Sami: Ithaca Island Boat Trip with Swimming and Snacks

Ithaca is best seen from the water. This seven-hour cruise from Sami combines three swimming stops, a short visit to Vathi, and views of Ithaca’s rocky coast aboard Christina III, a traditional wooden boat. I like the mix of active time and easy sightseeing, especially the chance to swim at places that are not simple to reach overland.

I also like the friendly, careful crew, who have been praised for staying professional when wind made the return trip rough. The main drawback is comfort: seating is available, but there is no proper place to lie down, and the included food is a light snack rather than a full lunch.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swimming stops include Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach, with roughly three hours in the water altogether.
• Christina III is a traditional wooden boat, giving the outing a more local Ionian feel than a standard speedboat ride.
• Vathi gets 70 minutes, enough for a harbor walk, coffee, small shops, and photos, but not a full town visit.
• The included food is simple: riganada, watermelon, juice, and water. Bring extra food if you need a substantial lunch.
• The boat has seats but no lounging area, an important detail for anyone expecting a sunbed-style cruise.
• Wind can affect the return crossing, so bring a light layer and be prepared for a choppier ride late in the day.

Leaving Sami at 9:00 a.m. aboard Christina III

The day begins at Zaharatos Cruises in Sami Port. You should arrive at least 20 minutes before the 9:00 a.m. departure. That early start matters because the tour uses the whole day well, returning after about seven hours rather than rushing from one stop to the next.

Christina III is a handcrafted wooden boat, which gives the trip a slower and more traditional character. You are not simply being transported between beaches. The cruise itself is part of the experience, with time to watch the Kefalonia and Ithaca coastlines pass by and to photograph cliffs, coves, and open water.

The boat is described as having enough room for everyone even when nearly full, but the seating arrangement deserves attention. There are seats for the ride, yet no large sunbathing deck or padded area where you can stretch out. If you picture yourself spending the day flat on a cushion, adjust that picture now. This is a sit, swim, and explore boat trip.

The English-speaking host or greeter keeps things straightforward. The crew’s strongest quality appears to be their care for passengers. They have been praised for staying attentive with food, drinks, and safety, including on a day when the wind increased and the sea became uncomfortable on the way back.

Pera Pigadi and Nisopoulo: a quiet first swim

After about 15 minutes of sightseeing by boat, the first stop is Pera Pigadi, also called Πέρα Πηγάδι, near Nisopoulo. You get about an hour here. This is a good opening stop because it gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the day without having to rush straight into a busy beach.

The water is clear and suited to swimming and snorkeling. Bring your own mask and snorkel because equipment is not included. If you prefer not to get in, you can stay aboard and enjoy the view, though the appeal of this stop is clearly the water.

The first snack is served around this part of the outing. Riganada is rustic bread topped with tomato, olive oil, oregano, and stouba, a local-style preparation. Seasonal watermelon, juice, and water are also provided. The food gives you something to eat between swims, but it is not designed as a full meal.

That distinction matters. One passenger found the snack too small for the price, while another said the portions were simple but sufficient and barely needed lunch during the free hour in Vathi. Your appetite and breakfast plans will decide which experience you have. I would eat a proper breakfast and bring an additional snack if you normally need a midday meal.

Filiatro Beach: the longest swimming stop

The next short cruise takes you to Filiatro Beach, where you spend about 90 minutes. This is the longest water stop and likely the best place to settle into the day. The beach is framed by rocks and has turquoise water, making it a strong choice for swimming, floating, or sitting on the shore.

The schedule gives you enough time to do more than take a quick dip. You can swim, dry off, return to the water, and still have time for photos. The beach setting is more scenic than a simple open-water stop, so you get both the pleasure of a beach visit and the ease of arriving directly by boat.

Keep your expectations practical. The tour does not promise beach chairs, umbrellas, or personal service at each stop. You should bring a towel, sunscreen, hat, and comfortable shoes. Since snorkeling equipment is excluded, pack your own if exploring below the surface is important to you.

The stops are also weather-dependent in feel, even when the itinerary runs as planned. Calm conditions make the water stops relaxing. Stronger wind can make the boat ride less comfortable and may produce a rougher return, as happened on one late-summer departure.

Vathi: 70 minutes in Ithaca’s capital

After Filiatro, the boat makes a short sightseeing run toward Vathi. Before entering the harbor, you pass Lazaretto Island and nearby sea caves, but the dedicated Lazaretto sightseeing stop comes later in the schedule.

Vathi is the social and practical center of the outing. You have 70 minutes to walk the harbor, browse small shops, sit for coffee, and take photographs. Its setting around Vathi Bay gives you a pleasant change from the swimming stops. After several hours around the sea, a firm stretch of land and a town street can be welcome.

The time is enough for a taste, not a full exploration. I would use the first few minutes to get oriented, then choose one main goal. If you want coffee and photos, do those first. If shopping matters more, avoid wandering too far from the harbor because the boat will not wait for an extended town visit.

This is also your chance to buy additional food or drinks if the included snack does not feel like lunch. The official inclusions cover riganada, seasonal fruit, juice, and water, while other food and drinks are at your own expense.

Vathi adds cultural interest without turning the trip into a formal history tour. You get a short look at everyday island life, shops, and the harbor, rather than a guided lecture or a packed list of monuments. That balance suits anyone who wants to see Ithaca without giving up most of the day’s swimming.

Lazaretto Island and the sea caves

After leaving Vathi, the boat makes a brief sightseeing stop at Lazaretto, a small island in the center of Vathi Bay. The dedicated stop lasts about 10 minutes, with another short cruise before and after it.

This is mainly a photography and scenery break. You can look toward the rugged cliffs and sea caves, and appreciate the shape of the bay from the water. It is not a long island visit, and you should not expect to go ashore or explore trails.

The short stop works because it breaks up the journey between Vathi and Gidaki Beach. It also shows why this trip is more than a beach shuttle. The boat brings you close to coastal features that are difficult to understand from a road or a town viewpoint.

Have your camera ready before arrival. Ten minutes passes quickly, especially when several people want to take photos. This is one of those moments where staying alert to the guide’s instructions saves you from a hurried return to the boat.

Gidaki Beach: the final and most famous swim

The last major stop is Gidaki Beach, with about 50 minutes for swimming. It is known for emerald water and smooth pebbles, and it is presented as one of Ithaca’s most beautiful beaches.

Gidaki is a fitting final stop because it gives you one more chance to swim before the long ride back to Sami. The water and pebbled shore offer a different feel from a sandy beach. Pack footwear you can use comfortably around pebbles, especially if your feet are sensitive.

The 50-minute stay is enough for a swim and a little time on shore, but it is shorter than the stop at Filiatro. If Gidaki is the place you most want to enjoy, conserve some energy earlier in the day. It is easy to spend too long at the first two swimming locations and reach the final stop feeling tired.

You should also keep your towel and dry clothes accessible. After the last swim, the boat still has about 25 minutes of sightseeing before returning to Sami. A dry layer can make the final part of the ride much more pleasant, particularly if the wind picks up.

What the $76 price really covers

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day on the Ionian Sea. The price becomes easier to justify if you value access to several swimming places, the boat ride to Ithaca, a visit to Vathi, and an organized day without arranging separate transport.

You are paying for a full seven-hour outing, boat tickets, crew support, three swimming stops, the Vathi visit, coastal sightseeing, and basic food and drinks. The traditional wooden boat is also part of the appeal. You get a more characterful setting than a plain transfer vessel.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long beach day with a full lunch and plenty of room to lie down. The snacks are modest, and the boat is built around seating rather than lounging. A person who expects a meal, a sunbed, and unlimited space may feel the price is high.

I would judge the cost by asking what you would have to organize alone. Reaching several secluded bays, getting to Gidaki, and fitting in Vathi would require more planning and possibly more than one transport arrangement. For a visitor staying in Sami who wants Ithaca in one day, the package is reasonably useful.

Food, drinks, and what to pack

The included refreshments are practical rather than elaborate. You receive riganada, watermelon, juice, and water. The drinks are available throughout the day, while the food works best as a light snack between swims.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes. Add your own snorkeling gear if you want to see below the surface. I would also pack a small extra snack, especially if you dislike skipping lunch or are traveling with children.

A dry shirt or light cover-up is a sensible addition. The return crossing can feel cooler and rougher when wind rises, even after a warm day in the water. Keep valuables to a minimum and use a small bag that can stay secure on a moving boat.

The tour is not suited to pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Boarding, moving around the boat, swimming from shore or boat-access points, and handling a full day at sea all require a reasonable level of physical comfort.

Who will enjoy this Ithaca day trip

I think this outing suits you if you want a full day on the water with several chances to swim and only a short town visit. It works particularly well for people based in Sami who want to add Ithaca without changing hotels.

It is also a good match if you prefer a planned day. The schedule gives you clear blocks of time, and the crew handles the route, refreshments, and return journey. The strongest praise has focused on the crew’s friendliness, attention, and ability to keep the trip running safely in difficult wind.

You may want another option if your priority is a relaxed boat day with extensive space to sunbathe. The seating is functional, not luxurious. You should also choose another type of excursion if a substantial lunch, a long stay in Vathi, or a formal cultural tour matters more than swimming.

The boat’s atmosphere seems especially suited to couples, friends, and active families who are happy to swim, sit, take photos, and move on. The tour has enough variety to keep the day from feeling repetitive, but not enough town time for someone who wants to study Ithaca’s capital in detail.

Should you book the Sami to Ithaca cruise?

Book it if you want an efficient introduction to Ithaca with three excellent water stops, a traditional boat, and a useful hour in Vathi. The crew’s care is a real strength, and the schedule gives each swim enough time to feel worthwhile.

Skip it if you need a full lunch, a place to stretch out, or complete protection from rough sea conditions. Eat breakfast, carry an extra snack, bring snorkeling gear, and arrive early at Sami Port. With those expectations in place, the $76 price is fair for a busy but well-organized day of island scenery and swimming.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

The trip departs from Zaharatos Cruises at Sami Port in Kefalonia.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at least 20 minutes before the 9:00 a.m. departure.

How long does the tour last?

The full boat trip lasts approximately seven hours.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes traditional riganada, seasonal fruit, juice, and water. Other food and drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You need to bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to snorkel.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.