Larnaca: Relaxing Cruise with Fishing and BBQ Lunch

The most unusual part of this Larnaca cruise is the mix of Zenobia wreck snorkeling and airplanes flying close overhead. You get a relaxed morning at sea, but with plenty to look at: fishing lines, clear water, a famous shipwreck, and aircraft approaching the nearby airport.

I like the easygoing choice built into the trip. You can fish, swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or simply watch the sea through the Doremi’s glass bottom. I also like that the price includes hotel transfers, drinks, a buffet, and BBQ lunch. The main consideration is timing: lunch may come after a later swim stop, and the fishing equipment may feel basic if catching fish is your main goal.

Key points to know before booking

• Zenobia wreck stop: Snorkel above the Swedish cargo ferry that sank near Larnaca in 1980, with masks and equipment supplied.
• Fishing after about 25 minutes: Try your luck with provided gear, while non-fishers can swim, snorkel, or sunbathe.
• Airplanes overhead: The route along Larnaca’s west coast brings you close to the airport for unusual photographs.
• Lunch cooked at sea: Eat a Cypriot buffet and BBQ, with any fish you catch cooked onboard.
• Glass-bottom Doremi vessel: You can view marine life without getting into the water.
• Good all-in-one value: Hotel pickup, an open bar, fruit, equipment, sunbeds, and a four-hour cruise are included.

Setting out from Larnaca Marina

This four-hour cruise begins at Larnaca Marina, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. That matters because an early transfer can make a half-day boat trip much easier, especially if you are staying away from the waterfront or do not want to arrange a taxi.

Once aboard the Doremi, you have access to sunbeds and the vessel’s full facilities. The tone is more relaxed than sporty. You can take part in each activity, but you are never required to fish or snorkel. I see this as a good fit for a mixed group, where one person wants action and another would rather sit in the sun with a drink.

The onboard animator helps keep the morning organized, and the live guide speaks English. No individual guide names are provided, so do not book this expecting a named specialist leading a formal marine-life lecture. The focus is an easy group outing, with short explanations and plenty of free time.

The route is not fixed in every detail. Weather and the captain’s judgment can change the stops or order of activities. That is normal for a boat trip, but it is worth remembering if you have planned the cruise around one exact photograph or a strict lunch time.

Fishing begins after the first 25 minutes

About 25 minutes after leaving the marina, the boat pauses for fishing. Gear is provided, so you do not need to bring rods or tackle. This is a simple chance to try the activity rather than a specialist fishing expedition, and that distinction will help set your expectations.

I like the way this stop works for different kinds of people. You can cast a line, watch the action, swim, snorkel, or lie on a sunbed. If you are with children, the fishing gives them something hands-on to do, though younger children will still need close supervision around the water and equipment.

The quality of the fishing gear may be a consideration. One Polish booking described the fishing equipment as the one part worth improving. If catching a fish is essential to your lunch plans, keep expectations modest. The crew will cook fish caught during the excursion, but there is no promise that you will catch one.

The fishing stop is best treated as a pleasant extra. You might enjoy the small excitement of waiting for a bite, but the larger value is the combination of fishing and free time. You are not locked into one activity while the boat remains at sea.

Seeing the Zenobia from above and below

The highlight for many people will be the Zenobia shipwreck. This Swedish cargo ferry sank in 1980 and now rests beneath the water near Larnaca. The boat takes you to the area for snorkeling, where you can look toward the wreck and the marine life around it.

You receive masks and snorkeling equipment, although a refundable deposit is required for the gear. Bring your own mask if you prefer using familiar equipment, but remember that the included equipment is available at no extra charge once the deposit arrangement is handled.

The stop has value even if you are not a confident swimmer. The Doremi has a glass bottom, letting you look down at the underwater world from the boat. You will not get the same close view as someone in the water, but it gives you a way to see something of the wreck area without snorkeling.

The snorkeling stop is not presented as a technical wreck excursion. You should expect a recreational look at the site, not a guided penetration of the ferry or a long specialist talk about maritime archaeology. The provided information about the wreck gives the stop a useful sense of place, while the fish and clear Mediterranean water make it more than a history lesson.

One useful tip is to pack your camera, but protect it carefully around the water. A towel, beachwear, and biodegradable sunscreen are also on the recommended list. Sunscreen matters here because a calm cruise can still mean several hours in direct sun, particularly when you spend time on deck between stops.

Airport views along Larnaca’s west coast

The cruise follows the west coast of Larnaca, where the airport sits close enough for planes to pass overhead. This is one of the trip’s most distinctive sights. You get a different view of the airport than you would from the terminal or a roadside lookout, with the sea below and aircraft above.

Plane movements are not guaranteed on a precise schedule, so think of this as an entertaining possibility rather than a planned show. Still, the proximity creates good chances for photographs when aircraft are arriving or departing. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire cruise staring at the sky.

This part of the route also breaks up the swim and fishing stops. The cruise is not only about getting from one water activity to the next. You are watching the coast, the airport area, and the changing angle of the boat as it moves along the shore.

A second swim and snorkeling stop

After the wreck area, the boat makes another swimming and snorkeling stop. This gives you more time in the water and makes the cruise feel less rushed. A single short stop can leave you choosing between swimming and taking photographs. Two opportunities give you a better chance to do both.

The water experience depends heavily on conditions. The captain decides whether the route and stops are safe, and the schedule can change with the weather. On a calm day, you can swim, snorkel, and return to the boat for more time on a sunbed. On a rougher day, the crew may alter the plan.

The timing of lunch may matter here. One booking noted that lunch started later than expected, perhaps because the swimming period was still continuing. If you prefer to eat early, have a small breakfast before pickup or bring whatever is permitted for the transfer. The later meal can also be a plus, since it lets you enjoy the water before settling in for lunch.

Cypriot buffet and BBQ on board

Lunch is served on the boat and includes a Cypriot buffet, homemade local dishes, fruit, and BBQ. Drinks are part of the package too: water, soft drinks, wine, and zivania are included in the open bar.

I see this as a strong part of the price. A four-hour cruise with food and drinks already included is easier to budget than a boat trip where every beverage and meal costs extra. The meal also gives the outing a local touch, rather than making it feel like only a transport service to a swimming spot.

If you catch fish, the crew can cook it onboard and serve it for lunch. This is a fun personal detail, but do not count on it as the main course. Several points of feedback suggest that not everyone catches fish, and one person wished for a broader selection after not landing one. The buffet therefore matters more than the catch.

Fruit is included, though one booking wished there had been more. If fresh fruit is especially important to you, keep that in mind. The main meal is described as generous and tasty, but the exact selection can vary with the day and the onboard preparation.

The food is served in a casual setting, with the sea around you and the boat’s facilities close at hand. It is not a restaurant lunch with a long menu. It is a practical, social meal that fits the pace of a half-day cruise.

What the $64 price really covers

At $64 per person, this is not simply a boat ride. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, four hours on the water, an English-speaking guide and animator, fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, sunbeds, a buffet, BBQ, fruit, and an open bar.

That package gives the trip solid value if you plan to use several parts of it. A person who swims, snacks, has a few drinks, tries fishing, and joins the snorkeling stop is getting much more than someone who only wants a quiet sail. The inclusion of transfers is especially useful if your hotel is covered by the pickup route.

The value is less clear if you dislike group activities, do not want to swim, and rarely eat or drink while on excursions. In that case, part of the price goes toward facilities you may not use. You are paying for variety and convenience, not for a private boat or an expert-only wreck visit.

The rating is 4.9 from 48 reviews, with repeated praise for the crew, food, swimming stops, and relaxed feel. One family booking in October described the boat as not overcrowded, which is useful for parents who worry about being packed onto a busy day cruise. Conditions and capacity can vary, so I would not treat one quieter outing as a guarantee, but it suggests the experience can feel comfortable outside the busiest periods.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this cruise to families, couples, and small groups who want several easy activities in one morning. Children can try fishing, swim, watch the glass-bottom view, and look for planes. Adults can choose a sunbed, enjoy the open bar, and join the snorkeling when they feel like it.

It also works well for mixed-interest groups. A keen swimmer does not have to spend the whole morning beside someone who would rather fish, and a non-swimmer can still see underwater life through the glass bottom.

You should look elsewhere if you want a quiet private sailing trip, a serious fishing charter, or a specialist wreck tour. The included activities are broad and accessible, but none is designed as an advanced session. The fishing gear has received some criticism, and a successful catch is not assured.

The cruise can be a good choice in October too. Recent autumn outings were described as beautiful, uncrowded, and enjoyable for children. November bookings also received top marks, though the weather policy remains important. Cyprus can be warm, but the captain still has the final say when sea conditions change.

Practical planning for the morning

Wear beachwear and bring a towel. You should also pack a camera and use biodegradable sunscreen. A waterproof pouch can be useful for small personal items, though no specific storage arrangement is provided.

The snorkeling equipment is free to use, but you need to leave a refundable deposit. If you want to avoid a deposit or prefer a particular fit, bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them.

Allow flexibility around hotel pickup. Traffic or other transport delays can affect the collection time, so do not schedule an important appointment immediately after the cruise. The full duration is four hours, but transfer time is separate and can vary.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Cyprus plans are still shifting, but weather changes remain outside your control because the route depends on the captain and sea conditions.

Should you book the Larnaca fishing and BBQ cruise?

Book it if you want a varied, good-value morning rather than one narrowly focused activity. The Zenobia stop, glass-bottom boat, airport views, fishing, swimming, and Cypriot lunch give you plenty to do, while the sunbeds and open bar keep the pace easy.

I would especially choose it for a family or group with different interests. Just remember that fishing gear may be basic, fruit may be limited, lunch can come later in the outing, and catching a fish is not guaranteed. If those points are acceptable, $64 buys a convenient half-day on the water with food, drinks, transfers, and several memorable sights included.

FAQ

How long is the Larnaca cruise?

The cruise lasts four hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and transfer times can vary because of traffic or other delays.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkeling equipment are provided free of charge, but a refundable deposit is required.

Can I fish during the cruise?

Yes. Fishing is optional, fishing gear is provided, and the first fishing stop takes place about 25 minutes after boarding.

Will the fish I catch be cooked?

Yes. Any fish caught during the excursion can be cooked onboard and served with lunch. Catching a fish is not guaranteed.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes a Cypriot buffet, BBQ, fruit, and any fish caught during the trip. The open bar includes water, soft drinks, wine, and zivania.

Can the route change?

Yes. The route and stops are subject to weather conditions and the captain’s decision. The captain may change the plan for safety.