Reviews — water sports in Ayia Napa & Protaras

I can recommend it to anyone, with or without children. A cool four-hour trip with two stops for swimming and jumping off the boat. Tasty lunch on board and good, reasonably priced cocktails. The show is nice and the outfits are cool. Take sunscreen and towels. Best to sit on the lower deck by the doors right at the front — you get shade there, you can still follow the show, and Captain Jack hangs about there a lot.

A wonderful trip. We did not bother with any organised excursions and booked the cruise ourselves on the website. The price is very pleasant, and there were few people on board — which is marvellous, rather than the way some tour operators cram a hundred people onto a boat. There was room for everyone, in the shade and in the sun, the music was good and nothing was pushy. And it was perfectly clean, everywhere.

We rented the Paxos boat from Mike's for the full day. The induction and explanation were very thorough, all of the staff were extremely friendly and professional and attentive to my pregnant girlfriend and daughter, even going as far as to help them carry their things to the boat and helping them both on and off it. Everything was explained about where to find things on board and how to stay safe.

We were already on the four-hour boat trip with lunch and two swimming stops last year. We liked it so much that we had to repeat it this year, and we were rewarded. A thoroughly relaxed atmosphere. Not too full, and you can easily get a place in the shade. The staff are very friendly. Drink prices entirely reasonable. Lunch very tasty. Both swimming stops long enough to explore everything.

We spent two half-days with XS. On day one we did wakeboarding and water-skiing, starting with lessons and moving on to being towed behind. Then the kids went in the towed inflatables, which they loved. On day two we rented a self-drive boat for four hours. They lent us a cooler and snorkels and masks and off we went, diving in the clear waters of the Blue Lagoon.

Excellent! Really well run, friendly staff, and great equipment at a great price. We rented the 17ft Paxos for the whole day. Great little boat with plenty of room, and a full sun pad in the bow. The 40hp engine was plenty enough. The boat came with a cool box and ice, and snorkelling gear. We went out for six and a half hours, and there was loads of fuel left.

Thank you so much for today's dive! It was incredible. I hope we come back and meet again. Even though not everything worked at first, I now want to do the whole course and go deeper. I have been afraid of water and depth all my life, but with you the fear was beaten. You are professionals and everything was calm and instructive with you. Thank you very much!

A great, entertaining experience. Tasty, well-priced drinks, good music and a very entertaining host. Several swim stops, and you can jump off the boat. The tour is in English, but it is very easy to follow and extremely entertaining. It is worth being there in good time to get a seat in the shade under the roof, because otherwise it is very hot in the sun.

The induction and explanation were very thorough, all of the staff were extremely friendly and professional and attentive to my pregnant girlfriend and daughter, even going as far as to help them carry their things to the boat and helping them both on and off it. Everything was explained about where to find things on board and how to stay safe.

The highlight of our Cyprus holiday. We recommend the VIP package — it is worth the money. Tanja's warm attention to everything, towels, comfortable loungers, a fruit platter and the fine lunch: simply great. Anyone who does not want to swim at the swim stops can cool off in the whirlpool. An unforgettable trip from A to Z.

We hired a 100hp boat today for three hours and extended it on the spot by another hour, simply because it was such fun. The boat was excellent and perfect for a lads' trip. The best part, though, was the service: one of us lost his phone in the water. The boss took us back out specially and dived down to the phone himself.

Would highly recommend The Black Pearl Ayia Napa. We have been on many boat trips over the last many years but this is the best so far. You are entertained from start to finish. Both adults and children find it fun, and the staff do an incredible job. Great food and drinks. Try it on your next trip to Ayia Napa.

An absolute recommendation. We booked the trip as a couple and we are delighted. The places you are shown are beautiful. At the two stops we could swim, snorkel and so on. Sadly we did not manage to see any turtles. The lunch, which was included in the price, was tasty. The crew were incredibly nice and funny.

You can happily spend time here. The boats and the toys are all very well kept. The staff are super friendly, and the prices are fair for what you get. Next door there is a nice kiosk and bar where you can sit for a while and watch the boat hire going on. The beach and the water are worth recommending too.

Had an amazing four hours. Two great swim breaks in beautiful clear water. The clean and safe boat was smooth. No one got seasick. Sighted dolphins and swam close to turtles. The tour included clear explanations of the area. Very informative. An easy ten out of ten.

Successful completion of the exam, many thanks to all the staff of the club. From the first seconds of communication you immediately feel a warm welcome. Everyone who wants to get an unforgettable experience of the «Undersea world», I advise you to visit this club.

A really great outing with enough time to swim and enjoy it. Sadly we were not granted any turtles that day, but there were dolphins to see instead. Very friendly crew, extremely helpful, and a good barbecue. Happy to recommend it.

Good guys. We took a boat for four hours, but the weather let us down and we came back after two — and no, the money was not refunded. But: the next day we used up the remaining two hours. That is how it went. Recommended.

Good guys. We took a boat for four hours, but the weather let us down and we came back after two — and no, the money was not refunded. But: the next day we used up the remaining two hours. That is how it went. Recommended.

We hired the Yellow Regal for seven people for two hours and it was all great. The staff are very friendly and straight with you. The boat handled very well and had enough room for that many people. Highly recommended.

30 years ago my family and I visited Protaras and XS water sports were running the water sports. I'm pleased to say 30 years later they still are! My family had a great time — the team are complete professionals.

I hired a 40hp boat and it all worked perfectly — quick handling of the paperwork, a good briefing, and no rip-off over a deposit or anything else. Happy to come back.

What a fabulous experience! First time parasailing with these guys, they were very helpful and friendly. Explained clearly what to do and made it so easy.

The best watersports service in Protaras. Competent, polite staff who speak both English and Russian. Professionals at what they do.

I was very nervous at first as I've never done anything like this, the safety is great and thought out, the staff are wonderful.

We hired a boat online. The process went smoothly. There was a briefing at the start and after that our trip went perfectly. We had a great time. Highly recommended.

A great boat trip along the coast from Ayia Napa to Protaras. Two stops for swimming and a great barbecue on board. Good value for money.

We had booked the Santa Napa because it is not that big and a relaxed atmosphere was promised. When we got to the harbour at 10:00 for the 10:30 departure, we found a lot of big boats standing alongside and the place was very crowded at that hour. We were supposed to sail on one of those big boats. The Santa Napa was standing next to them, empty.

The boat is overloaded and clearly not set up for that many passengers; you sit knocking elbows with the other guests. At lunch you end up eating off your knees, because even the tables meant for eating are taken by guests as permanent seats. The entry point to the water at the swimming stop is very small, and while people are swimming it is complete chaos, which the staff do nothing to control.

Unfortunately I did not enjoy this trip as far as the entertainment goes. We were promised a Russian translation and there was none. We swam and looked at the coastal rocks and grottoes. The boat did not come anywhere near Famagusta.