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

The best part of this day is simple: you reach three Ithacan bays by boat, including Gidaki, one of the island’s most admired beaches. Instead of spending the day driving between crowded shore roads, you move at sea level, stopping for long swims in clear water and eating lunch aboard the boat.

I like the small maximum group of 10, which gives the cruise a more personal feel than a large excursion boat. I also like the generous inclusions: snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, lunch, fruit, snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and local wine are all covered.

The main thing to consider is the price, about $181 per person. That is a serious spend for a day on the water, and one Italian guest found the meal too modest for the cost. You also spend much of the day sailing, with no visit to an Ithacan village or town.

Quick points before you book

• Three swim stops in Ithaca: Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach give you a full day of sea time rather than a short photo stop.
• A very small boat group: The cruise accepts no more than 10 people, useful if you prefer quiet conversation and easy access to the crew.
• Vangelis and Evia host the day: The crew serves lunch and drinks, prepares the stops, and provides the snorkeling equipment and SUP.
• Food and drinks are included: You get traditional Greek food, fruit, snacks, soft drinks, bottled water, beer, and local wine.
• Expect an active beach day: The bays are reached by boat, and the main pleasures are swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and sailing.
• There is no port transfer: You need to reach the Agia Efimia meeting point yourself by the 9:00 a.m. departure.

Setting sail from Agia Efimia at 9:00 a.m.

The cruise begins at DodoniAgias Eyfimias in Agia Efimia, on Cephalonia’s east coast. You arrive on your own, since transport to and from the port is not included. The activity ends at the same meeting point after the boat returns, expected around 5:00 p.m. or later.

This timing makes the outing a full day rather than a quick coastal trip. You have about eight hours for the crossing, stops, lunch, and return sail. The first leg heads east toward Ithaca, so the day begins with open-water sailing before the first swim.

I find that schedule appealing if you like the journey as much as the stops. You are not simply being dropped at a beach and collected later. The sailing itself is part of the experience, with views across the Ionian Sea and changing coastal scenery along the way.

The boat accommodates a maximum of 10 people. That number matters. You should have a better chance of finding a comfortable place to sit, getting a word with Vangelis or Evia, and using the shared water equipment without a long wait. It also keeps the mood closer to a private outing than a mass-market cruise.

Still, a small boat does not mean a private charter. You share the day with the other passengers, and the exact pace depends on the group, the sea, and the weather. The cruise requires good weather and a minimum number of bookings. If conditions are poor or the minimum is not met, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Gidaki Beach, the first swim in Ithaca

After the long sail east, the boat stops at Gidaki Beach for about 40 minutes. This is the sort of place that makes a boat trip worthwhile. The bay has clear blue-green water, thick natural vegetation around it, and no road access mentioned for the excursion, so arriving from the sea gives the stop a sense of separation from the island’s busier places.

Gidaki is a pebble beach. The western side has larger stones, while the eastern side has smaller ones. Bring care when entering the water, especially if you are used to sandy beaches. Water shoes could be useful, though they are not listed as included.

The bay is open enough for a proper swim from one side to the other. With snorkeling gear supplied, you can look below the surface rather than simply bob near the boat. The description does not promise a particular range of fish or underwater sights, so I would treat snorkeling as an added pleasure, not the sole reason to book.

The stop lasts 40 minutes, which is enough for a swim, a little snorkeling, and a snack or drink. It is not a long beach afternoon. If you want a full hour on shore with time to wander, sunbathe, and settle in, this first stop may feel brief.

The payoff is the water. Gidaki is widely regarded as one of Ithaca’s finest beaches, and the combination of pebbles, green hills, and bright water gives you a strong first impression of the island. You will want to have your swimsuit ready before reaching the bay.

Skinos Bay, lunch with pine trees around you

The next major stop is Skinos Bay, on Ithaca’s eastern side. The boat spends about 1 hour and 15 minutes here, making it the longest scheduled pause. The bay is surrounded by pine trees, and the scenery is one of the day’s strongest features.

This is where lunch is prepared and served aboard. The meal includes traditional Greek food, along with fruit and snacks. Drinks include soft drinks, bottled water, beer, and local wine. A gluten-free option is available, which is important if you need to avoid gluten, though you should still communicate that need when booking or before the meal is served.

The onboard meal is a practical part of the value. You do not need to leave the bay in search of a taverna, and you can eat while keeping the water and pine-covered shore in view. Beer or wine with lunch also suits the slow pace of a sailing day.

I would keep expectations sensible. One guest considered the meal mediocre and too small for the price, while others found the food very good. That difference tells you something useful: the cruise is primarily a sailing and swimming experience with lunch included, not a gourmet food tour.

The hour and 15 minutes gives you time to eat without rushing and enjoy the bay. You may also use the snorkeling equipment or SUP here, depending on how the crew manages the stop and the conditions. Since the boat carries only a small group, the equipment should be easier to share than on a crowded vessel, but it remains shared equipment.

Skinos is also a good pause between the first and final swims. You can dry off, eat, take in the view, and settle into the rhythm of the day. For couples or friends, this is likely the most sociable part of the cruise. Families may appreciate having food served onboard rather than trying to keep children organized during another shore transfer.

Talaros Beach and Pera Pigadia Bay

After lunch, the route turns toward Ithaca’s southern coast. The final selected swimming stop is Talaros Beach in Pera Pigadia Bay, with about 40 minutes in the water.

Pigadia Bay is described as calm, warm, and smooth. Those conditions make it a particularly pleasant final stop, when you may prefer an easy swim rather than a more active snorkeling session. The bay gives you another chance to use the equipment, paddleboard, or simply float beside the boat.

Three swimming locations make the day feel varied. Gidaki provides the dramatic first arrival, Skinos adds pine-framed views and lunch, and Talaros closes the outing with calmer water. None of the stops is presented as a town visit, so the variety comes from the bays and the sailing route, not from museums, shops, or village streets.

The 40-minute stop is again enough for a focused swim but not an extended beach stay. If your idea of a day in Ithaca includes walking through settlements or seeing local life on land, this itinerary will not provide it. You see Ithaca from the water and spend your time in natural bays.

Once everyone has finished at Talaros, the boat sails back to Agia Efimia. Arrival is expected after 5:00 p.m. The return can be a pleasant way to wind down, but you should avoid scheduling an evening activity too tightly after the cruise. The stated return time is approximate, and sea conditions can affect the timing.

What is included, and what those extras are worth

At $181.02 per person, this is not a budget boat trip. The price makes more sense if you plan to use the full package: three swim stops, lunch, several drinks, snorkeling equipment, SUP access, onboard restroom, bottled water, and Wi-Fi.

The drinks add real convenience. You do not have to pack a day’s supply of water, and having beer and local wine with lunch makes the stop feel more complete. The snacks and fruit are useful between swims, especially during a full eight-hour outing.

The restroom matters more than it may seem. You are spending most of the day offshore, and an onboard toilet removes one common worry on a long cruise. Free Wi-Fi is also included, though the main reason to book is the sea, not internet access.

The price is harder to justify if you care most about food quantity or expect a luxury dining experience. One negative account specifically found the meal lacking in both quality and amount. I would book this for the boat, access to Ithaca’s bays, and the small group, with lunch treated as a useful inclusion rather than the centerpiece.

It also helps that the cruise supplies the snorkeling gear. You do not need to rent equipment separately, and you can move directly from the boat into the water. The SUP gives you another way to enjoy the bays, although availability depends on sharing and sea conditions.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This outing suits couples who want a beautiful full day with swimming, wine, and quiet time on the water. It also works well for friends who prefer an active day with flexible time in the bays rather than a fixed sightseeing schedule.

Families can take part, since most travelers can participate, but the day is built around open-water swimming and sailing. You should be comfortable with that format. The supplied information does not give age limits, child pricing, or specific provisions for young children, so ask the operator if those details matter to your family.

The cruise is a strong match for anyone staying in Cephalonia who wants to see Ithaca without arranging a separate boat charter. It is also useful if you value access to beaches that are difficult to reach by road.

It is less suitable if you want extensive sightseeing on land. You will not visit a village, browse shops, or tour a historic site. The boat does not serve as a ferry for exploring Ithaca independently. This is a water day first.

People who dislike long periods of sailing should also think carefully. The itinerary includes three 40-minute swimming periods and a longer 1 hour and 15 minute stop, but the total activity lasts about eight hours. The time between those stops is part of the experience.

Practical details that can affect your day

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the meeting point is near public transportation. You still need to organize your own route to Agia Efimia because transfers are not included.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring anything you need for sun protection. The tour provides drinks and snorkeling equipment, but the supplied information does not state that towels, sunscreen, or water shoes are included. Pack those items rather than counting on them being available.

The beach surfaces are pebbled at Gidaki, and the itinerary focuses on swimming from the boat or at the bays. A small personal dry bag could be useful for keeping valuables secure, though no storage arrangement is specified.

The cruise offers free cancellation when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that period are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Since the activity depends on good weather, a weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

The overall rating is 4.9 from 84 ratings, with 95 percent recommending it. That high level of approval fits the strongest parts of the day: the crew, the three beautiful bays, the relaxed pace, and the chance to reach places you could not easily see by road. The lower assessment of the meal and price is worth keeping in mind before you book.

Should you book the Ithaca day cruise?

I would book this cruise if you want a small-group sailing day built around swimming, especially if Gidaki, Skinos, and Talaros sound more appealing than an organized land tour. Vangelis and Evia are part of the experience, and the crew’s friendly hosting is repeatedly praised.

The best value comes when you use everything included: snorkel gear, SUP, lunch, drinks, and all three swim stops. At $181.02, you are paying for access, time, and convenience rather than a cheap day at the beach.

Skip it if you expect a generous restaurant meal, an Ithaca village visit, or a packed sightseeing schedule. Book it if clear water, quiet bays, Greek food onboard, and a long day under sail are exactly what you want from Cephalonia.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from DodoniAgias Eyfimias in Agia Efimia, Cephalonia.

What time does the cruise start?

The start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately eight hours and returns to Agia Efimia after 5:00 p.m.

Which places in Ithaca does the boat visit?

The scheduled swimming stops are Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach in Pera Pigadia Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes traditional Greek food, fruit, snacks, refreshments, bottled water, beer, and local wine. A gluten-free option is available.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with use of a SUP, or stand-up paddleboard.

How many people can join the cruise?

The experience has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Is transport to the port included?

No. You must arrange your own transport to and from the Agia Efimia meeting point.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.