From Agia Efimia: Day Cruise to Ithaki Island with Lunch

A small yacht makes Ithaca feel wonderfully remote. From Agia Efimia, this 8.5-hour sailing trip takes you along Ithaca’s eastern shore to quiet bays, clear swimming spots, and beaches reached only by boat. I like the small group of up to 10 people, which keeps the day calm and personal, and I like that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and paddleboards are all included. The main drawback is the long time on the water, so this is not a good pick if you get seasick or need easy access around a boat.

The schedule is built around swimming rather than sightseeing on land. You meet the yacht, S/Y Venus, at 8:50 am near Dodoni Divine Ice Cream Cafe in Agia Efimia, then return after 5:00 pm. I also appreciate the captain’s freedom to change the route when wind and sea conditions call for it, though that means the exact bays and timing can shift.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Three beautiful swimming stops: Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach at Pera Pigadia Bay.
• Small sailing yacht: The boat carries no more than 10 participants, with an experienced skipper and crew.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect onboard food, snacks, fruit, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water-based activities.
• Plenty of time in the water: The stops allow swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding.
• Wildlife is possible: You might see dolphins, sea turtles, or migratory birds, but sightings are not guaranteed.
• Plan for boat conditions: Large bags, strollers, pets, and indoor shoes are not allowed, and the trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or people prone to motion sickness.

Why This Cruise Works Better Than a Large Boat Trip

The best feature here is the scale. With a maximum of 10 participants, you get a quieter day than you would on a packed excursion boat. You are not being herded from one stop to the next with loud music or a microphone. Instead, the day is shaped by the captain, the sea, and the small group around you.

Past trips have included groups of six and even a family group of four, so the boat may feel especially spacious when it is not full. The yacht has room under an awning and at the front, giving you a choice between shade and a breezier place to watch the coast.

The crew has received especially strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and relaxed. Names associated with the trip include Evangelis, Evina, George, and Vangelis, though your exact crew may vary. Their role is not only to steer. They prepare food, offer drinks, help with the paddleboards, and keep the day moving without making it feel rushed.

This matters because an island boat trip can quickly become tiring if every stop feels like a scramble. Here, the appeal is simple: sail, swim, eat, repeat.

Setting Out From Agia Efimia at 8:50 am

The meeting point is easy to identify: S/Y Venus is moored in front of Dodoni Divine Ice Cream Cafe at the beginning of Agia Efimia’s picturesque harbor. You should arrive ready to board at 8:50 am, wearing swimwear and bringing a towel.

There are no hotel transfers included, so you need to arrange your own way to the harbor. This is important if you are staying elsewhere on Kefalonia. You should also send the crew the required passenger details at least 24 hours ahead: full names, passport or ID numbers, nationalities, and years of birth.

Once onboard, the early part of the trip is a long sail toward Ithaca’s eastern shore. This is not dead time. It gives you a chance to settle into the boat, watch the coast change, and get used to the motion before the swimming begins.

The crossing is also the part most likely to test your patience if you want constant activity. Bring a towel, settle under the awning, and keep expectations realistic. This is a sailing day, not a fast ferry ride.

Gidaki Beach: The Main Swimming Stop

The first major stop is Gidaki Beach, often regarded as one of Ithaca’s finest beaches. It is a pebbled cove with larger stones on the western side and smaller ones on the east. The open bay is broad enough for a proper swim from one side to the other, while the surrounding pine-covered slopes keep the setting peaceful.

The water is the star here. It is clear blue-green, and the bay is well suited to snorkeling. You can also use the stand-up paddleboards to explore close to shore. The activity schedule allows about 40 minutes at this stop, followed by a snack and a drink.

That time is enough for a refreshing swim, but it is not an entire morning at the beach. If you like to linger, read, or take long walks along the shore, you may find the stop short. Gidaki is reached by boat on this excursion, so your focus is on the water and the view rather than exploring a village or beach road.

The natural setting is the reason this stop works so well early in the day. You get your first proper swim in a place that feels far removed from a busy resort.

Skinos Bay and Lunch on the Yacht

After Gidaki, the yacht continues to Skinos Bay, on Ithaca’s eastern side. Skinos Beach is framed by pine trees, and the bay tends to feel sheltered and calm. It is a good setting for the longest stop, which lasts about 70 minutes.

This is where lunch is prepared and served onboard. The meal is described as simple local food, with snacks and fruit also provided during the day. Wine, beer, and soft drinks are included, so you do not need to pack a cooler or budget for drinks at each stop.

The food earns consistent praise for being fresh, plentiful, and well organized. I would not book this expecting a formal restaurant meal. You are eating on a sailing yacht, probably in swimwear, with the boat anchored in a quiet bay. That is the point. Lunch becomes part of the setting rather than an interruption to it.

You can swim after eating, use a paddleboard, or simply sit under the awning. The longer stop gives you more breathing room than the first one. It is also the best time to chat with the crew and the other people onboard, especially since the small group format encourages conversation without forcing it.

One practical note: food on a boat is usually more enjoyable if you do not overeat before swimming. Take your time, drink water, and remember that wine and beer can feel stronger in the sun.

Talaros Beach at Pera Pigadia Bay

The final selected swimming area is Talaros Beach, also known as Pera Pigadia Bay, on Ithaca’s southern coast. The water here is described as calm, warm, and smooth, making it a comfortable place for the last swim of the day.

The stop lasts about 40 minutes and includes swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. After two earlier water stops, this one works as a quieter finish. You can take one last swim, look back at the coast, and enjoy the fact that the hardest part of the day is over.

Talaros is not presented as a town visit or a cultural stop. You will not be getting off to shop, walk through streets, or see museums. This cruise is about Ithaca from the sea, with the beaches and bays doing most of the talking.

That focus is a strength if you want a restful day outside. It is a limitation if your idea of visiting Ithaca involves exploring villages, seeing archaeological sites, or having lunch on land.

Sailing Back to Agia Efimia

The return to Agia Efimia includes about 1.5 hours of sailing, with arrival expected after 5:00 pm. By then, you will likely be pleasantly tired from swimming and the sun.

The return leg is also when you may spot wildlife. Dolphins, sea turtles, and rare migratory birds are possible along the route. These sightings depend on luck and conditions, so you should treat them as a bonus rather than part of the guaranteed program.

The crew may change the route at any point if the wind or sea makes another bay a better choice. This is sensible seamanship, not a failure to follow the plan. On a sailing trip, the safest and calmest bay on the day may not be the one printed in the schedule.

That flexibility can mean missing a particular stop, but it also helps protect the quality of the day. A good captain will choose the best available place for swimming instead of forcing a fixed route through rough water.

What Is Included for the $176 Price

At $176 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Ithaca. The value comes from how much is bundled into the price and from the small boat setting.

Included are:

• The sailing cruise
• Skipper and crew
• Onboard WiFi
• Lunch
• Snacks and fruit
• Wine, beer, and soft drinks
• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up paddleboards
• A GoPro camera

You are paying for a full day on the water, not simply transportation between Kefalonia and Ithaca. A larger boat might offer a lower price, but it may also carry more people and provide a less personal experience. Here, the included meal, drinks, equipment, and crew service reduce the number of extra costs you face during the day.

The GoPro camera is a nice touch, although the supplied information does not promise how footage is delivered or what you receive afterward. Ask the crew about that if photos are a major reason for booking.

The price makes the most sense for you if you value quiet coves, a smaller group, and an all-day boat experience. It makes less sense if you mainly want to arrive in Ithaca and spend the day on land.

Comfort, Space, and Practical Limits

The yacht is described as modern, clean, and comfortable, with space for up to 10 participants and two crew members. There is seating under an awning and space at the front, so you can move around rather than remain in one fixed seat.

Still, this is a boat, not a resort. You should expect sun, wind, salt water, and a moving surface. Shoes are not allowed indoors, and large bags, oversize luggage, baby strollers, and baby carriages are prohibited. Bring only what you need for the day.

The trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or people with visual impairments. It is also a poor choice if you are prone to seasickness or motion sickness. Even calm bays do not remove the movement of the boat during the crossing.

Pack swimwear and a towel. You may also want sun protection, but the supplied requirements specifically identify those two items. Keep your belongings compact and easy to store.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most

I would recommend this cruise to couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends who want a day built around swimming. It suits people who prefer quiet coves to loud entertainment and who like having food, equipment, and drinks handled for them.

It is especially good for first-time paddleboarders. One person on a recent trip learned to paddleboard for the first time, which suggests the crew can make the activity approachable rather than competitive.

Families should note that this is a long day with substantial sailing time. Children need to be comfortable on a yacht and in open water. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, so ask before booking if you are traveling with young children.

You should skip it if your priority is sightseeing on land, shopping, or a flexible schedule. You should also think twice if you dislike group meals, cannot manage boat movement, or want a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

Booking Flexibility and Final Advice

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. These policies are useful when weather or wider holiday plans are still uncertain, but the route itself remains dependent on wind and sea conditions.

The overall rating is 4.9 from 76 ratings, with particularly strong praise for the crew, food, clean boat, quiet atmosphere, and beautiful swimming stops. The most repeated strength is the feeling of personal service without the noise and crowding of a large cruise.

Should You Book the Ithaca Cruise?

Book it if you want a full day of clear water, quiet bays, friendly crew, and a small sailing group. The strongest reasons are the three swimming stops, the included lunch and drinks, and the chance to use snorkeling gear and paddleboards without arranging them separately.

Skip it if you are seasick, need wheelchair access, or want to explore Ithaca on foot. For everyone else, the $176 price is fair for an 8.5-hour yacht trip with food, equipment, and a group limited to 10. Bring a towel, pack light, and let the captain choose the calmest water available.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The yacht S/Y Venus is moored in front of Dodoni Divine Ice Cream Cafe at the beginning of Agia Efimia harbor.

What time should I meet the boat?

The meeting time is 8:50 am. The yacht returns to Agia Efimia after 5:00 pm.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts 8.5 hours.

What beaches and bays does the trip visit?

The planned swimming stops are Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay Beach, and Talaros Beach at Pera Pigadia Bay. The captain may change the route according to wind and sea conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, fruit, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddleboards are included. A GoPro camera is also available as part of the experience.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility problems or seasickness?

No. The cruise is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, or people prone to seasickness or motion sickness.