Demetris Chara Boat/Blue Lagoon boat trips with BBQ and SLIDE

A beautiful swim comes with lunch included. This half-day cruise from Paphos takes you along the Cyprus coast to the Blue Lagoon, where you get about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, and using the boat’s slide. I like the generous stop at the lagoon and the tasty BBQ buffet with reasonably priced drinks. The main point to check before booking is snorkeling equipment, since information about its availability has not been consistent.

The trip costs about $42.33 per person and lasts roughly four and a half hours. That is strong value for a boat outing that includes food, a soft drink or wine option with the meal, and hotel pickup from selected locations. You should also note that the boat can carry up to 120 people, although several people found it comfortable and less crowded than other boats on the same route.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours at the Blue Lagoon: You get enough time for a proper swim instead of a quick photo stop.
• BBQ lunch served onboard: Expect grilled chicken or souvla-style meat, couscous, potatoes, vegetables, and other filling sides.
• A slide and jumping platforms: The boat gives confident swimmers extra ways to get into the clear water.
• Drinks available at the onboard bar: Soft drinks, beer, cocktails, wine, and ice cream are available for purchase, with prices described as reasonable.
• Pickup from selected hotels: You may be collected at the front of your hotel, but you need to be ready on time.
• Weather and minimum numbers matter: Poor weather or insufficient bookings can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Setting off from Latchi Harbour

The boat trip begins at the Latchi Watersports Centre in Latchi Harbour, near Polis Crysochous. If you arrange hotel pickup, you are asked to wait at the front of your chosen hotel at the stated time. This is useful if you are staying in Paphos or nearby areas and would rather not arrange your own route to the harbor.

The meeting point matters because Latchi is not in central Paphos. Check your pickup details carefully, and do not treat hotel collection as an open-ended service. The instructions specifically ask you to be ready on time.

Once aboard, the journey begins with a coastal cruise toward the Blue Lagoon. The sightseeing is part of the appeal, not just a way to fill time. You can look back toward the coastline and, depending on the route and visibility, see the change from seaside views to mountain villages and inland scenery. One particularly useful detail from the feedback is that the ride includes a slow, gentle cruise rather than a rushed transfer straight to the swimming stop.

The boat has tables and chairs, which makes a difference once lunch is served. Several people also found there was enough room to move around comfortably. Still, the maximum capacity is 120, so I would not book this expecting a small private sailing trip.

The Blue Lagoon stop gives you real swimming time

The main event is the Blue Lagoon, where the boat anchors for about two hours. That is the strongest feature of this trip. Many boat excursions stop long enough for a quick dip and little else, while this one gives you time to swim, eat, and return to the water afterward.

The water is described as very clear, and the setting works well for families, couples, and anyone who simply wants a relaxed sea swim. You can enter from the boat, use the slide, or jump from the upper levels if you are comfortable with that. Life jackets are available for people who are less confident in the water.

The slide adds a playful touch, especially for children and teenagers. It also keeps the stop from feeling like a passive sightseeing cruise. You can swim for a while, climb back aboard, eat lunch, then return to the water for another session.

The Blue Lagoon is not only about getting wet. The views from the boat are a big part of the experience, and the long stop allows you to enjoy them without watching the clock every few minutes. If you want a quiet swim, aim to get into the water early in the stop, before lunch service begins.

Snorkeling is less certain. One person was told snorkels were available, then found out after leaving the harbor that they were not supplied. Other accounts describe goggles and snorkels being available, while another person said the boat provided them. The safest advice is simple: bring your own mask and snorkel if looking beneath the surface is important to you. Do not rely on the equipment being onboard.

A rustic, generous BBQ lunch

While you swim, the crew begins preparing the onboard BBQ. The meal is one of the most praised parts of the trip, and the portions sound more like a proper lunch than a token buffet snack.

The food can include grilled chicken or souvla-style meat, couscous, potatoes, vegetables, and several side dishes. The exact selection may vary, but the overall description is consistent: plentiful, well cooked, and satisfying after time in the water. One person specifically praised the souvla as authentic Cypriot cooking, which gives the meal a stronger local character than a basic packaged lunch.

I like the timing here. You are not expected to sit through a long meal before seeing the main attraction. You reach the lagoon, swim first, then eat, with the chance to return to the water afterward. That rhythm makes the four-and-a-half-hour outing feel varied.

The lunch is described in some feedback as rustic rather than polished. That is worth understanding. This is a casual meal served on a boat, not a restaurant lunch with a large menu or formal service. If you want a filling, local-style BBQ in a relaxed setting, it fits the bill. If you have strict dietary requirements, the supplied information does not explain how those are handled, so ask before booking.

A drink with the meal may be included, with wine or a soft drink mentioned in the trip details. The separate onboard bar serves additional beverages.

The bar keeps the day easygoing

The onboard bar sells soft drinks, beer, cocktails, and other alcoholic drinks. Ice cream is also available. The prices have been described as reasonable for a boat, which is good news because a captive-audience bar can quickly turn a budget outing into an expensive one.

One person singled out draft Alpha lager, while others liked the cocktails and general drink selection. You can buy something cold after swimming without having to bring everything with you.

Do keep your expectations practical. The bar is a useful extra, not the focus of the tour. The strongest value comes from the included cruise, lagoon stop, and BBQ. Your final cost will rise if you order several cocktails, beers, or ice creams.

What the boat is like during the cruise

The Demetris Chara is described as clean and attractive, with seating at tables and room for people to enjoy the ride. It has more than one level, and the upper areas provide places for jumping into the water. The slide is another feature that separates it from a plain sightseeing boat.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and helpful. Communication before the trip is also described as clear, and pickup was easy for people who used it. That kind of organization matters when you are dealing with a hotel collection, a harbor departure, lunch service, and a weather-dependent swimming stop.

The atmosphere seems suited to a cheerful family day out rather than a silent luxury cruise. You will likely find music, conversation, swimming, food, and a bar all competing for your attention. If you want a calm boat with very few people and no organized meal, this may not be your ideal choice.

There was one complaint about waiting for late arrivals before departure. It appears to be an occasional group-tour irritation rather than a central problem, but it is a reminder that shared excursions run on the timing of other people.

How the four-and-a-half-hour schedule works

The exact sailing time can vary, but the structure is straightforward:

• Pickup may be available from selected hotels.
• You meet at Latchi Watersports Centre if making your own way there.
• The boat cruises along the coast toward the Blue Lagoon.
• You spend about two hours at the lagoon, with time for swimming, snorkeling if equipment is available, and the slide.
• The crew prepares and serves the BBQ during the stop.
• The boat returns to Latchi Harbour, where the activity ends.

The two-hour lagoon stop is what makes this outing better value than shorter alternatives. You are not spending most of the day in transit for ten minutes in the water. The cruise out and back also gives you time to sit down, enjoy the views, and let lunch settle.

Weather can affect the schedule. If the trip is canceled because conditions are poor, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of bookings is not reached.

Is the $42.33 price good value?

At about $42.33 per person, this is a strong package if you plan to swim and eat during the outing. You are getting a roughly four-and-a-half-hour cruise, the Blue Lagoon stop, BBQ lunch, access to the boat’s slide, and possible hotel pickup. Similar excursions often charge for transport, food, or drinks separately.

The value is strongest for families. A day with a scenic cruise, a substantial meal, and water activities can cost much more if you arrange each part separately. The price also works well for couples who want a simple half-day plan without organizing a boat, lunch, and transport on their own.

The price is less attractive if you do not eat BBQ food, do not swim, or prefer a small private boat. Extra drinks are not necessarily included, and the group can reach 120 people. You should also budget time and possible transfer costs if your hotel is outside the pickup area.

A 4.7 score from 135 ratings, with 94 percent recommending the experience, supports the idea that the package delivers what it promises. No excursion pleases everyone, but the most praised features are remarkably consistent: the friendly crew, the food, the clear water, the length of the lagoon stop, and the overall value.

Who should book this Blue Lagoon cruise?

I would recommend it to families with older children, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a lively half-day on the water. The slide, jumping areas, long swim stop, and bar give the trip more energy than a simple coastal cruise.

It is also a good choice if food matters to you. The BBQ is not an afterthought. It is a proper part of the day, and the generous sides make the outing feel complete.

You should think twice if you need guaranteed snorkeling equipment, a quiet luxury setting, or a small boat with personal service. The supplied information also does not promise accessibility details, so ask the operator directly if you have mobility concerns.

Book at least a little ahead if your dates are fixed. The trip is often reserved around 15 days in advance, and weather can affect availability. At the same time, keep your plans flexible enough to accept a different day if sea conditions change.

Cancellation and practical details

You receive confirmation when you book, and a mobile ticket is accepted. The experience is offered in English, and it is near public transportation.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. Since the trip depends on good weather and a minimum number of bookings, the operator offers another date or a full refund if it must cancel.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. If snorkeling is important, pack your own mask and snorkel because equipment information has varied. Arrive at your pickup point or the harbor on time, and remember that drinks beyond the included meal option cost extra.

Should you book the Demetris Chara Boat trip?

Yes, if you want a good-value Blue Lagoon outing with plenty of water time, a filling Cypriot-style BBQ, and a friendly group atmosphere. The two-hour stop is the key advantage, and the slide gives the boat extra appeal for families and active swimmers.

I would not choose it for a private, quiet sailing experience or if guaranteed snorkeling gear is essential. For most people, though, the combination of clear water, coastal scenery, generous food, and a price of about $42.33 makes this one of the more practical ways to spend a half-day around Paphos and Latchi.

FAQ

Where does the Demetris Chara Boat trip start?

The trip starts at the Latchi Watersports Centre in Latchi Harbour, Polis Crysochous 8820, Cyprus.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from selected hotels. You should wait at the front of your chosen hotel and be ready on time.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes.

How long do you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The scheduled stop at the Blue Lagoon lasts about two hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An onboard BBQ lunch with several side dishes is included.

Are drinks included?

The trip information mentions a wine or soft drink option with the meal. The onboard bar also sells soft drinks, beer, cocktails, and other drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

The information is not fully consistent. Some accounts describe snorkels and goggles being available, while another says they were not supplied. Bring your own equipment if snorkeling is important to you.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of bookings is not reached.