Ayia Napa boat cruise: Blue Lagoon swim & lunch

Swim in the Blue Lagoon, then drift past sea caves and a ghost town on the same afternoon.

The Aphrodite II is a half-day coastal cruise from Ayia Napa that takes you along the east Cyprus shoreline with two main swimming stops—the Blue Lagoon and Turtle Cove—plus photo passes at sea caves, Cape Greco, Lover's Bridge and the Famagusta ghost town. Roast lunch with vegetarian and vegan options is served in the air-conditioned lounge while you cruise past Protaras. The boat departs at 9:30am and returns by 2:30pm. A live guide speaks English and German; snorkelling gear and sun-mats are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Relaxing cruise along Cyprus coast

• Board at Ayia Napa harbour
• Cruise along beachfront
• Photo stop at Sea Caves of Ayia Napa
• View Palace Caves of Cape Greco
• Cruise by Cape Greco terrain
• Swim at Blue Lagoon
• Photo stop at Lover's Bridge
• View Ayioi Anargyroi Chapel
• View Protaras coast and Green Bay
• Enjoy roast lunch in lounge
• Swim at Turtle Cove
• Return to Ayia Napa harbour

The Experience

The boat leaves Ayia Napa harbour at 9:30am and heads straight out along the rocky eastern coast. Within the first stretch you pass the Sea Caves of Ayia Napa—jagged rock formations where cliff jumpers sometimes leap—and then Cape Greco, the highest point on this coastline, where the water turns a shade of blue that photographs don't quite capture. The Aphrodite II is a three-deck vessel, so you can stay on the open sun deck or drop down to the air-conditioned lounge with tables and a bar; either way, the boat moves slowly enough that the scenery doesn't blur past.

The first swim stop is the Blue Lagoon. You can lower yourself into the water using the easy-access steps at the back of the boat, or jump from the top deck if you want the plunge. The water is clear enough to snorkel—gear is on board—and you get time to float and look around before the boat moves on. As you cruise toward Protaras, you pass Lover's Bridge, a naturally formed rock arch that's unreachable by land, and the Agioi Anargyroi chapel, a small white structure built above a sea cave on the cliff edge. Roast lunch arrives in the lounge as you drift past Protaras itself, with views of Green Bay and Fig Tree Bay, and a brief history of the Famagusta ghost town visible across the water. Vegetarian and vegan plates are available if you request them.

The second swim stop is Turtle Cove, where the marine life is abundant enough that you might see turtles. After you swim, fresh-water showers are available on deck to rinse off the salt. The return to Ayia Napa is an open-sea cruise with no more stops, and you're back at the harbour by 2:30pm. WiFi is available on board if you need it, and the bar sells drinks throughout the day.

What’s included

• Roast lunch with vegetarian and vegan options.
• snorkelling equipment.
• sun-mats.
• fresh-water showers after the second swim.
• WiFi on board.
• live guide in English or German.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by APHRODITE II

Is this one for you?This is a shared boat tour with a fixed schedule and two set swim stops, which means the day holds together without anyone building it—you board at 9:30am, swim at the Blue Lagoon and Turtle Cove, eat lunch while drifting past the coast, and return by 2:30pm. It suits anyone who wants to see the east Cyprus shoreline and get in the water without renting a boat or arranging transport to multiple beaches on their own.

Traveler reviews

4.92★★★★★★★★★★

1,561 verified traveler reviews

5 ★1,475

4 ★62

3 ★15

2 ★5

1 ★4

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can I swim at both stops, or is one of them just for looking?

Both the Blue Lagoon and Turtle Cove are swimming stops where you get in the water. At the Blue Lagoon you can use the steps or jump from the top deck; at Turtle Cove you swim in the bay where turtles sometimes appear. Fresh-water showers are available after the second swim.

What's included in the lunch, and are there options if I don't eat meat?

Roast lunch is included and served in the downstairs lounge while you cruise past Protaras. Vegetarian and vegan options are available—let the crew know when you board.

Is snorkelling gear provided, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkelling equipment is included on the Aphrodite II. Sun-mats are also provided so you have a place to sit on deck.

How long is the whole cruise, and what time do we get back?

The cruise departs at 9:30am and returns to Ayia Napa harbour by 2:30pm, so you're looking at roughly five hours on the water including the two swim stops and lunch.

What is the Famagusta ghost town, and do we actually go there?

Famagusta is an abandoned city visible from the sea as you cruise past Protaras. The crew gives a brief history of the 1974 evacuation while you're viewing it from the boat—you don't land there, but the sight and the story are part of the day.

Does the boat have shade and air conditioning, or is it all open deck?

The Aphrodite II has three decks: an open sun deck on top, a main deck, and a lower interior lounge that is air-conditioned with tables and a bar. You can move between them throughout the day depending on whether you want sun or shade.