Catamaran Ruby Sunset Cruise from Protaras

Golden hour looks better from the water. The Ruby Sunset Cruise gives you a relaxed four-hour outing along the Protaras coast, with buffet dinner and unlimited drinks included. I like the easy combination of swimming, coastline views, and sunset photography, plus the chance to finish dinner on board instead of hunting for a restaurant afterward.

I also like that pickup and drop-off are available from Protaras and Ayia Napa hotels or assigned meeting points. The main drawback is the transfer arrangement, which can feel less polished than the cruise itself, and the sunset may be partly hidden by hills or rocks rather than opening onto a clear sea horizon.

• Sunset timing: The cruise runs for about four hours, with pickup beginning between 15:00 and 15:45.
• Dinner at sea: A buffet, seasonal fruit, dessert, and an open bar are included in the price.
• Swimming stop: The cruise includes time for a swim, with the route visiting areas around Green Bay, Konnos Bay, Cape Greco, or the Blue Lagoon.
• Coastline views: You get changing views of the Protaras coast from the deck, including areas near Famagusta.
• Group size: The boat can accommodate up to 100 people, so expect a social cruise rather than a private sailing.
• Weather matters: The trip depends on favorable weather and may be rescheduled or refunded if conditions are poor.

A Four-Hour Cruise Along the Protaras Coast

The Ruby Sunset Cruise is built around a simple holiday formula: board in the afternoon, swim in the sea, eat dinner, enjoy drinks, and watch the sky change color before returning to shore. At about four hours, it is long enough to feel like a proper outing without taking up an entire day.

You will spend the cruise moving along the Protaras coastline, with possible stops near Green Bay Beach, Konnos Bay, Cape Greco, or the Blue Lagoon. The exact route can depend on weather and availability, so you should treat the listed coastal areas as the planned cruising zone rather than a guarantee that every place will be visited.

This is not a quiet yacht charter for a handful of people. The maximum group size is 100, which gives the outing a social, party-cruise feel. That can be a plus if you want a lively evening with other holidaymakers, but less so if you are hoping for a calm, private sunset on the water.

Starting Near Protaras and Famagusta

The cruise begins at the East Coast Cruises meeting point in the Famagusta area. If you are staying in Protaras or Ayia Napa, pickup and drop-off are available from hotels or designated meeting points.

Pickup begins between 15:00 and 15:45. Your exact pickup information is sent by email no later than one day before the cruise, and some meeting points within walking distance may be assigned instead of a hotel pickup.

That detail matters. Do not assume the vehicle will collect you directly from every door. Private accommodations, including holiday villas, do not receive pickup, so you may need to walk to a nearby meeting point. For a late booking made the day before, use the emergency contact line to confirm the arrangements.

The transfer is the least convincing part of the outing. The cruise itself receives stronger praise for its friendly crew and pleasant atmosphere, while the journey to and from the catamaran has been described as disappointing. If you are particular about smooth transport, allow extra patience here and confirm the pickup details early.

Green Bay, Konnos Bay, and Cape Greco

The coastal route is the heart of the experience. Green Bay Beach is listed as the first stop, while the wider cruise area can include Konnos Bay, Cape Greco, the Blue Lagoon, and sections of the Protaras coastline.

Green Bay gives the cruise a natural place for its swim stop. You can get into the sea, cool off, and then return to the boat for the rest of the afternoon. The swimming time is a useful feature because it breaks up the sightseeing and keeps the cruise from becoming four hours of sitting in one place.

Konnos Bay and Cape Greco add more visual interest. From the water, you can photograph the coves and rocky coastal edges without needing to walk to a viewpoint or find parking. The boat gives you a different angle on the coast, especially when the afternoon light begins to soften.

The Blue Lagoon is also named as part of the possible route. Since the exact stops can vary with conditions, check with the crew on the day about where the boat will go. The important point is that you should expect a coastal cruise with swimming, not a fixed land tour with guaranteed time at every named bay.

Swimming Before the Sun Goes Down

The swim stop is one of the best reasons to choose this cruise instead of a simple evening boat ride. You can spend part of the afternoon in the sea, then dry off and settle in for dinner and sunset.

Bring practical swim gear, even though the cruise includes dinner and drinks. A swimsuit, towel, and a way to protect your phone or camera from splashes will make the stop easier. The available information confirms that swimming stops are included, but it does not specify the length of the swim or the equipment provided, so ask the crew if you need details about ladders, flotation gear, or changing arrangements.

The sea and sunset work well together, but the order of events can change. The cruise is subject to weather and availability, and the route may be adjusted. I would not treat the itinerary as a minute-by-minute schedule. Think of it as an afternoon on the water with a swim, meal, and sunset as the main anchors.

Dinner, Fruit, Dessert, and an Open Bar

The buffet dinner is included, along with seasonal fresh fruit and dessert. That makes the $70.89 price easier to assess, since you are not paying for the cruise first and then adding a separate restaurant meal afterward.

I like this setup for a holiday evening. You can watch the coastline, take photographs, and eat without rushing back to shore for a reservation. The food is described as plentiful, and the onboard drinks are unlimited under the open-bar arrangement.

Still, you should keep your expectations in the right place. This is a buffet served on a catamaran, not a special-occasion restaurant. The value comes from combining food, drinks, transportation, swimming, and views in one booking. If you mainly want a refined dinner, an evening restaurant may suit you better. If you want a relaxed social outing with a meal included, the package makes more sense.

Seasonal fruit and dessert round out the meal. The available details do not specify the menu, dietary choices, or whether special diets can be accommodated. If food allergies or dietary restrictions matter to you, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming the buffet will cover your needs.

Watching the Sunset From the Deck

The cruise is sold around sunset, and the deck is the right place to be as the afternoon fades. You can photograph the Protaras coastline from the water, with the changing light adding warmth to the coves and rocky shoreline.

There is one important catch: the sunset view may not be a clear, open-sea horizon. Depending on the route and position of the boat, hills or rocks can block part of the sun. One booking note specifically describes the sunset as being behind a hill or rocks, which is a fair warning for photographers.

If you want the sun to drop directly into a wide ocean horizon, this may disappoint you. If you are happy with golden light, coastal views, and a sunset atmosphere, the experience remains worthwhile. I would board for the whole evening rather than making the exact moment of sunset the only reason to go.

The boat also gives you more than one chance to enjoy the view. During the cruise, you can photograph Protaras from offshore, then move into position for the evening light. Free WiFi is included, though the connection may be most useful for basic messages or sharing a few images rather than replacing a strong mobile signal.

A Friendly Crew and Simple Commentary

The crew is a major part of the experience. The available feedback gives particular credit to the friendly and welcoming staff, with Scott singled out for keeping things organized and offering interesting information about the surrounding area.

That combination matters on a group cruise. A good crew helps the meal service, swimming stop, and return trip feel orderly. Area commentary also gives more meaning to the coastline, even if this is not a formal sightseeing tour with a long lecture at every point.

You should expect an informal atmosphere rather than a highly scripted guided excursion. The strongest praise centers on the crew’s friendliness, the amount of food and drink, the swimming, and the sunset. Those are the parts that appear to make the evening work best.

Is $70.89 a Fair Price?

At $70.89 per person, the cruise is not the cheapest way to see the coast, but it includes several separate costs: the four-hour boat trip, pickup and drop-off where available, buffet dinner, unlimited drinks, fruit, dessert, WiFi, and a swim stop.

I see the value most clearly if you plan to have dinner and drinks anyway. Instead of paying for a boat outing and then arranging an evening meal, you combine both into one booking. The price also covers the convenience of a sunset setting and a coastal route that would be difficult to reproduce on your own without hiring a boat.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike group outings, or mainly want a guaranteed unobstructed sunset. In that case, the open bar contributes less to your calculation, and the possibility of a blocked horizon becomes more important.

The cruise is booked on average seven days in advance. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your holiday schedule is tight, especially since the experience can depend on availability and a minimum number of participants.

Who Will Enjoy the Ruby Sunset Cruise?

I would recommend this cruise to couples, families, and friends who want an easy evening with several activities bundled together. It suits people who enjoy swimming, casual buffet meals, drinks, coastal photographs, and a social boat atmosphere.

It can also work well for visitors who do not want to organize dinner separately. The pickup option is helpful if you are staying in Protaras or Ayia Napa, although you need to confirm whether your accommodation has a direct pickup or a nearby meeting point.

You may want to choose another type of outing if you need privacy, silence, a fixed route, or a guaranteed sunset over open water. The possible group size of 100 means this is a shared experience, and the exact coastal stops can change.

Families should note that most people can participate, but the information does not provide specific child ages, facilities, or swimming requirements. If those details affect your plans, ask the operator before booking.

Practical Booking Advice for Protaras

Book at least several days ahead if the cruise is an important part of your holiday. The experience is popular enough that the average booking point is about one week before departure.

Read the pickup email carefully. It arrives no later than one day before the cruise and may assign a meeting point within walking distance. Since private villas do not receive pickup, plan your route to the designated location in advance.

The activity requires favorable weather. If poor conditions cancel the cruise, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. A cancellation caused by too few participants also allows an alternative date or experience, or a full refund.

For your own cancellation, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Should You Book the Ruby Sunset Cruise?

Book it if you want a convenient, social evening that combines the Protaras coast, a swim, buffet dinner, unlimited drinks, and sunset views for one price. The friendly crew, especially the positive mention of Scott, adds to the sense that the onboard service is one of the strongest parts of the outing.

Go in with realistic expectations. The transfer may be the weak link, the sunset may be partly blocked by rocks or hills, and a boat carrying up to 100 people will not feel intimate. For a relaxed holiday evening with plenty included, I think the cruise offers solid value. For a private sailing or perfect horizon sunset, keep looking.

FAQ

Where does the Catamaran Ruby Sunset Cruise start?

The cruise starts at the East Coast Cruises meeting point at 2329+2C2, Famagusta, Cyprus.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

Is pickup available from Protaras hotels?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from Protaras and Ayia Napa hotels or designated meeting points.

When does pickup begin?

Pickup starts between 15:00 and 15:45.

Can I be picked up from a private villa?

No. Pickup is not available from private accommodations, including holiday villas. You may be assigned a nearby meeting point within walking distance.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes a buffet dinner, unlimited drinks from the open bar, seasonal fresh fruit, and dessert.

Is swimming included?

Yes. Swim stops are included as part of the cruise.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately four hours.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered an alternative date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.