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

The best part of this cruise is simple: you spend the day reaching three beautiful Ithaca bays by boat, places that are difficult to visit in one day by land. Gidaki, Skinos, and Talaros each bring clear water, pebbled shores, and a different setting for swimming. I like the small group of no more than 10 people, and I like that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and a paddleboard are already covered.

The main thing to consider is the price, about $181 per person. That is fair if you value a full day on the water, a small group, and included food and drinks, but less appealing if you mainly want a quick boat ride and a basic swim. You also will not spend time in an Ithaca village or town, since the day is built around bays and beaches.

Key points at a glance

• Three Ithaca swim stops: Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach are the day’s main attractions.
• Small group setting: The boat carries a maximum of 10 people, allowing for a quieter outing than a large excursion boat.
• Food and drinks included: Traditional Greek food, fruit, snacks, soft drinks, bottled water, beer, and local wine are provided.
• Useful water equipment: Snorkeling gear and a SUP are available at no extra charge.
• Eight hours on the sea: You leave Agia Efimia at 9:00 am and return after 5:00 pm.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a rescheduled trip or full refund.

Why this Ithaca cruise works so well

This is a swimming day first and a sightseeing cruise second. You board at DodoniAgias Eyfimias in Agia Efimia, on Kefalonia, then head across the water toward the eastern side of Ithaca. The scenery does much of the work. You watch the coast recede, spend time in clear bays, eat aboard, and return to Kefalonia by late afternoon.

I like this format because it avoids the usual problem with ambitious island-hopping days. You are not rushing from one port to another, collecting hurried photographs and then climbing back onto a bus. Instead, the schedule gives you three proper water stops, with lunch placed between the first and last swims.

The group limit is important. With no more than 10 people, the outing should feel personal and manageable. You can ask for snorkeling equipment, use the SUP, find a place to sit, and enjoy the boat without the crowding common on large day cruises. The crew, including Vangelis and Evia, is also able to keep the day fairly social and relaxed.

Still, this is not the right choice if your main goal is to explore Ithaca’s towns, see its inland sights, or walk through a village. The route focuses on the coast. You will see beautiful natural settings, but you should not expect a cultural tour or a guided history lesson.

Setting out from Agia Efimia at 9:00 am

The meeting point is at DodoniAgias Eyfimias, Ag. Effimia 280 81, Greece. The excursion begins at 9:00 am and ends back at the same point after 5:00 pm. You need to arrange your own transport to and from the port, since transfers are not included.

The long first sail is part of the experience. It gives you time to settle into the boat and enjoy the open-water views before the first swim. The trip is listed as lasting about eight hours, so plan most of your day around it rather than trying to fit another major activity before or after.

The boat has a restroom, free Wi-Fi, and space for the small group. Those details matter on a full-day outing. A restroom means you are not dependent on the next beach, while Wi-Fi can be useful if you need to stay in touch, though most people will probably prefer to put the phone away once the coast opens up.

The cruise may sail with little wind at times. That means the boat might rely on its motor rather than moving entirely under sail. One account of the experience specifically noted that the morning had no wind, but still found the sailing element worthwhile. If you are booking this as a serious sailing lesson, adjust your expectations. If you want a comfortable day on the water, the lack of wind is less important.

Gidaki Beach, the first clear-water stop

After the first stretch of sailing, you reach Gidaki Beach on the eastern side of Ithaca. This is the longest uninterrupted swim stop, lasting about 40 minutes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you can look below the surface rather than simply swim along the shore.

Gidaki is a pebbled beach with larger stones on the western side and smaller ones toward the east. The bay is open enough for swimming from one side to the other, though 40 minutes passes quickly if you want time for both snorkeling and exploring the water.

The setting is the attraction. Turquoise water meets thick natural vegetation, giving the bay a quiet, unbuilt feel. The beach is often considered one of Ithaca’s finest, and the boat access makes it possible to enjoy the place without adding a long road journey to your day.

You may want water shoes for a pebbled shore, although they are not listed as included. That is practical rather than essential advice, but stones can be less comfortable than sand when entering the water. The boat provides a snack and drink at the end of the stop, which helps before the next part of the cruise.

Gidaki is likely to be the stop that sets the tone for the day. You get the clear water early, before lunch, with snorkeling equipment ready to use. If you prefer a sandy beach, however, this will not provide it.

Skinos Bay and lunch aboard the boat

The next stop is Skinos Bay, where the boat pauses for about one hour and 15 minutes. This is the main meal stop, and the crew prepares lunch aboard while the boat rests in the bay.

Skinos is known for its pine trees and calm setting. The combination of green slopes, still water, and a pebbled beach gives the stop a different feel from Gidaki. You are not simply pulling in for a fast swim. This is the time to eat, take in the view, and let the middle of the day slow down.

Lunch includes traditional Greek food, along with fruit and snacks. Drinks include bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and local wine. A gluten-free option is available, according to the tour information and guest experience, but you should raise any dietary requirement when booking rather than wait until lunch.

The food is a real part of the value here, though I would keep expectations sensible. The meal is served on a boat, not in a waterfront restaurant, and the amount and quality may not satisfy everyone equally. Some people will appreciate the fresh-air setting and the convenience. If you expect a large, elaborate meal, the food may feel modest.

I like that drinks are included because buying beverages separately on a full-day boat trip can add up quickly. Beer and wine also suit the slow pace of lunch, but remember that you still have another swim stop and a boat ride back. Enjoy the local wine, but do not treat the afternoon as a drinking tour.

Talaros Beach and the final swim

After lunch, the boat heads toward the south coast of Ithaca for Talaros Beach, also described as Pera Pigadia Bay. This is the final selected swimming spot and lasts about 40 minutes.

The bay is described as calm, warm, and smooth, making it a comfortable place for the last swim. It is a good way to finish because you can get back into the water after lunch without facing a rough or exposed setting.

You may use the snorkeling equipment again, or try the SUP if conditions allow. The paddleboard is included, so this stop gives you another option if you have had enough swimming. With only 40 minutes, you will probably want to choose one activity rather than attempt everything.

Talaros has the feel of a small coastal pause rather than a major destination. That is part of its appeal. You are not being asked to rush around, shop, or follow a strict walking route. You swim, sit back, and then begin the return trip to Agia Efimia.

The final sail back should bring you into port after 5:00 pm. The timing makes this a full day, but not an especially late one. That works well for dinner plans in Kefalonia, provided you leave some flexibility for weather or sea conditions.

What is included, and why the details matter

At $181.02 per person, the price needs to be judged against the full package rather than the boat ride alone. You receive:

• Traditional Greek lunch
• Snacks and fruit
• Soft drinks and bottled water
• Beer and local wine
• Snorkeling equipment
• SUP use
• Restroom aboard
• Free Wi-Fi
• A small group with a maximum of 10 people

The included food and drinks make a noticeable difference. A cheaper cruise may advertise a lower starting price, then leave you paying for lunch, water, and equipment. Here, the main extras are already part of the day.

The small group also adds value. Ten people is a very different experience from a boat carrying dozens of passengers. You have a better chance of finding a comfortable place to sit, getting help with equipment, and hearing the crew without a struggle.

There are limits. Transfers to the port are not included, and gratuity is separate. The cruise also does not promise an extensive meal or a visit to an Ithaca settlement. If those are your priorities, the price may feel high.

I would compare this outing with the cost of arranging a private boat, food, drinks, and water equipment yourself. The cruise will usually be simpler and less flexible than a private charter, but you avoid the work of organizing each part. For couples, friends, and families who want a ready-made day, that convenience helps justify the cost.

Who should book this day on the water

I would recommend this cruise most strongly to people who measure a good island day in swims, views, and time outdoors. Couples get a scenic day with enough quiet time to enjoy the bays. Friends can share the paddleboard, snorkeling gear, food, and drinks without paying for a private charter. Families may appreciate the included lunch and restroom, though everyone should be comfortable with a full day on a boat.

It also suits you if you prefer a small group and a relaxed pace. The crew has been praised for being courteous and welcoming, and the personal scale of the boat supports that kind of service.

You may want a different excursion if you dislike long boat rides, need a sandy beach, or want to spend time in towns. The first sail is long, and the schedule is built around three swims rather than a series of cultural stops.

The tour is offered in English and confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, but you should think honestly about your comfort with boarding a boat, swimming, and spending eight hours away from shore.

Weather, flexibility, and booking advice

Good weather is required. If conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with the option of another date, another experience, or a refund.

For a full refund when you change your plans, cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Since the cruise is booked an average of 41 days ahead, reserving early is sensible during the busy season, especially if your dates in Kefalonia are fixed.

Bring the basics for a swimming day: swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and perhaps water shoes for the pebbled beaches. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack your own unless you prefer a personal fit.

I would also leave your evening open enough to allow for a late return. The planned arrival is after 5:00 pm, but a boat day is always more pleasant when you are not watching the clock.

Should you book the Ithaca cruise?

Book it if you want a small-group swimming day with food, drinks, and equipment included, and if Gidaki, Skinos, and Talaros sound more appealing than an Ithaca town visit. The water stops are the reason to go, and the route gives you three different coastal settings in one day.

Think twice if $181.02 feels high for a beach-focused outing, or if you expect a substantial restaurant-style lunch and extensive sightseeing. The value is strongest when you use the snorkeling gear, SUP, included drinks, and full eight-hour schedule.

For a relaxed couple’s day, a friends’ outing, or a family comfortable around water, I think this is a well-balanced choice. You get the beauty of Ithaca without the effort of arranging your own boat, supplies, and route.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts and finishes at DodoniAgias Eyfimias in Agia Efimia, Kefalonia. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the cruise begin?

The start time is 9:00 am. The boat returns to Agia Efimia after 5:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately eight hours.

Which Ithaca beaches and bays are included?

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

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and a SUP is also available for use.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.