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

Crystal water is the main event. This eight-hour sailing trip from Agia Efimia takes you to three beautiful bays on Ithaca, with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a Greek lunch served aboard. I like the small maximum of 10 people and the fact that food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and a SUP are included. The main drawback is simple: at $181.02 per person, this is not a cheap beach day, especially if you want to see villages or spend more time on land.

I also like the unhurried rhythm. You get three swim stops rather than one quick photo break, and the crew has earned warm praise for friendly hosting. Keep in mind that sailing depends on good weather, and there may be little or no wind, so part of the trip can involve cruising under engine power.

Key details before you book

• Three Ithaca swimming stops: Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach at Pera Pigadia Bay.
• Small-group sailing: The boat carries a maximum of 10 people, making the day more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect traditional Greek food, snacks, fruit, soft drinks, bottled water, local wine, and beer.
• Water equipment provided: Snorkeling gear and a stand-up paddleboard are available at the swimming stops.
• Long day from Agia Efimia: Meet at 9:00 a.m. and return to the port after 5:00 p.m.
• Strong overall rating: The cruise has a 4.9 rating from 84 reviews, with 95 percent of customers recommending it.

Setting out from Agia Efimia at 9:00 a.m.

The cruise begins at DodoniAgias Eyfimias in Agia Efimia, on Cephalonia’s east coast. You need to make your own way to the port because transportation to and from the meeting point is not included. The activity ends back at the same place after the day on the water.

The schedule runs for about eight hours. That matters here. Ithaca is not just a short boat ride away, and the day includes a long sail, three swimming areas, lunch, and the return journey. You should set aside the full morning and afternoon rather than treating this as a quick half-day outing.

The boat has room for no more than 10 people. I see this as one of the strongest reasons to consider the cruise. A small group gives the crew more time to help with snorkeling equipment, answer questions, and keep the mood relaxed. It also avoids the packed-deck feeling that can take the pleasure out of a day at sea.

The crew is identified in customer comments as Vangelis and Evia, with Evangelous and Evina also mentioned in one account. The consistent point is that the hosts are friendly and attentive. That personal welcome seems to be a central part of the day, not just a minor extra.

The cruise is offered in English and includes a mobile ticket. Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Since the activity involves boarding a boat, swimming, and using water equipment, you should still consider your own comfort on the water before booking.

The long sail toward Ithaca

The first part of the outing is a sail toward the east coast of Ithaca. The journey itself is part of the appeal. You are not being rushed from one shore stop to another. Instead, the boat gives you time to take in the open-water views and the changing coastline.

The amount of sailing also creates the first practical question: how much do you enjoy time on a boat? If you like sitting back with a drink and watching the sea, the crossing will feel like part of the holiday. If you mainly want to swim, the longer stretches between bays may test your patience.

Wind is another variable. One account notes that there was no wind in the morning, though the sailing experience was still enjoyable. This is worth knowing before you arrive with a picture of the boat gliding under full sail all day. Weather and wind can shape the feel of the outing, and the boat may need to use its engine.

The payoff is access to coves and beaches that are difficult to reach by land. The route focuses on Ithaca’s eastern and southern shores, where calm bays and clear water take priority over sightseeing in towns. You will see the island from the sea, but this is not a village tour.

Gidaki Beach: the first 40-minute swim

The first stop is Gidaki Beach, reached after the long opening sail. You get about 40 minutes here, enough for a proper swim and a look beneath the surface with the provided snorkeling gear.

Gidaki is a pebbled beach rather than a sandy one. The western side has larger stones, while the eastern side has smaller pebbles. That detail is useful when you step into the water, since sturdy footwear may be more comfortable than bare feet on a stony shore, though footwear is not listed as provided.

The bay is open and suitable for swimming from one side to the other. Its blue-green water and thick natural surroundings are the reason it is often rated among Ithaca’s best beaches. The setting is visually impressive without needing a long walk or a formal attraction.

The stop is not only about swimming. You can snorkel, take in the water from the boat, and have a snack or drink at the end. With 40 minutes available, you should plan to choose your priorities. A quick swim, a snorkel, and time to dry off will use most of the stop.

Gidaki may be the highlight for people who want the classic Greek island image: bright water, a quiet bay, and no road access in the middle of the scene. The limitation is the short visit. You are seeing the beach as one stop in a full route, not spending a whole afternoon there.

Skinos Bay and lunch aboard the boat

After Gidaki, the cruise continues to Skinos Bay on Ithaca’s east side. The bay is surrounded by pine trees and has a calm, scenic feel. This is the longest scheduled stop, lasting about one hour and 15 minutes.

Lunch is prepared and served aboard the boat at Skinos. The meal includes traditional Greek food, with snacks, fruit, soft drinks, bottled water, beer, and local wine also available. A gluten-free option is mentioned in customer feedback, which is helpful if that is important to you, though you should confirm your needs when booking.

The meal is one of the biggest value questions in the price. Food and drinks are not minor additions here. You are on the water for most of the day, away from ordinary restaurants, so having lunch included saves you from carrying a full meal or arranging food at a beach.

The response to the meal has not been completely uniform. Several accounts describe the food as excellent or lovely, while one Italian-language comment found the meal mediocre and too limited in both quality and quantity. I would treat lunch as a pleasant included feature, not the main reason to pay for the cruise.

The longer stop gives you more room to relax than the first visit. You can swim, eat, use the snorkeling equipment, or try the SUP. The paddleboard is a nice touch for anyone who wants an activity beyond swimming, though the available time is still shared with lunch and the rest of the group.

This is also a good point to think about the boat’s facilities. A restroom is available on board, and free Wi-Fi is included. Those are practical comforts on an all-day excursion. Wi-Fi may matter less than the water, but a restroom can make a long sailing day easier, especially for families.

Talaros Beach at Pera Pigadia Bay

After lunch, the boat heads toward Ithaca’s southern coast for the final swimming stop at Talaros Beach, also called Pera Pigadia Bay. The scheduled time here is about 40 minutes.

The bay is described as calm, warm, and smooth, making it well suited to swimming. That gives the day a pleasant progression. Gidaki provides the dramatic first stop, Skinos works as the lunch and activity break, and Pera Pigadia offers a quieter final swim before the return.

You can use the snorkeling gear here as well, although no detailed underwater sights are specified. It is best to think of the equipment as a way to explore the clear water at your own pace rather than expect a guided snorkeling session.

The last stop also gives you a final chance to use the SUP. If you want to try paddleboarding, ask the crew about timing early in the day so you do not leave it until the final minutes. With only 40 minutes at Talaros, a little planning helps.

Once the group has finished at Pera Pigadia, the boat returns to Agia Efimia, arriving at the port after 5:00 p.m. Exact arrival depends on the day, weather, and conditions at sea, so do not schedule a tight evening connection.

What is included for $181.02?

The price is $181.02 per person. That is a serious cost for a day out, so I would judge it against what you receive rather than compare it with the price of a beach bus or a simple boat transfer.

Your fee includes:

• A full day of sailing for about eight hours
• Three swimming stops on Ithaca
• Traditional Greek lunch
• Snacks and fruit
• Soft drinks and bottled water
• Beer and local wine
• Snorkeling equipment
• A stand-up paddleboard
• Onboard restroom
• Free Wi-Fi

The small group improves the value. You are paying for access to remote coastal stops, a hosted boat trip, equipment, lunch, and drinks, rather than simply purchasing transport. Couples and groups of friends who expect to spend much of the day swimming may find the package worthwhile.

Families can also benefit from the included food and equipment. You do not need to organize a separate lunch stop, and the restroom makes the long outing more manageable. Still, families should consider whether everyone will enjoy a full day on a boat, especially if sea conditions are unsettled.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to see Ithacan villages, visit a port town, or walk through local streets. One criticism of the trip was that it never came close to a village or town. That is fair. The route is focused on beaches and bays, not cultural sightseeing.

There is also no port transfer included. If you are staying away from Agia Efimia, you must arrange your own way there. Gratuity is not included either.

The strongest parts of the day

The most praised features are clear. The three bays receive the warmest attention, with the water and coastal scenery repeatedly described as beautiful. The staff also earns strong approval, especially for creating a friendly, relaxed day rather than simply driving a boat between stops.

The food and wine add to the holiday mood. Several accounts describe lunch positively, and the mix of Greek food, fruit, soft drinks, beer, and local wine means you are not constantly reaching into a day bag for supplies.

The swimming access is the real reason to book. These are places you might not reach easily without a boat, and the water is the focus at every stop. You should expect a sea day with views, rather than a tour packed with facts or formal sightseeing.

A rating of 4.9 from 84 reviews and a recommendation rate of 95 percent suggest that the cruise delivers well for its intended audience. The lower rating about meal size and price should not be ignored, though. It shows that value depends heavily on what you expect from lunch and how much you want time on land.

Who will enjoy this Ithaca cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Couples who want a scenic day with swimming and wine
• Friends who enjoy small-group boat trips
• Families comfortable spending eight hours on the water
• People who value included food, drinks, and equipment
• Anyone seeking quiet bays that are difficult to reach by road
• Visitors staying near Agia Efimia who want to see Ithaca from the sea

I would hesitate if you dislike long boat rides, need a sandy beach, or want a full meal with lots of choice. I would also choose another type of outing if your main goal is to visit an Ithacan village or learn about the island’s history.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a way to secure personal items on the boat. The cruise provides snorkeling equipment, a SUP, food, drinks, and a restroom, but personal beach and sun gear are not listed among the inclusions.

Weather, cancellation, and final practical advice

Good weather is required for this cruise. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not met.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before 9:00 a.m. are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

The cruise is often booked about 41 days ahead. That is a useful signal for planning, particularly if you are visiting during a busy summer period. The maximum group size is only 10, so waiting until the last minute may not work.

Should you book this cruise?

Book it if your ideal Cephalonia day means clear water, three swim stops, a small boat, good company, and lunch with wine already arranged. The combination of Gidaki, Skinos Bay, and Pera Pigadia gives you a varied coastal day, and the crew’s friendly hosting appears to be a major strength.

Skip it if $181.02 feels too high for a beach outing, or if you want towns, museums, and long walks on land. The cruise is not trying to show you all of Ithaca. It gives you the island’s coast, one beautiful bay after another, with the least planning possible.

FAQ

How much does the Ithaca day cruise cost?

The price is $181.02 per person.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts about eight hours, starting at 9:00 a.m. and returning to Agia Efimia after 5:00 p.m.

Where does the cruise begin?

The meeting point is DodoniAgias Eyfimias, Ag. Effimia 280 81, Greece.

Which beaches and bays does the cruise visit?

The route includes Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach at Pera Pigadia Bay.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for use during the swimming stops.

Is a paddleboard available?

Yes. A stand-up paddleboard is included.

How many people can join the cruise?

The activity has a maximum of 10 people.

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 number of people can also lead to a different date or a full refund.