San Antonio Premier Morning Adults Only Cruise from Protaras

The best part of this five-hour cruise is the mix of clear-water swim stops and easygoing time at sea. You cruise from Protaras past Green Bay, Konnos Bay, Cape Greco, and the Blue Lagoon, with lunch, fruit, dessert, and an open bar included. I like the live commentary because it gives the coastline some context instead of leaving you to guess what you are seeing.

I also like the practical extras: a welcome glass of champagne, brandy sour service, WiFi, and pickup arrangements sent by email before departure. The main thing to weigh is the high boarding ladder after a swim, and the boat may keep its engine running rather than sailing under canvas.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swim stops may be included: Clear water and time to swim are central to the morning, so bring swimwear and a towel.
• The open bar is genuinely useful: Unlimited drinks include beer, cocktails, and other beverages served during the cruise.
• The buffet makes this more than a boat ride: Lunch, seasonal fruit, and dessert are included in the $78.27 price.
• Jodie may be your host: She has been praised for friendly service and area information, while Mustafa and Wahid are part of the crew.
• The route covers Cyprus’s east coast highlights: Green Bay, Konnos Bay, Cape Greco, and the Blue Lagoon are included in the coastal run.
• Boarding details need attention: Pickup information arrives by email no later than one day before departure, and private villas are not served directly.

A morning on the San Antonio II

This adults-only cruise leaves at 9 a.m. from the East Coast Cruises meeting point in Famagusta, near Protaras. The boat used for the experience is identified as the San Antonio II, a larger vessel with seating on more than one level.

I like the morning departure. It gives you five hours on the water without using up the entire day, and it leaves time afterward for Protaras, a late lunch, or another swim. The route is long enough to reach the main coastal sights, but not so long that the boat day becomes an all-day commitment.

The maximum capacity is 49 people. That is not an intimate sailing boat, but the actual number can be lower. One evening trip operated with only 15 passengers, although that was a different departure and should not be treated as a promise for this morning cruise.

The boat has an upper seating area with broad views over the sea and coastline. If the weather is warm, shaded spots may matter as much as the view, so bring sun protection and be ready to move around between sitting, eating, and swimming.

Green Bay and the Protaras coastline

Green Bay Beach is the named stop on the route, while the cruise also follows the Protaras coastline. This section gives you your first close look at the eastern shore before the boat continues toward Konnos Bay and Cape Greco.

Green Bay is best understood as a swimming and viewing stop rather than a long beach visit. You remain on the boat, with the sea providing the main attraction. The water is described as clear, and the cruise includes time for swimming at several points.

The coastal ride also gives the commentary a useful role. The guide provides information about local marine life, the environment, and the sights along the shore. A loudspeaker is used for the information, so you can listen while sitting above deck or moving around the boat.

Do not expect a private cove experience. The boat carries up to 49 people, and the popular east coast waters can feel active. Still, the format works well if you want to see several places without arranging separate transport to each one.

Konnos Bay and Cape Greco

As the boat moves beyond Protaras, the route reaches Konnos Bay and Cape Greco. These are among the most scenic parts of the trip, especially when viewed from the water rather than from a road or lookout.

Cape Greco is a protected coastal area with rocky shores and sea caves. The cruise gives you a different angle on the headland, with the boat positioned offshore so you can see the shape of the coast from the sea. The exact route can change if sea or environmental conditions make another course safer.

That flexibility is worth keeping in mind. You should treat the named locations as the planned route, not a guarantee that every boat will follow the same line in every condition. The captain may adjust the course for comfort and safety.

The commentary adds value here because a passing headland can otherwise become just another pretty view. You may hear about the marine environment and the local coast while the crew points out features from the boat. Information is delivered onboard rather than through a formal shore excursion.

The Blue Lagoon swim stop

The Blue Lagoon, reached near Cape Greco, is one of the main reasons to choose this cruise. The water is a major part of the experience, and the boat provides swim stops rather than simply passing the best coves from a distance.

A stop here gives you time to get into the sea and enjoy the color and clarity of the water. Fresh fruit and drinks are available during the cruise, so you can return aboard, dry off, and settle in without needing to buy refreshments at a beach kiosk.

Bring a beach towel, swimsuit, and strong sun protection. These are not optional extras for a boat day. The sun can feel intense on open water, and wet skin makes it easy to underestimate how quickly you are burning.

There is one practical catch. A direct note from the cruise experience warns that the ladder back onto the boat is quite long because the vessel sits high above the water. If you are not comfortable with a tall ladder, you should think carefully before booking. The crew is described as helpful, but the ladder itself remains part of the setup.

Lunch, cocktails, and the open bar

Lunch is served as a buffet. The package includes a meal, fresh seasonal fruit, dessert, unlimited drinks, a welcome glass of champagne, and brandy sour service.

That food and drink package matters when you assess the $78.27 price. A five-hour boat trip can become expensive once you add lunch, bottled drinks, cocktails, and snacks. Here, those costs are built into the fare, so you can spend the morning without keeping a running tab.

The food is plentiful enough to let you try a little of everything. It is still a boat buffet, not a restaurant meal, so you should book this for the full outing rather than for fine dining. The value comes from having lunch served during the cruise, with drinks available throughout the day.

Cocktails are part of the onboard service. The crew mixes drinks to order, and beer and other beverages are included as well. If you plan to drink, pace yourself carefully in the sun, especially after swimming. Water and sun protection remain important even with an open bar.

The welcome champagne and brandy sour service give the morning a festive touch. They are small details, but they help the cruise feel like a planned occasion rather than a simple transfer by boat.

The crew and onboard commentary

Crew service is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Captain and crew members are described as friendly, helpful, and attentive, with Mustafa and Wahid specifically noted for their service.

Jodie may serve as the host. She has been described as friendly and well informed about the area, while also keeping drinks topped up and helping people feel welcome. Since staffing can change, you should not assume every departure will have the same named host, but the service style is clearly an important part of the cruise.

The live commentary covers local marine life, the environment, and coastal sights. This is useful if you want more than music and scenery. It also helps you understand why the water and shoreline matter, rather than treating the coast as a series of nameless viewpoints.

The information is delivered through the boat’s loudspeaker. That means you can hear it while seated in different areas, although the sound may not feel equally clear everywhere. If a particular explanation interests you, staying near the main seating area should give you the best chance of hearing it.

WiFi is available onboard. It is a nice extra for posting photos during the trip, though you should not let a phone keep you from watching the coast. The best views are from the upper deck, where you can see across the sea and back toward the shore.

What the five-hour schedule feels like

The cruise begins at 9 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point after about five hours. The morning usually combines cruising, commentary, swim stops, lunch, and time to sit with a drink.

The schedule is active without being rushed. You get several chances to swim, but there is also enough time to eat and enjoy the boat. One account of the day included three swim stops, including the time around lunch, although the exact number can change with conditions and the captain’s decisions.

This balance suits you if you want variety. You can swim, take photos, listen to information, eat, and simply watch the sea. It is less suitable if you want a long, quiet period anchored in one secluded cove.

The boat may keep its engine on for much of the trip. If your ideal cruise means sails raised and a silent glide, this experience may disappoint. The advantage is a dependable route and a calm ride, and one passenger with serious seasickness found the motion manageable, but no boat can guarantee that everyone will feel comfortable.

Price and the real value of $78.27

At $78.27 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water. The price becomes more reasonable when you count what is included: five hours aboard, lunch, snacks, fruit, dessert, unlimited drinks, commentary, swim stops, and a welcome drink.

I would compare it with the cost of booking a shorter boat trip and paying separately for lunch and cocktails. If you would use the open bar and enjoy swimming, the package offers solid value. If you do not drink and mainly want a short coastal ride, you may find the price harder to justify.

The adults-only format also affects the value. It creates a more grown-up setting for couples, friends, and small groups looking for a relaxed morning. The maximum of 49 people means it is not a private charter, but it should still feel more focused than a large sightseeing ferry.

Pickup is offered, but the details are sent by email no later than one day before departure. Walking-distance meeting points may be assigned, and private villas do not receive direct pickup. Check that message carefully so you know where to go and do not assume your accommodation is covered.

Who should book this cruise

I would choose this cruise if you want an easy half-day on the sea with meals and drinks handled in advance. It suits couples and adult groups who value friendly service, swimming, a scenic route, and a little commentary between stops.

It is also a good fit if you dislike planning separate pieces of a day. You do not need to arrange transport to each coastal viewpoint, find a lunch spot, or carry a cooler. You simply arrive, settle aboard, and follow the route.

You should think twice if you have difficulty climbing a long ladder from the water. The boat sits high above the sea, and getting back aboard after a swim may be the most demanding part of the day.

This is also not the right choice if sailing under canvas is essential to you. The engine may remain on, so choose it for the coast, swimming, food, and crew service rather than for a traditional sailing experience.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sun protection. A phone is useful for the onboard WiFi and photos, but keep it protected from water. Comfortable clothing and a layer for the moving boat are sensible, though no special equipment is listed as necessary.

Booking, weather, and possible changes

You receive confirmation when you book. The cruise requires a minimum number of passengers, so it can be canceled after confirmation if that number is not reached. In that case, you are offered another option or a full refund.

Weather also matters. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. The route itself may change because of sea or environmental conditions, with safety and comfort taking priority.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours before departure is not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cutoff uses local Cyprus time.

Most people can participate, but the long swim ladder is the main physical detail to consider. If you are unsure, contact the provider before booking rather than discovering the issue at the first swim stop.

Should you book the San Antonio II morning cruise?

Book it if you want a polished, social morning along Cyprus’s east coast, with three possible swim stops, a buffet lunch, and unlimited drinks included. The route covers Green Bay, Konnos Bay, Cape Greco, and the Blue Lagoon, while the crew adds useful local information and friendly service.

Skip it if you want a small private boat, quiet sailing under canvas, or easy water access without a tall ladder. For most adults who want a comfortable five-hour outing with scenery, swimming, food, and drinks in one price, the San Antonio II offers a well-rounded day at sea.

FAQ

How long is the San Antonio morning cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 9 a.m.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

It begins at East Coast Cruises, 2329+2C2, Famagusta, Cyprus, and returns to the same meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered. Details are sent by email no later than one day before the excursion, and a walking-distance meeting point may be assigned. Direct pickup is not available from private accommodations, including holiday villas.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes a buffet lunch, unlimited drinks from the open bar, fresh seasonal fruit, dessert, a welcome glass of champagne, and brandy sour service.

Are swimming stops included?

Yes. The cruise includes swim stops, and the route includes Green Bay Beach, Konnos Bay, Cape Greco, and the Blue Lagoon.

Is the cruise adults only?

Yes. This experience is described as an adults-only cruise.

Can the cruise route or date change?

Yes. The route may be adjusted because of environmental or sea conditions. The experience can also be canceled because of poor weather or an insufficient number of passengers, in which case a different date or experience, or a full refund, is offered.