From Agia Efimia: Day Cruise to Ithaki Island with Lunch

Paradise is best reached by boat. This 8.5-hour sailing trip from Agia Efimia takes you to quiet bays along Ithaca’s eastern and southern shores, with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a relaxed lunch on board. I especially like the small group of up to 10 people and the peaceful style, with no loud music or tour-bus feeling.

I also like that the crew, including skipper Vangelis and crew member Evina on some departures, keeps the day personal and well cared for. The main drawback is the long sailing time at the beginning and end, so people prone to seasickness may find the day uncomfortable.

The best parts of the day at a glance

• Gidaki Beach swimming stop: A long first break at one of Ithaca’s most admired beaches, with snorkeling, snacks, refreshments, and paddleboards.
• Small-yacht atmosphere: The boat carries no more than 10 participants, giving you room to spread out and talk without a crowded cruise-ship feel.
• Lunch at Skinos Bay: Expect a simple local-style meal served on board, with wine, beer, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks.
• Three main swim areas: Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach offer calm water and different views of Ithaca.
• Wildlife possibilities: Dolphins, sea turtles, and migratory birds may appear, though sightings depend on luck.
• Weather-led routing: The captain can change the route to find safer, calmer, and more pleasant swimming conditions.

Meeting the boat at Agia Efimia

Your day begins at 8:50 in the morning at Agia Efimia harbor. Look for the sailing yacht S/Y Venus, moored in front of Dodoni Divine Ice Cream Cafe at the start of the picturesque harbor.

The meeting point is central and easy to identify, but hotel transfers are not included. You need to make your own way to Agia Efimia, so allow enough time to arrive, find the cafe, and board without rushing.

The boat is a modern sailing yacht with an awning for shade and open space at the front. Past departures have worked well with groups ranging from six passengers to the full capacity of 10, plus two crew members. That size matters. You get a more personal day, and the crew can offer drinks, help with equipment, and keep an eye on the swimming stops.

Shoes are not allowed indoors, and large bags, oversize luggage, strollers, and pets are not permitted. Bring swimwear and a towel, but keep your belongings compact.

The long sail toward Ithaca

The first part of the morning is a substantial sail toward Ithaca’s eastern shore. This is not a quick transfer with a few photo stops. Sailing is part of the experience, and about 1.5 hours of the stated itinerary is devoted to being on the water.

That longer crossing gives you time to settle into the boat and watch Ithaca’s coastline come into view. You will see bays and stretches of shore that are difficult or impossible to reach by land. The tradeoff is simple: if you want an action-packed schedule from the first minute, this may feel slow. If you like open water, a steady boat ride, and a quiet start, it works well.

The crew speaks English and Greek. The captain may share information about the places you pass, but the focus is more on sailing, swimming, and a calm day outside than on formal sightseeing commentary.

Gidaki Beach, the first swim stop

Gidaki Beach is the major morning stop, and the generous 40-minute break gives you enough time to get into the water rather than simply take a quick dip.

The beach is made of pebbles, with larger stones on one side and smaller ones on the other. The water is clear blue-green, and the open bay makes it possible to swim from one side toward the other if conditions are calm.

You can use the provided snorkeling equipment to look beneath the surface, or take a paddleboard out from the yacht. If you have never tried stand-up paddleboarding, this is a friendly place to give it a go, provided the sea is settled. One participant learned to paddleboard for the first time during the trip, which says something about the relaxed pace and helpful crew.

A snack and welcome drink are served after or during this first stop. Since Gidaki is reached by boat on this excursion, the setting feels quieter than an ordinary road-access beach. Still, do not expect to have the entire bay to yourself in the busy summer season. The real advantage is arriving by yacht and having time to enjoy the water without a rushed photo stop.

Skinos Bay and lunch on the yacht

After leaving Gidaki, the boat heads to Skinos Bay, on Ithaca’s eastern side. Pine trees surround the bay, giving it a cooler, more sheltered feel than the first stop.

This is the longest activity break, at about 70 minutes. Lunch is prepared and served on board, rather than sending you ashore to a restaurant. That saves time and keeps the day focused on the sea.

The food is described as fresh, simple, and plentiful. Snacks, fruit, soft drinks, beer, and local wine are included, with drinks offered through the day. The meal is not presented as a gourmet restaurant experience, but it meets the needs of a full day in the sun and removes the hassle of finding food in a remote bay.

I see this as a strong part of the $176 price. You are paying for a small yacht, a skipper, crew service, three swimming areas, equipment, lunch, and drinks. A cheaper large boat may get you to Ithaca, but it may not offer the same amount of space, personal attention, or food and equipment in the package.

If you drink alcohol, remember that you are also spending much of the day in the sun and on a moving boat. Water and sensible pacing will make the afternoon more enjoyable.

Talaros Beach and Pera Pigadia Bay

The final selected swimming area is Talaros Beach in Pera Pigadia Bay, along Ithaca’s southern coast. The water here is described as calm, warm, and smooth, making it a good late-day stop after lunch.

The schedule allows about 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. You can also use the paddleboard to explore around the yacht. This stop is less about seeing a famous beach and more about having one last quiet swim in a sheltered bay.

That change of scenery helps the day feel varied. Gidaki provides the major beach setting, Skinos Bay brings lunch and pine-covered shores, and Pera Pigadia gives you a calm final water stop before the return crossing.

As with every stop, the captain may alter the route if wind and sea conditions change. This is an important advantage, not a failure to follow the advertised plan. Fixed routes are less useful on a sailing day than good judgment about wind, waves, and safe swimming.

What the boat experience is really like

The yacht has enough room for the group, with seating under the awning and space at the front. You can choose shade or sun, though the front area will be more exposed during a long day.

The atmosphere is deliberately quiet. There is no loud music or loudspeaker entertainment, making it easier to talk with the people around you or simply watch the water. If you want a party boat, choose something else. If you want a peaceful full-day cruise, this is one of the strongest reasons to book.

The crew has received especially warm praise for being friendly, attentive, and easygoing. Vangelis, Evangelus, and Evina are names associated with the operation in past departures, and the crew’s role goes well beyond steering. They organize food, offer refreshments, help with swimming gear, and keep the schedule moving without making it feel rigid.

The yacht also includes WiFi and a GoPro camera. These are useful extras, but do not book the trip mainly for them. The real value is the combination of a small boat, remote swimming areas, and personal service.

Dolphins, turtles, and the luck factor

The route offers a chance to see dolphins, sea turtles, and rare migratory birds. These sightings are possible, not guaranteed.

Keep your expectations sensible. The main reason to take this cruise is the coastline and swimming stops. Wildlife would be a wonderful bonus, not the central promise. Keep watch during the longer sailing sections, when you have time to scan the water and shore.

The chance of seeing wildlife also adds interest to the crossing. Instead of treating the travel time as dead time, you can look for movement near the yacht, watch seabirds, and follow the changing coastline.

Is $176 good value?

At $176 per person, this is not a budget boat outing. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: the cruise, skipper, onboard WiFi, lunch, snacks, fruit, wine, beer, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and a GoPro camera.

You are also paying for a limited group rather than a large vessel. Several departures had only six passengers, and one group of four had the yacht to itself. That cannot be promised, but the maximum of 10 keeps the experience small even when full.

The strongest value comes from the amount of time spent swimming. You are not paying for a short cruise with one rushed stop. The schedule gives you three water breaks, including a 70-minute lunch and swimming stop at Skinos Bay.

The price is less attractive if you dislike sailing, do not plan to swim, or want a land-based tour of Ithaca’s villages and archaeological sites. This trip shows you Ithaca from the water. It does not function as a conventional island sightseeing tour.

Who should book this Ithaca cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, small families, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy swimming and quiet boat trips. The small group makes conversation easy, while the yacht gives you more freedom than a crowded excursion boat.

Families can enjoy the spacious boat and long swim stops, though every passenger must be comfortable boarding a yacht and moving around on deck. Young children, people with limited mobility, and wheelchair users may find the setup unsuitable.

This is also a good choice if you have already seen Kefalonia’s main beaches and want a different day out. Ithaca’s eastern shore is best appreciated from the sea, where you can reach bays that do not connect easily to roads.

I would be cautious if you are prone to seasickness or motion sickness. The trip lasts 8.5 hours, and the first and final sailing sections can feel long if the sea is unsettled. Take local weather conditions seriously and ask about the forecast before committing.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive early enough to find S/Y Venus in front of Dodoni Divine Ice Cream Cafe. The meeting time is 8:50, and the yacht is at the beginning of the harbor.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel. You will spend much of the day around the water, and changing options on a small yacht are naturally limited.

Pack light. Large bags, luggage, strollers, and baby carriages are not allowed, and there is no reason to carry more than the basics for a day of swimming.

Before departure, the crew needs every passenger’s full name, passport or ID number, nationality, and year of birth at least 24 hours in advance. Provide these details on time so the crew list can be prepared.

The cruise can be canceled up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is useful when your Kefalonia plans depend on weather.

Final verdict: should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a quiet, small-group day on the water with excellent swim stops, a capable crew, and food and drinks included. Gidaki Beach is the headline stop, but the combination of Skinos Bay, Pera Pigadia, paddleboards, snorkeling, and long stretches of sailing makes the whole day worthwhile.

Skip it if you want a fast route to Ithaca, a party atmosphere, a land tour, or a low-cost ferry-style crossing. For everyone else, the $176 price is fair for the amount of time, equipment, food, and personal service included. Check the sea forecast, pack only a small bag, and be ready for the captain to change the route if that produces a calmer and better day.

FAQ

Where does the Ithaca cruise depart from?

The yacht S/Y Venus is moored in front of Dodoni Divine Ice Cream Cafe at the beginning of Agia Efimia harbor. The meeting time is 8:50 in the morning.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts 8.5 hours. The boat returns to Agia Efimia after 17:00, depending on the day’s sailing and sea conditions.

What places does the cruise visit?

The planned swimming areas are Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach in Pera Pigadia Bay. The route also includes sailing along Ithaca’s eastern shore and toward its southern coast.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on board at Skinos Bay. Snacks, fruit, wine, beer, and soft drinks are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard are included. A GoPro camera is also available on board.

Can the route change?

Yes. The captain may change the route or swimming locations according to wind, waves, and weather conditions. The purpose is to provide a safer and more pleasant day.

Who may find this cruise unsuitable?

The cruise is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, visually impaired people, or those prone to seasickness and motion sickness. Pets, large bags, strollers, and oversize luggage are not allowed.