From Skala: Ithaca Day Cruise with Swim Stops & Free Time

Beautiful coves are the real attraction. This full-day cruise links some of the Ionian Sea’s clearest swimming spots with free time in Vathi, Ithaca’s attractive harbor capital. I especially like the chance to swim at Gidaki Beach, which can only be reached by boat, and the relaxed stop in Vathi for lunch, shopping, and a walk. The value is strong at $64 for about eight and a half hours, though you should be ready for a long time on a fairly full boat.

The schedule is built around three swim stops, including Antisamos Beach and Koutsoupia Beach. The crew provides cold bottled water, shaded seating, toilets, and safety equipment, but you need to bring your own towel, sunscreen, and snorkeling gear if you want to look beneath the surface. Check the departure details carefully before setting out, since some recent bookings involved a coach transfer and a departure from Poros rather than the advertised Skala meeting point.

Key points to know before booking

• Three separate swimming stops: Antisamos, Gidaki, and Koutsoupia provide different settings, from a famous Kefalonian beach to quiet coves reached from the sea.
• Vathi gives you 75 minutes ashore: This is enough for a meal, a short walk, photos, or a little shopping, but not a long visit.
• Gidaki is boat-access only: The stop offers a peaceful beach setting without a road connection, though your time in the water is scheduled for about 30 minutes.
• The Grand Star is your base all day: Shaded seating, toilets, safety equipment, and free cold water make the long crossings easier.
• Weather can change the final stop: Koutsoupia Beach may be replaced by Agios Ioannis Beach in Ithaca.
• Confirm the meeting point: The stated location is by the floating dock opposite the small pine-tree park at the end of Skala’s pedestrian street, but departure arrangements have caused confusion for some people.

Why this cruise works as a full-day outing

This is not a quick island transfer with a little sightseeing added on. It is a full day at sea, lasting 510 minutes, or roughly eight and a half hours. You spend much of that time cruising between beaches, so the appeal depends on how much you enjoy open-water views, swimming, and the easy rhythm of a boat day.

I like the way the route combines two types of holiday. You get active stops for swimming and snorkeling, then a proper shore visit in Vathi. That mix is more satisfying than a day made entirely of beach stops, especially if you want to see a little of Ithaca rather than simply pass its coast.

The cruise also offers a practical way to reach coves that are not convenient to visit by road. Gidaki is accessible only by boat, and Koutsoupia sits on the eastern side of Kefalonia, surrounded by green hills and clear water. You see more coastline than you would from a single beach base.

The main tradeoff is comfort. A full boat can make it difficult to change between the upper and lower seating areas, and some seating may feel hard during the long crossings. If you are happiest with plenty of personal space or dislike sitting on a boat for several hours, this may not be your ideal day.

Leaving Skala and settling into the Grand Star

The advertised meeting point is at Skala Beach, opposite the small pine-tree park at the end of Skala’s main pedestrian street. Look for the floating dock and arrive 15 to 20 minutes early. That early arrival matters here, since finding the correct departure place has not always been straightforward.

There is one important detail to verify before you go. Although the meeting instructions describe Skala, recent booking feedback refers to a coach ride to Poros and a boat departure there. That may reflect a changed operating arrangement, but it creates a real risk of confusion if you simply walk to the shore and wait. Check the provider’s current information close to departure, and ask exactly where the coach or boat will collect you.

Once aboard the Grand Star, you have shaded seating, a toilet, safety equipment, and free cold bottled water. Those basics are valuable on a long Greek summer outing. Bring a refillable bottle if you prefer to drink more than the included water, along with sunscreen and a towel.

The boat can feel busy, particularly when people move around before a swim stop or try to change decks. The crew has been praised for being friendly and for handing out refreshments such as watermelon on some departures. Still, do not expect a quiet private-yacht atmosphere. This is a shared day cruise with a social, group-excursion feel.

Antisamos Beach: a strong first swim stop

The first major stop is Antisamos Beach on Kefalonia, reached after about an hour and a half of cruising from the starting point. The beach is known for its clear turquoise water and cinematic appearance, and the stop lasts about an hour.

This is a good opening swim because you have enough time to get in the water without feeling rushed. You can swim, snorkel, or simply float near the boat and enjoy the view toward the shore. Snorkeling is encouraged, but equipment is not listed as included, so bring your own mask and tube.

Antisamos is one of the more famous beaches on Kefalonia, which means its appeal is easy to understand. The water is the star: clear, bright, and inviting. From the boat, you also get a different perspective than you would from the beach itself.

The first swim comes after a long crossing, so seasickness can be an issue for people who are prone to it. Sit in the shaded area, keep water nearby, and avoid treating the first hour on the boat as a good time for a heavy meal. The cruise is specifically not recommended for people who regularly become seasick.

Vathi, Ithaca: 75 minutes in the island capital

After leaving Antisamos, the boat takes about 80 minutes to reach Vathi. This is the main land stop of the day, with approximately 75 minutes for lunch, sightseeing, photographs, shopping, or a self-guided walk.

Vathi is a picturesque harbor village and the capital of Ithaca. Its setting gives you a welcome change of pace after several hours centered on the sea. You can stroll along the harbor, find something to eat, browse shops, and take photographs without being tied to a formal guided walk.

The time is useful, but limited. You can enjoy a meal and a short look around, yet you will not have time for a broad exploration of Ithaca. I would decide in advance what matters most: lunch, shopping, or walking. Trying to do all three may leave you watching the boat depart with your meal still unfinished.

Lunch is not included, and neither are personal purchases. That keeps the base price low, but you should bring money or a payment card for your meal and any shopping. At $64, the cruise still offers good value because it combines the boat trip, several beach stops, and time on Ithaca without charging separately for each part.

Vathi is also the stop most likely to feel too short. If your main goal is to explore Ithaca’s towns and history, you may want a shore-based visit with more time. If you see Vathi as a pleasant pause between swims, 75 minutes works much better.

Gidaki Beach: the quietest stop of the day

Only about 15 minutes after leaving Vathi, the boat reaches Gidaki Beach. The scheduled stop is around 30 minutes, intended mainly for swimming and snorkeling.

Gidaki’s appeal comes from its isolation. Since the beach can only be reached by boat, it feels more removed from roads and ordinary beach access. You can swim in clear water and look back toward a quieter stretch of Ithaca’s coast.

Thirty minutes is enough for a refreshing swim, but not enough for a slow beach afternoon. You will want to be ready when the crew announces the stop. Keep your towel, sunscreen, and snorkeling gear within easy reach rather than buried under a seat.

This is one of the cruise’s most appealing moments for anyone who likes swimming in natural settings. You are not simply stopping at the nearest beach. The boat carries you to a place that would otherwise require a different kind of access, and the short visit keeps the wider route moving.

Koutsoupia Beach and the possible Agios Ioannis change

The return route includes a stop of about 40 minutes at Koutsoupia Beach on Kefalonia’s eastern coast. The cove is framed by green hills and turquoise water, making it a fitting final swim before the long trip back toward Skala.

Koutsoupia can feel different from Antisamos. Antisamos is the famous postcard stop, while Koutsoupia is presented as a quieter cove reached from the water. The longer 40-minute pause gives you time to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the setting without needing to rush straight back aboard.

The final stop depends on weather and timing. If conditions require a change, the boat may visit Agios Ioannis Beach in Ithaca instead. This is not a minor detail if you are choosing the cruise for one particular beach. The route is flexible for safety and operating conditions, so treat the listed final cove as the plan rather than an absolute promise.

The return crossing takes about an hour. By this point, the day’s pattern is clear: swim, dry off, sit in the shade, watch the coast, and repeat. Some people will find that wonderfully easy. Others may find the final hour long, particularly if the boat is full and the seats are not especially comfortable.

What the $64 price really includes

At $64 per person, this cruise is priced as a broad sightseeing and swimming day rather than a premium private charter. You are paying for the full-day cruise on the Grand Star, the route between Skala, Kefalonia, and Ithaca, the three planned coastal stops, and the basic facilities aboard.

The strongest value comes from access. Gidaki and Koutsoupia are not simple stops to add to an ordinary beach day, and visiting both Ithaca and several Kefalonian coves in one outing would be difficult to arrange independently. The boat also removes the need to plan separate transport for each swim location.

Included safety equipment, shaded seating, toilets, and cold bottled water make the price easier to justify. On a long day at sea, these are not decorative extras. They affect how comfortable and practical the trip feels.

You should budget separately for lunch in Vathi, shopping, souvenirs, and snorkeling gear. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the meeting point yourself or clarify any current coach arrangement. The package is good value for an active day, but less so if you plan to stay aboard and skip the swimming.

Who will enjoy it most

I would recommend this cruise to couples, families, and groups who want a simple way to combine Ithaca with several beach stops. It suits people who like swimming more than long guided tours and who are happy to trade comfort and privacy for access to attractive coves.

Families should note the repeated movement between boat and water. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but anyone needing specific assistance with boarding, swimming, or moving around the boat should confirm the practical arrangements before booking.

The cruise also works well for people staying around Skala who want one full day away from the resort. You get a change of scenery without needing to arrange a complicated route between islands yourself.

I would hesitate if you are prone to seasickness, dislike full boats, need a generous amount of time in each place, or want a quiet luxury experience. The schedule is active, the boat time is substantial, and the timetable leaves little room for lingering.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and snorkeling gear. Wear something easy to move in, keep a light layer available for the boat, and arrive early. Alcohol, drugs, bikes, fireworks, and explosive substances are not allowed.

The cruise is hosted in Greek and English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still taking shape.

Should you book this Ithaca cruise?

Book it if you want three clear-water swim stops and a short visit to Vathi for one reasonable price. The strongest parts are the variety of beaches, the boat-only access to Gidaki, and the chance to see Ithaca without arranging several separate journeys.

Think twice if your priority is comfort, extensive sightseeing, or a slow meal ashore. Before paying, confirm the exact departure point, especially if current operations involve a coach to Poros. With that detail settled, this is a well-priced, active day for people who see the boat ride as part of the holiday rather than merely transportation.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The stated meeting point is Skala Beach, opposite the small pine-tree park at the end of Skala’s main pedestrian street. Look for the floating dock and arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The total duration is 510 minutes, or about eight and a half hours.

Is lunch included?

No. You have free time in Vathi to arrange lunch yourself, and personal expenses such as shopping and souvenirs are also excluded.

Which beaches does the cruise visit?

The planned stops are Antisamos Beach, Gidaki Beach, and Koutsoupia Beach. Depending on weather and timing, Koutsoupia may be replaced by Agios Ioannis Beach in Ithaca.

Should I bring snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Snorkeling is encouraged, but you should bring your own mask and tube. Safety equipment is provided on board.

Is the cruise suitable for people with seasickness?

The activity is not recommended for people prone to seasickness because the day includes several long periods aboard the boat.