Wine tasting on-board the Demetris Chara BBQboat BlueLagoon tours

The best wine tastings do not happen indoors. This half-day cruise from Paphos combines Cypriot wine, a barbecue lunch, sea views, and a long stop at the Blue Lagoon. I especially like the chance to taste local bottles while sailing, and the generous 2.5-hour stay at the lagoon. The main drawback is that the boat can hold up to 80 people, so the atmosphere may feel more like a shared boat outing than a quiet wine retreat.

I also like the flexible meeting arrangements. You can arrange pickup from Paphos or make your own way to Latchi Port, where you find the Demetris Chara BBQ boat. The wine host may be listed as Gergana, Geny, or Gerry in different booking details, but the consistent message is clear: the wine service is a major part of the day.

The cruise takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes, including roughly two hours of sailing there and back. You get a barbecue meal, several Cypriot wines, swimming time, and a chance to sit back without rushing from one stop to the next.

Key points before you book

• Cypriot wine served at sea: The tasting takes place aboard the boat rather than at a formal winery, giving the day a casual and unusual setting.
• A full 2.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon: You have time for swimming, lunch, photographs, and relaxing instead of making a quick stop.
• Pickup from Paphos is available: You can choose transport from Paphos or meet the boat at Latchi Port.
• The wine host is a highlight: Gergana, also referred to as Geny or Gerry in booking details, receives strong praise for her wine knowledge and friendly attention.
• Barbecue lunch is included: The meal helps make the $90.02 price more than just the cost of a boat ride.
• The group may be large: The boat accepts up to 80 people, although the wine tasting itself can sometimes feel quite personal.

Why this cruise is different from a standard boat trip

Many Blue Lagoon cruises are mainly about getting from the port to the water, taking a swim, and returning. This one adds a serious wine element. You are not simply handed a drink and left to figure it out yourself. The wine host explains the local bottles and helps turn the tasting into the central activity of the morning or afternoon.

That difference matters if you want to learn a little about Cyprus while enjoying the coast. Cyprus has a long wine tradition, and sampling several local wines gives you a useful introduction to the island’s drinks without requiring a separate winery visit.

The setting also changes the mood. Instead of sitting at a tasting table, you can look out over the Mediterranean, taste wine as the coast passes, and later move straight from lunch to a swim. It is a relaxed combination, though wine and swimming require a little common sense. Eat properly, drink water when available, and do not treat the tasting as a race.

Meeting at Latchi Port or arranging Paphos pickup

You have two meeting choices. The first is pickup from Paphos. The second is meeting the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at Latchi Port.

Pickup is useful if you are staying in Paphos and do not want to arrange your own transport. One booking included a ride from an Airbnb about 45 minutes from the boat, with the driver, Dmitri, making scenic stops when asked. That is a nice touch, but you should treat it as an example of helpful service rather than a guaranteed sightseeing transfer.

If you choose the port meeting point, you need to find the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at Latchi Port. This option may suit you if you already have a car or are staying near Latchi. It also avoids adding a transfer from Paphos to an already long day.

The experience is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book. It accepts mobile tickets, which makes the process simple if you are carrying your booking on your phone.

Sailing past Latchi Beach

Once aboard, the boat begins its route along the Mediterranean. One of the first beaches you pass is Latchi Beach, giving you a gentle start before the main stop at the Blue Lagoon.

The journey to and from the lagoon takes about two hours in total. That means the boat ride itself is a substantial part of the experience, not a brief shuttle. You should enjoy sitting outside, watching the coast, and sharing the boat with other people.

This sailing time is also when the wine tasting can take shape. The wine host has room to introduce different Cypriot wines instead of rushing through a single sample. The exact selection is not specified, so you should expect variety without booking around particular grape types or labels.

The cruise is best for people who like the journey as much as the destination. If you want the fastest possible route to swimming water, two hours of sailing may feel long. If you enjoy a slow day on the coast, it is part of the value.

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts 2.5 hours

The boat anchors at the Blue Lagoon, where you spend about two hours and 30 minutes. This is the heart of the trip.

The long stop gives you time to choose your own pace. You can swim, relax onboard, eat lunch, take photographs, or move between those activities. Some boat excursions stop for only a short swim, so the extra time here is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing.

The Blue Lagoon itself receives the highest praise in the available feedback. The water and scenery are described as stunning, and the longer stay helps you enjoy them without watching the clock. You may also have a chance to take photographs while swimming, although photography assistance depends on the staff and conditions that day.

The boat is not only a platform for getting into the water. You can stay onboard if you prefer not to swim, which makes the trip workable for a mixed group where some people want water time and others would rather sit in the sun or shade.

You should still bring the usual items for a boat day, including swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a secure place for your phone. The provided information does not specify onboard storage or changing facilities, so pack lightly and avoid bringing anything you would worry about getting wet.

Barbecue lunch with the wine tasting

The included barbecue lunch adds real substance to the outing. You are not paying $90.02 only for a cruise and a few sips of wine. You also receive a meal while anchored at the Blue Lagoon, when the boat has reached its most scenic point.

The food is described as barbecue fare rather than a set menu, so you should not book expecting a particular dish. Still, a hot meal makes a four-and-a-half-hour boat trip easier, especially if you plan to swim.

One useful piece of advice is to eat a hearty breakfast before boarding. The wine can begin flowing early and continue through the tasting, and lunch may not arrive immediately. A proper breakfast gives you a better base for the day and helps you enjoy the wines responsibly.

The food is not presented as a gourmet restaurant experience. Its value is practical: it keeps you fed, fits the casual boat setting, and saves you from arranging lunch during a remote-water stop.

A wine host who makes the tasting personal

The wine service is the part that separates this cruise from a basic barbecue boat tour. The host explains the Cypriot wines, answers questions, and helps you understand what you are drinking.

Names vary in the supplied booking details, with Gergana, Geny, and Gerry all used for the wine host. That spelling variation is worth knowing so you are not confused if your confirmation uses a different version.

The host is praised for being attentive, friendly, and well versed in both local wine and the island. One couple found themselves as the only people taking part in the wine tasting, which initially felt awkward but eventually made the experience feel almost private. The host even helped take photographs during the swim and offered suggestions for the rest of their time in Cyprus.

That smaller wine group is possible, but it is not guaranteed. The boat can carry up to 80 people, and the tasting may draw more or fewer participants on your date. You should book this for the quality of the activity, not on the promise of a private tasting.

If the group is large, the experience may feel less intimate. If the wine group is small, you may receive more direct conversation and attention. Either way, the host appears to be an important part of the value.

What the $90.02 price really includes

At $90.02 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Blue Lagoon. The price makes more sense when you count the parts together: approximately 4.5 hours on the water, transport from Paphos if selected, a Cypriot wine tasting, barbecue lunch, and 2.5 hours at the lagoon.

You are also paying for convenience. Pickup can remove the need to solve transportation between Paphos and Latchi. The boat combines the sightseeing, meal, tasting, and swim in one booking, which is useful during a short Cyprus visit.

The value is strongest if you genuinely enjoy wine. If you would skip the tasting and only want to swim, a simpler boat cruise may suit you better and could be less expensive. If you want a social day with local wine and food, the package is easier to justify.

The rating of 4.8 from 21 reviews, with 95 percent recommending the experience, suggests strong satisfaction, but the sample is not large. I would read that as a good sign rather than a guarantee that every departure will feel identical.

Who should book this Blue Lagoon cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and small groups who want a relaxed day with several ingredients. Wine lovers get the most from it, especially if they enjoy learning as they taste rather than simply ordering a glass.

It also suits a group with mixed interests. One person can swim while another stays onboard. Some people can focus on the wines, while others treat the day as a coastal cruise with lunch.

The tour may not suit you if you dislike group boats, want a quiet private charter, or prefer a tightly scheduled sightseeing trip. The maximum group size is 80, and the two hours of travel are fixed parts of the outing.

You should also consider your comfort with alcohol and water activities. A moderate level of physical fitness is requested, and the experience depends on good weather. Service animals are allowed, and the boat is near public transportation, but the supplied information does not give detailed access information for every part of the vessel.

Booking, cancellation, and weather details

The tour is often booked about 18 days in advance, so I would reserve ahead if your Cyprus dates are fixed. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The cruise requires suitable weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The operator also requires a minimum number of participants. If that number is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

These rules are fairly clear, but pay attention to the local cut-off time. Your confirmation should show the exact start time and meeting arrangement.

FAQ

How long does the wine tasting boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. About two hours are used for travel to and from the Blue Lagoon, with approximately 2.5 hours spent at the lagoon.

Where can I meet the Demetris Chara BBQ boat?

You can arrange pickup from Paphos or meet the boat at Latchi Port. If you choose the port option, look for the Demetris Chara BBQ boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is included during the Blue Lagoon stop.

Are Cypriot wines included?

Yes. The experience includes a tasting of various Cypriot wines with a wine host.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 80 people. The number taking part in the wine tasting may be smaller and can vary by departure.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English, and confirmation is received at the time of booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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

Should you book the Demetris Chara wine cruise?

Book it if you want more than a quick Blue Lagoon swim. The strongest combination is the 2.5-hour lagoon stop, the barbecue lunch, and a wine host who can make Cypriot bottles feel approachable. The long stay gives you breathing room, and the boat setting makes the tasting pleasantly different from a winery visit.

Skip it if wine is not important to you, if you want a private boat, or if you prefer to spend nearly all your time in the water. At $90.02, the price is fair when you use the full package, but less compelling if you only want transportation to the lagoon.

For most wine lovers staying in or near Paphos, I would book ahead, choose pickup if transport is inconvenient, eat a solid breakfast, and treat the day as a slow coastal outing rather than a quick excursion. That is where this experience makes the most sense.