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

Blue water, barbecue, and a boat slide make a fine day out. The Demetris Chara cruise from Latchi gives you about four and a half hours on the coast near Paphos, with a long stop at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, a generous BBQ lunch, and time to use the onboard slide. I especially like the two-hour lagoon stop and the fact that lunch, sides, and a drink are included rather than treated as extras. The main point to consider is the group size, which can reach 120 people, so this is a social boat trip rather than a quiet private cruise.

I also like the reasonable onboard bar prices, since you can buy beer, soft drinks, cocktails, wine, and ice cream without facing the usual captive-audience shock. The cruise lasts longer than many similar Blue Lagoon outings at roughly the same price, but transport is offered only from selected hotels, and the departure point is still Latchi Harbour.

Key points to know before booking

• About four and a half hours on the water: This is longer than many competing Blue Lagoon trips, giving you time to swim, eat, and return to the water.
• A two-hour Blue Lagoon stop: The boat remains at the lagoon while lunch is prepared, so swimming is not squeezed into a rushed half-hour pause.
• BBQ lunch with Cypriot flavor: Expect grilled chicken or souvla-style meat, couscous, potatoes, vegetables, and a drink.
• A slide and jumping platforms: The boat offers more than a simple swim stop, especially appealing to families and playful adults.
• A bar onboard: Beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks, and ice cream are available at prices described as reasonable.
• Snorkeling equipment is not fully clear: Some departures have offered goggles and snorkels, while another passenger was told none were supplied. Bring your own if snorkeling matters to you.

From Paphos to Latchi Harbour

The activity begins at the Latchi Watersports Centre in Latchi Harbour, near Polis Crysochous. If you are staying in Paphos or another nearby resort, selected-hotel pickup may be available. You are asked to wait at the front of your chosen hotel on time, so confirm the pickup point carefully and do not assume every hotel is covered.

The transfer is useful because Latchi is not the same as the Paphos harbour area. A pickup removes the need to arrange your own transport, but it also adds a little uncertainty to the morning if other pickups run late. One account described a delayed departure while the boat waited for people arriving after the planned time. That is a small irritation, but it matters on a half-day outing.

The meeting point is also the return point. You board at Latchi Harbour and finish back there after the cruise, which keeps the day simple. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is offered in English with a mobile ticket.

The coastal cruise toward the Blue Lagoon

The first part is a sightseeing cruise along the coast toward the Blue Lagoon. This is not a tightly packed sightseeing program with a long list of formal stops. The pleasure comes from being on the water, watching the coast pass by, and enjoying the gradual change from harbour activity to open sea.

The route also gives you time to settle in before the main event. Find a place to sit, check the bar, and keep your phone ready for photographs. Reports describe the boat as clean, comfortable, and spacious enough for people to sit at tables and chairs. Still, with a maximum group size of 120, your choice of seat may depend on how quickly you board.

I would treat the cruise as a scenic lead-in rather than the reason to book this trip by itself. The real value arrives at the lagoon, but the slow sail makes the outing feel like a proper boat day instead of a quick transfer to a swimming spot.

Two hours in the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the center of the trip. The water is described as clear and transparent, with plenty of fish visible around the boat. You can swim from the vessel, and the stop lasts about two hours. That is a generous amount of time for a group outing.

The length matters. You can swim before lunch, eat when the BBQ is ready, and return to the water afterward. You are not forced to choose between food and swimming, which is often the problem on shorter cruises.

The boat adds a waterslide and jumping points on more than one level. That gives children and energetic adults something to do beyond floating beside the vessel. Life jackets have been offered to people who are less confident in the water, although you should still judge your own comfort level honestly.

The water may be sunny and warm, but conditions can also be breezy. One account described a comfortable swim on a slightly windy day. The activity depends on good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

A practical warning concerns snorkeling gear. One person was told at the start that equipment was available, only to be told after leaving the harbour that it was not. Other departures have had goggles and snorkels onboard. Because the information is inconsistent, pack your own mask and snorkel if seeing fish and the seabed is important to you.

BBQ lunch with generous sides

While you swim, the crew begins preparing the onboard BBQ. The meal is one of the most praised parts of the outing, and the portions sound generous rather than decorative.

The food has included grilled chicken or souvla-style meat, couscous, potatoes, vegetables, and a choice of wine or a soft drink. The meal is rustic, as you would expect from a BBQ served on a boat, but it is described as tasty, well cooked, and plentiful. One Cypriot diner considered the souvla genuine and especially good, which is a useful sign for anyone hoping to try local-style cooking rather than standard tourist fare.

The timing works well. Swim first, eat when the food is ready, then return to the water. That second swim is a small but valuable feature. You are not eating with one eye on the clock because the boat is preparing to leave.

The lunch is included in the ticket price of $42.33 per person. Considering the roughly four-and-a-half-hour duration, boat ride, swimming stop, food, and drink, I consider that strong value. You still need to pay for extra bar purchases, but the included meal means the final cost should remain manageable.

The bar, slide, and family appeal

The onboard bar serves soft drinks, beer, cocktails, wine, and ice cream. Prices have been described as similar to a village taverna, which is welcome on a boat where there are few alternatives. Draft Alpha lager was singled out as a favorite, and cocktails add a holiday feel for adults who want something beyond water or soda.

The slide is a major reason this trip suits families. It turns the Blue Lagoon stop into an activity rather than simply a scenic swim. Adults can use the jumping areas too, so the boat does not feel designed only for children.

That said, the slide also tells you what kind of outing this is. If you want a silent sail with just the sound of the sea, choose a smaller or more private boat. If you want swimming, food, drinks, music or conversation, and an easygoing crowd, the Demetris Chara setup fits better.

The crew receives repeated praise for being friendly, helpful, and attentive. Good staff matter on a boat, especially when people are moving between swimming, eating, ordering drinks, and using the slide. The overall mood appears relaxed and well organized, with clear communication before the trip and during the day.

How the price compares in practical terms

At $42.33 per person, this is not merely a ticket for a boat ride. You are paying for a long coastal outing, a Blue Lagoon stop of about two hours, a BBQ lunch with sides, and access to the boat’s swimming features.

The duration is the strongest value point. The trip is almost twice as long as some other options according to one account, while costing about the same. A less crowded boat on a particular day was also reported, though you should not treat that as a guarantee because the stated maximum is 120 people.

The included food helps the price make sense. A separate harbour meal for a family can quickly add up, while here you have the main meal already covered. The bar is optional, and its reported reasonable pricing makes it easier to enjoy a drink without spoiling the budget.

The main value limitation is pickup. Since transfers are available only from selected hotels, you may need to reach Latchi Harbour independently. Check this before paying, especially if you are staying in Paphos and do not have a hire car.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples, and groups who want several holiday pleasures in one outing: scenery, swimming, food, and a drink. The slide gives children a clear focus, while the long lagoon stop gives adults time to relax.

It also suits you if you want a taste of a traditional Cypriot BBQ without arranging a separate restaurant visit. The food is part of the day, not an afterthought.

You may want another option if you dislike larger group boats, need guaranteed snorkeling equipment, or want a very quiet and private experience. The group limit of 120 is substantial, and snorkeling provision has not been consistent. Bring your own equipment and accept that the atmosphere may be lively.

The boat is also a poor choice for an off-season December visit unless you have confirmed operating dates directly. One booking was made for December even though the company was closed for the whole off-season. The money was refunded, but the lack of advance notice caused a needless wait. Weather and minimum numbers can also cancel a sailing.

Booking and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and most people book about 15 days ahead. That lead time is sensible during the busy summer season, especially if you need a hotel pickup or want a particular date.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Before booking, confirm three things: your hotel pickup, the operating season, and the availability of snorkels. Those checks take little time and prevent the main avoidable disappointments.

Should you book the Demetris Chara?

I would book this trip if you want a good-value Blue Lagoon day with food and fun, rather than a silent sightseeing cruise. The long swimming stop, tasty BBQ, friendly crew, onboard bar, and slide make it easy to fill the four and a half hours.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and your own snorkeling gear if needed. Check the pickup details and seasonal operation before you pay. If you can accept a potentially large group and a lively boat, this is one of the stronger all-round choices for a Blue Lagoon outing from the Paphos area.

FAQ

Where does the Demetris Chara boat trip start?

It starts at the Latchi Watersports Centre, Latchi Harbour, Polis Crysochous 8820, Cyprus.

Where does the boat trip finish?

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.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes.

How long do you stop at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about two hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An onboard BBQ lunch with several sides is included.

Are drinks included?

A drink, such as wine or a soft drink, may accompany the BBQ meal. The boat also has a bar selling soft drinks, beer, cocktails, wine, and ice cream.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

The information is not consistent. Some departures have offered goggles and snorkels, while another departure did not provide them. Bring your own if snorkeling is important to you.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.