Park Rest Journal — September 2026 · Activities
The old harbour of Girne (Kyrenia) in Northern Cyprus is the main jumping-off point for a day at sea: shared cruise boats with lunch leave from here in the morning, sunset sailings in the evening, and private motorboats and motor yachts are hired out to groups. In September the water is 27°C and there are fewer people on deck, which makes it the best month to go out.
How it works
The shared boats leave the old harbour between 09:00 and 11:00 (Vela's at 10:00) and return by 16:00–16:30. The standard route is about an hour's run west to the first bay, 2.5 hours of swimming and snorkelling, a half-hour hop to the second anchorage and the return. The price includes 10–20 kinds of meze, salads and a choice of lamb kebab, chicken or sea bream over charcoal; drinks are bought on board. Tickets are sold at the kiosks on the seafront and at the office on Küpdemir Sokak.
What it costs
A plain sailing without lunch is from £18 a head, with lunch £47 for adults and £25 for children aged 7–12 (as of 2026), water sports paid separately. Private boats: an economy motorboat for 4.5 hours for ten people from £380, a motorboat for 4 hours for eight from £410, a deluxe-class boat for 6 hours for ten from £500, a motor yacht for 2 hours for eight from £700 (kyreniaboat.com, 2026). Fishing trips with bottom and sport tackle are also available.
When to go
In September the sun no longer bakes the deck from noon, but the morning departure is still the better one: the first bay is yours, not the next boat's. Sunset sailings leave between 18:30 and 19:50 and return by 22:30–23:00; private sunset charters run 19:00–22:30.
Day boat with lunch, £47, out at 10:00 and back by 16:30.
On board the shared boats there is a freshwater shower, toilets and music; Vela carries up to 26 passengers on a boat licensed for 75. Bring your own mask and fins, as the boat may not have them.
- Buy your ticket the evening before on the seafront and check whether lunch is included.
- Be at the boat 20 minutes before departure: the seats on the shady side go first.
- Bring cash in lira or pounds for drinks; cards may not be accepted on board.
- For a group of 8–10, a private motorboat for 4.5 hours works out cheaper than shared tickets.