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

A sunset boat trip that mixes a Blue Lagoon swim with an inflatable waterslide and a real onboard BBQ is a high-fun way to enjoy the Akamas coast. I like the simple rhythm here: cruise views first, then water time, then dinner, then sunset sailing back. I also like that the food is cooked on board with chicken and pork plus fresh salad, paired with local wine.

The main consideration is that this trip is weather dependent. If conditions are windy, the plan can adjust, including how and where the BBQ happens, and you may not exactly land on the perfect sunset timing.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Inflatable waterslide at the Blue Lagoon: Slide from the boat deck straight into the clear water.
• Onboard BBQ with wine: Chicken and pork grilled on board, plus seasonal salad and local red or white wine.
• Akamas coastline viewpoints: You pass the Baths of Aphrodite, Saint George’s Island, Manolis Bay, and Blaji Bay.
• A real swimming stop: Time in crystal-clear water for swimming and snorkelling around the rocks.
• Good odds of a smooth day if you arrive early: People have had their spots sorted even when there’s a small delay, with help from staff.
• 4 hours, departing at 3:30pm: Built around late afternoon light and a sunset return.

Why the Nafsika II Sunset BBQ feels like a mini vacation

This is the kind of trip that doesn’t ask you to choose between beaches and dinner. You get a classic Cyprus setting, the Blue Lagoon water stop, a proper meal cooked onboard, and a sunset cruise back to Latchi. It’s also family-friendly in a very practical way: the waterslide is the star activity, and the rest of the trip keeps moving so the kids usually stay entertained.

What makes it work for most people is pacing. The day isn’t a long day of sitting. You cruise along the coast, stop for a swim with real time in the water, eat while the crew is still running the show, then hit the slide before you head back. The structure is relaxed, but not slow.

And it’s good value for what you get. At $41 per person, you’re paying for a boat experience plus a meal and drinks, not just a quick transfer. Add in that kids under 2 travel for free, and it becomes a sensible pick if you’re traveling with little ones who won’t take a full seat.

Meeting in Latchi: finding the Nafsika II and settling in fast

You’ll meet at Latchi Harbor, looking for the Nafsika II. The boat is located opposite the Yiangos & Peter (Y&P) Hotel and Restaurant. This matters because the harbor area is busy, and boats can look similar from a distance. If you arrive a little early, you can get settled without stress.

Once aboard, you’ll find a comfortably refitted boat with seating options and a bar. The bar is a big part of the vibe because it gives you a place to hang out during the coastline cruise, grab a drink, and chat with your group. On a sunset sailing, that’s not a small detail. It turns the trip from a simple transport ride into something you actually enjoy.

Crew help seems to be a strong point too. In one situation, when people were late by just a few minutes, the staff coordinated an alternate way to get everyone to the Blue Lagoon. Bags were transferred by safety boat, and the BBQ still happened on the main boat once the crew found the right solution. That’s the sort of calm problem-solving you hope for on a water-based trip.

Coastline cruising from Latchi toward Akamas highlights

After departure at 3:30pm, the boat cruises along the Akamas coast. The route is not just scenic decoration. Passing specific landmarks helps you feel like you’re seeing the real geography, not just moving across water.

Along the way, you pass:

• The Baths of Aphrodite
• Saint George’s Island
• Manolis Bay
• Blaji Bay
• The famous Blue Lagoon area

You’ll also get open views from the water, which is the best way to understand how this coastline sits between land and sea. It’s the kind of scenery that looks good from land, but feels different once you’re above it, moving slowly with the late-day light.

If you’re the type who wants one or two memorable view moments rather than a constant stream of stops, this part hits the sweet spot. You’re not sprinting around from one location to another, but you still get a sense of place.

The Blue Lagoon swim stop, snorkel time, and the waterslide moment

The main event is the stop at the Blue Lagoon. This is where you swim in clear water and do snorkelling around the rocks. Expect the water time to be the heart of the trip. Many schedules bring you to the lagoon after about an hour of cruising, then give you solid time in the water before the next stage of the day.

A typical pattern looks like this:

• time to reach the Blue Lagoon
• swimming and snorkelling in crystal-clear water
• then onboard activities kick in for food and drinks

And yes, the waterslide is part of the action. The boat has a brand-new inflatable water slide set up so you can go from the deck straight into the water at the Blue Lagoon. It’s not a “stand and watch” feature. You get the chance to actually use it. One reason people keep talking about it is that it works for both kids and adults. Adults might hesitate, then end up doing it anyway. Kids treat it like a ride at a summer park.

Practical tip: bring swim shoes if you have them. The tour data doesn’t promise specific entry points or rock-free access, and the Blue Lagoon is known for rocky areas. Even simple footwear can make you feel more confident moving around near the edges.

Also, if you’re prone to getting cold in shade, plan for that. Water can feel cooler once you’re out of direct sun, especially if there’s any wind on the return sailing.

Onboard BBQ dinner: chicken, pork, salad, and wine that actually fits the setting

What makes this BBQ feel worth it is that it’s tied to the boat experience. You’re eating while you’re still on the water, with the coastal views outside, and the crew is cooking onboard when you reach the next stage of the trip.

Included with the BBQ:

• Fresh chicken and pork
• Fresh seasonal salad
• Local wine (red or white)
• Orange squash

In real terms, this hits a lot of traveler needs at once. You get a hot, filling meal after swimming, you get something fresh on the side, and you get a drink included. That matters because you don’t have to find dinner plans in Paphos after this. You can treat the cruise as your meal plan.

Portions also seem generous based on the descriptions people shared. If you’re worried about whether you’ll leave hungry after water time, you probably won’t. The BBQ comes with bread and other sides at least in some forms during the experience, and people have noted it as a lot of food, not a token portion.

Timing is another detail worth managing in your head. Even though the trip is listed as 4 hours, the flow can stretch a bit depending on conditions and how the water stop runs. Some people have found the day runs closer to 3.5 hours. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it helps to know that the “exact 4 hours” promise can shift a little once you’re on the sea.

One more weather-related consideration: there has been at least one case where wind affected the ability to cook the BBQ on board, and the BBQ happened differently but still tasted good. So if weather is questionable, don’t be surprised if the crew needs to adjust.

Drinks, bar vibe, and why the sunset return is the payoff

The boat experience isn’t just the swim and BBQ. The bar makes the coastline cruising feel like an outing, not a chore. You can relax on the top deck, take in the views, and have a drink while the light changes.

Then comes the sunset return. The trip is described as returning at sunset, and that’s exactly the kind of payoff that makes a late afternoon departure feel smart. You’re not arriving at sunset, you’re leaving with it behind the land. That changes the whole look of the coastline.

People have described the return sailing as breathtaking, with the sun dropping behind the mountains. It’s the part where the day’s energy settles into a calmer mood, especially after you’ve been in the water.

If your travel style is all about photos and atmosphere, this is where you’ll get your payoff. If you prefer quiet, choose a spot on deck with fewer people, then just let the light do the work.

Price and value: what $41 buys you in real travel terms

At $41 per person for a roughly 4-hour outing, you’re buying a package. The value isn’t only the ticket. It’s what’s stacked inside it:

• a scenic Akamas coastline cruise from Latchi
• a paid swimming and snorkelling stop at the Blue Lagoon
• an included onboard meal with chicken and pork BBQ
• drinks included with local wine (red or white) plus orange squash
• a waterslide activity from the boat

If you tried to recreate this independently, you’d pay separately for boat transport, lunch, entry-style experiences, and you’d still need to organize the timing. Here, the schedule is done for you, and the day has a clean arc.

Also, the trip is not described as crowded. People have mentioned the boat feeling clean and not packed. That’s important. Crowds can turn a waterslide into a queue battle. A less crowded boat lets you actually enjoy the water time.

Who it suits best:

• families with kids who want the slide and swimming
• couples looking for a scenic evening with dinner included
• groups of friends who want a fun activity without planning a whole evening meal
• anyone who wants the Blue Lagoon without dealing with transport headaches

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants a long beach day, then note that this is still a half-day style outing. You’re not parking on a beach for hours at a time. You’re swapping beach time for a moving day with food and a slide.

Practical tips so your afternoon runs smoothly

A few small choices can make the whole day feel easier.

Arrive early at Latchi Harbor

You’ll get settled, choose a spot, and avoid last-minute stress. One story showed that staff handled a late arrival by coordinating alternate transport to the Blue Lagoon and transferring bags, but early arrival keeps your plan simple.

Bring swim basics you actually use

You’ll be in the water, so pack swimwear you can get in quickly, plus a towel. If you have them, consider water shoes for rocky edges.

Plan for sun and wind

The cruise is weather dependent. Sun helps. Wind can cool you down after swimming. Light layers can be handy when the sea breeze picks up during the return.

Watch your time, not just the clock

The trip is listed as 4 hours and returns at sunset, but real time can shift with sea conditions and operations. Think of it as an evening cruise with a meaningful water stop, not a strict timetable you can plan other things around minute by minute.

Should you book the Nafsika II Sunset BBQ boat trip?

If your goal is a fun, straightforward way to combine the Blue Lagoon with dinner on a boat, I think this is an easy yes. The included BBQ with wine and the deck-top waterslide make it feel like more than a standard sightseeing cruise. Add in the coastline passing landmarks like the Baths of Aphrodite and Saint George’s Island, and you get a trip that feels like an experience, not just a transfer.

Book it if you’re traveling with kids, want an evening plan that already includes food, or you’re short on time but still want a proper swim stop. I’d also book it if you enjoy sunset sailing and want the water to be part of your holiday story.

Skip it only if you need a very strict schedule, you hate the idea of weather-based changes, or you want a long onshore beach day. Otherwise, this is a great-value way to see the Akamas coast, eat well onboard, and end with sunset views that make the whole late afternoon feel like it was worth it.

FAQ

What time does the BBQ boat trip start and how long is it?

It starts at 3:30pm and the trip lasts about 4 hours.

Where is the meeting point for Nafsika II in Paphos?

Go to Latchi Harbor and look for the Nafsika II boat. It is opposite the Yiangos & Peter (Y&P) Hotel and Restaurant.

What is included in the onboard BBQ and drinks?

The BBQ includes fresh chicken and pork, plus fresh seasonal salad. Drinks included are local wine (red or white) and orange squash.

Is there a waterslide on this trip?

Yes. There is an inflatable waterslide that goes from the boat deck into the Blue Lagoon.

How are kids handled for this tour?

Children under 2 years travel for free.

What languages is the live tour guide offered in?

The live tour guide is available in English, French, Greek, and Russian.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour is weather dependent. If it is cancelled due to weather, you get a full refund.