Argostoli: Full-Day Boat Cruise with Lunch

Kefalonia looks best from the water. This full-day cruise on the wooden boat Artemis links three beautiful stops with swimming, a water slide, paddleboards, and a homemade Greek lunch. I like the mix of quiet coves and playful beach time, and I especially like that lunch includes local wine, water, and refreshments rather than leaving you to buy food onboard. The main thing to consider is that beach transfers may involve a small dinghy or even swimming ashore, which came as a surprise to at least one passenger.

The boat leaves Argostoli at 10:00 and returns around 17:00, giving you a full eight hours at sea. I also like the friendly, attentive service, including drinks, fresh watermelon, and help from the crew. If the weather turns windy, the captain may change the route, so you should book this for the relaxed day on the water, not for a rigid promise of one exact beach.

Five things to know before booking

• The Artemis offers three distinct stops: White Rocks, Vardiani, also called Rabbit Island, and Xi Beach.
• Lunch is homemade Greek food: Moussaka, salad, stuffed peppers for the vegetarian option, local wine, water, and refreshments are part of the day.
• The water slide is a real highlight: You can jump from the boat, use the slide, and in some cases try stand-up paddleboards.
• Beach access can be informal: Transfers may use a dinghy, and you may need to swim ashore depending on the stop.
• Weather controls the schedule: Wind can replace White Rocks or alter the planned route.
• The price is $76 per person: For eight hours, meals, drinks, beach transfers, and activities, that is a strong value if you plan to use the boat for most of the day.

Leaving Argostoli at 10:00

The day begins in Argostoli port, the natural starting point for a cruise along Kefalonia’s western coast. As the Artemis moves away from town, you get a different view of Argostoli than you would from the road: the port, shoreline, and surrounding hills gradually open up behind you.

The departure time is useful. You are not being rushed onto a dawn boat, yet you still have a full day for swimming and beach stops. The return at about 17:00 also gives you an evening back in Argostoli for dinner or a quiet walk.

The Artemis is a traditional wooden boat, and that matters to the feel of the trip. This is not simply a fast transfer from one beach to another. The boat itself is part of the outing, with time to sit, watch the coast, talk with the crew, and enjoy the water between stops.

Service is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The crew regularly offers drinks, local wine, water, and fresh watermelon. One particularly praised member of the team is George, whose friendly service helped make the day feel relaxed and well organized. The captain also handled the boat gently enough that one passenger who often gets seasick had no trouble.

White Rocks and the first swim

The first stop is the White Rocks area, south of Argostoli. Here, steep green hills meet clear turquoise water, with small bays tucked along the coast. The appeal is simple: this is a place for swimming, floating, and looking back at Kefalonia from the sea rather than ticking off a busy town attraction.

White Rocks works well as the opening stop because it sets the tone for the day. You have the coast around you, the boat as a base, and water that invites a swim. The secluded coves are difficult to appreciate fully from a road, so arriving by boat gives you access to views and small inlets that you might otherwise miss.

Still, do not treat White Rocks as guaranteed. Wind can make the stop unsafe or uncomfortable, and the captain may substitute another island or sheltered place. That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should not book this cruise solely because you want to visit one exact cove.

Beach access is another practical point. The boat may not pull directly onto a sandy shore. Transfers can happen by dinghy, and one passenger was surprised to find that swimming ashore was part of the process. Most people may see that as part of the fun, but it is worth knowing before you arrive, especially if you prefer a dry, step-off-the-boat beach landing.

Rabbit Island and lunch beside the ruins

The second stop is Vardiani, better known as Rabbit Island. This small, uninhabited island sits near the entrance to Kefalonia’s bay and close to Xi Beach on the Lixouri side. It has a small church and ruins, but no developed resort facilities.

That lack of buildings is the point. Vardiani gives you a peaceful setting for the included lunch, with open water and a simple island backdrop. You are not being sent to a restaurant with a menu and a bill. Instead, the crew serves a traditional Greek meal as part of the boat day.

Moussaka and salad are among the meals served, and the vegetarian option can include homemade stuffed peppers when requested in advance. Drinks are included at lunch, with local wine, water, and other refreshments available. Sangria was also a favorite for some passengers, so this is more generous than a basic packed lunch.

The food adds real value to the $76 price. A separate beach day could easily involve transport, lunch, drinks, and activity costs. Here, those pieces are combined, and you get to eat in a setting that is far more memorable than an ordinary café.

The meal is also a good pause in the day. By this point, you will likely have been swimming and moving between parts of the boat. Lunch gives you time to sit down and enjoy the slower side of the cruise. If you need the vegetarian meal, request it in advance rather than hoping it will be available without notice.

Xi Beach and its red clay

The final destination is Xi Beach in southern Kefalonia, near Lixouri. Xi is known for its reddish sand and the unusual color of the beach, created by the clay-rich rocks in the area. The setting feels different from White Rocks, which makes the three-stop route more interesting than visiting three similar coves.

Xi is a good family stop because the beach is easy to enjoy in a casual way. Children can play in the sand, adults can swim, and anyone who still has energy can return to the boat for the slide or a jump into the sea. One family-focused highlight was how much children enjoyed Xi and the water slide, though adults clearly use the slide too.

The natural clay is often used as a simple skin treatment. You can apply it to your skin and wash it off in the sea, creating one of those slightly silly, very memorable holiday moments. The claim that it will make you look ten years younger is best taken as holiday humor, not a medical promise.

You should also keep your expectations practical. Beach conditions, wind, and the method of getting ashore can affect how long you spend at Xi. The published route includes boat transfers to the beach, but the actual landing may involve a smaller dinghy or a swim. Bring only items that can handle splashes, and keep phones and cameras protected.

The boat slide, paddleboards, and swimming time

The Artemis is not only a sightseeing boat. Its water slide gives the day a playful edge, and it was repeatedly singled out as one of the most popular features. You can slide directly into the sea, jump from the boat, and cool off between stops.

Stand-up paddleboards are also available. They offer a quieter way to enjoy the water than the slide, although availability can depend on how busy the boat is and on sea conditions. The combination suits mixed groups well: energetic passengers have something to do, while others can stay on deck, swim, or simply watch.

I would not book this as a formal sightseeing cruise with nonstop commentary. The appeal is the coast, the swimming, the food, and the easygoing time onboard. You get a little local scenery and island context, but the day is built around being outside.

The captain’s handling is important here. A gentle ride can make a long day much more comfortable, particularly if you are prone to seasickness. Wind can still affect anyone, so the weather warning is not a technical footnote. It may change the first stop or the entire order of the day.

What $76 includes

At $76 per person, the cruise sits in a useful middle ground. You are paying for eight hours, boat transport, several coastal stops, lunch, wine, water, refreshments, and onboard activities. If you paid separately for a boat trip, beach transport, a Greek meal, drinks, and water-based entertainment, the costs would likely add up quickly.

The value is strongest if you stay onboard and use the full day. Someone who dislikes swimming, beach time, or long boat rides may not feel the same benefit. This is not a quick sightseeing transfer. It is a full day built around the sea.

The homemade food also improves the value. Moussaka, salad, and a vegetarian meal option are more satisfying than a snack box, and free local wine makes lunch feel like part of the Greek holiday rather than a break between activities.

The $76 does not guarantee perfect weather or every planned stop. That is the main value caveat. You are buying a flexible day at sea, not a fixed transportation service. In good weather, the combination is excellent. In poor weather, the captain may need to change the route or cancel.

Who will enjoy the Artemis most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want several experiences in one day:

• You enjoy swimming in clear coastal water.
• You want a Greek lunch included rather than arranging food yourself.
• You like a relaxed boat day with some active options.
• You are traveling with children or adults who enjoy slides and jumping into the sea.
• You want to see parts of Kefalonia that are easier to reach by water.
• You appreciate friendly service and a less crowded feel.

It may be less suitable if you need firm timing at every stop, dislike getting wet, or want easy access directly from boat to sand. The informal beach transfers are part of the character, but they are not ideal for everyone.

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible. Still, the possibility of dinghy transfers or swimming ashore means you should confirm how the beach portions will work for your needs before booking. The listed host languages are Greek, English, and Italian, which helps make the day accessible to a broad range of visitors.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while your plans take shape. The schedule can change or be canceled because of poor weather, so avoid placing an important same-day connection after the return time.

Should you book this Kefalonia boat cruise?

I would book the Artemis if you want a full, sociable day on the water with food and activities already arranged. The best parts are the mix of White Rocks, Rabbit Island, and Xi Beach, the homemade Greek lunch, attentive service, and the water slide that keeps the day from feeling passive.

Before booking, accept two things: the route depends on weather, and reaching the beach may mean a dinghy ride or a swim. If those details sound like part of the adventure, $76 is good value for eight hours. If you want guaranteed access to one exact beach with a simple walk-off landing, choose a more structured shore excursion instead.

FAQ

Where does the Artemis cruise depart?

The cruise departs from the port of Argostoli in Kefalonia.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

It leaves at 10:00 in the morning and returns to Argostoli at about 17:00.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts eight hours.

Which places does the boat visit?

The planned stops are the White Rocks area, Vardiani Island, also called Rabbit Island, and Xi Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Traditional Greek lunch is included, along with local wine and water. Refreshments are also provided during lunch.

Is there a vegetarian lunch option?

Yes. A vegetarian lunch is available if you request it in advance.

Are drinks included?

Local wine and water are included throughout the day, and refreshments are provided during lunch. Sangria has also been served onboard.

Does the boat have a water slide?

Yes. The Artemis has a water slide for entering the sea. Stand-up paddleboards are also available according to the activity details.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. Poor weather can change the schedule or lead to cancellation. Wind may also cause the captain to replace the White Rocks stop with another location.