Luxury Day Cruises to Ithaca – swimming, snorkeling food and more !

Three beautiful bays, clear water, and a lunch of Greek food make this small-group sailing trip to Ithaca a strong choice for a full day at sea. You leave Agia Efimia at 9:00 a.m. and return after 5:00 p.m., with time to swim, snorkel, paddle, eat, and enjoy the views.

I especially like the maximum group size of 10, which gives the day a more personal feel, and the fact that the main extras are included: snorkeling gear, SUP use, drinks, wine, beer, fruit, and lunch. The main caution is value. At $181.02 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer, and one meal review found the food modest in both quality and quantity.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Ithaca swim stops: Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach each offer calm, clear water and a different setting.
• A genuinely small boat group: The maximum is 10 people, useful if you dislike crowded day cruises.
• Food and drinks are part of the day: Lunch, Greek dishes, snacks, fruit, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and local wine are included.
• Swimming gear is supplied: You can use snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddleboard without bringing your own.
• The schedule is long but relaxed: Allow about eight hours, from 9:00 a.m. until after 5:00 p.m.
• The trip is about nature, not towns: You spend the day at beaches and bays rather than visiting an Ithacan village or town.

A full day from Agia Efimia to Ithaca

The trip begins at DodoniAgias Eyfimias in Agia Efimia at 9:00 a.m. From there, the boat heads east across the water toward Ithaca. The first part is a long sail, so I would treat the journey itself as part of the outing rather than a quick ride between beaches.

That matters because this is not a compact two-hour cruise with one photo stop. You are committing most of the day to the sea. The reward is a slower pace, open views, and access to bays that are reached most easily by boat.

The boat carries no more than 10 people, a useful detail at this price. You are not being packed onto a large excursion vessel with a crowd competing for every seat or patch of shade. The experience is better suited to couples, friends, and families who want time in the water without a noisy, oversized group.

The crew is named Vangelis and Evia in the tour information and guest comments. Their role is not just to steer the boat. They serve lunch, organize the swim stops, provide equipment, and help keep the day moving. One practical point: the trip is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book.

Gidaki Beach, the first 40-minute swim

The first stop is Gidaki Beach on the east side of Ithaca, described as one of the island’s finest beaches. It is easy to understand the appeal from the details: clear blue-green water, thick natural vegetation around the bay, and a shoreline made of smooth pebbles rather than sand.

You get about 40 minutes here. That is enough for a proper swim and a little snorkeling, but it is not a long beach stay. The bay is open enough for swimming from one side to the other, and the water is the main attraction.

Bring or wear secure water shoes if your feet dislike pebbles. The beach has larger stones on the western side and smaller ones toward the east. Since the boat supplies snorkeling equipment, you can look beneath the surface without carrying fins and masks from Kefalonia.

A snack and drink are served at the end of the stop. This is a nice touch after the first swim, though you should not expect Gidaki to function as a full beach visit with time for a long walk or extended sunbathing.

The strongest part of this stop is access. Gidaki is a natural beach reached within the sailing day, and the boat gives you the chance to see it from the water before swimming there. If your priority is soft sand, beach cafés, or a long shore break, this may not be your ideal first stop. If you want clear water and a striking bay, it sets the right tone.

Skinos Bay and lunch on board

After Gidaki, the boat continues to Skinos Bay, where lunch is prepared and served on board. The stop lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes, making it the longest pause of the day.

Skinos is known for its pine trees and quiet setting on the east side of Ithaca. The combination of wooded slopes and sheltered water gives this stop a different feel from the more open Gidaki Beach. You have time to swim, relax, and eat without rushing through the meal.

The included food is traditional Greek fare with fruit, snacks, and refreshments. Soft drinks, bottled water, beer, and local wine are also supplied. This broad package is one of the reasons I see the price as more reasonable than it first appears. You are paying for a full day on a small boat, not just transport between beaches, and you do not need to buy lunch or drinks once on board.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. The meal is a practical boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. One negative account found it disappointing in both amount and quality, while another specifically noted that a gluten-free option was available. If you have dietary needs, it makes sense to state them when booking rather than relying on last-minute arrangements.

Lunch on board also changes the rhythm of the trip. You are not being taken into a port or sent to find a taverna. You eat with the bay around you, then return to the water. That is convenient and scenic, though anyone hoping to see an Ithacan village will find the day limited.

Talaros Beach and Pera Pigadia Bay

The final swim stop is Talaros Beach in Pera Pigadia Bay on the southern coast of Ithaca. The water here is described as calm, warm, and smooth, which makes it a good final stop after a day of swimming.

You have another 40 minutes in the bay. That is enough time for one more swim, some snorkeling, or a turn on the stand-up paddleboard. The supplied SUP is especially useful here if you want something different from simply floating or swimming.

A final short stop can be welcome on a long boat day. By this point, you may prefer an easy swim in calm water to another ambitious beach visit. The timing also keeps the return journey manageable, with arrival back at Agia Efimia after 5:00 p.m.

Taken together, the three stops give you variety without making the day feel like a race. Gidaki offers the first clear-water introduction, Skinos provides the main meal and the longest pause, and Talaros finishes with calm water. None is presented as a town visit, archaeological stop, or cultural tour. This is a nature and swimming itinerary.

What is included for $181.02

The $181.02 price needs to be judged against what you would spend on a simpler boat ride. The package includes:

• Traditional Greek lunch
• Snacks and fruit
• Soft drinks and bottled water
• Beer and local wine
• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up paddleboard use
• Restroom on board
• Free Wi-Fi

That is a generous list for an eight-hour outing, especially with a maximum of 10 people. You also avoid the small costs that can add up on a day at sea, such as renting a mask, buying drinks, or finding lunch.

The value becomes less convincing if you mainly want transport to a beach. You may not care about Wi-Fi, alcohol, or SUP use, and the meal may feel basic if you expect a substantial spread. One negative assessment called the price too high for what was provided, so I would book this for the complete experience rather than for the food alone.

There is also no transfer to or from the port. You need to make your own way to the Agia Efimia meeting point. The activity begins and ends at the same location, so check your accommodation and transport plans before booking.

The small-group advantage

A 10-person maximum is one of the clearest strengths here. Small numbers matter on a sailing day because the boat is also your dining room, changing space, viewing platform, and transport between stops.

With fewer people aboard, you have a better chance of using the snorkeling gear or SUP without waiting through a long queue. You also have more room to settle into the day. I would still avoid assuming that every passenger gets a private area or unlimited personal space. The boat is small, not private unless you arrange it separately.

The group size also suits families, though parents should judge their children’s comfort with a full day on the water. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not promise specialized assistance or a fully accessible boat. Anyone with mobility concerns should ask the provider before committing.

The sailing conditions and what to pack

The schedule depends on good weather. If conditions are poor, the trip may be moved to another date or canceled with a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

One account noted that there was little wind in the morning, but still found the sailing experience worthwhile. That is a useful expectation to carry: this is a sailing excursion, but the boat may sometimes use its engine rather than glide under sail for the entire route.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a change of clothes. The beaches are pebbled, so water shoes can make entering the sea more comfortable. You should also bring anything you need for personal comfort during the long ride, since the tour details do not specify sunbeds, shaded seating, or private cabins.

The boat does have a restroom, which matters on an eight-hour trip. Free Wi-Fi is included, although I would see that as a backup rather than the main reason to book. The point of the day is the water and the scenery around Ithaca.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a full day outdoors and prefer several swims to a formal sightseeing program. Couples and friends will appreciate the small group, included drinks, and unhurried stops. Families can also fit well, provided everyone is comfortable with a long boat day and pebble beaches.

It is particularly suitable if you value convenience. The crew supplies snorkeling equipment, serves lunch, provides drinks, and offers a paddleboard. You can arrive at the port without having to organize every part of the day yourself.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is to explore Ithaca on foot. You will not be taken to a village or town, and the itinerary is centered on three bays. You should also think twice if you expect a luxury restaurant meal, a private boat, or a quiet cruise with no other people at all.

The activity is offered in English, confirmation arrives at booking, and it is near public transportation. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. After that point, changes and refunds are not accepted unless the provider cancels because of weather or insufficient numbers.

Should you book this Ithaca day cruise?

I think you should book it if clear water, small groups, swimming, and an easy all-day plan matter more to you than visiting towns. The best features are the three carefully spaced swim stops, the maximum of 10 people, and the amount included in the price. The crew, especially Vangelis and Evia, also appears to be an important part of the experience.

I would skip it if $181.02 feels high for a day built around beaches and a simple boat meal. You should also choose another outing if you want cultural sightseeing or a long stay on land.

For the right person, this is a well-organized way to see Ithaca from the water, with enough food, equipment, and time to make the long day comfortable. Just book it for the swimming and setting, not for a luxury dining experience.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at DodoniAgias Eyfimias in Agia Efimia, Kefalonia.

What time does the cruise begin?

The start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts approximately eight hours and returns to Agia Efimia after 5:00 p.m.

Which beaches and bays does the boat visit?

The stops are Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach in Pera Pigadia Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Traditional Greek food, snacks, fruit, refreshments, bottled water, beer, and local wine are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with use of a stand-up paddleboard.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

Is transport to the port included?

No. Transport to and from the port is not included. The activity begins and ends at the Agia Efimia meeting point.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size may also result in an alternative date or a full refund.