Blue Lagoon-Vourvourou Lunch Cruise from Ouranoupolis

The best part of this cruise is simple: you spend much of the day in the water. The boat takes you to Vourvourou’s Blue Lagoon and Alykes beach, where you can swim, snorkel, and enjoy the bright scenery without arranging your own boat or beach transfers. The two long swimming stops give the day a relaxed rhythm.

I like the included Greek lunch of souvlaki and salad, and I like the small touches that make this work for families, including boat slides and a glass-bottom viewing area. The main drawback is seating. The boat can carry up to 100 people, and arriving late may leave you without a preferred outdoor seat, especially near the bow.

Key points to know before you book

• Two 1.5-hour water stops: You get generous time at both Vourvourou Bay and Alykes beach, rather than a quick photo stop.
• Swimming starts from the boat: At the Blue Lagoon, you enter from the boat stairs into water about 3 meters deep.
• Souvlaki lunch is included: Vegetarian food is available if you request it at least one day ahead.
• Bring your own drinks and snorkel gear: Snacks, drinks, and snorkeling equipment cost extra or must be supplied by you.
• Arrive early for a good seat: The 11 a.m. departure can fill the outdoor areas well before the boat leaves.
• A good-weather, swimming-focused day: You need to be comfortable getting in and out of the water to enjoy the main attraction.

Why this Ouranoupolis cruise works so well

This is a day built around swimming, not sightseeing from a deck. The boat leaves from Ouranoupolis and spends about six hours on the water, with two substantial stops in places known for clear water and striking coastal views.

For $48.27 per person, the value is solid if you plan to use the swimming time. You get the boat ride, both stops, and lunch, which removes the need to find a restaurant during the day. The price does not cover drinks, snacks, or snorkel equipment, so pack accordingly or budget for purchases on board.

The format is especially useful if you are staying around Ouranoupolis and want to reach Vourvourou Bay without arranging a private boat. You meet at the Byzantine Tower of Prosphorion, also called Tower Prosforios, at 11 a.m. The cruise returns to the same meeting point, so there is no second transport plan to arrange.

The boat is described as modern and clean, and it has a glass-bottom viewing area. Keep your expectations modest here. The viewing section consists of a few small glass windows, and it may not show much underwater life. One account even described a monitor problem, so I would treat this as a minor extra rather than a reason to book the cruise.

Starting at the Byzantine Tower at 11 a.m.

The meeting point is easy to identify: the Byzantine Tower of Prosphorion in Ouranoupolis. You should arrive early, especially if sitting outside matters to you. A practical target is at least an hour before departure, since the outdoor seats may be taken well before 11 a.m.

This early arrival advice is not about the boat leaving without you. It is about comfort. If you want a seat at the bow or a place away from a speaker, getting there early gives you more choice. One passenger found the music too loud while sitting near a speaker, but the crew turned that speaker off when asked. That suggests it is worth speaking up if the sound bothers you.

The boat can accommodate up to 100 people. That is a fairly large group for a swimming cruise, so expect a shared outing rather than a quiet private sail. The upside is a lively family atmosphere and a lower price. The downside is less personal space and more competition for the best seats.

You receive confirmation when booking, and the tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The activity is open to most people, but the main program requires swimming from a boat and using boat stairs.

Vourvourou Bay and the Blue Lagoon swimming stop

The first major stop is Vourvourou Bay, at the famous Blue Lagoon near one of Vourvourou’s islets. The boat stays for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, giving you enough time to swim without rushing straight back on board.

You enter the water from the boat stairs, at a depth of roughly 3 meters. That detail matters. This is not a shallow beach entry, so you should be comfortable in open water and able to climb the stairs afterward. If you prefer to wade gradually from sand, this stop may not suit you as well as Alykes beach.

The Blue Lagoon is the strongest part of the day for people who want to swim and snorkel. The setting gives you the feeling of being offshore, with the boat acting as your base. You can swim around it, return for a rest, and use the water slides when they are available.

Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you have it. Equipment rental or provision is not included, and the tour does not promise that gear will be supplied. The water may be clear enough to make swimming enjoyable, but you should not book this as a serious marine-life excursion. It is primarily a scenic swimming stop.

The boat’s glass-bottom feature can offer another way to look below the surface, but it is a small feature. Four small windows are not the same as a full glass floor, and visibility may be limited. I would enjoy it if it works, then return my attention to the water itself.

Souvlaki lunch after the first stop

After the first swimming stop, the crew serves a traditional Greek lunch during the cruise. Souvlaki is included, along with salad according to the meal description. This is a useful part of the price because you do not need to leave the boat or search for food between swimming sessions.

The meal has received strong praise for quality and portion size. It is not a formal restaurant meal, and you should think of it as a practical boat lunch. Still, hot or freshly prepared souvlaki fits this kind of day far better than a small packaged snack.

You need to request a vegetarian meal at least one day before departure. Do not wait until you board. The standard meal is built around souvlaki, so advance notice matters if you do not eat meat.

Drinks and snacks are not included. Additional snacks are available to buy on board, and the prices have been described as reasonable. I would still bring water, especially if you plan to swim for several hours. The provided information does not specify drink brands, quantities, or payment methods, so do not assume every preferred item will be available.

Alykes beach and the second long swim

The second stop is Alykes beach, described as the famous Alike lagoon in the tour details. The boat stops at the beach port, giving you a different setting from the offshore Blue Lagoon.

You get another 1 hour and 30 minutes here. That is generous by cruise standards. You can swim, spend time near the beach, and enjoy a change of scenery after the first stop. The contrast between a boat-entry swim at the Blue Lagoon and a beach-area stop at Alykes gives the day more variety.

The port setting may suit you if you want to feel closer to land. Still, this is not presented as a guided beach tour or a cultural visit. The focus remains swimming and sun. If you want museums, villages, long walks, or historic sites, this cruise will leave those needs untouched.

The two stops also make the schedule forgiving. If the first swim is your favorite, you have time to enjoy it without worrying that the entire day is over after one short stop. If you prefer the beach setting at Alykes, you have another full stretch of water time later.

Slides, music, and the atmosphere on board

The water slides add a playful touch, especially for children and adults who like a bit of harmless boat fun. They are not the main reason to book, but they give you something active to do beyond swimming and sunbathing.

The crew has been described as friendly and helpful. Theodosis is specifically remembered as fun and welcoming, along with his future wife, who also helped create a warm atmosphere. You should expect a crew-led group outing, not a quiet sailing lesson or private charter.

The mood can vary depending on where you sit. Music is part of the cruise, and it may sound loud near a speaker. The crew appears willing to adjust it when asked, so choose your seat carefully and say something if the volume gets in the way of conversation.

The boat is clean and modern, with room for a large group. Families can make good use of the slides and glass-bottom area, while couples and friends may prefer the open-air seating and the long water stops. People who want constant entertainment from the crew may find the atmosphere a little subdued at times.

What to bring for a comfortable six hours

You should pack for a full swimming day rather than a standard sightseeing cruise. Useful items include:

• Swimsuit and a dry change of clothes
• Towel and sun protection
• Water and any preferred snacks
• Personal snorkeling equipment
• Cash or another accepted payment method for onboard purchases
• A waterproof bag for phones and small valuables

The tour does not include snorkeling equipment, drinks, or snacks. You can buy additional snacks on board, but bringing water is still sensible. The information provided does not specify whether towels or lockers are supplied, so plan as if you need to bring your own towel and keep valuables with you.

Comfortable footwear for the boat stairs is also a good idea. The first stop uses a boat entry into approximately 3 meters of water, so you should be ready for a straightforward climb down and back up. If that sounds uncomfortable, you may prefer to spend more time at Alykes beach.

Is $48.27 a fair price?

At $48.27, this cruise offers good value for a six-hour outing if you want two serious swimming sessions. The 1.5-hour stops are the key. Many boat trips give you only a short swim before moving on, while this one gives you enough time to settle into each place.

Lunch strengthens the value. Souvlaki and salad provide a proper midday meal, and vegetarian food can be arranged with notice. The boat slides, crew service, and scenic route add useful extras without changing the basic focus of the day.

The price is less attractive if you do not swim. You could still enjoy the boat, views, and lunch, but the cruise is designed around getting into the water. You would also need to accept the limits of a large group: preferred seating may be gone, the music may be loud in some spots, and the glass-bottom feature is modest.

A private cruise would offer more control, but it would cost more. This shared cruise is a sensible middle ground for families, couples, and friends who want access to the Blue Lagoon and Alykes without paying for a private boat.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this tour if your ideal Halkidiki day includes clear water, sun, a casual Greek lunch, and plenty of time to swim. It suits confident swimmers, families with older children who can manage boat stairs, and anyone who likes a social boat outing.

You should think twice if you need shallow water, quiet surroundings, or a strongly guided sightseeing program. The Blue Lagoon stop is from the boat at about 3 meters deep, and the boat may carry as many as 100 people.

This is also a good choice if you are staying in Ouranoupolis and want a simple round-trip activity. You meet at the tower, return to the same point, and do not need to arrange separate transportation to Vourvourou or Alykes.

The cruise has a 4.5 out of 5 rating from 83 ratings, which matches the main strengths: attractive swimming locations, a clean boat, friendly service, and a satisfying lunch. The weaker points are clear too: early arrival is wise for seating, the glass-bottom feature is limited, and the crew atmosphere may feel quieter than you expect.

Book at least 24 hours ahead if you need to cancel with a full refund. The activity can be canceled for poor weather or if the minimum number of participants is not reached, in which case you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

My verdict: book it for the water, not the glass bottom

I would book this cruise if swimming is your priority. The two 1.5-hour stops, included souvlaki lunch, friendly crew, and boat slides make $48.27 a reasonable price for a full day on the water.

I would not book it mainly for underwater viewing or a calm, intimate boat ride. The glass-bottom section is small, the group can be large, and the best outdoor seats may require an early arrival.

For a straightforward Ouranoupolis outing with plenty of swimming and no complicated planning, this is a strong pick. Arrive early, bring water and snorkel gear, request vegetarian food in advance, and treat the Blue Lagoon as a boat-entry swim rather than a shallow beach stop.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at the Byzantine Tower of Prosphorion, also called Tower Prosforios, in Ouranoupoli, Greece.

What time does the cruise depart?

The scheduled start time is 11 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours and returns to the original meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Greek souvlaki is included, with salad provided as part of the meal details. Request a vegetarian meal at least one day before departure.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.