BBQ Boat: Nafsika II Sunset BBQ, Waterslide & Swimming Trip

Blue Lagoon swimming meets a sunset supper. The Nafsika II gives you a lively four-hour cruise from Latchi along the Akamas coast, with swimming, snorkelling, a waterslide, and a barbecue served on board. I especially like the generous meal and the long stop in the Blue Lagoon, where you have time to enjoy the water instead of rushing in and out. The main thing to watch is the timing: the boat may return close to sunset, and on some evenings you may reach the harbour just before the sun disappears.

I also like the relaxed choice of spaces on board. You can sit on the main deck, head upstairs for the views, or visit the bar for wine and soft drinks. The new inflatable slide adds a playful touch for children and adults, though the music can be loud at times and the exact schedule may change with wind or other weather conditions.

Quick points to know

• Blue Lagoon stop: Expect roughly one and a half to two hours for swimming and snorkelling, depending on the day’s timing.
• Onboard barbecue: Chicken and pork are served with salad, couscous, yoghurt, bread, and local wine or orange squash.
• New waterslide: The slide runs from the boat into the Blue Lagoon after the meal, making the swim stop more than a simple dip.
• Akamas coastline: The route passes the Baths of Aphrodite, Saint George’s Island, Manolis Bay, Blaji Bay, and other coastal views.
• Family-friendly setup: Children love the slide, and children under two travel free.
• Good value: At $41 per person, the cruise includes the boat ride, meal, drinks, swimming stop, and entertainment.

Leaving Latchi at 3:30pm

Your afternoon begins at Latchi Harbor, opposite the Yiangos & Peter Hotel and Restaurant. Look for the Nafsika II, a refitted boat with seating on several levels and a fully stocked bar.

Arrive early if you care about your seat. One useful tip is to come with enough time to choose a good spot, especially if you want an unobstructed view from the upper deck. The boat has room to move around, but the best viewing positions are naturally taken first.

The 3:30pm departure gives the trip a pleasant rhythm. You leave in daylight, spend the main part of the afternoon at the Blue Lagoon, eat while the crew prepares the barbecue, and return as the light softens over the coast. It feels more like a social evening out than a quick sightseeing transfer.

The exact return time can vary. The advertised duration is four hours, but one booking finished after about three and a half hours, while another evening reached the harbour around 8pm, just before sunset. If seeing the sun set from the water is your main goal, keep your expectations flexible.

Along the Akamas coast

The ride out gives you a broad look at the coastline around the Akamas Peninsula. This is not a stop-heavy sightseeing tour, so you will see many places from the water rather than walk ashore.

The first notable sight is the Baths of Aphrodite, a leafy pool associated with the ancient goddess Aphrodite. From a boat, you get a coastal view rather than a full visit to the site, but the setting adds a little mythology to the trip without taking you away from the main attraction, the Blue Lagoon.

The route also passes Saint George’s Island, Manolis Bay, and Blaji Bay. These names matter less as formal attractions than as markers along a scenic stretch of water. You can sit upstairs with a drink and watch the coves and rocky shoreline slide past, or stay near the bar and chat with your group.

The ride to the Blue Lagoon takes about 45 minutes to an hour. That is long enough to settle into the boat, but not so long that the journey becomes tiring. If you are prone to motion sickness, you may prefer an open-air position with a clear view of the horizon.

The Blue Lagoon swimming stop

The heart of the trip is the stop at the Blue Lagoon. Here the water is clear, warm in the summer months, and suited to both relaxed swimming and snorkelling around the rocks.

You can expect roughly 90 minutes to two hours in the water, depending on the day’s running time. That is a useful amount of time. You are not forced to choose between a quick swim and a meal, since the barbecue is prepared while you are enjoying the lagoon.

Bring or wear swimwear under your clothes, and keep a towel handy. You will need to climb back aboard wet, and the trip is built around being in and out of the water. Snorkels are part of the appeal here, particularly near the rocks, where small fish can be seen.

The lagoon can also be busy with other boats. That is part of the reality of visiting one of Cyprus’s best-known swimming spots. The Nafsika II makes the stop enjoyable by giving you plenty of time, but this is not a quiet, private cove experience.

The waterslide adds real fun

After the swimming time and meal, the crew brings out the inflatable waterslide. It runs from the boat straight into the Blue Lagoon, turning the swim stop into a small floating water park.

Children clearly get the most excitement from it, but adults are welcome to use it too. The slide is especially useful for families because it gives younger passengers something active to do beyond swimming and sitting at a table.

The slide is not available for the whole cruise. It is brought out after the barbecue, with about 45 minutes of slide time described in one account of the schedule. If you want to use it, listen for the crew’s instructions and be ready when it opens.

The boat may rock gently as people climb and land in the water. Use care, follow the crew’s directions, and remember that the slide is a fun extra, not a full-scale water park. It adds a memorable feature without changing the basic character of the cruise.

A barbecue with generous portions

The meal is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The standard offering includes fresh chicken and pork barbecue, seasonal salad, local red or white wine, and orange squash. Additional details described during the trip include couscous, yoghurt, and bread.

Portions are generous. Several meals were described as large enough to be filling, which matters at sea, especially after swimming. This is not a tiny snack served in a plastic cup. You can expect a proper plate of food, with meat as the main part of the meal.

The barbecue is cooked on the lower deck while the boat is stopped or during the swimming period. That arrangement works well: you get water time first, then return to a hot meal. It also creates a pleasant smell on board, although people who prefer a quiet, polished dinner should remember that this is an informal barbecue on a working excursion boat.

Food quality can depend on the weather. On one windy evening, the barbecue could not be cooked on board, so it was prepared beforehand and served hot. That is a sensible adjustment, but it means the meal may not always have the same just-cooked feel.

Local wine is included, which improves the value. You can choose red or white wine, while children and non-drinkers can have orange squash. The bar is also available for other drinks, but extra purchases are not part of the $41 price.

Sunset views from the upper deck

The upper deck is the natural place to sit during the return ride. From there, you can take in the coast, feel the breeze, and watch the light change as the boat heads back toward Latchi.

The return is often the most atmospheric section of the trip. After swimming and dinner, you are fed, relaxed, and ready to watch the sea and mountains turn darker. Several accounts describe the ride back as especially beautiful, with the setting sun behind the coast.

Still, do not book this solely for a guaranteed sunset at sea. The listed departure is 3:30pm, and the boat may be back at the harbor around 8pm. In late summer, that can be just before sunset. The timing depends on the day, the weather, and how long the swimming stop lasts.

The upper deck is also the best escape if music on the lower deck becomes too loud. One piece of criticism concerned loud club-style music that made conversation difficult. Music levels can change, but the point is useful: this is a social party-style cruise, not a silent yacht outing.

Service and atmosphere on Nafsika II

The boat is described as clean, well maintained, and recently refitted. The crew’s friendly service is one of the most consistently praised features of the experience.

Theo is a helpful contact associated with the boat. On one occasion, a late arrival was handled with care: the passengers were transferred to the Blue Lagoon by another boat, their bags were moved safely, and they still returned to the main boat for the meal and sunset ride. Do not treat that as a standard part of the arrangement, but it shows a willingness to solve problems when circumstances allow.

The onboard mood is informal and sociable. You can talk with family and friends, order a drink, move between decks, and use the swimming stop as you please. The boat is not presented as a small private charter, so expect a shared experience with other passengers.

That shared setting is part of the value. For $41, you get a meal, drinks, entertainment, and a coastal outing in one package. It is a much easier choice for a family or group than arranging separate transport, food, and a boat rental.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend Nafsika II to families, couples, and groups who want a full afternoon on the water without paying yacht-charter prices. The slide makes it particularly appealing for children, while the long Blue Lagoon stop gives adults enough time to swim, snorkel, eat, and relax.

It also suits anyone who likes a little variety. You are not sitting in one place for four hours: there is the coastal ride, several named bays, the lagoon, the barbecue, the slide, and the return in evening light.

You may want a different trip if you prefer a quiet, small-group boat with no music and no fixed entertainment. The waterslide, shared seating, and bar create an upbeat atmosphere. That can be fun or distracting, depending on your idea of a good evening.

This is also not the best choice for someone who wants to explore the Baths of Aphrodite on foot or spend time ashore at every coastal site. The cruise passes these places from the water. Its main purpose is swimming, food, and a scenic boat ride.

Price, timing, and practical value

At $41 per person, the price is strong for a four-hour outing. You receive the cruise, the Blue Lagoon stop, a full barbecue plate, seasonal salad, local wine or orange squash, and use of the waterslide.

A comparable day can become expensive once you add a separate boat trip, lunch, drinks, and activities. Here, those pieces are combined into one straightforward plan. The value is strongest if you intend to eat on board and want to use the slide.

The trip is weather dependent. If poor conditions force a cancellation, a full refund is available. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

Guiding is available in English, French, Greek, and Russian. That is helpful for mixed-language groups, though the atmosphere remains casual rather than formal or lecture-heavy.

My verdict on Nafsika II

I would book this cruise if your ideal Cyprus evening includes clear water, a filling barbecue, friendly staff, and a bit of harmless chaos from a boat waterslide. The Blue Lagoon stop is long enough to feel worthwhile, and the meal is more substantial than the price might suggest.

Go in knowing that the sunset may be brief, the music may be loud, and the exact duration can shift. Arrive early for a good seat, bring swimwear and a towel, and treat the sunset as a welcome bonus rather than a promise. For families and groups wanting a lively, good-value afternoon from Latchi, Nafsika II is an easy recommendation.

FAQ

Where does the Nafsika II cruise leave from?

It leaves from Latchi Harbor. Look for the Nafsika II opposite the Yiangos & Peter Hotel and Restaurant.

What time does the cruise start?

The trip begins at 3:30pm and returns around sunset, although the exact return time can vary.

How long is the Nafsika II experience?

The advertised duration is four hours. Actual timing may vary with weather and the day’s schedule.

What food is included?

The included meal features fresh chicken and pork barbecue, seasonal salad, local red or white wine, and orange squash. The meal may also include couscous, yoghurt, and bread.

Is the waterslide included?

Yes. The inflatable slide runs from the boat into the Blue Lagoon during the swimming stop.

Are children allowed on the cruise?

Yes. Children are welcome, and children under two years old travel free.

What happens if the weather cancels the trip?

The tour is weather dependent. If the operator cancels the cruise because of weather, you receive a full refund.