Ocean Blue | Afternoon Blue Lagoon

The best part of this cruise is the change of pace. You leave Latchi Harbour, pass the coast near Aphrodite’s Baths, then anchor at the Blue Lagoon for a long swim stop, lunch, and time on deck. It is less about checking off sights and more about enjoying Cyprus from the water.

I like the included buffet and open bar, which keep the afternoon simple and help justify the price. I also like the freedom at the lagoon: you can swim, canoe, sunbathe, or simply sit back with a soft drink and watch the coast slide by.

The main drawback is crowding. The boat can carry up to 100 people, and one cruise had to use a different vessel after a technical problem. That led to tight seating and a less restful ride, so this is not the best choice if you want a quiet, private sail.

Key points at a glance

• A 2pm departure suits an easy afternoon: You get a half-day on the water rather than a full-day commitment.
• The Blue Lagoon is the main event: Expect an anchor stop for swimming, canoeing, sunbathing, and lunch.
• Food and drinks are covered: The buffet includes fresh seasonal fruit, while the bar serves unlimited local alcoholic and soft drinks.
• Latchi Harbour is the launch point: The cruise follows one of the prettiest stretches of the Cyprus coast, passing near Aphrodite’s Baths.
• The boat may feel busy: Capacity is limited to 100 people, but deck space and loungers can become scarce when the boat is full.
• The price includes more than transport: At $78.44 per person, you are paying for the cruise, meal, open bar, and organized swim stop.

Leaving Latchi Harbour at 2pm

The cruise begins at Latchi Harbour, a scenic port on Cyprus’s northwest coast. The listed start time is 2pm, making this a useful option if you want a relaxed morning before heading out to sea.

Pickup is offered, and one arrangement included a hotel transfer with a friendly driver. The exact pickup details should be checked when you book, since the cruise itself starts at the harbour and transfer times can add a fair amount to the outing. One reported pickup began at 8:30am for a much later arrival, which shows why it is worth confirming the meeting plan rather than assuming the 2pm start tells the whole story.

Once aboard, you have roughly four hours for the full experience, with about two hours centered on the Blue Lagoon stop and the surrounding cruise. The exact time spent underway and at anchor can vary with sea conditions, boat operations, and the day’s schedule.

The boat is described as new and comfortable, with a crew that serves food and drinks during the cruise. There is also a small selection of souvenirs for purchase onboard. If you want an activity beyond swimming, an extreme jet-boat ride can be bought separately.

Cruising past Aphrodite’s Baths

The route heads along the coast toward the Blue Lagoon, passing by the area near Aphrodite’s Baths. This is where the cruise earns its place as more than a floating lunch stop. You get changing coastal views that are difficult to appreciate from inland roads, with the water giving you a clean, open view of the shoreline.

The ride itself is part of the appeal, but it is also where expectations matter. Some people want a calm, slow cruise with plenty of time to sit in the sun. Others may enjoy a livelier boat ride. One poor experience involved the vessel speeding and rocking hard enough to cause widespread seasickness, while other accounts describe a pleasant and comfortable trip.

I would treat the sea conditions and boat pace as variables you cannot fully control. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the movement feels least bothersome, keep your eyes on the horizon, and consider bringing any medication you normally use. The tour includes food and drinks, but it does not promise a smooth sea every day.

The Blue Lagoon swim stop

The main stop is the Blue Lagoon, where the boat drops anchor for swimming and relaxation. This is the moment to bring your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a willingness to get wet. You can choose your own pace rather than follow a tightly managed set of activities.

If you want action, the tour highlights canoeing and the option to purchase an extreme jet-boat activity onboard. If you prefer a quiet afternoon, you can sunbathe, sit at the back of the ship, or stay in the water as long as the stop allows.

The water is the reason most people choose this cruise, but the boat may not anchor directly in the most famous part of the lagoon. On one family outing, the vessel moored slightly away from the clearest water because the lagoon was crowded. The swimming was still enjoyable, but you should not assume the boat will always sit in the exact postcard position.

This is also the busiest part of the afternoon. With space for up to 100 people, the deck can fill quickly, especially when everyone wants a lounger or a good place to watch the water. If having a stretcher or a spot together with your group matters, board promptly and claim space sensibly without treating the deck like a race.

Lunch on the water

The buffet meal is a real part of the value here, not just a token snack. Food is served during the swim stop, with fresh seasonal fruit included. The meal is designed to let you stay with the cruise instead of spending time searching for a café or packing enough food for the afternoon.

The food has been described as plentiful and correct, with barbecue-style dishes prepared onboard. That makes lunch practical for families and groups with different appetites. You can eat before swimming, after swimming, or in smaller portions while spending time on deck.

Dietary needs deserve some planning. One family with kosher requirements could not eat the barbecue food, but the captain noticed and personally brought a plate of fruit. That was a thoughtful gesture, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed special-meal service. If you have a strict diet, contact the provider before departure and confirm what can be arranged.

Lunch is served while the boat may move or rock. If you are sensitive to motion, eat lightly at first and wait until you are anchored if possible. A rough ride can quickly take the shine off an otherwise appealing buffet.

The open bar and what it covers

The bar stays open throughout the cruise and offers unlimited local alcoholic and soft beverages. That includes a useful range for an afternoon at sea, whether you want a beer, a local alcoholic drink, or something without alcohol.

This helps explain the $78.44 price. You are not simply paying for a boat ride to a swimming spot. The fare combines the cruise, the organized lagoon stop, buffet lunch, fresh fruit, and drinks. For someone who would otherwise buy lunch and several beverages during a half-day outing, the package can be good value.

Still, value depends on how you spend your time. If you do not drink alcohol, eat very little, or mainly want a short boat transfer, part of the package may be wasted on you. If you are a family that wants transport, lunch, drinks, swimming, and a simple plan in one booking, the price makes more sense.

The bar serves local alcoholic drinks and soft beverages, but the available brands and exact menu are not specified. Small souvenirs can also be bought onboard, though these are extra and not central to the experience.

How family-friendly is the cruise?

This cruise works well for families that enjoy water time without needing a packed schedule. The swim stop gives children and adults a clear focus, while the buffet removes the need to organize lunch on shore. A family of six found the timing manageable, with enough time to enjoy the water without the day becoming exhausting.

The boat setting does require some common sense. The deck can be crowded, the sea can move beneath you, and the open bar creates a mixed atmosphere rather than a child-only outing. Parents should keep an eye on children around the water and remember that the canoe and jet-boat options may carry separate arrangements or costs.

The cruise is also suitable for most people who can participate in a standard boat and swimming activity. It is near public transportation, and pickup is offered. The information does not provide detailed accessibility specifications, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the provider about boarding, toilets, deck access, and getting into the water before booking.

The crowding question

The tour has a maximum group size of 100. That is not a small yacht experience. The advantage is a lively, social outing with enough staff to serve a buffet and bar. The downside is straightforward: on a busy sailing, you may not get a lounger, a quiet corner, or uninterrupted views.

One particularly difficult outing involved a last-minute switch from the expected Blue Lagoon boat to the Sea Star after a technical issue. The change meant more people aboard, little room to sit together, and a rushed, uncomfortable ride. That appears to be an operational problem rather than the normal promise of the experience, but it is still useful to keep in mind.

If your main goal is privacy, romance, or a peaceful wedding-day cruise, I would choose a smaller boat or private charter instead. If you are comfortable sharing the deck and care more about the lagoon, food, and easy organization than personal space, the group setting may be perfectly acceptable.

What the four hours feel like

The afternoon format is one of the strongest features. You leave at 2pm, enjoy the coastal route, spend time at the lagoon, eat onboard, and return after roughly four hours. That leaves room for a morning at your hotel or another evening plan in Paphos.

The schedule is not built around many separate stops. Apart from passing the coast near Aphrodite’s Baths and reaching the Blue Lagoon, the experience is mainly one cruise and one major swim stop. This creates a relaxed rhythm, but it may feel repetitive if you want several bays, villages, or cultural sights.

One person specifically wished for another swimming stop at a different bay. That is a fair criticism. The cruise gives you one main water experience rather than a full coastal tour with several anchorages. You should book it for the Blue Lagoon and the pleasure of being at sea, not for a long list of sightseeing stops.

Who should book Ocean Blue?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a low-effort half-day on the water, especially if you like the idea of combining swimming, lunch, drinks, and coastal views in one outing. Families, couples, and groups who prefer an organized day will find the format easy to understand.

It is also a good match if you are staying in Paphos and want to see the northwest coast without arranging separate transport, food, and water activities. The pickup option can make the day simpler, though you should confirm the exact transfer timing.

I would be more cautious if you dislike crowds, get seasick easily, or need a guaranteed dietary menu. You should also think twice if you want several different swim stops or a quiet sailing atmosphere. The maximum capacity of 100 means the experience can feel more like a busy excursion boat than a private coastal escape.

Is the $78.44 price fair?

For the right person, yes. The price includes the boat trip, the Blue Lagoon stop, buffet lunch, fresh fruit, and unlimited local alcoholic and soft drinks. Those inclusions add up quickly if purchased separately, and the convenience of having everything arranged has real value on a holiday.

The price is less attractive if you will not use the meal, bar, or water activities. In that case, a simple boat trip or a smaller sailing may offer better value, even if it lacks the all-inclusive setup.

I would judge the price by your priorities. If your ideal afternoon is a comfortable seat, a scenic cruise, a swim, food, and drinks without further planning, the package is sensible. If your ideal afternoon is silence and empty deck space, spend the money elsewhere.

My booking advice

I would book Ocean Blue if you want an easy, social afternoon built around the Blue Lagoon. The best features are clear: a scenic departure from Latchi, a useful swim stop, a buffet that keeps you onboard, and an open bar that removes small extra costs.

Before paying, confirm the pickup time, boat assignment, and any dietary needs. Arrive ready for a shared group setting, and bring the basics for a swim. If the sea is rough or the vessel changes, the experience can be far less comfortable than the brochure-style plan suggests.

For families and casual beach lovers, this is a strong choice. For anyone seeking a private, calm, highly personal cruise, I would choose a smaller vessel instead.

FAQ

Where does the Blue Lagoon cruise depart?

The cruise departs from the scenic harbour of Latchi in Cyprus.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 2pm.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately four hours.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered. Exact pickup details and timing should be confirmed when booking.

What is included in the price?

The experience includes the cruise, the Blue Lagoon swim stop, a buffet meal, fresh seasonal fruit, and unlimited local alcoholic and soft beverages.

Is lunch served onboard?

Yes. A buffet meal is served during the Blue Lagoon stop.

Can I swim at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The boat anchors for a swim stop at the Blue Lagoon.

Are other water activities available?

You can canoe during the swim stop, and an extreme jet-boat activity can be purchased onboard.

Is the cruise offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How many people can join the cruise?

The activity has a maximum capacity of 100 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.