Pirate Ship Cruise to Blue Lagoon and Turtle Spots Protaras

Protaras Pier and the Protaras coastline

Protaras is a resort on the south-east coast of Cyprus known for its sandy coves and calm, clear sea, with Fig Tree Bay as its most famous beach. The pirate ship leaves from Protaras Pier, an easy walk or short taxi ride from most hotels in Protaras and Pernera, and you board by showing your booking at the gangway.

As the ship leaves the pier, the crew sets the mood with pirate costumes, music and games, and you get a first view of the hotels, beaches and low cliffs of the coastline. This is a classic Protaras boat trip for families, but couples and friends enjoy the swimming and scenery just as much. The ship passes the small chapel of Agios Nikolaos perched by the shore along the way.

Kamara tou Koraka, the Love Bridge

Kamara tou Koraka, usually called the Love Bridge, is a natural arch of golden limestone shaped by waves and wind on the coast between Protaras and Cape Greco. Couples like to stand on top of it for photos, and from the water you see how the sea has carved a tunnel beneath, with deep blue water flowing through.

From the deck you get the best angle on the arch and the sculpted rocks around it, which are hard to appreciate from the land. Your guide explains how this soft limestone coast was formed and points out other small caves and inlets as the ship continues south. Have your camera ready, because the ship slows down here for photos.

Cape Greco and its sea caves

Cape Greco is the south-eastern tip of Cyprus and a protected national forest park, famous for its high cliffs, natural arches and sea caves where the water glows in shades of turquoise and sapphire. Above the cliffs stands the small chapel of Ayioi Anargyroi, and beneath it a series of caves opens to the sea, a favourite spot for divers and cliff watchers.

Seeing the Cape Greco sea caves from a boat is the easiest way to appreciate their scale, as many are only reachable from the water. The cruise passes slowly along the cliffs with a stop of about 15 minutes in this area, often with a chance to swim or snorkel near the rocks, depending on the sea. Many visitors say a Cape Greco boat trip is the highlight of their stay in Protaras.

The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a shallow, sheltered inlet on the Cape Greco coast where the sea turns an almost unreal turquoise over pale sand and rocks. It is reachable only by boat or by a rough path, which keeps it peaceful and makes a Blue Lagoon cruise from Protaras one of the most popular things to do on this coast.

The ship anchors here for a swim stop of about 15 minutes. You can jump in from the deck, float in the calm water, or use the snorkelling gear and life jacket provided to look at the fish over the rocks. After swimming the crew serves a soft drink, and children on the morning cruise receive their pirate certificate.

The turtle spot

The waters off Protaras and Cape Greco are visited by green sea turtles and loggerhead turtles, which come to feed on seagrass and rest near the coast; both species also nest on beaches in Cyprus. The second swim stop of the cruise is at a spot where turtles are often seen, and the crew helps you get into the water with snorkelling gear.

Swimming with turtles in their natural habitat is a magical moment, but please keep a respectful distance, do not touch them and let them come and go freely. Sightings are common but cannot be guaranteed, since these are wild animals. Bring your own goggles or mask if you prefer them to the gear on board.

A view of Famagusta and Varosha from the sea

To the north of Protaras lies Famagusta, a historic port city whose medieval walls and Gothic churches have stood for centuries. On the way the ship offers a view from the sea of Varosha, the former resort quarter of Famagusta, whose high-rise hotels have stood empty and fenced off since 1974.

Seeing this silent skyline from the water is a striking contrast to the lively beaches of Protaras. Your guide shares some background on the area's history in a neutral, factual way. The sunset departure is especially atmospheric for this part of the trip, as the light turns golden over the coast on the way back to the pier.