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

The best part of the Demetris Chara trip is simple: you get about two full hours at the Blue Lagoon, not a quick stop squeezed between other ports. The boat cooks lunch while you swim, then gives you time to eat and return to the water. I like the generous BBQ and the onboard slide, which adds a playful touch for families and anyone who still enjoys a good splash.

I also like the relaxed setup, with tables and chairs, a bar, and room to sit during the coastal cruise. The main thing to consider is that snorkeling equipment may not always be available, despite differing information about it. Bring your own mask and snorkel if exploring below the surface matters to you.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours in the Blue Lagoon: Plenty of time for swimming, floating, and returning to the water after lunch.
• BBQ buffet included: Expect souvla-style meat, chicken, couscous, potatoes, vegetables, and a drink.
• Slide and jumping platforms: The boat offers more than a simple swim stop, with fun ways to enter the water.
• Departure from Latchi Harbour: Hotel pickup is offered from selected hotels, but you must wait at the front of your chosen hotel on time.
• Drinks sold onboard: Soft drinks, beer, cocktails, wine, and ice cream are available at reasonable prices.
• Good value for a half-day: At $42.33 per person, the meal, long lagoon stop, transport option, and bar service make this a strong-value outing.

Leaving Latchi Harbour for the Blue Lagoon

The trip begins at Latchi Watersports Centre in Latchi Harbour, near Polis Crysochous. If you are arranging your own way there, this is the fixed meeting point. If you use hotel pickup, stand at the front of your selected hotel at the stated time. The pickup option is useful, but do not treat it casually. One delayed group can hold up departure, and there has been at least one complaint about waiting for late companions.

Once aboard the Demetris Chara, the first part is a gentle cruise along the coast. The boat carries up to 120 people, so this is not a private sailing trip. Still, the available comments describe a boat with tables, chairs, and enough room to avoid feeling packed on every departure. Crowding can change with the date, but the layout sounds better suited to a social half-day outing than a cramped speedboat ride.

You will have time to sit, look out toward the coast, and order something from the bar. The cruise is part of the experience, not just transport to the swimming stop. Some pickup routes also pass through mountain villages and higher ground before reaching the Latchi area, giving you extra scenery if you are collected away from the harbor.

Two hours in the Blue Lagoon

The main stop is the Blue Lagoon, where the boat anchors for around two hours. That length matters. Many boat outings allow only a short swim before moving on, while this schedule gives you room to enter the water, relax, eat, and then swim again.

The water is clear enough for swimming with fish, and the lagoon is the kind of place where the best plan is to slow down. You can use the boat as your base, swim from its sides, and return whenever you want. Life jackets are offered for anyone who is less comfortable in open water, though the provided information does not specify whether every size is always available.

The boat slide is a major bonus. You can slide into the lagoon, use the jumping points, or simply climb down more carefully. The slide makes the stop especially appealing to families and active adults, while the spacious swimming window keeps it from becoming only a noisy water-play session.

Snorkeling is the one area where I would prepare carefully. One account says equipment was available, while another says snorkels were not supplied and the passenger was unable to explore the reef. Since the information is inconsistent, bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. If you arrive without equipment, plan on swimming rather than counting on a full snorkeling setup.

A BBQ lunch cooked beside the water

While you swim, the crew begins preparing the onboard BBQ. This is a practical use of the stop: instead of losing time in a restaurant, lunch is cooked while you enjoy the lagoon.

The food is described as generous and tasty, with BBQ chicken or souvla-style meat, couscous, potatoes, vegetables, and other sides. The meal is rustic rather than formal, but that suits a boat trip. You are eating outside, close to the water, after a swim. A wine or soft drink is included with the meal, according to the details provided.

The souvla receives particular praise from a Cypriot passenger, who described it as the real thing. That is useful context. This is not merely a sandwich or a small snack passed around on deck. The portions are intended to work as a proper lunch, and the range of sides helps the meal suit different tastes.

After eating, you can return to the water. That second swim is easy to underestimate when comparing boat trips. You are not forced to choose between lunch and swimming, since the two-hour stop leaves enough time for both.

The onboard bar and what it adds

The bar sells soft drinks, beer, cocktails, wine, and ice cream. Prices have been described as reasonable for a boat, which matters because you are in a place with no other easy source of refreshments.

A drink from the bar can make the cruise back to Latchi more comfortable, especially after lunch and swimming. You should still expect to pay for most drinks separately, since the included meal details mention a drink with lunch rather than unlimited service.

The bar also gives the boat a more sociable feel. You can sit at a table, enjoy the coast, and make the return trip part of the day rather than simply waiting to dock. If you prefer a quiet, guide-led sightseeing cruise with no party atmosphere, this may feel more casual than you want. For a family outing or an easy group day, the setup works well.

What the 4.5-hour schedule feels like

The advertised duration is about four hours and 30 minutes. The central two-hour lagoon stop leaves roughly two and a half hours for pickup, boarding, coastal sailing, lunch service, and the return to Latchi.

That makes this a half-day activity, not a full-day cruise. You still have time to visit another site, spend an afternoon at the beach, or return to your hotel without giving up the whole day.

The timing also explains the appeal of the trip. You get a proper swim stop and a cooked lunch without committing to a long day at sea. The schedule can be affected by boarding delays or weather, so keep a little flexibility around the stated end time.

The boat returns to the original meeting point at Latchi Harbour. Pickup is available from selected hotels, but the supplied details do not list every eligible property. Confirm that your hotel is covered before booking, and be ready at the front entrance at the required time.

Price and value at $42.33

At $42.33 per person, the trip offers solid value if you plan to use the included features. You are paying for about four and a half hours, the coastal cruise, the Blue Lagoon stop, a BBQ lunch with sides, and the chance to use the slide. Selected hotel transfers add further value if you are staying away from Latchi.

The strongest value comes from the long lagoon stay. A short photo stop can look cheap but leave you wishing for more time in the water. Here, you have enough time to swim before lunch and again afterward.

The cost does not cover every drink, and you may want to bring snorkeling equipment. Those are small extra considerations, but they are worth knowing before you board. The bar is described as reasonably priced, so you do not appear to be facing unusually high boat prices for a cold drink or ice cream.

Compared with a basic sightseeing cruise, this trip gives you more activity and food. Compared with a private charter, it is far less expensive, but you share the boat with a large group. The right choice depends on what you want. If you value a long swim and a meal more than privacy, the price is attractive.

Who will enjoy the Demetris Chara most

This trip suits families particularly well. The slide, jumping areas, long swim period, ice cream, and casual food all help create a day that does not depend on everyone enjoying formal sightseeing. Children can play in the water while adults use the tables, bar, and shaded seating if available.

It also suits couples and groups who want an easy social outing. The boat provides food and drinks, so you do not need to plan a picnic or return to shore at lunchtime. The crew is repeatedly described as friendly and helpful, and the boat is kept clean.

Swimmers will get the most from the Blue Lagoon stop. If you do not want to enter the water, you can still enjoy the cruise, food, and scenery, but swimming is clearly the heart of the trip.

This is less suitable if you want a private boat, a quiet sailing experience, or a dedicated snorkeling tour with guaranteed equipment. The group limit is 120, and the activity has a lively, shared-boat character. Snorkeling equipment is also not certain, so serious underwater explorers should bring their own gear or choose a tour built around snorkeling.

Weather, cancellations, and seasonal planning

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, so keep the local cutoff time in mind.

Seasonal timing deserves special attention. A December booking was once made when the operator was closed for the entire off-season, leaving the passenger waiting for pickup before discovering the cancellation. If you plan to visit outside the main sailing season, confirm operating dates directly before relying on the reservation.

Small details that improve the day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. The water stop is long enough that you will spend real time swimming, not just taking a quick dip.

Bring your own snorkeling mask and snorkel if you care about seeing fish or the bottom. Equipment may be available on some departures, but you should not assume it will be supplied.

Arrive on time for pickup or at the Latchi meeting point. A late arrival can delay everyone and may reduce your time in the lagoon.

If you have mobility, swimming, or dietary concerns, ask the operator before booking. The provided information says most people can participate, but it does not give detailed accessibility or dietary guidance.

Should you book this Blue Lagoon boat trip?

I would choose the Demetris Chara if you want a long Blue Lagoon stop, a proper BBQ, and an entertaining boat at a moderate price. The combination is stronger than a basic cruise that offers only a short swim and a small snack.

Book it especially if you are traveling with children, want a relaxed group day, or are staying near Polis and Latchi. Bring your own snorkeling gear, check the pickup details, and confirm off-season operation if your visit falls outside the main summer period.

Skip it if you need privacy, guaranteed snorkeling equipment, or a quiet sailing trip with very few people. For most people seeking an easy Cyprus coast outing, though, the two-hour swim, generous lunch, friendly crew, and slide make this a well-balanced choice.

FAQ

Where does the Demetris Chara boat trip start?

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

Does the boat return to the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point in Latchi Harbour.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered from selected hotels. You should wait at the front of your chosen hotel on time, and confirm that your property is included.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes.

How long is the stop at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat stops at the Blue Lagoon for about two hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch with several sides is included. The food described includes items such as chicken or souvla-style meat, couscous, potatoes, and vegetables.

Are drinks included?

A drink with lunch is included according to the supplied details. The onboard bar also sells soft drinks, beer, cocktails, wine, and ice cream.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number may also result in a different date or a full refund.