APHRODITE II -LAZY DAY CRUISE-BLUE LAGOON,TURTLE COVE, with LUNCH

The best part of the Aphrodite II cruise is the mix of scenery and swimming. You spend the morning along Cyprus’s rugged east coast, then step straight from the boat into the clear water of the Blue Lagoon and Konnos Bay. It feels like a full coastal outing rather than a quick boat ride.

I like the two 50-minute swim stops, which give you time to do more than take a rushed dip. I also like that lunch, snorkel gear, sun mats, and onboard commentary are included, so the $54.42 price covers the main parts of the day.

The main thing to consider is the size of the boat. It can carry up to 150 people, and finding a quiet seat may be harder on a busy sailing. The cruise is also nearly five hours, so very young children may get restless.

Key points at a glance

• Two proper swim stops: Spend about 50 minutes at the Blue Lagoon and another 50 minutes at Konnos Bay.
• A full east-coast route: See Ayia Napa’s sea caves, Cape Greco, Lover’s Bridge, Protaras, Green Bay, and Famagusta from the water.
• Lunch is included: Expect roast chicken, potatoes, and vegetables, with vegetarian and vegan options available.
• A friendly, active crew: Staff provide commentary, help with swimming, check on people during the cruise, and explain the coastline in several languages.
• Triple-decker space: The boat offers shaded areas, sun mats, a bar, showers, WiFi, and several places to sit.
• Turtles are possible, not promised: Konnos Bay is a good place to look for turtles, but sightings depend on the day.

A relaxed morning from Ayia Napa Harbour

You meet the Aphrodite II at Ayia Napa Harbour. Boarding runs from 8:45 to 9:30, with departure scheduled for 9:45. I would arrive early enough to settle in and choose a seat, especially if you want shade or a good place near the swimming ladder.

The boat is a triple-decker vessel with a downstairs lounge, open upper areas, shaded seating, a bar, sun mats, fresh-water showers, and WiFi. The capacity is up to 150 people, so this is not a small private sailing. That larger size gives you more facilities and a steadier platform, but it also means the boat can feel busy.

As the Aphrodite II leaves the harbour, it follows the beachfront before heading east. The first hour works as a gentle introduction to the coastline. A tour representative provides commentary, and the crew slows down around scenic points so you can take pictures.

The commentary is useful because much of the coast is best understood from the sea. Rock formations, small coves, and cliff faces can look similar from a distance. Hearing names and local details helps you connect the view with the map.

Sea caves and Cape Greco from the water

The first photo stop is the Sea Caves of Ayia Napa. You have about 10 minutes to take pictures, so keep your camera ready and do not expect a long landing or walk around. These caves are viewed from the boat, which gives you an angle that is difficult to get from shore.

Next comes the Sea Cave Palaces of Cape Greco. The name is grand, but the sight is genuinely striking: pale rock, openings in the cliffs, and clear water below. The boat pauses for another 10 minutes, giving you a chance to photograph the formations and watch for cliff jumpers.

The cruise also passes the rugged Cape Greco coastline, including the highest point along this part of eastern Cyprus. From the water, you see the coast as a series of cliffs and shelves rather than as a road or viewpoint. That change of angle is one of the strongest reasons to choose a boat trip.

The photo stops are short, so I would not treat this as a dedicated geology or sightseeing tour. It is better understood as a balanced day: a little commentary, several scenic views, two swim stops, lunch, and plenty of open water between them.

Blue Lagoon: the first serious swim

The Blue Lagoon is the first major stop and lasts about 50 minutes. You can use the steps at the back of the Aphrodite II to enter the water, or jump from the top deck if that appeals to you. Life jackets are provided for the swimming stops, and loaner snorkel equipment is included.

This is the point where the boat becomes more than a sightseeing platform. You can swim, float, snorkel, or simply sit on deck and enjoy the color of the water. The long stop gives you time to find your rhythm instead of scrambling in and out after ten minutes.

The water is the main attraction, but the boat’s layout matters too. Easy-access steps are helpful if you do not want to jump, while the upper deck gives confident swimmers a more playful option. Fresh-water showers later help remove salt before lunch and the return cruise.

You should bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. The information provided does not specify towel rental, so do not count on one being supplied. If you prefer not to swim, you can stay aboard and enjoy the view, but the stop is built around getting into the water.

Lover’s Bridge and Ayioi Anargyroi Chapel

After the Blue Lagoon, the Aphrodite II passes Crow’s Arch, also known as Lover’s Bridge or Kamara tou Koraka. The naturally formed rock bridge is inaccessible by land because of erosion, making the boat the practical way to see it from close range.

This is a brief five-minute photo stop. The timing is enough for a few good pictures, but not for careful exploration. Keep your phone or camera in hand as the boat approaches.

The cruise also offers a view of the chapel of Ayioi Anargyroi. The small chapel sits above a sea cave in a secluded area framed by cliffs and water. It is a quiet contrast to the more dramatic swimming stops.

These short views are easy to overlook when you are waiting for the next swim. I think they give the day its sense of place. You are not simply going from one swimming bay to another. You are following the coast and seeing the small landmarks that make this stretch of Cyprus distinctive.

Protaras, Green Bay, and lunch aboard

The boat continues toward Protaras, the next resort area along the east coast. From the sea, you see Green Bay and Fig Tree Bay, two well-known spots in the area.

Green Bay is especially interesting if you have an interest in snorkeling or scuba training. It is known for underwater statues used by first-time divers, although this cruise does not promise a visit to those statues below the surface. The view from the boat still adds useful context to the coast around Protaras.

Lunch is served in the downstairs lounge during the Protaras section of the cruise. The standard meal is roast chicken with roasted potatoes and vegetables. It is simple food, but that suits a day on the water. You get a proper plate rather than having to rely on snacks from the bar.

Vegetarian and vegan choices are available, and a vegetarian option should be arranged ahead of time. If you have a specific dietary need, ask before sailing rather than assuming the standard meal can be changed on the spot. Drinks are not included, but the onboard bar sells beverages, ice cream, and snacks.

The lunch setup is practical. The downstairs lounge provides shelter from the sun and a place to sit while the boat is moving. The bar gives you extra choices, but remember that drinks add to the advertised price.

Famagusta and the story of 1974

During lunch, the boat views Famagusta’s ghost town from the sea. The crew gives a brief account of the events of 1974 and the evacuation of the city.

This is not a long historical lecture, and you should not book the cruise as a substitute for a dedicated Famagusta tour. Still, seeing the abandoned city from offshore adds meaning to the view. The coastline is not just beaches and resort hotels. It also carries the political and personal story of Cyprus’s division.

The sea view provides only a distant look, so bring binoculars if you already have them. The value here is the combination of visual setting and short explanation. It gives you a useful introduction without taking over the relaxed pace of the cruise.

Konnos Bay and the chance to see turtles

Konnos Bay is the second 50-minute swim stop. The bay is known for marine life, and this is the best point on the route to look for turtles.

Turtles are not guaranteed. Some people see one or more while snorkeling, while others see only fish and clear water. That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but you should not book this trip solely for a turtle sighting. Think of the turtles as a welcome bonus to an already worthwhile swim stop.

The crew supplies snorkel equipment and life jackets, and fresh-water showers are available afterward. If you want to increase your chance of seeing marine life, move slowly, keep your distance, and avoid chasing anything. The supplied information does not promise guided snorkeling, so you are responsible for your own swim.

After Konnos Bay, the boat begins the open-sea return to Ayia Napa Harbour. Conditions can change. On a calm day, the ride back may feel easy and quiet. On a windy day, the boat can meet larger waves, which some people find exciting and others find uncomfortable.

The operator has sometimes offered a bus return when weather makes the sea rough. That gives you an important practical point: the return is not always the same as the outward ride. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit in a central, lower part of the boat, watch the horizon, and ask the crew for advice.

What the crew adds to the day

The staff are a major part of the experience. Crew members provide coastal information, help people use the swimming access points, supply equipment, and check on people during the trip. Andreas and John are among the crew members singled out by name in the supplied feedback, and the team is described as friendly, funny, and multilingual.

That matters on a boat of this size. A large vessel can feel impersonal if nobody explains what is happening. Here, the commentary, reminders, and crew movement help keep the day organized.

The strongest praise is directed at the service, cleanliness, food, and easygoing atmosphere. The boat is described as clean and in good condition, with enough shade and space for many people. Still, the larger capacity means you may not find a secluded seat, especially if you board late.

The music also helps keep the long ride from feeling flat. One lower rating suggested the journey could use more entertainment in some sections, so expect a social sightseeing cruise, not a nonstop activity program.

Is $54.42 good value?

At $54.42 per person, the price is fair for what is included. You get nearly five hours on the water, lunch, snorkel equipment, two long swimming stops, a crew-led route, WiFi, sun mats, and access to showers.

A comparable day can become expensive when you add a meal, equipment rental, and drinks separately. Here, the main costs are bundled. You still need to budget for drinks and snacks from the bar, but you are not paying extra for the basic lunch or snorkel gear.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim. If you only want a short scenic cruise, nearly five hours may feel long. If you want a full morning and early afternoon on the coast, the timing works well.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 1,395 reviews and is recommended by 98 percent of people who rated it. Those figures point to a consistently strong experience, while the practical cautions remain clear: it can be crowded, the sea can turn rough, and very young children may not enjoy the full length.

Who should book the Aphrodite II?

I would choose this cruise if you want to see several east-coast sights without arranging separate transport. It works well for couples, families with school-age children, groups of friends, and anyone who wants swimming time built into a sightseeing day.

It is also a good pick if you prefer facilities and organization over a tiny boat. The triple-decker design provides toilets, shade, a lounge, a bar, WiFi, equipment, and a proper lunch.

I would think twice if you have mobility issues, since the activity is not recommended for people with mobility limitations. You should also consider the five-hour length if you are traveling with children under five. One family found that toddlers aged about two and four became bored during the longer stretches.

The tour is offered in English, with commentary also provided in other languages according to the supplied information. The booking system confirms your place at once, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this Cyprus boat trip?

Book it if you want a well-priced coastal day with two real swim stops, a meal, scenic landmarks, and a crew that stays involved. The Blue Lagoon is the visual high point, while Konnos Bay offers the best chance for turtles and marine life.

Skip it if you want a quiet private sailing, guaranteed wildlife, or a short trip with little time aboard. The Aphrodite II is a popular, full-service boat, and that means some crowding and less solitude.

For most visitors based in Ayia Napa, I think the balance is good. You see a wide stretch of Cyprus’s east coast, get time in the water, learn a little about Famagusta, and return without having to plan each piece yourself.

FAQ

Where does the Aphrodite II cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts at Aphrodite II Cruises in Ayia Napa Harbour and returns to the same meeting point.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding takes place from 8:45 to 9:30. The listed start time is 9:30, and the boat sets off at 9:45.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and consists of roast chicken, potatoes, and vegetables. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for use during the swimming stops. Life jackets are also supplied.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks, ice cream, and snacks are available to buy from the onboard bar.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.