance is better for the animals and for everyone trying to watch.

Bring a mask if you own one, though the focus is simple recreational snorkeling rather than a guided underwater session. You will have time to swim and look around, but not a long stay at every location.

The return trip stays easygoing

After the final stop, St Georgios 1 turns back toward Protaras. The ride home gives you another look at the coast, and the afternoon light can make the water especially attractive.

The advertised duration is three hours, though some departures have lasted closer to three and a half. That makes this a manageable half-day activity. You get several sights, lunch, two possible water stops, and a history talk without surrendering the whole day to a boat schedule.

The guide commentary is available in English, Greek, and Arabic. Other languages are supplied through the cruise app in written form. The language information shown during booking can appear broader than the actual spoken service, so if live commentary in a particular language matters to you, check this point before paying.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. People working on different sailings have included Eslam, Hassan, Carlos, and Lee. If one of them is aboard your departure, you may find them helping with swim instructions, drinks, food, and general questions. Crew assignments can change, so treat those names as useful possibilities rather than a promise.

Is $47 a fair price?

At $47 per person, this is good value if you want several elements in one short outing. The price covers the boat ride, guide, Wi-Fi, lunch, water, and one alcoholic or soft drink. A comparable day built from separate transport, a meal, and a water activity could cost more and take more planning.

The value is strongest for someone staying in Protaras or Ayia Napa who wants an easy morning with transport, food, and swimming handled in one package. Pickup is included only with selected options, so check the exact choice before booking.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a long coastal voyage. The boat does not travel far along the coast, and a fair amount of the schedule is spent anchored. That is good news if swimming matters most. It is less appealing if you want hours of uninterrupted sailing or a close visit to Famagusta.

Cancellation is flexible, with a full refund available when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your sea day depends on the weather.

Who should book this cruise?

You should book it if you want:

• An adults-only boat outing with a relaxed social mood
• A proper cooked lunch rather than snacks
• Clear water for swimming and snorkeling
• A chance, but not a promise, to see green turtles
• A short introduction to Varosha and Cyprus’s division
• A comfortable boat with shaded and air-conditioned areas
• Good value without spending the whole day at sea

You may want a different activity if you need step-free access, dislike shared group excursions, or expect a close visit to Famagusta. It is also not the right choice if the inflatable slide is your main reason for booking, since weather may keep it closed.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The boat is at the end of Protaras Pier. The latest boarding time is 9:45 AM. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available with selected options.

How old must I be to join?

You must be at least 16 years old. If you appear younger, the crew may ask to see photo ID.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes freshly cooked BBQ chicken, homemade chips, Cyprus couscous, salad, and tzatziki. Vegetarian choices are available.

What drink is included?

You receive one glass of wine, beer, soda, or juice. Water is also included. Additional bar drinks and snacks cost extra.

Can I use the slide?

The boat has an inflatable slide, but its use depends on wind and sea conditions. It is not guaranteed.

Will I see turtles?

Turtle sightings are possible at Green Bay, but they are not guaranteed. The stop can also change if sea conditions are unsuitable.

Is the boat suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. Boarding requires about 15 steps, and the toilet is reached by a steep staircase. The cruise is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Should you book it?

For $47, I would choose this cruise if I wanted an easy, good-value morning on the water with lunch included. The former presidential yacht, the Blue Lagoon swim, the Varosha commentary, and the friendly crew give it more personality than a basic coastal shuttle.

Go in with sensible expectations: this is a compact shared cruise, not a private yacht charter or a full-day expedition. If you are happy to let the weather shape the route, swim when the sea is calm, and treat turtles and the slide as bonuses, St Georgios 1 is a strong choice around Protaras.