A Paphos boat trip leaves the harbour below Paphos Castle for glass-bottom views, turtle swims, barbecue cruises, sunsets and fireworks along the south-west coast of Cyprus. Plan more of your holidays with Greece Tours.
This page sets out each type of trip, the stops, the private boats, the timetables and the kit to pack.
What is a Paphos boat trip?
A Paphos boat trip is a cruise that leaves the old harbour of Paphos, below the medieval castle, for 90 minutes to a full day on the south-west coast of Cyprus. Glass-bottom boats, turtle snorkelling trips, barbecue cruises, sunset sails, night shows and private yachts all start from the same quay.
Paphos is the fourth largest city in Cyprus, and its harbour sits at the edge of Kato Paphos, the old lower town.
The trips stay close to home. A Paphos boat trip runs along the coast between Geroskipou to the south-east and the sea caves of Peyia to the north, with swim stops in sheltered coves. The Akamas peninsula lies about 50 km to the north, and its Blue Lagoon trips work from Latchi harbour.
Lengths range from 90 minutes to a full day. The short glass-bottom runs suit families with small children, while the all-inclusive day cruises add a barbecue lunch, an open bar and more swim stops.
The boats differ in size and style. The Super Jumbo St. Raphael I bills itself as the largest glass-bottom boat in the eastern Mediterranean. The Wave Dancer runs half-day, full-day, sunset and fireworks cruises, and small operators such as Paphos Boat Tours sail the Tyros, the Blue Marlin Yacht and the Glass Majesty.
Every Paphos boat trip shares one promise: clear water within reach of the town. Our Cyprus tours page places these cruises among the other top sellers on the island.
Which Paphos boat trip types can you book?
Eight types sail from the harbour: glass-bottom trips, turtle snorkelling trips, half-day barbecue cruises, all-inclusive full days, sunset cruises, night cruises with shows and fireworks, pirate ships for families, and private or adults-only yachts.
Turtle trips lead the sales on GetYourGuide. The top Paphos boat trip there combines snorkelling with sea scooters and guides, and a second turtle tour films guests with a GoPro. A swim cruise adds turtle watching, drinks and an Aperol on deck.
Night cruises come next. The Ocean Vision cruise is an all-inclusive evening with dancing and a show, and the Wave Dancer show cruise serves a buffet dinner before the fireworks.
Day cruises fill the middle of the list. The Wave Dancer runs a half-day cruise with a barbecue and an open bar, and Viator lists the Wave Dancer Sunshine Full Day Cruise, which covers the whole day on an all-inclusive basis.
Families pick the glass-bottom boats or the Jolly Roger pirate cruise. Adults who want a quieter deck book the Ocean Flyer VIP cruise for adults only or the Wave Dancer deluxe night cruise for adults, while groups hire a whole boat for a Paphos boat trip of their own.
What does a glass-bottom Paphos boat trip show?
A glass-bottom Paphos boat trip shows the reefs, fish and wrecks below the boat through a window in the hull. The Super Jumbo St. Raphael I passes the Vera K. shipwreck, and turtles swim past in the season. Every St. Raphael trip adds a swim stop.
The St. Raphael I is a 22-metre boat with a viewing deck of 20 square metres set into its hull. Passengers look down through the glass at colourful fish and natural reefs without getting wet.
The Vera K. shipwreck is the highlight of the route, and in the turtle season Mediterranean sea turtles swim alongside the boat.
The St. Raphael runs three trips. A 90-minute Paphos boat trip leaves daily at 11:00 and 13:00, with an extra 15:00 sailing on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A 2.5-hour trip with a giant sea slide sails at 15:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and a 2-hour sunset trip completes the timetable.
Selected St. Raphael cruises add a giant sea slide, and a jumping platform lets bolder guests leap straight into the sea. A Paphos boat trip on this boat suits every age, from toddlers on the viewing deck to teenagers on the slide.
Two other glass-bottom boats work the harbour. GetYourGuide sells the Yellow Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise with a swim and snorkel, and Paphos Boat Tours runs the Glass Majesty with a fun slide on its shared trips.
The St. Raphael carries a licensed bar, toilets and changing rooms, and lends noodles, flotation aids and life jackets for children and less confident swimmers free of charge.
Can you snorkel with turtles on a Paphos boat trip?
Yes. Turtle trips from Paphos take guests snorkelling with guides to watch sea turtles, and the top-selling tour adds sea scooters. Glass-bottom and sunset cruises also watch for turtles from the deck during the season.
The turtle snorkelling tour with sea scooters is the top-selling Paphos boat trip on GetYourGuide. Guides swim with the group, and the scooters pull swimmers through the water.
A second guided turtle tour films the swim. Its guides shoot GoPro videos underwater, so guests take home footage of the turtles and the reef.
Turtles nest on the beaches of the Akamas peninsula to the north, and Lara Bay runs a hatchery for their eggs. In the waters off Paphos, the St. Raphael crew spots Mediterranean sea turtles beside the boat in the turtle season.
The glass-bottom boats help less confident swimmers on a Paphos boat trip too. The St. Raphael has an extended swimming platform with easy-access steps, plus a freshwater shower for after the swim.
Keep a respectful distance. Sea turtles are a vulnerable species around Cyprus, so watch them without touching and let them surface to breathe.
What does a half-day or full-day cruise from Paphos include?
Half-day cruises from Paphos include a barbecue lunch, an open bar and swim stops along the coast. Full-day cruises add more time at sea and more stops. The Wave Dancer runs both, and the St. Raphael offers a 2.5-hour trip with a giant slide.
The Wave Dancer half-day cruise is the classic barbecue Paphos boat trip. Guests swim, sunbathe and eat grilled food at anchor, with drinks from an open bar. Photos of the boat show a deck lined with sunbeds and shade sails and a grill on board.
The Wave Dancer Sunshine Full Day Cruise stretches the same idea across the whole day on an all-inclusive basis.
Coral Bay is a swim stop on longer cruises. This 600-metre crescent of soft white sand lies 11 km north of Paphos, between two limestone headlands, and holds an EU Blue Flag. One guest of Paphos Sea Cruises described a swim there before the return to Paphos harbour.
The coast on both sides of Coral Bay is lined with rocky headlands and sea caves.
A swim cruise adds turtle watching and a round of drinks with an Aperol, and the St. Raphael 2.5-hour trip combines snorkelling, its giant sea slide and a stop in the local Blue Lagoon.
Which sunset cruises sail from Paphos harbour?
Sunset cruises from Paphos include a turtle-watching cruise with an open bar, a snorkelling and sunset trip, the Wave Dancer sunset barbecue cruise and the St. Raphael 2-hour sunset sail with a big slide and free drinks.
The St. Raphael sunset cruise lasts 2 hours and leaves at 17:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays until the end of September. It includes turtle spotting, a swim and snorkel stop in the local Blue Lagoon, the big slide and free drinks.
GetYourGuide sells a turtle-watching sunset cruise with an open bar, plus a turtle watching cruise that combines a snorkelling adventure with the sunset. Viator lists the Wave Dancer Sunset BBQ Cruise and a sunset cruise with turtle watching and unlimited drinks.
Private groups book their own sunset Paphos boat trip. Paphos Boat Tours hires out whole boats for sunset cruises, celebrations and hen or stag parties, and its crews cook on board.
Paphos lies on the south-west coast of Cyprus, so the sun sets over the open sea.
What happens on a Paphos night cruise?
A Paphos night cruise serves dinner on deck, runs a show and a DJ, and ends with dancing or fireworks over the sea. The Ocean Vision all-inclusive cruise and the Wave Dancer show and fireworks cruises lead the evening market.
The Ocean Vision cruise is the top night Paphos boat trip on GetYourGuide. It is all-inclusive, with dancing and a stage show on board, and its gallery shows dining tables laid out on the open deck.
The Wave Dancer show cruise pairs a buffet dinner with fireworks. Viator also lists the Wave Dancer fireworks night cruise and a deluxe night cruise with fireworks for adults only.
Paphos Sea Cruises runs a firework sunset cruise and a night cruise. One guest praised the food choices, the unlimited drinks, the entertainment and the DJ, with a dance party at the end of the evening.
Fireworks light up the sea at the end of the Wave Dancer evenings, and the Ocean Vision gallery shows a fountain and light show on the water.
Which stops does a Paphos boat trip visit?
A Paphos boat trip stops at the local Blue Lagoon south-east of the harbour, the Vera K. shipwreck, Coral Bay, the sea caves near Peyia, Saint George Island, Moulia Island and Atlantida Bay at Geroskipou. Each operator follows its own route.
The local Blue Lagoon is a swim stop on the coast south-east of the port. Every St. Raphael cruise stops there, and the route map of the Yellow Glass-Bottom Boat marks it as its swimming stop.
Atlantida Bay lies at Geroskipou, a coastal town of about 7,000 people east of Paphos. Paphos Boat Tours says the bay offers wide views and more privacy. Geroskipou is famous for lokum, the sweet known in English as Turkish delight, and holds protected status for it.
Moulia Island is another stop. Paphos Boat Tours describes its sea life, clear water and natural rock formations.
North of the harbour, Coral Bay and the coast around it bring sandy beaches, headlands and caves. The wider Coral Bay area also holds Potima Bay, about 1.5 km away on the edge of Kissonerga. The sea caves near Peyia draw swimmers, snorkellers and cliff jumpers, and Saint George Island offers diving and snorkelling for all ages. Peyia lies 14 km north-west of Paphos, at the southern end of the Akamas peninsula.
The Vera K. shipwreck lies on the glass-bottom route, where passengers see it from below the waterline.
Can you hire a private boat in Paphos?
Yes. Paphos Boat Tours hires out the Tyros, the Blue Marlin Yacht and the Glass Majesty for private trips, and the crew cooks on board. Adults-only VIP cruises complete the private options.
Paphos Boat Tours calls itself a small boat business that tailors each trip to the group on board. A private Paphos boat trip gives the whole boat to one group. Paphos Boat Tours runs sunset cruises, celebrations and hen or stag parties this way, and its guests mention a barbecue on the Tyros, cocktails and their own music on the sound system.
Shared trips work differently: guests book seats on a scheduled departure with other passengers, and the Glass Majesty adds a waterslide for families.
The Ocean Flyer VIP cruise is an adults-only Paphos boat trip sold on both GetYourGuide and Viator. Its deck stays free of children.
Ask each operator about the meeting point, the number of guests allowed and what food and drink the price covers before you book a private Paphos boat trip.
What can you see at Paphos harbour before you sail?
The medieval castle guards the western end of Paphos harbour, beside the cruise quay. The UNESCO ruins of Nea Paphos lie a short walk inland, and the Tombs of the Kings stand about 2 km to the north.
The castle dates from the mid-13th century. Builders raised it after an earthquake in 1222 destroyed Saranta Kolones, an older fortress about 600 metres to the north-east.
Behind the quay spreads the archaeological park of Nea Paphos, founded in the late 4th century BC. Its villas hold floor mosaics with geometric designs and scenes from Greek mythology, and digs continue across the park while visitors walk its paths.
Arrive early for a morning Paphos boat trip and walk the castle side of the harbour first.
The airport at Paphos sits 6.5 km to the south-east of the city, so guests on a short stay can fit a Paphos boat trip between a morning flight and the evening.
When does a Paphos boat trip run?
Paphos boat trips run every day in the warm months, from morning glass-bottom sailings at 11:00 to evening cruises at 17:00 and later. Turtles appear beside the boats in the turtle season, and sunset sailings on the St. Raphael end in September.
Paphos enjoys the mildest climate in Cyprus, and the coast of Cyprus receives around 3,200 hours of sunshine a year. That climate keeps the cruise season long.
The St. Raphael alone runs up to four sailings a day, from its first glass-bottom trip at 11:00 to the sunset sail at 17:00.
Evening trips start in the late afternoon. The St. Raphael sunset trip leaves at 17:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays until the end of September, and the night cruises leave around sunset for dinner, shows and fireworks.
Sunshine lasts well beyond summer. July brings 12 to 13 hours of sun daily, and even December keeps 5 to 6, so a Paphos boat trip in spring or autumn still has bright days.
What do you pack for a Paphos boat trip?
Pack swimwear, a beach towel, sun cream, a hat and sunglasses, plus cash or a card for the bar. Pack a dry change of clothes and a waterproof bag for your phone. The boats supply life jackets, and the glass-bottom boats lend noodles.
Sun protection matters on open decks. Apply sunscreen before boarding and again after each swim, and wear a hat between stops.
Plan for the swim. A Paphos boat trip on the St. Raphael has changing rooms, toilets and a freshwater shower, so a dry change of clothes is enough for the walk back through town.
Check what the ticket covers. All-inclusive and barbecue cruises include food and drinks, while the glass-bottom trips sell drinks at the bar. Night cruises include dinner, so bring a light layer for the breeze after dark.
Bring your own mask if you prefer it, because a familiar mask fits better on a long snorkel.
How does a Paphos boat trip differ from a Blue Lagoon tour?
A Paphos boat trip sails from the town harbour along the nearby coast. A Blue Lagoon tour travels about 50 km north to the Akamas peninsula, by coach to Latchi and then by boat, for a full or half day at the famous bay.
Two lagoons share the name. The local Blue Lagoon near Paphos is a swim stop a short sail from the harbour. The Akamas Blue Lagoon is a horseshoe inlet about 200 metres across, on the north-west coast, with no beach and no paved road.
Time decides the choice. A harbour Paphos boat trip lasts from 90 minutes to a day and needs no transfer. The Akamas trip fills a half or full day once you add the coach to Latchi and back.
Our Paphos Blue Lagoon tour page covers the Akamas trips in full, from the BBQ boats of Latchi to the jeep safaris.
How do you choose the right Paphos boat trip?
Match the boat to the day you want. Families pick a glass-bottom trip, wildlife fans pick a turtle snorkel, food lovers pick a barbecue cruise, couples pick a sunset or night cruise, and groups hire a private boat.
Each Paphos boat trip type answers a different need:
- Short and easy: the 90-minute St. Raphael glass-bottom trip, with a swim stop.
- Wildlife: the guided turtle snorkel with sea scooters, or the GoPro turtle tour.
- Food and swims: the Wave Dancer half-day barbecue cruise or the full-day Sunshine cruise.
- Evening: the Ocean Vision show cruise or the Wave Dancer buffet and fireworks cruise.
- Private: the Tyros, the Blue Marlin Yacht or the Glass Majesty for one group.
Length is the second filter. A Paphos boat trip of 90 minutes fits a morning before lunch in Kato Paphos, while a full-day cruise fills the day from breakfast to the evening.
Budget is the third. Shared seats on a scheduled glass-bottom trip cost less than an all-inclusive cruise, and a private boat costs more again, so compare the inclusions before you book a Paphos boat trip.
What do travellers ask about a Paphos boat trip?
How long is a Paphos boat trip?
From 90 minutes on a glass-bottom boat to a full day on an all-inclusive cruise.
Can you see turtles on a Paphos boat trip?
Yes. Turtle snorkelling tours and turtle-watching cruises sail from the harbour, and turtles swim past the glass-bottom boats in the season.
Is a Paphos boat trip good for children?
Yes. The glass-bottom boats lend free life jackets, noodles and flotation aids, and the Jolly Roger runs pirate cruises from Paphos.
Where does a Paphos boat trip leave from?
From the quay of Paphos harbour, next to Paphos Castle in Kato Paphos.
Can you swim on a Paphos boat trip?
Yes. Every St. Raphael trip stops in the local Blue Lagoon, and the barbecue cruises anchor in coves for swims.
Do Paphos boat trips include food?
The barbecue and all-inclusive cruises include lunch or dinner. Short glass-bottom trips sell drinks at a licensed bar.