Review · BOAT TRIPS IN PROTARAS

The Mermaid Cruise by Medusa Cruises – 2:30-Hour Family Adventure

★ 5.0 · 11 reviews 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) From $57 Operated by Medusa Cruises · Bookable on Viator
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Mermaids meet families at sea. Medusa Cruises turns a scenic Protaras boat trip into a 2.5-hour story with pirates, Tinkerbell, and a swim beside mermaids at Cape Greco. I especially like the 30-minute Blue Lagoon swim and the steady stream of coastal sights, from Fig Tree Bay to Lovers’ Bridge. The main drawback is that face paint and glitter tattoos are not included in the $56.59 price.

This cruise is aimed squarely at young children, so adults should expect entertainment built around make-believe rather than a quiet sightseeing boat. The crew, including Billy Bones, receives warm praise for being kind and keeping children occupied, but the boat may carry up to 130 people, which matters if you prefer a small-group outing.

Key points to know before booking

The Mermaid Cruise by Medusa Cruises – 2:30-Hour Family Adventure - Key points to know before booking

  • Mermaid meeting at Cape Greco: The main event is a 30-minute stop at the Blue Lagoon, where children can swim with real mermaids.
  • A full Protaras coastline tour: You pass Fig Tree Bay, Sunrise Beach, Konnos Bay, Green Bay, and several sea caves.
  • Snorkeling equipment included: Masks and related equipment are provided, but fins are not.
  • Strong choice for little children: Pirates, Tinkerbell, and the mermaid visit keep the cruise focused on family fun.
  • $56.59 buys more than a boat ride: You get scenic cruising, organized entertainment, and a swim stop, though optional face paint and glitter tattoos cost extra if offered.
  • Simple morning schedule: The cruise begins at 10:30 am from Golden Coast Harbor and returns to the same meeting point.

Why this Protaras cruise works for families

The Mermaid Cruise by Medusa Cruises – 2:30-Hour Family Adventure - Why this Protaras cruise works for families

The Mermaid Cruise is not trying to be a serious marine excursion. It is a themed family outing that uses Cyprus’ beautiful southeast coast as its stage.

That distinction helps you decide quickly. If your children love mermaids, pirates, and theatrical play, the idea is easy to understand: board a boat, see the coast, meet costumed characters, and swim in clear water. If you want a calm cruise with long commentary about geology or local history, this is probably not the right fit.

I like the way the trip combines a clear main event with plenty of scenery along the route. The Blue Lagoon stop gives children a reason to look forward to the middle of the cruise, while the passing sights keep the ride moving before and after the swim.

The strongest praise is reserved for the crew. Billy Bones and the rest of the team are described as kind, attentive, and good at keeping children entertained. One particularly useful detail is that a four-year-old granddaughter loved the full mix of pirates, Tinkerbell, and mermaids. That gives you a better idea of the target age than the title alone.

Setting out from Golden Coast Harbor at 10:30 am

The listed starting point is Golden Coast Harbor, at 22QP+6W2, Paralimni 5295, Cyprus. The cruise starts at 10:30 am and ends back at the meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from another port.

The boat also passes Protaras Pier near Yianna Marie Restaurant. That pier is one of the pickup and drop-off points connected with the cruise, and it gives you broad views toward Sunrise Beach and Fig Tree Bay.

Because the exact boarding setup can matter with children, I would arrive with enough time to get organized before the 10:30 departure. The information provided confirms the harbor location and the return to the starting point, but it does not specify a required arrival time or parking arrangements.

The cruise can carry up to 130 people. That is a sizeable capacity, so do not book this expecting the intimacy of a private charter. The upside is that a larger boat setting can suit families who want an organized activity with plenty of energy. The tradeoff is less personal space and a busier feel than you would get on a small vessel.

Fig Tree Bay and Protaras’ best beaches

The Mermaid Cruise by Medusa Cruises – 2:30-Hour Family Adventure - Fig Tree Bay and Protaras’ best beaches

Early coastal views include Fig Tree Bay, one of Protaras’ best-known beaches. Its soft golden sand and clear water have earned it strong international attention, and seeing it from the water gives you a different angle than a beach day on shore.

From the boat, you pass Sunrise Beach, located close to the Protaras Pier. This is a sandy beach with calm, clear water and a lively setting near beachfront hotels. You also pass Vrissiana Beach, which blends into the same stretch near Fig Tree Bay.

Vrissiana is especially relevant for families because its shallow water and easy access make it popular with children and parents. You cannot treat this part of the cruise as a beach stop, since the scheduled swim takes place later at Cape Greco, but the views help you compare the different coastal areas around Protaras.

I like this part of the route because it gives you a quick visual introduction to the resort coast before the scenery becomes more rugged. The beach views are easy for children to appreciate, and adults get a useful sense of how the town’s shoreline fits together.

Agioi Anargyroi Chapel above the sea cave

The Mermaid Cruise by Medusa Cruises – 2:30-Hour Family Adventure - Agioi Anargyroi Chapel above the sea cave

The cruise passes Agioi Anargyroi Chapel, a whitewashed Greek Orthodox chapel dating from the 1950s. It sits dramatically on a cliff above a sea cave and is known as a popular wedding location.

This is one of those short passing sights that adds local character to a boat trip. The chapel is small and bright against the rock, while its position above the water makes it easy to spot from offshore.

You should not expect a long stop or a visit inside. It is a scenic landmark viewed from the boat, so have your camera ready and listen for the crew’s description as you pass.

A different kind of day, still based in Protaras:

The Blue Lagoon swim at Cape Greco

The Mermaid Cruise by Medusa Cruises – 2:30-Hour Family Adventure - The Blue Lagoon swim at Cape Greco

The centerpiece comes at Cape Greco, also called Capo Greco, between Ayia Napa and Protaras. This protected nature park is known for cliffs, sea caves, and clear water, and the cruise stops at the Blue Lagoon for about 30 minutes.

This is where the mermaid theme becomes real for the children. They can meet and swim with mermaids in the lagoon, making this the moment most likely to stay in their memories. The supplied details describe the mermaids as real characters within the cruise experience, while the children’s reactions show how powerful the make-believe can be.

For adults, the value of the stop is not only the entertainment. Cape Greco is one of the finest coastal areas in this part of Cyprus, and the water provides a pleasant break from sitting on the boat. You can swim, look around at the cliffs, or use the complimentary snorkeling equipment.

Fins are not included, so plan accordingly. The provided equipment is useful for looking into the water, but anyone who prefers fins should bring or arrange their own if permitted. No extra charge is listed for the snorkeling equipment.

Thirty minutes goes by quickly, especially if your children want time with the mermaids, swimming, and snorkeling. I would treat this as a focused swim stop rather than a full beach outing. You will have enough time to get into the water and enjoy the setting, but not enough for a leisurely half-day in the lagoon.

The wording of the tour makes this a particularly good choice for young children who may not be interested in a standard sightseeing cruise. The mermaid visit gives them a story to follow, while the Blue Lagoon gives older children and adults a scenic swim.

Green Bay, Cyclops Cave, and Anthea’s Cave

The Mermaid Cruise by Medusa Cruises – 2:30-Hour Family Adventure - Green Bay, Cyclops Cave, and Anthea’s Cave

After the Blue Lagoon, the route continues past Green Bay, a popular scuba diving area off Protaras. Its calm, shallow water and marine life make it suitable for beginners, and the passing view adds another reminder that this coast is valued below the surface as well as above it.

You also pass Cyclops Cave in Konnos Bay. Greek mythology links this sea cave with the one-eyed Cyclops who captured Ulysses and his men during their return from Troy. The myth gives the cave a story children can grasp, especially after the pirate and mermaid entertainment earlier in the day.

Nearby Anthea’s Cave is another naturally formed opening in the cliffs. From the boat, these caves are scenic points along the rugged shore rather than places for a long landing or exploration on foot.

I appreciate the variety here. The cruise does not rely on one beach repeated several times. You get sandy bays, cliffs, caves, a chapel, a natural arch, and a swim in a protected coastal area. The drawback is that most of these sights are pass-by stops, so you should not confuse seeing them from the water with a guided visit.

Konnos Bay and Lovers’ Bridge

The Mermaid Cruise by Medusa Cruises – 2:30-Hour Family Adventure - Konnos Bay and Lovers’ Bridge

Konnos Bay is tucked between Protaras and Cape Greco, beneath a pine-covered hillside. Its turquoise water and sheltered setting make it one of the most scenic beaches in the area.

The boat gives you a view that is difficult to get from the beach itself, especially of the bay’s position between the wooded slope and the sea. It is a peaceful contrast to the more built-up shoreline near Protaras.

The cruise also passes Kamara tou Koraka, better known as Lovers’ Bridge. This natural stone arch sits among the cliffs of Cape Greco and is a favorite location for romantic photographs and proposals.

For children, the name and shape are easy to remember. For adults, it is one of the more distinctive photo stops on the route. Again, it is a passing view, so keep your camera ready rather than waiting for a long pause.

What the entertainment adds

The Mermaid Cruise by Medusa Cruises – 2:30-Hour Family Adventure - What the entertainment adds

The entertainment is the reason to choose this cruise over a standard coastal boat ride. The program includes pirates, Tinkerbell, and mermaids, with Billy Bones named as one of the crew members.

The praise for the crew is consistent and specific: they are described as lovely, kind, and effective at keeping children engaged throughout the journey. That matters on a 2.5-hour outing. A child who loses interest after twenty minutes can make a boat ride feel very long, so active entertainment has real value.

The themed approach will not suit every family. Older children who have outgrown character play may find it too young, while adults seeking a quiet morning may prefer a different cruise. But for little girls and other young children who love mermaids, the theme is not a minor detail. It is the main reason the trip can feel special.

One point comes up clearly: face paint and glitter tattoos are not included in the ticket price. If those extras are available on your sailing, you should expect them to cost more. This is the only repeated complaint in the supplied feedback, and it is easy to avoid disappointment by explaining it to your children before boarding.

Is $56.59 a fair price?

At $56.59 per person, this cruise costs more than a simple sightseeing boat ride. You are paying for the themed entertainment, the crew-led family program, the coastal route, and the Blue Lagoon swim stop.

I think the value is strongest when at least one child in your group truly loves the mermaid idea. In that case, the character entertainment turns an ordinary swim and sightseeing trip into a memorable event. The crew’s role also matters, since good children’s entertainment can make the full 2.5 hours feel worthwhile.

The value is less convincing if you mainly want swimming time. The scheduled swim is about 30 minutes, not several hours, and the rest of the cruise is spent passing coastal sights and taking part in the themed program.

The price also does not include face paint or glitter tattoos, according to the family feedback. Those extras are not essential, but they may become important if your child sees other children receiving them. Set that expectation before you go.

The cruise is recommended by 100 percent of the supplied ratings, with a 4.9 score from 11 reviews. That is a small sample, so I would treat it as encouraging rather than final proof. The praise is most useful for identifying the trip’s strength: family entertainment and a warm crew.

Practical details for your day on the water

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience offers a mobile ticket. The cruise is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. The information says most people can participate, but it does not provide specific details about boarding access, toilets, shade, or food.

For that reason, contact Medusa Cruises before booking if someone in your group has mobility needs or requires particular onboard facilities. The maximum capacity is 130 people, so a busy sailing may feel quite different from a small private trip.

The activity depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 10:30 am start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted, and the cut-off follows local Cyprus time.

The cruise returns to the same meeting point, which keeps the day simple. That is helpful if you have lunch plans, a hotel transfer, or another family activity afterward.

Who should book the Mermaid Cruise?

I would choose this cruise for families with young children who enjoy pretend play and want a clear highlight during a morning on the Cyprus coast.

It suits you particularly well if:

  • Your children love mermaids, pirates, or Tinkerbell.
  • You want a swim in Cape Greco without planning a separate boat trip.
  • You like seeing several beaches and caves from the water.
  • You value a crew that actively entertains children.
  • You are comfortable with a boat that may hold up to 130 people.

I would think twice if you want a quiet, small-group cruise, extensive snorkeling time, or a detailed visit to each coastal landmark. The caves, chapel, beaches, and arch are viewed while passing, and the Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 30 minutes.

Should you book this Protaras mermaid cruise?

Book it if the mermaid meeting is likely to make your child’s day. The combination of Cape Greco scenery, a clear-water swim, snorkeling equipment, and character entertainment gives the $56.59 ticket a solid family focus.

The practical warning is simple: face paint and glitter tattoos are not included, and the boat can carry up to 130 people. Go in expecting a lively group cruise, not a private escape, and you are more likely to feel the trip delivers what it promises.

FAQ

Where does the Mermaid Cruise start?

The cruise starts at Golden Coast Harbor, at 22QP+6W2, Paralimni 5295, Cyprus.

What time does the cruise begin?

The listed start time is 10:30 am.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the Mermaid Cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $56.59 per person.

Where do you swim during the cruise?

The scheduled swim takes place at the Blue Lagoon in Cape Greco.

How long is the swim stop?

The swim stop lasts about 30 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Complimentary snorkeling equipment is provided, but fins are not included.

Can children meet mermaids during the cruise?

Yes. The Cape Greco swim stop includes a chance for children and families to meet and swim with real mermaids.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

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