Blue Lagoon Boat Trip with Traditional Barbecue Latchi

Latchi Harbour

Latchi is a small fishing harbour on the northwest coast of Cyprus, a few minutes from the town of Polis and about an hour's drive from Paphos. Brightly painted fishing boats share the quay with excursion boats, and fish tavernas line the waterfront. Behind the village, the green hills of the Akamas Peninsula stretch west into one of the island's last truly wild landscapes.

Your boat leaves the harbour at 10:15, so it is worth arriving a little early to park and stroll along the quay. Many visitors ask how to get to the Blue Lagoon in Akamas; there is a rough dirt road for 4x4 vehicles, but the easiest and most beautiful way is by boat from Latchi, which is exactly what this trip offers.

The Akamas Coast and the Baths of Aphrodite

Heading west from Latchi, the boat follows a coastline of pine-covered slopes, pale cliffs and tiny coves. Just inland lie the Baths of Aphrodite, a natural grotto pool shaded by a fig tree where, according to legend, the goddess of love bathed and met Adonis. From the water you see the green hillside around the site and the clear sea below it.

The Akamas Peninsula is a protected nature area with rare plants, wild orchids and important turtle nesting beaches on its western side. There are no resorts or large buildings along this coast, which is why the water stays so clear. Your crew points out the landmarks along the way, and the upper deck gives the best view of the shoreline.

St George Island, Manolis Bay and Plaji Bay

The route passes St George Island, a small rocky islet off the Akamas coast, and the coves of Manolis Bay and Plaji Bay, where the cliffs are cut by small sea caves. The water here changes from deep blue to bright turquoise over sandy patches, and on calm days you can see the seabed from the deck. Seabirds nest on the rocks, and the scent of pine drifts out from the hills.

These coves are only reached easily by sea, which makes the cruise itself part of the experience rather than just a transfer. Have your camera ready on the outward journey, when the morning light falls on the cliffs. The boat moves at a relaxed pace, so there is time to enjoy each view before the anchor drops at the lagoon.

The Blue Lagoon on the Akamas Peninsula

The Blue Lagoon sits near the tip of the Akamas Peninsula, a sheltered cove where shallow water over white sand and rocks glows an intense turquoise. Protected from most winds, it is one of the clearest and calmest swimming spots in Cyprus, and fish are easy to see around the rocks. It is the highlight of any boat trip from Latchi.

On this trip you spend two full hours here, longer than many other boats stay. Swim and snorkel, or try the inflatable water slide straight from the deck into the sea. When you are ready, the crew serves a traditional barbecue lunch on board. The best time to visit the Blue Lagoon is from May to October, when the sea is warm and the light makes the water sparkle.