Latchi Watersports review: Seas the day

I am a strong believer that no holiday is complete without a boat trip. This was the third boat trip we’ve taken with Latchi Watersports and would I recommend them? Oh, shell yeah!

I’ve been to Cyprus probably six or seven times now, we’re lucky enough to have family there so I very much regard it as a second home. Every time we visit a new place on the island, we check out the prices for boating and Watersports locally and some of the prices are just ridiculous. Ayia Napa I’m looking at you hun. 60 euros to sit on a jet ski for half an hour? I don’t think so somehow. 

Nothing beats Latchi Watersports in terms of price and service so that’s why we just keep coming back. I’ve previously mentioned how much we’d enjoyed boating with them, and the proof is very much in the pudding as this was our third boating trip. As we enjoyed our trip so much, I thought I’d give you a rundown of what a day out on the high seas’ entails.

Latchi Watersports review: Getting started

First up you’ll need to appoint a Captain to drive the boat who will need to bring their drivers’ licence with them. Between me and Dem, it’s an obvious choice as I can’t drive, have difficulties with left and right, can’t see very far into the distance without my glasses and get severe road rage. What a catch btw!

As we were on a birthday outing for Dem’s Dad, we chose him as our captain which was a wise choice what with my photo obsession and Dems need to jump in the sea every five minutes! Once we’d picked our Cap’n, we took a breeze through the health and safety briefing and were shown a map of the route to take. Unfortunately, there was no treasure marked up, but there was a lovely beach to visit, plenty of great places to snorkel, as well as a gorgeous blue lagoon. So, I guess I can let them off. 

Immediately the staff put you at ease during the briefing, take you through how the boat works and answer any questions you might have. Plus, they’re all really friendly and helpful which is always a huge bonus. 

Latchi Watersports: review All aboard: The boats

I love a pun, more than I probably should, to be honest, but puns are life. If you receive an email from me, check the subject line… there’s likely to be a pun lurking. When we arrived and were given a boat named Seize the day (I’d contacted Latchi Watersports using Seas the Day as my subject line) so when I saw the boat they’d chosen for us I was immensely impressed with their level of attention to detail! 

We hired the 80hp Eden 19 boat for four hours which holds up to 6 people which costs €164 Euros for four hours or €230 Euros for a full day. We were just four, plus a pup so there was plenty of room for all of us, plus a wakeboard (more on this later). The boat also had a dry area to store all of our bags and valuables away from wandering sea spray. 

Latchi Watersports review: Dog-friendly too

As you will already know from my dining with my dog series I love taking Bear with me absolutely everywhere. Unfortunately, Bear wasn’t present on this trip (she would not love taking to the skies at all) but Dem’s parent’s dog Suki was, so it was a great surprise to find out that the boats are also pup-friendly. Plus, they will soon have doggy lifejackets for rent, which I just cannot wait for. Cute factor 100! 

Get your camera ready

The views are stunning so be prepared to get snap-happy. One of our favourite spots to anchor up and chill at is the Blue Lagoon because the sea is so beautifully blue (shocker) and there is nothing nicer than a little sea dip after a morning of full sunshine. Suki the pup couldn’t wait to get in for a swim and it was a great experience being able to swim side by side with a four-legged friend. 

Latchi Watersports review: Take snacks

If you’re out on the sea all day you will get hangry, so pack yo snacks. We always take sandwiches, plenty of water and some chicken crisps. Latchi rent out cool boxes and provide ice, so all you need to bring is the goods. I recommend hitting up a supermarket en route because as it stands there isn’t a floating Tesco Metro in existence… 

Wakeboarding: Feel the fear, and do it anyway

Dem and I have very different ideas of what the perfect boat trip should involve. Dem wants speed, Watersports and adventure. Me? Give me somewhere to sunbathe, a sea breeze in my hair and a froze (frozen rose) and I am good to go.

We rented out a wakeboard (€18 euros) which Dem annoyingly had watched a YouTube “how-to” video of and nailed the first time. Yep, he’s one of those annoying sporty types. Aka the polar opposite to me.

On this particular trip, I surprised myself and actually got off my arse and into the sea for some Watersports. Safe to say I was absolutely horrendous at it and spent most of the time drinking seawater or trying to save my escaping bikini bottoms. My lord my lats the next day (lol I don’t know what lats I’m talking about either, but the ache in my arms and back were very much real). 

They have rubber rings for rental as well as water-skis, wakeboards and doughnuts, basically, if you want to have a thrill-seeking afternoon on the sea you can have one. Or if you prefer a more chilled out afternoon of sunbathing and snacks, then you can do that too…

Your day, your way

I can’t be doing with forced fun on a group boat, you know the ones packed to the rafters full of sunburnt Sally’s, crap music and the onboard photographer getting everyone to re-enact THAT scene from Titanic for the fee of only 50 Euros. No thanks. 

All in all, renting a boat from Latchi Watersports is one of my favourite things to do in Cyprus. Not only is it a lovely way to see some more of the island, but you can take things at your own pace whether that be fast-paced or big chilling. Oh, and you don’t have to hang out with strangers…

Top tips for renting a boat

• Sun cream. A tub of it. Sun, sea and a bit of a breeze = perfect conditions to get burnt to funk. Make sure you’re regularly applying to save your future skin looking like a busted old Mulberry handbag. Skin damage ain’t cute huns. 
• Loss/damage insurance is included in the rental price, the only additional cost will be fuel (you pay for what you use).
• Don’t forget your driving licence – you’ll need at least one person in your group with a licence to drive you around all afternoon. Hanging out in the marina doesn’t really have the same appeal…
• Stay away from the rocks. When they tell you to beware the rocks in your safety briefing, they’re not doing it for fun. The number of people we spied getting their anchor stuck was ridic. 
• Pack a picnic – sailing the seven seas is hungry work, make sure you also pack plenty of water to keep you hydrated.
• Pack a change of clothes/hairbrush and toiletries, they have on-site showers and trust me you’ll need one after playing Captain Birdseye for the day!

Have you been to been to Cyprus or tried your hand at being Captain for the day elsewhere? Let me know in the comments xo

*The boat rental and wakeboarding experience were kindly gifted by Latchi Watersports on this occasion, but all thoughts are my own.