Larnaca: Relaxing Cruise with Fishing and BBQ Lunch

The best part of this Larnaca cruise is the mix of easygoing sea time and real activity. You can fish, swim, snorkel above the Zenobia shipwreck, or simply stretch out on a sunbed while the boat moves along the coast. The glass bottom also gives you a look below the surface without getting wet.

I like the Zenobia stop, where a famous 1980 shipwreck adds a sense of place to what could otherwise be a standard boat outing. I also like the onboard Cypriot BBQ, especially since any fish you catch may be cooked for lunch. The main consideration is that the fishing gear has drawn some criticism, and catching fish is not guaranteed.

Key points to know

• The Zenobia wreck is the main underwater attraction, with masks and snorkeling equipment supplied.
• Fishing begins about 25 minutes after departure, and rods and equipment are available at no extra charge.
• The Doremi has a glass bottom, so you can watch the sea below even if you stay dry.
• Airport views are unusually close, with planes passing above the west coast route.
• Lunch is served onboard, with Cypriot dishes, BBQ, fruit, drinks, and any successfully caught fish.
• Hotel pickup, drop-off, sunbeds, and an open bar are included in the $64 price.

A four-hour morning on the Larnaca coast

This is a half-day cruise designed to keep the pace gentle. You leave from Larnaca Marina and spend roughly four hours on the water, with several chances to stop, swim, fish, and eat.

The boat follows the west coast of Larnaca, a useful route because it combines open Mediterranean views with several small activities. You are not locked into one program all morning. If fishing does not appeal, you can sunbathe or use the snorkeling equipment instead.

That flexibility makes the cruise suitable for mixed groups. One person can try to catch dinner while another takes photographs, and children can switch between swimming and watching the sea through the glass bottom.

The tour is conducted in English, and an animator is included. No guide name is provided, so you should not expect a named specialist leading a formal history tour. The Zenobia information is part of the general cruise experience rather than a long archaeological lecture.

Leaving Larnaca Marina and settling in

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which helps if you are staying away from the marina. Allow for possible delays caused by traffic, since transfer times are not completely fixed.

Once aboard the Doremi, you have access to sunbeds and full onboard facilities. Bring a towel and beachwear, since swimming is built into the morning rather than offered as a last-minute extra.

The open bar includes water, soft drinks, zivania, and wine. Zivania is a strong Cypriot spirit, so it is best treated as a small local taste, particularly if you plan to swim or fish afterward.

The first 25 minutes are mainly about getting out to the first activity area. That short transfer is long enough to settle in without taking too much time from the stops themselves.

The first fishing stop, about 25 minutes out

The fishing stop is one of the more unusual parts of this cruise. Equipment is supplied, and you can try your luck from the boat rather than paying for a separate fishing charter.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a social fishing session during a sightseeing cruise, not a specialist trip built around landing a large catch. A fish may come aboard, but lunch should not be booked on the assumption that you will catch one.

The supplied gear has received one specific criticism, so keen anglers may find it basic. For most people, though, the appeal is trying something different for a while, then moving on to swimming or snorkeling if the fish are not cooperating.

A useful detail is that your catch can be cooked onboard. That gives the fishing stop a clear purpose, but the meal still includes a substantial buffet even if the lines stay quiet.

Snorkeling above the Zenobia wreck

The Zenobia is the cruise’s most memorable subject. This Swedish cargo ferry sank in 1980 and now rests beneath the water near Larnaca. The wreck gives the snorkeling stop more character than a simple swim in open sea.

Masks and snorkeling equipment are provided. A refundable deposit is required for the equipment, so bring whatever deposit the operator requests and remember to collect it when the gear is returned.

You can look at the wreck and surrounding marine life from the water, while the Doremi’s glass bottom offers another way to see below the surface. The combination is helpful for people in the group who do not want to snorkel, or for anyone who wants a break between swims.

The clarity of the water will vary with conditions, and the captain can change the route when weather requires it. That means the exact view of the Zenobia cannot be promised on every departure. Still, the wreck is a strong reason to choose this cruise over a basic coastal boat ride.

You should bring biodegradable sunscreen. It is a small but worthwhile choice when you will be swimming and snorkeling around marine life.

Swimming stops and the airport flyover

After the wreck, another swimming and snorkeling stop gives you more time in the water. This matters because the cruise is not built around a single quick photo stop. You have room to swim, use the mask and snorkel, or remain onboard and enjoy the sun.

The route along the west coast of Larnaca also brings you close to the airport. Planes may pass directly above the boat, creating one of the more distinctive photo opportunities of the morning.

The airport views are not a separate attraction with a scheduled show. They are a bonus created by the route, and timing will depend on air traffic. Keep your camera ready rather than waiting for a guaranteed flyover at a fixed minute.

Families may find the changing pace useful. A child who loses interest in fishing can watch aircraft, swim, look through the glass bottom, or eat lunch soon afterward. An October outing with children was described as uncrowded, which suggests the experience can feel especially relaxed outside the busiest summer period, though crowd levels vary by date.

A Cypriot BBQ served at sea

Lunch is included in the price and is served aboard the boat. The meal features homemade-style Cypriot dishes, BBQ, and fruit, along with the drinks at the open bar.

This is a better arrangement than finishing the cruise hungry and searching for a restaurant after returning to shore. You get to eat in the same setting where you spent the morning, with the sea still part of the experience.

The food has been praised as tasty and plentiful, but there are two practical points to keep in mind. Fruit portions may feel modest, and lunch may be served later than you expect if another swim stop is still planned. One person wished for more fish options, so do not assume the menu will be seafood-heavy.

If you catch a fish, the crew will cook it onboard and serve it for lunch. That is a nice personal touch, but the possibility is not a promise. The catch depends on conditions, equipment, and luck.

What the $64 price includes

At $64 per person, this cruise offers a fair package if you will use several of its inclusions. Hotel transfers, a four-hour boat trip, fishing equipment, snorkeling gear, lunch, fruit, an open bar, sunbeds, and onboard facilities are all part of the cost.

The value is strongest for someone who wants variety without arranging separate activities. A fishing trip, snorkeling outing, coastal cruise, and lunch would normally require more planning. Here, they are combined into one morning.

The value is less convincing if you want serious fishing or a quiet luxury yacht experience. The fishing equipment is functional rather than a selling point for experienced anglers, and the boat includes an animator, so the atmosphere may not be completely silent or private.

You also need to account for the refundable snorkeling deposit. It is not an extra cost if returned properly, but it is still something to prepare for at the marina.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less rigid. Those terms are useful when your Cyprus plans depend on weather or changing schedules.

Weather, route changes, and comfort

The captain has the final say on the route and stops. Weather can change the cruise plan, including the route toward the Zenobia or the timing of swimming and lunch.

That is normal for a sea outing, but it matters here because the main attractions depend on water conditions. Check the forecast, pack a towel, and bring beachwear even if the morning begins cool.

The boat has sunbeds and full facilities, so you do not need to spend every minute in the water. A camera is worth bringing for the marina, coastline, glass-bottom views, and aircraft overhead.

Hotel transfers are convenient, but pickup can run late because of traffic or other delays. Keep some flexibility in your morning plans, especially if you have a separate appointment soon after the cruise.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this for families, couples, and small groups who want a relaxed morning with several options. It works particularly well when people in the same group have different interests.

You can fish for a while, swim at the stops, snorkel at the wreck, watch the coast, or sit with a drink. That choice is the main strength of the experience.

It is also a good fit if you want to see the Zenobia without committing to a full specialist wreck trip. You get an introduction to the wreck and the marine life around it, but the day remains casual and social.

The cruise is less suited to serious anglers, dedicated scuba divers, or anyone seeking a private boat. The snorkeling is from the surface, the fishing is one part of a wider program, and the boat includes shared facilities and entertainment.

Useful preparation before boarding

Bring a towel, camera, beachwear, and biodegradable sunscreen. You should also bring a little patience for the fishing equipment and a realistic attitude toward the catch.

If snorkeling is your priority, ask about the refundable equipment deposit when you check in. If you prefer your own mask, the supplied information does not say that personal equipment is restricted, but you should confirm with the operator before relying on that option.

Eat a light breakfast rather than assuming lunch will be early. The schedule can place another swim before the meal, and the timing may shift with sea conditions.

Finally, keep your camera accessible during the coastal run. The Zenobia and the planes above the boat are the two sights most likely to produce memorable photographs, but neither waits politely for a perfectly organized bag.

Should you book the Larnaca fishing and BBQ cruise?

Book it if you want a friendly, activity-filled half-day and like the idea of combining a wreck stop, fishing, swimming, and Cypriot food. The price is reasonable when you use the transfers, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and sunbeds.

Skip it if fishing quality matters more to you than the overall outing, or if you need a private and quiet boat. For most people, the strongest reason to go is not the promise of a catch. It is the easy mix of sea time, the Zenobia, airport views, and lunch cooked right on board.

FAQ

How long is the Larnaca cruise?

The cruise lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat departs from Larnaca Marina. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing is optional, and the necessary equipment is provided during the fishing stop.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkeling equipment are available at no charge, but a refundable deposit is required.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes a Cypriot buffet, BBQ, and fruit. The open bar includes water, soft drinks, zivania, and wine. Any fish caught during the cruise can be cooked onboard.

Can the route change because of the weather?

Yes. The route and stops are subject to weather conditions and the captain’s decision. Transfer times can also be delayed by traffic or other factors.