Latsi: Blue Lagoon Boat Trips with Traditional BBQ

The best part is the time in the water. This four-hour trip from Latchi takes you along the Akamas Peninsula, then gives you about two hours at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, jumping, and a BBQ lunch. I especially like the clean, renovated boat and the cheerful crew, plus the waterslide that turns a simple swim stop into something more playful.

The price is about $41 per person, including the boat ride and BBQ. That is strong value when you consider the long lagoon stop, large meal, and onboard facilities. The main drawback is that drinks cost extra, and the meat may be dry on some days. Vegetarians should also know that a dedicated meat-free main course is not provided.

The meeting point is easy to find at Latchi Harbour: look for the Demetris Chara boat. Bring a towel, sunglasses, sun cream, and your own mask and snorkel if you want to see below the surface. The boat has a bar, but carrying some cash is still sensible.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours at the Blue Lagoon: You get more water time than on many shorter boat outings, with swimming and lunch built into the stop.
• A waterslide and jump point: The renovated boat has a slide at the front and a separate area for jumping into the water.
• BBQ lunch is included: Chicken and pork are served with salads, potatoes, bread, rice, couscous, and other sides, though vegetarian choices are limited.
• Akamas coastal sights: The route includes the Baths of Aphrodite, St. George Island, Manolis Bay, Blaji Bay, and the Blue Lagoon.
• Comfortable upper deck: The top deck is the best place for open views, fresh air, and a quieter seat away from the main serving area.
• Good family value: Life jackets are available for adults and children, but the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Setting out from Latchi Harbour

Latchi Harbour is the practical starting point for this trip. You meet at the harbor and find the Demetris Chara BBQ boat. Parking is available nearby, with one parking report noting a fee of €2.50, while another says free parking can be found around the harbor. Since conditions may change, allow a little extra time rather than arriving just before departure.

The boat itself receives plenty of praise for being clean, tidy, and well maintained. That matters on a swimming trip. You will be climbing aboard wet, carrying towels, and sharing spaces with people coming back from the water, so quick cleaning makes the boat feel much more pleasant.

You can sit on the lower deck or head upstairs. I would choose the upper deck early if you want a good view while leaving the harbor. It gives you a broad look at the coast and a better place for photographs, though it also means stronger sun. Bring plenty of sun cream, especially if you take the afternoon departure.

The tour is guided in English and Greek. The crew handles the practical side of the trip, including safety equipment, food service, and keeping the boat in order. Several accounts specifically praise the staff for being polite, friendly, and helpful with children.

Along the Akamas Peninsula coast

The route introduces you to several points along the coast before or during the main lagoon stop. The named sights include the Baths of Aphrodite, St. George Island, Manolis Bay, and Blaji Bay, followed by the famous Blue Lagoon.

This is not a walking tour with long land visits at each place. The appeal is seeing the coast from the water, with the boat providing a moving viewpoint and a comfortable base. If you want detailed archaeological commentary or a long visit at the Baths of Aphrodite, this is not that kind of outing. It is a coastal cruise built around scenery and swimming.

The sailing time to the main stop appears to vary. One account describes reaching the swimming area in about 20 minutes, while another describes roughly 45 minutes before anchoring. The exact timing may depend on the route and conditions, but the overall experience lasts four hours, with the Blue Lagoon taking up the largest share.

Keep your camera ready during the outward journey. The afternoon option can work well for photographs, since the light becomes softer on the return. One useful tip from a regular customer is to choose the afternoon sailing if you prefer less fierce sun and warm evening light.

The Blue Lagoon is the main event

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about two hours, and this is where the trip earns its keep. The water is described as crystal clear, and the boat anchors offshore for swimming and snorkeling. You can enter from the back, jump from a raised section, or use the waterslide at the front.

The slide is a newer feature and gives the stop a fun, family-friendly edge. It is not just a boat that pauses for a quick swim. You have time to use the slide, swim around, return to the boat, and go back into the water before departure.

A separate jumping area is reported to be about five meters high. That will appeal to confident swimmers and older children, but it is not something you need to use. You can simply climb down or enter through a more suitable point.

The boat may anchor some distance from the shore. One account advises weaker swimmers to bring a pool noodle or similar flotation aid. That is sensible advice, especially if you plan to spend a long time in the water. Life jackets are available for adults and children, but you should still judge your own swimming ability carefully.

Snorkeling equipment is not supplied. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to look underwater. The clear water is the setting’s biggest natural attraction, but the quality of your swim will depend partly on having the right equipment with you.

Inflatables are allowed, according to one detailed account, so you might bring a small one if you prefer a relaxed float. Fishing is not allowed.

BBQ lunch while the water is still calling

The crew prepares the BBQ while you are swimming, then serves lunch on board during the lagoon stop. The usual spread includes chicken and pork, salads, potatoes, bread, rice or couscous, and yogurt. Several meals are described as generous, fresh, home-style, and filling.

This timing works well. You do not lose the whole swimming stop to a formal lunch break, and you can return to the water after eating. The food is part of the value here, not an afterthought. At about $41, a four-hour boat trip with a substantial meal included compares well with many paid half-day outings.

The quality is not perfectly uniform. Most comments are very positive, but one person found the BBQ meat somewhat dry. That is a fair expectation to set: this is casual boat catering, not a restaurant meal. You are paying for the whole outing, with food served in a practical setting.

Vegetarians need to plan ahead. A vegetarian main alternative was not available on one trip, though salad, potatoes, bread, and other side dishes could make up a meal. If you do not eat meat, contact the provider before booking rather than assuming a substitute will be prepared.

The meal area can get busy, especially when people return from the water at the same time. The crew is reported to clean quickly after lunch, which helps keep the boat comfortable. Bring a cover-up or dry clothing so you are not sitting at the table in a dripping swimsuit.

Drinks, music, and the onboard mood

Drinks are not included, but the boat has a bar selling coffee, soft drinks, ice cream, snacks, wine, and cocktails. Prices are described as reasonable, with one cocktail costing €5. Card payment may be accepted, but the official advice is to bring cash, so I would carry some euros just in case.

The drink service adds to the easy holiday feel. You can sit on the upper deck with a cold drink, watch the coast, and let the crew handle the meal. The bar also gives families and mixed-age groups more choices than a basic boat with only water for sale.

Music is part of the atmosphere, though it may not suit everyone. Greek music can add local character, but one account found continuous music and repeated Spotify advertisements distracting. If you prefer quiet, the upper deck or the rear of the boat may offer a better place to relax, though the sound level can vary.

This is a social boat outing, not a silent nature cruise. You should expect music, conversation, children using the slide, and people moving between the deck and the water. For many people, that is exactly the point. If you want solitude, a small private charter would be a better match, but it would not offer the same price.

Who will get the most from this trip?

I would recommend this boat trip to families, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a simple half-day on the water without paying private-charter prices. The slide and jumping point give teenagers something to do, while the upper deck and coastal views suit adults who would rather sit with a drink.

It also works well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can jump and snorkel, while less active people can stay on deck, eat, take photographs, and enjoy the ride. The two-hour stop gives everyone enough time to choose their own pace.

The trip is less suitable if you need step-free access, since it is not suitable for wheelchair users. It may also disappoint you if you expect a quiet, small-group sailing or a proper guided visit ashore. The focus is water time, food, and relaxed entertainment.

Families should ask for children’s life jackets when boarding and keep close track of children around the slide and jumping area. The presence of safety equipment is reassuring, but the lagoon is still open water, and the boat may anchor away from the shore.

The value of $41 per person

At around $41, this is one of the better-value ways to see the Blue Lagoon from Latchi. The price includes the boat tour and BBQ lunch, while the main extras are drinks and any equipment you bring or buy elsewhere.

The value becomes clearer when you break down the day. You get a four-hour outing, a scenic coastal route, a long swimming stop, a freshly prepared meal, seating on a renovated boat, and access to the slide. Other boat trips may offer similar scenery but less time at the lagoon. The unusually long swimming period is one of the strongest reasons to choose this option.

I would not book it solely for the food. The meal is useful and generally well liked, but the real prize is the Blue Lagoon time. I would also budget for drinks if you want coffee, ice cream, wine, or cocktails during the ride.

The high rating of 4.8 from 246 ratings supports the overall impression of a well-run outing. The most consistent strengths are the friendly crew, clean boat, generous food, clear water, and good value. The main cautions are the limited vegetarian meal, extra drink costs, occasional dry meat, and music that may feel too loud or repetitive.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack a towel. You will want to get into the water quickly once the boat anchors, and a dry layer helps after lunch or on the return journey.

Bring sunglasses and plenty of sun cream. The upper deck has the best views but little protection from direct sun. An afternoon trip may feel more comfortable, and the lower sun can make the journey back especially attractive for photos.

Pack your own snorkeling mask and snorkel. They are not supplied, and the clear water is one of the main reasons to swim at the lagoon.

Carry cash even if card payment may be available. You will need it mainly for drinks, snacks, or small purchases on board.

If you are not a strong swimmer, bring a pool noodle or another approved flotation aid. The boat can anchor away from the shore, and the swimming area may require a longer return to the boat than you expect.

The cancellation terms are flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times when booking because the exact departure schedule is not fixed here.

Should you book the Demetris Chara boat?

Book it if you want a generous Blue Lagoon stop, a casual BBQ, and good value. The long swim, clean boat, friendly crew, and waterslide give this outing more substance than a quick scenic cruise.

I would choose it over a shorter option if time in the water matters most. Families and active couples should enjoy the slide and jump point, while older visitors can stay on the upper deck and take in the coast at an easy pace.

Think twice if you need wheelchair access, want a vegetarian main meal, or dislike onboard music. For everyone else, this is a practical and enjoyable way to spend four hours around the Akamas Peninsula, with the Blue Lagoon given the attention it deserves.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

Meet at Latchi Harbour and look for the Demetris Chara BBQ boat.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts four hours.

How long does the boat stop at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about two hours, including swimming and the BBQ lunch.

Is the BBQ lunch included?

Yes. The BBQ lunch is included in the tour price.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available to buy on the boat but are not included.

What food is served at the BBQ?

The meal can include chicken, pork, salads, potatoes, bread, rice, couscous, and yogurt.

Is there a vegetarian main course?

A dedicated vegetarian alternative is not provided. Vegetarian passengers may have salad, potatoes, bread, and other side dishes.

Is snorkeling equipment supplied?

No. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to snorkel.

Is the boat suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What languages are spoken on the tour?

The live tour guide service is available in English and Greek.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The booking option allows you to reserve your place and pay later.