Published · 6 min read · Facts checked 9 October 2026 against the sources below
Paphos is where most boat trips on this coast begin, from small glass bottom boats to big party cruisers and a pirate ship. Choosing between them is mostly about how long you want to be out, whether you want to swim, and whether you would rather have a quiet deck or a dance floor.
For the boats that leave from Latchi on the north coast, see our guide to the Blue Lagoon. Timetables and prices change from season to season, so check before you go.
The types of trip at a glance
| Trip | Typical length | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Glass bottom boat | 90 minutes to 2.5 hours | Families, a first trip, seeing a wreck |
| Day cruise up the coast | About 4 hours | Swimming, Coral Bay and the sea caves from the sea |
| Sunset cruise | About 2 hours | Couples, an evening out |
| Night cruise with a show | About 4 hours | Groups, a party |
| Adults-only VIP cruise | About 5 hours | Couples and groups wanting a quieter deck |
| Pirate cruise | About 4 hours | Children |
| Full-day Blue Lagoon trip | About 6 hours | A long day, with a coach to Latchi |
These are the trips run by two Paphos operators, Paphos Sea Cruises and the Paphos Glass Bottom Boat. There is free parking near Paphos harbour; while you are there, the harbour castle is worth an hour.
Glass bottom boats
A glass bottom boat is the gentlest way to see what is under the water, and the best first trip with children. The Super Jumbo St Raphael I is a 22-metre boat with a glass viewing area of 20 square metres in its hull. Through it you see reefs, fish and the wreck of the Vera K, a ship that sank in the 1950s; in season, turtles too.
In 2026 the boat runs:
- A 90-minute trip every day at 11:00 and 13:00, plus Tuesdays and Thursdays at 15:00. Adults €15, children €5 at the time of writing.
- A 2.5-hour trip with a giant sea slide, at 15:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Adults €25, children €10 at the time of writing.
All three of its trips, including the sunset cruise, stop for a swim and a snorkel at a bay the operator calls the local Blue Lagoon (not to be confused with the Blue Lagoon in the Akamas), with free snorkelling gear, swimming noodles and children's life jackets. There are toilets, changing rooms and a bar on board.
Day cruises to Coral Bay and the sea caves
The other classic trip runs north along the coast from Paphos towards Peyia. Paphos Sea Cruises sails to the Peyia coast, with the sea caves, Saint George's island and Coral Bay, and its Sea Star Coral Express cruise is about four hours. It also goes to Rikkos Bay.
From the water you see the sea caves from below, a view you cannot get from the cliff path. If you are staying near Coral Bay in Cyprus, it is a way to see your own stretch of coast from the sea. Our sea caves page covers the same coast from the land.
We know of no scheduled cruise that starts at Coral Bay itself, so for a boat trip you go to Paphos harbour or Latchi. Paphos Sea Cruises has pick-up points, so check whether one is near you when you book.
Sunset cruises
A sunset cruise is the trip couples tend to remember. The Paphos glass bottom boat runs a two-hour sunset cruise on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 17:00, with the slide and free drinks, until the end of September (adults €30, children €15 at the time of writing).
Sunset itself moves through the year, so a 17:00 departure is a summer timetable; check before you book in spring or autumn.
On the north coast, Blue Diamond's sunset cruise from Latchi runs from 17:00 to 20:00, and Cyprus Mini Cruises runs a sunset barbecue cruise from 16:00. They are a longer drive from Paphos but a good fit if you are staying north of the town. Our Polis and Latchi day trip covers that side of the Akamas.
For a honeymoon or anniversary, both Latchi operators offer private charters, so you can have the boat to yourselves; see our guide to a honeymoon in Cyprus.
Party, pirate and VIP cruises
The larger boats from Paphos are a different kind of day out. Paphos Sea Cruises runs a show-and-dance night cruise with fireworks, an adults-only VIP cruise of about five hours, and the Jolly Roger, a pirate-themed cruise for families.
On the all-inclusive cruises, Paphos Sea Cruises includes unlimited local drinks and a vegetarian buffet. You cannot bring your own food or drink on board, so leave the cool box at home. If you need a special meal, ask when you book.
Seasickness
Even a short trip can make some people queasy. The NHS advice for motion sickness:
- Sit in the middle of the boat, where it moves least, and look at the horizon.
- Get fresh air: stay on the open deck rather than inside.
- Don't read or look at your phone on the way out.
- Eat lightly beforehand, and avoid heavy meals, spicy food and alcohol before and during the trip.
- Try ginger, which some people find helps.
Pharmacies sell travel sickness tablets, including some for children, and patches suitable for adults and children over 10. Acupressure bands are another option. Ask the pharmacist which suits you.
If you are prone to seasickness, start with a short glass bottom trip before committing to a four-hour cruise.
Choosing the right trip
With young children, keep it short. The 90-minute glass bottom trip is long enough to see the wreck and have a swim, and short enough that nobody gets bored or burnt. Children's life jackets are provided. The pirate cruise suits children who want a show more than a swim.
As a couple, the sunset cruise or the adults-only VIP cruise is the obvious pick. If you are willing to drive north, a sunset cruise from Latchi pairs well with dinner at the harbour there afterwards.
With a group of friends, the night cruise with a show and fireworks is the party option. For a birthday or anniversary, a private charter from Latchi lets you choose the stops and the music.
If you mainly want to swim and snorkel, choose a trip with a long stop in a sheltered bay, or go to Latchi for the Blue Lagoon, which Visit Cyprus describes as ideal for beginners.
If you are short of time, the glass bottom boat gets you on the water and back within two hours, and leaves the rest of the day for the beach.
When to go and what to bring
Timetables are seasonal: the glass bottom sunset cruise, for example, runs only until the end of September. Book a day or two ahead in July and August. If the weather turns, Paphos Sea Cruises moves you to another day or refunds you in full, so keep a spare day in your plans.
Bring a towel, swimwear and sun protection, plus a hat and a top with sleeves. The open deck gets very hot at midday, and the sun off the water is strong. Our Paphos weather guide has the month-by-month picture.
Where to stay
Villa Prasino is a private villa in Peyia for up to 6 guests, with sea and mountain views, and it suits couples who want a quiet base between days on the water. After a sunset cruise there is a hot tub, a 6 × 12 m private pool and an outdoor bar with a fire pit, and the master bedroom has its own balcony. Coral Bay beach is about 5 km from the villa and the sea caves about 2 km. Read about our villa for couples, check availability and rates, or send us a booking request and we will confirm availability.
