Glass-Bottom Boat Trip with Swimming and Snorkelling Paphos

Paphos Harbour and the Medieval Fort

The trip starts in Paphos harbour, the lively heart of Kato Paphos, where fishing boats and excursion boats line the jetties. At the end of the harbour stands the Paphos medieval fort, a squat stone castle first built as a Byzantine fort to protect the port and rebuilt several times, most recently by the Ottomans in the late 16th century. Just behind the harbour lies the Paphos Archaeological Park with its famous Roman mosaics.

As the boat pulls away you get a classic view of the fort and the seafront promenade, with the hills of Paphos rising behind. It is a good idea to arrive early and walk along the harbour before boarding. The boat kiosk is on the left-hand side of the first concrete jetty, with the boat moored at the far end.

The Vera K. Shipwreck

A few minutes out of the harbour, the boat slows over the Vera K. shipwreck, an old cargo ship whose rusting hull now rests in shallow, clear water off the Paphos coast. Through the glass deck you see the broken plates of the hull, encrusted with marine growth, and the fish that have made the wreck their shelter.

The glass viewing deck is one of the largest on the coast, so there is room for everyone to look down at once, and children can kneel right on the glass. The crew tells the story of the wreck while the boat holds position. It is one of the easiest ways to see a real shipwreck in Paphos without diving, and photos through the glass come out best on sunny, calm days.

The Turtle Forest and Natural Sea Sponges

Next the boat cruises through an area known as the Turtle Forest, where green and loggerhead sea turtles come to feed among the rocks and sea grass. Turtles are wild, so sightings are never guaranteed, but during the breeding season from late spring to early autumn the chances are good. Watch for a head breaking the surface beside the boat.

Along the coast the crew also shows you natural sea sponges growing on the rocks, explaining how they look before they are harvested and sold. Sponge diving was once an important tradition in the eastern Mediterranean, and this stop gives children a fun glimpse of local marine life. Turtle spotting in Paphos is a highlight for many families on this trip.

Swim and Snorkel at the Local Blue Lagoon

The boat then anchors at a sheltered swimming spot along the coast, sometimes called the local Blue Lagoon for its bright, clear water. On the 90-minute trip the swim stop is short, just right for a refreshing dip and a look at the fish with a mask and snorkel. Snorkels, swim noodles and life jackets are free to use, which helps children and less confident swimmers.

After swimming you can rinse off under the freshwater shower on the swimming platform and change in the changing rooms before the cruise back to Paphos harbour. This short trip suits travellers who want a taste of the sea without spending half a day on a boat. The best time for swimming in Paphos is from May to October.