Catamaran Ruby Sunset Cruise from Protaras

The best part of this Protaras cruise is the change of scene: you leave the busy resort behind, swim from a catamaran, then watch the sun drop over the coast with dinner already served. The sunset from the deck gives you a fine reason to keep your camera ready.

I like the easy package, with hotel pickup, buffet dinner, and unlimited drinks included. I also like the swimming stop and the chance to see Green Bay, Konnos Bay, Cape Greco, or the Blue Lagoon from the water. The main drawback is that the sunset may sit behind hills or rocks rather than over open sea, and the transfer to the boat can feel less polished than the cruise itself.

Key points to know before booking

• Four hours on the water: The cruise includes a swim stop, dinner, drinks, fruit, dessert, and time for coastal views.
• Routes can vary: Green Bay is listed as the stop, but the boat may also visit Konnos Bay, Cape Greco, the Blue Lagoon, or another part of the Protaras coast.
• Pickup begins from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m.: Protaras and Ayia Napa hotel pickup is offered, though some guests are assigned nearby meeting points.
• A sunset cruise, not a guaranteed open-sea sunset: Hills and rocks can block the sun as it sets, depending on the route and position of the boat.
• A fairly large boat outing: The maximum group size is 100, so this is not a quiet private sailing trip.
• Good value at $70.89: Dinner, unlimited drinks, transfers, swimming, dessert, fruit, WiFi, and four hours aboard make the price reasonable for a full afternoon and evening.

Leaving Protaras for a late afternoon at sea

The Ruby cruise is built around a simple holiday idea: get on a boat, swim in the sea, eat dinner, and watch the light change along Cyprus’s east coast. You are not signing up for a demanding sailing trip or a small, intimate charter. You are buying an easy half-day outing with several popular inclusions packed into one ticket.

Pickup begins between 3:00 and 3:45 p.m. from hotels in Protaras and Ayia Napa. If you stay in a private villa or other private accommodation, pickup is not available there. You may instead receive a meeting point within walking distance, so check the email sent no later than the day before and confirm the details with the emergency line if you booked close to departure.

The cruise begins at the East Coast Cruises meeting point in the Famagusta area. The return is to the same meeting point, with the full activity lasting about four hours. I would leave extra time around the pickup window, since a shared transfer rarely runs like a private taxi.

Green Bay, Cape Greco, and the changing route

The advertised stop is Green Bay Beach, on the Protaras coastline. The wider route may include Konnos Bay, Cape Greco, the Blue Lagoon, or other coastal points around Protaras and Famagusta. That flexibility is useful because the captain can shape the outing around conditions and availability, but it also means you should not expect every named place on every departure.

Green Bay is well suited to a boat outing because the focus is on clear water, swimming, and views from offshore. You are not visiting the beach as a land-based sight, so the appeal comes from stepping or jumping into the sea near the boat and seeing the coast from a different angle.

Konnos Bay and Cape Greco add more scenic interest. Cape Greco is one of the best-known coastal areas near Protaras, and a view from the water gives you a broader sense of its rocky shoreline. The Blue Lagoon name may sound like a promise of a fixed destination, but the route is subject to weather and availability, so treat it as a possible part of the cruise rather than a guarantee.

The swimming stop is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip instead of a simple coastal sightseeing boat. Pack your swimsuit under your clothes or keep it easy to reach. The supplied details do not specify changing facilities, towels, or snorkeling equipment, so you should not count on those extras unless the operator confirms them.

Sunset views, with one important limitation

The sunset is the emotional center of the trip, but the viewing angle matters. On some departures, hills or rocks can block the sun before it reaches the horizon. If you want a classic sunset over open water, this cruise may disappoint you.

I would still consider the light and color along the coast worthwhile, especially when you combine it with a swim and dinner. But keep your expectations practical: this is a coastal sunset cruise, not necessarily a boat sailing west into an unobstructed horizon. The route, timing, and position of the boat all affect what you see.

Take photographs early, too. The coastline, swimming stop, and changing evening light give you several good photo moments before the final sunset. A phone with a secure case is sensible around the water, and free WiFi is included if you want to stay connected, though I would give more attention to the view than to uploading pictures during the cruise.

Buffet dinner and an open bar on board

The included buffet turns this into a dinner outing rather than a short boat ride with snacks. You receive dinner, seasonal fresh fruit, dessert, and unlimited drinks from the open bar. That makes the evening easy to plan: you do not need to book a restaurant after returning.

The food is practical rather than a reason to choose the cruise on its own. A buffet lets you eat when it suits you and keeps the group moving during the four-hour schedule. If you have strict dietary needs, contact the operator before booking, since the supplied information does not give a menu or dietary details.

The open bar adds value, particularly if you would otherwise buy drinks separately during a long afternoon at sea. It also helps make the boat feel social and festive. If you prefer a quiet, low-key sailing, the maximum capacity of 100 is worth noting. This can be a lively group cruise, not a peaceful private escape.

Scott is named as part of the crew, and the provided feedback specifically praises his organization and the information shared about the surrounding area. That matters because a few useful comments about the coast can give the ride more shape than a simple meal-and-swim schedule.

How the transport affects the value

Hotel pickup and drop-off are convenient, especially if you are staying in a large Protaras or Ayia Napa resort and do not want to arrange a taxi. The pickup window starts at 3:00 p.m. and runs until 3:45 p.m., so watch your email for the exact place and time.

The transport is the weaker part of the package. I would not choose this tour mainly for a polished door-to-boat transfer. The cruise itself receives warmer praise than the journey to and from the catamaran, so think of the transfer as functional rather than luxurious.

If your accommodation is not eligible for pickup, the assigned meeting point may be within walking distance. Private villas are specifically excluded from pickup, and nearby public transportation is available. Confirm late bookings directly with the emergency line, since last-minute arrangements deserve a quick check.

What $70.89 buys you

At $70.89 per person, the price is fair if you plan to use the whole package. You are paying for roughly four hours on the water, transportation from eligible hotels, a swimming stop, buffet dinner, unlimited drinks, fruit, dessert, WiFi, and the sunset setting.

A simple boat ride might cost less, but it would not necessarily include dinner and a bar. A separate restaurant meal and taxi could also narrow the price difference. I see the strongest value for couples, families, and groups who want one organized evening rather than several separate bookings.

The value drops if you dislike large group outings, do not drink, or mainly want a guaranteed open-sea sunset. In that case, part of the package may not matter to you. The boat’s maximum capacity is 100, so ask yourself if you want a social cruise with plenty included or a smaller sailing with more control over the route.

Who will enjoy the Ruby cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a relaxed holiday activity with several needs handled at once. It suits people who enjoy swimming, coastal views, a buffet meal, and an informal boat atmosphere.

It is also a good fit for families and mixed-age groups because the schedule combines scenery, food, swimming, and an early evening return. Most participants can take part, and the activity is near public transportation, though the provided details do not specify special accessibility equipment or step-free boarding.

Couples can enjoy the sunset and dinner, but I would not sell this as a private romantic cruise. With up to 100 people aboard, the mood may be more social than secluded. The same point applies to anyone hoping for a quiet photography trip.

If your priority is a precise destination, such as the Blue Lagoon every time, or a perfect sunset directly over the sea, choose with caution. The route can change, and the sun may disappear behind coastal rocks or hills.

Weather, group size, and practical planning

The cruise requires favorable weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. The minimum number of participants also applies, so a low booking count can lead to a change, alternative experience, or refund.

The boat can carry up to 100 people. That capacity is large enough to create a lively atmosphere and may mean more competition for the best deck position at sunset. Arrive prepared to share the space rather than expecting a reserved seat with a private view.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and something light for the return ride. The supplied information confirms dinner, drinks, fruit, dessert, WiFi, and swimming, but it does not confirm towels, lockers, special meals, or onboard equipment. Ask before departure if any of those details matter to you.

You can cancel without penalty up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Cyprus time.

Should you book this Protaras sunset cruise?

I would book the Ruby if I wanted an easy, social afternoon that combines a swim, coastal scenery, dinner, and drinks without arranging each part separately. The friendly crew, including Scott, adds useful local commentary, and the package offers solid value at $70.89.

I would hesitate only if my main goal were a guaranteed sunset over open water, a small boat, or a polished private transfer. For everyone else, this is a sensible way to spend four hours along the Protaras coast, with enough variety to make the evening feel like more than a simple dinner cruise.

FAQ

How long is the Catamaran Ruby Sunset Cruise?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the cruise start and end?

It starts at the East Coast Cruises meeting point in the Famagusta area and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are offered from hotels in Protaras and Ayia Napa. Private villas and other private accommodations do not receive pickup, and a nearby walking meeting point may be assigned.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup starts between 3:00 and 3:45 p.m. Your exact pickup information is sent by email no later than one day before the cruise.

Is dinner included?

Yes. A buffet dinner, seasonal fresh fruit, and dessert are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks from the open bar are included.

Where does the boat stop?

Green Bay Beach is listed as the main stop. Depending on conditions and availability, the route may also include the Protaras coastline, Konnos Bay, Cape Greco, or the Blue Lagoon.

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 may also result in an alternative date or a full refund.