A Limassol catamaran cruise leaves the Old Port for two swim stops on the south coast of Cyprus, with a buffet lunch served on board. Pair it with other tours in Greece to fill the rest of your holiday.
This page covers what the day includes, the Old Port departure and hotel pickup, Cape Gata, Lady’s Mile Beach, the lunch buffet and open bar, the activities on board, the family and VIP cruises, other boat trips from Limassol, the Akrotiri peninsula, the months that suit the cruise and who it is not suited to.
What does a Limassol catamaran cruise include?
A Limassol catamaran cruise with lunch lasts 5.5 hours. It sails from Limassol Old Port to Cape Gata and Ladies Mile Beach. The ticket covers the sailing, a buffet lunch on board, swim time and hotel pickup.
The day follows one clear plan. The boat leaves the Old Port, heads along the coast and stops twice for a swim. Lunch comes on board, so nobody needs to go ashore to eat. The boat then returns to Limassol in the afternoon.
Group size matters on a shared boat. A standard Limassol catamaran cruise takes a group of up to 50 people. That gives room on deck without the feel of a crowded ferry. You share the boat with other travellers, so this is not a private charter.
The crew speaks to guests in two languages. The listing names a host or greeter who speaks English and Greek. Starting times are not printed on the page. Each guest checks the available times when choosing a date.
The booking terms are simple. A Limassol catamaran cruise allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, with a full refund. You can also reserve a seat now and pay later. The operator adds that itineraries are subject to change, so treat the route as a plan.
Length depends on the seller and the boat you choose. A second ticket page sells catamaran cruises from Limassol that last from 4 hours to 8 hours. That page also states that no extra fees are added to the booking. Compare the hours on each listing before you settle on a date.
Where does the cruise leave from, and how does the hotel pickup work?
A Limassol catamaran cruise leaves from Limassol Old Port, close to the medieval castle. Pickup and drop-off run from selected hotels, and the listing names 25 drop-off points along the Limassol coast.
The Old Port sits in the historical centre of the city. Wikipedia places that centre around the medieval Limassol Castle and the Old Port. Guests who stay in the old town can reach the quay on foot. Everyone else can use the hotel transfer.
Not every seller names the same quay. One ticket page for a Limassol catamaran cruise says you sail from the Old Port. The same page lists a meeting point at Limassol Marina, at the Sail Away boat opposite Häagen-Dazs. Read your voucher, because the exact spot depends on the option you pick.
The transfer list covers hotels from the city to the eastern resorts. It names the Elias Beach Hotel, the Royal Apollonia, the Amathus Beach Hotel and the Four Seasons Hotel. St Raphael Resort and Marina and the Crowne Plaza Limassol are on it too. Your hotel needs to appear on the list for door pickup.
Pickup details come with the booking. The listing asks guests to check availability for pickup options when they choose a date. Sailings also differ by day on one seller, which offers a drop-down menu after you select the day. Confirm the pickup time for your Limassol catamaran cruise before the evening ahead.
Guests outside the transfer list can take the local bus. Wikivoyage names route 30 as the main tourist line along the beach road. It runs from the Le Meridien hotel to the New Port, and to the Old Port after 18:00. Buses come about every 15 minutes.
What is Cape Gata, the coast you reach only by sea?
Cape Gata is the first swim stop of the Limassol catamaran cruise. The tour listing says this stretch of coast is reached only by sea. Musement places it towards the southern tip of the island.
The day starts with a sail along the coast. Musement says the captain and crew steer the way south, towards Cape Gata. Guests do not need to lift a finger all day. The town falls behind, and the open sea takes over on both sides of the boat.
No road brings you to this part of the coast. On the Limassol catamaran cruise, the boat is the only way in. The listing names the place as Cape Gata and Akrotiri. It promises remarkable scenery at the spot where the boat stops for the first swim of the day.
Musement sells the trip as a catamaran cruise from Limassol to Cape Gata. Its listing invites guests to admire the south coast of Cyprus on the way. It also speaks of an ever-changing landscape as the boat sails. The view from the deck shifts with every mile of the route south.
Musement lists a couple of stops for swimming on these trips. You can swim, snorkel or just take a dip to cool off. On the Limassol catamaran cruise, Cape Gata is the first of those stops. It breaks up the sail before the boat turns towards the second stop.
The order of the day is set, but not fixed in stone. The listing for the Limassol catamaran cruise says its itinerary is for reference only. It adds that itineraries are subject to change. Check the plan with the crew on the morning of your sailing.
What waits at Lady’s Mile Beach, the second swim stop?
Lady’s Mile Beach is the second swim stop of the Limassol catamaran cruise. The listing describes its water as calm. Lunch is served on board here, and Wikivoyage places the beach south-west of Limassol.
After Cape Gata, the boat sails on towards Lady’s Mile Beach. The tour listing calls the water there calm as a rule. That makes it an easy place for a second swim. On the Limassol catamaran cruise, this stop also marks the middle of the day.
Food follows the swim at this bay. Musement says lunch comes on deck after the swim at Lady’s Mile Beach. Then the boat begins the return leg of the journey. So the beach is the last stop before the catamaran heads back to port.
Wikivoyage describes Lady’s Mile as a long beach, mostly pebbly and partly sandy. It lists fish restaurants along the shore. Seen from a Limassol catamaran cruise, the beach is a long line of coast rather than a small cove. The boat stays offshore, and guests swim from the deck.
The beach has an unusual status. Wikivoyage says it lies along the coast south-west of Limassol and is officially UK territory. It also notes a UK military air base in the area. Guests on the Limassol catamaran cruise see this stretch of shore from the water during their swim stop.
What is on the lunch buffet and at the open bar?
A Limassol catamaran cruise serves a buffet lunch on board with 3 salads, 5 hot dishes and fruit. An open bar runs through the day, with the drinks set by the cruise option you book.
On a Limassol catamaran cruise, the meal comes at the second swim stop, off Ladies Mile Beach. The crew serves it on board. One booking page says lunch is eaten on deck after the swim. After that, the boat begins the return leg to Limassol.
The buffet follows a clear shape. There are three salads and five hot dishes to choose from. Fresh fruit closes the meal. You serve yourself, so you pick what you want and how much. The listing names no fixed menu, so the dishes change from day to day.
The bar on a Limassol catamaran cruise depends on your option. The family cruise pours water, juices, soft drinks, wine and beer. The VIP adults cruise has an unlimited bar with cocktails. Another booking page describes local drinks on tap, including juices, wine and beer. You sip them as the coastline changes around you.
Not every drink is part of the deal. That same page says imported drinks and cocktails cost extra at the bar, if you choose them. On the family option, ask the crew what the open bar covers. Do this before you order.
Which activities fill the day on board, from snorkelling to canoeing?
A Limassol catamaran cruise lists swimming, snorkelling, canoeing and sunbathing as its activities. Wi-Fi on board is listed too. The crew hands out masks for snorkelling, so you do not need to pack your own.
Swimming fills the two stops of a Limassol catamaran cruise. One booking page speaks of a couple of stops for swimming, snorkelling or a quick dip to cool off. You enter the sea from the boat. The rest of the day passes on deck as the catamaran sails along the coast.
Snorkelling is simple. The listing says you snorkel with the provided masks and explore the underwater world. Put on a mask, float on the surface and look down at the seabed. It suits anyone who swims with confidence and wants more than a dip.
Canoeing adds a second way to enjoy the water on a Limassol catamaran cruise. The listing names it among the activities on board. You paddle near the boat during a stop, then climb back on deck. The listing does not give the number of canoes, so ask the crew when you board.
Sunbathing takes the slow hours. The sun deck is the place to lie down and soak up the sun as you sail. The boat also has nets for stretching out and topping up your tan. The listing adds that itineraries are subject to change, so the order of activities can shift.
The crew handles the sailing on a Limassol catamaran cruise, so guests have little to do but relax. One booking page says the captain and crew steer the way south. You do not need to lift a finger all day. The Wi-Fi on board lets you share photos between swims.
How does the family cruise differ from the VIP adults cruise?
The family Limassol catamaran cruise is open to all ages and pours water, juices, soft drinks, wine and beer. The VIP adults cruise has an unlimited bar with cocktails. One seller limits the adult option to guests over 16.
The bar is the clearest split. On the family Limassol catamaran cruise, the open bar covers water, juices, soft drinks, wine and beer. One seller adds that imported drinks and cocktails cost extra at the bar. On the VIP adults day, the listing names an unlimited bar with cocktails.
Age is the second split. Musement calls the adult option the Adults-only Leisure Cruise, exclusive to adults aged over 16. Its Family Catamaran Cruise welcomes all ages. A Limassol catamaran cruise with young children therefore means the family option. A group of adult friends can choose either one.
The two options do not sail on every date. Musement asks you to pick your day first and then choose the cruise. The options vary by day, so check the calendar early for your Limassol catamaran cruise. The same seller lists cruise lengths from 4 to 8 hours across its options.
The booking page also says the starting and pickup point depends on the option you select. Read the voucher for your exact Limassol catamaran cruise before the morning. The standard group on this tour is up to 50 people, so expect a shared deck on either day.
Which other boat trips leave Limassol, from RIB rides to day cruises on bigger catamarans?
The town offers far more than one Limassol catamaran cruise. Choices run from a 1.5-hour RIB ride for six guests to an 8-hour family catamaran day. Sunset trips and private boats with a skipper sail too.
The RIB ride is the fastest option next to a Limassol catamaran cruise. A rigid inflatable boat follows the coastline for 1.5 hours, with a group limited to 6 participants. The listing adds drone footage, an optional snorkelling stop and an optional fruit platter. It meets at Marina u-yachting and does not suit people prone to seasickness.
For a longer day than the standard Limassol catamaran cruise, a full-day family catamaran trip with lunch lasts 8 hours. Pickup is available on that listing. Groups who want a boat to themselves can book luxury private catamaran cruises lasting 4 to 7 hours instead.
Evening trips fill the late hours after a Limassol catamaran cruise season day. The Limassol Sunset VIP Cruise with Drinks and Food runs for 3 hours, and pickup is available. A shorter sea cruise offers sunset views and Prosecco in 1 hour. Both leave the daytime free for the beach.
Private boats cover other tastes. A private yacht charter with unlimited drinks runs 3 to 6 hours. An Old Port cruise with a skipper lasts 2 hours. A Captain for a Day trip gives a small group 1.5 hours at the helm, with a certificate. One charter firm’s fleet includes the Lagoon 400 and the BALI 4.3 Loft catamarans.
What is the Akrotiri peninsula that the boat sails past?
Akrotiri lies to the west of Limassol and forms part of the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia. A Limassol catamaran cruise heads from the Old Port towards Cape Gata and Akrotiri. The listing says this stretch is reached only by sea.
The city grew up around its medieval castle and the Old Port. That old harbour is where the day on the water begins. As the boat sails on, the town falls behind and the Akrotiri coast fills the view from the deck.
Akrotiri belongs to a British Overseas Territory, and a UK military air base stands in the area. On a Limassol catamaran cruise, you see this land only from the sea. The listing describes the coast as reachable only by boat, which gives the view its own appeal.
The peninsula also holds a salt lake. Wikivoyage suggests watching birds there, which makes it a separate outing on land for nature lovers. The boat does not stop at the lake. Keep it in mind for another day of your holiday.
History sits close by too. Limassol was built between two ancient Greek cities, Amathus and Kourion. Kourion lies 13 km west of the city. Kolossi Castle, a former crusader stronghold, lies around 10 km west. A Limassol catamaran cruise pairs well with a later land trip to these sites.
The city name comes from that position. Wikipedia says “Limassol” derives from the ancient Greek word Nemesos. It means “one found in the middle”, a nod to its place between the two old cities. Over time the name became Lemesos, known in English as Limassol.
Which months suit a Limassol catamaran cruise, and who is it not suited to?
The source pages name no fixed sailing months, so the operator holds the calendar. A Limassol catamaran cruise is sold by day, and the cruise options vary depending on the day you pick. Check the dates before you plan your week.
On the booking page, you first choose your day. Only then does a menu show which cruise runs on that date. Two travellers on different days do not see the same choice. Pick your date early if one option matters to you.
Heat is worth a thought. Wikivoyage says the bicycle lane along the beach road, from the Old Port to Dasoudi, gets very hot in summer. For a Limassol catamaran cruise in the hot months, pack sun cream, a hat and water.
The city calendar adds reasons to time your trip. The Limassol Wine Festival runs every September, and the Cyprus Rally comes every autumn. The Limassol Carnival fills February or March. A Limassol catamaran cruise in September lets you join the wine festival in the evening.
Not every option suits every guest. The adults-only leisure cruise is exclusive to adults aged over 16. Younger teens and children need the family cruise instead. The listing also states that itineraries are subject to change. Travellers who need a fixed timetable face a less rigid day.
A slow evening on land rounds off the day. Akti Olympion is a 7-km walking park beside the beach. It runs from the Municipal Gardens to the Old Port, where a Limassol catamaran cruise sets off.
What else do travellers ask about a Limassol catamaran cruise?
Can you cancel or change a booking?
Yes. The listing for the Limassol catamaran cruise allows free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, with a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which keeps your plans open.
A second ticket seller sets the same 24-hour rule for a full refund. That seller adds that no extra fees apply to the booking. Cancel before the 24-hour mark if your plans change.
Which languages does the crew speak, and how large is the group?
The host or greeter speaks English and Greek. A standard group holds up to 50 people. That makes it a shared day on the water, not a private charter.
The listing for the Limassol catamaran cruise also states that itineraries are subject to change. Treat the route as a plan rather than a promise. Ask the crew about any change when you board.
How do you reach the Old Port without a transfer?
Bus route 30 is the main tourist line along the beach road. Wikivoyage says it runs about every 15 minutes, up to the New Port. After 18:00 it runs to the Old Port instead.
A bicycle lane also follows the beach road from the Old Port to the Dasoudi area. Flying in for a Limassol catamaran cruise? Larnaca and Paphos airports each sit about 40 minutes away by car. A regular shuttle bus links both airports with the city.
What is there to see near the Old Port before or after the cruise?
The historic centre of Limassol sits around the medieval Limassol Castle and the Old Port. The old town holds historic houses from the Ottoman period and the British colonial period.
Akti Olympion, a seafront walking park, stretches 7 km from the Municipal Gardens to the Old Port. A stroll there fills the time before a Limassol catamaran cruise. Further out, Kourion lies 13 km west, with a Greco-Roman theatre. Limassol also holds a wine festival every September.
Where does the name Limassol come from?
The name comes from the ancient Greek word Nemesos, meaning “one found in the middle”. It points to the city’s place between two ancient Greek cities, Amathus and Kourion. The city’s patron saint is John the Merciful, honoured on 12 November.
Greek settlers founded Amathus around 1,100 BC. Over time the name became Lemesos, which English speakers call Limassol. Today it is the second-largest urban area in Cyprus, after Nicosia. On a Limassol catamaran cruise, you leave from a harbour with a long story behind it.