Blue Lagoon and Baths of Aphrodite Boat Cruise from Latchi

Latchi Harbour – where the cruise begins

Latchi is a small fishing harbour on the north-west coast of Cyprus, just below the town of Polis Chrysochous and at the edge of the Akamas Peninsula. Old stone warehouses once used for carob and sponge storage line the quay, and the harbour is now the departure point for boat trips along the Akamas coast, which has no roads suitable for ordinary cars. Fishing boats, a pebble beach and a row of fish tavernas give the place an easy-going feel that makes it a pleasant spot to arrive early.

The cruise leaves from the boat-trip kiosk on the harbour front at 10:15 and returns about 2.5 hours later, so you still have the afternoon for the beaches of Latchi or a drive into the hills. Latchi is about 45 minutes by road from Paphos, and the harbour has parking a short walk from the kiosk; a midday departure is offered as a separate option for those arriving later.

The Baths of Aphrodite

A few minutes out of the harbour the boat passes below the Baths of Aphrodite, a natural grotto where a spring drips into a small, fern-shaded pool beneath an old fig tree. According to the island's legend, the goddess of love bathed here and met her beloved at this spot, which is why the name is attached to this corner of Akamas. The grotto itself sits a short walk inland, so from the sea you see the cove, the botanical garden and the start of the walking trails that climb the peninsula.

Seen from the water, the Baths of Aphrodite mark the transition from the gentle coast of Latchi to the wild shoreline of the Akamas, where limestone cliffs drop into clear, deep water and the hillsides are covered in juniper and pine. The crew's commentary covers the legend, the geology and the nature reserve that protects the peninsula, and the boat slows here for photographs.

The Akamas coast – Saint George's islet, Manolis Bay and Blaji Bay

The Akamas Peninsula is the least developed stretch of coast in Cyprus, a national forest park with no villages on its northern shore and a coastline of small coves, sea caves and rocky islets. The cruise follows this shore north-westwards, passing the rocky islet of Saint George close to the cliffs, then Manolis Bay and Blaji Bay, two sheltered inlets with white pebbles and water that shades from pale green to deep blue as the seabed drops away.

These bays are the most scenic part of the boat trip and the reason the open top deck fills up first; the lower deck offers shade and the same views through open sides. Because the Akamas is inaccessible by ordinary road, a boat cruise from Latchi is the easiest way to see this coast in a morning, and the crew points out the goats on the slopes, the sea caves and the walking trails high above.

Fontana Amoroza and the Blue Lagoon

Near the tip of the peninsula the boat passes Fontana Amoroza, a small freshwater spring at the shoreline that medieval travellers described as a fountain of love; it is the second of the Akamas legends and a landmark for the trail walkers who reach it from the Baths of Aphrodite. Just beyond it, in a wide, shallow cove sheltered from the open sea, lies the Blue Lagoon, the best-known swimming spot in western Cyprus.

The Blue Lagoon's sandy seabed and clear water create the vivid turquoise that gives it its name, and the boat anchors here for about 1.5 hours. You can swim from the boat's steps, snorkel over the rocks at the edge of the cove where fish gather, or take the inflatable water slide straight from the deck into the sea. The best time to visit the Blue Lagoon is on the morning cruise, when the water is calmest and the light is at its brightest; bring your own snorkelling mask, as masks are not provided.

On board – decks, fruit and the water slide

The cruise runs on a comfortable, refitted passenger boat with two levels: an open top deck with benches for sun and views, and a shaded lower deck with seating and toilets. Fresh seasonal fruit and orange squash are served during the stop at the Blue Lagoon, and the crew gives live commentary in English and Greek throughout the coastal section. Life jackets are available and the swimming steps make it easy to get in and out of the water.

The inflatable water slide, fixed to the side of the boat during the lagoon stop, is the highlight for children and for adults who want a little excitement; the crew supervises it, and non-swimmers can enjoy the stop from the deck. Return to Latchi Harbour is around 12:45, which leaves time for a late lunch at the harbour tavernas or a visit to Polis.