Sami: Ithaca Island Boat Trip with Swimming and Snacks

I like this trip for its traditional wooden boat and its well-chosen swimming stops, especially beautiful Gidaki Beach. I also like the easy hour and 10 minutes in Vathi, which gives you time to walk, shop, or sit by the harbor. The main drawback is comfort: Christina III has regular seating, not sun loungers, and the included food is simple rather than a full lunch.

From Sami Port, you spend about seven hours on the water and visit several of Ithaca’s prettiest coastal spots. The schedule gives you three proper swims, a short look at Lazaretto Island and its sea caves, and free time in Ithaca’s capital. It is a full day, so you should enjoy boat travel as much as you enjoy being on shore.

The listed price is $76 per person. That is fair if you plan to use the swimming stops, refreshments, and Vathi visit, but less compelling if you mainly want a quiet boat ride with room to stretch out. The boat can feel busy when nearly full, although the crew has received strong praise for being friendly, careful, and well organized.

Key points to know before sailing

• Christina III is a handcrafted wooden boat: You get a more traditional Ionian feel than you would on a plain modern ferry.
• Three swim stops shape the day: Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach offer roughly three hours and 20 minutes in the water altogether.
• Vathi gets 70 minutes: That is enough for a short walk, photographs, shopping, or coffee by the harbor, but not a full island tour.
• The food is Greek but modest: Riganada, watermelon, juice, and water are provided. Think generous snacks, not a restaurant lunch.
• Gidaki is the big beach moment: Its emerald water and pebbled shore make it one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear: Equipment is not included, and the boat provides no promise of rental gear.

Why this cruise works well from Sami

Sami is a practical starting point for an Ithaca day trip, and the 9:00 a.m. departure lets you make full use of the day. You need to arrive at the Zaharatos Cruises meeting point at least 20 minutes early. That small bit of discipline matters because a boat cannot hold for late arrivals.

The trip is built around scenery and swimming rather than a long guided history talk. You move from one coastal stop to the next, with short sightseeing cruises between them. Those stretches are useful: they give you time to dry off, eat something, photograph the shoreline, and enjoy the boat itself.

Ithaca is closely tied to the story of Odysseus, but this outing does not try to turn the island into a mythology lecture. Its appeal is more direct. You see quiet coves, rocky shores, sea caves, and the harbor town of Vathi, all in one manageable day.

The boat is Christina III, a traditional wooden vessel. That detail matters because the boat is part of the setting, not just transport. You get an old-fashioned Ionian feel as you leave Sami and move along Ithaca’s coast. At the same time, a wooden excursion boat is not a floating beach club. Seating is available, but there is no information about padded loungers or large areas for lying down.

Pera Pigadi and Nisopoulo: a calm first swim

The first major stop is Pera Pigadi, also identified as Nisopoulo, after about 15 minutes of sightseeing by boat. You have about one hour here. It is described as a lesser-known swimming spot with clear water, so it makes a good opening stop before the more famous beaches later in the day.

You can swim from the boat and use your own mask and snorkel to look below the surface. If you prefer not to get in immediately, you can stay aboard and enjoy the view. That flexibility is useful for anyone who wants a gentle start, though this trip is clearly designed for people who are comfortable around the water.

The first snack service appears here. You receive riganada, a rustic Greek preparation made with bread, tomato, olive oil, oregano, and stouba, along with seasonal fruit such as watermelon. Juice and water are available.

The food deserves a realistic explanation. Some people may find the snacks filling enough to avoid buying lunch during the Vathi stop. Others may consider the portions too light for seven hours in the sun. One useful review described the snacks as simple but abundant, while another found the offering disappointing for the price. Both views make sense. Bring an extra small snack if you normally get hungry after swimming, but do not expect a buffet.

Filiatro Beach: the longest water stop

After another short sightseeing cruise, the boat reaches Filiatro Beach. You have about an hour and a half here, making it the longest stop of the day. That generous block of time is one of the tour’s best practical features.

Filiatro is framed by rocks and known for turquoise water. The setting is suited to a proper swim rather than a quick photo stop. You can spend time in the water, sit on the beach, or remain on the boat if the conditions do not suit you.

The long stop also helps the day feel less rushed. A common problem with island cruises is that you barely get wet before the whistle calls everyone back. Here, the 90 minutes allow time to swim, dry off, have a drink, and settle into the scenery.

Still, bring realistic expectations about the beach surface. The tour information describes soft pebbles at Gidaki, and Ionian swimming beaches often require care underfoot. Comfortable water shoes are a sensible choice, especially if you dislike walking over stones. Comfortable shoes are also recommended for the day in general.

Lazaretto Island and the approach to Vathi

The boat then makes a brief cruise toward Vathi Bay. Lazaretto gets about 10 minutes for a photo stop and sightseeing. This is not a long island visit. You circle or view the small island from the water, taking in its rocky edges and the sea caves around it.

That short stop works best as a change of pace. After two swims, you get a chance to keep your camera ready and look at Ithaca from offshore. The caves and cliffs are especially suited to photographs, though the exact views will depend on the boat’s position and sea conditions.

The route then brings you into Vathi, Ithaca’s capital. The harbor setting is one of the day’s strongest contrasts. Instead of swimming from a boat, you can walk on land, browse small shops, take photographs, or find a coffee near the water.

Vathi: 70 minutes on your own

You have 70 minutes in Vathi, which is enough for a pleasant break but not enough to cover every corner of town. I would treat this as free time to get your bearings, not as a formal town tour.

If you want lunch, use the time for that, although the onboard snacks may already have taken the edge off your appetite. If you prefer a slower break, a harbor coffee and a short walk through the lanes will fit comfortably. Shopping is also possible, but keep an eye on the clock. The boat will not wait for a long browse.

The stop is valuable because it gives the cruise some variety. A full day of swimming can be tiring, and an hour on land lets you dry out, use town facilities, and move your legs. It also gives you a small taste of Ithaca beyond its beaches.

Do not expect deep island exploration here. Vathi is only one stop on a busy route, and 70 minutes goes quickly. If your main goal is museums, villages, or a detailed look at Ithaca’s inland areas, you need a longer island visit instead.

Gidaki Beach: the final highlight

Gidaki Beach comes after a short cruise from Vathi and provides about 50 minutes for swimming. It is one of Ithaca’s best-known beaches, with emerald water and a peaceful setting. For many people, this is the stop that justifies the cruise.

The timing is slightly shorter than at Filiatro, but the final swim can feel especially welcome after the town break. You can get back into the water, sit on the pebbles, and enjoy one last look at Ithaca’s coast before the return to Sami.

Because Gidaki is so scenic, it may be tempting to wish for more time. Fifty minutes is enough for a swim and a few photographs, but not a long beach day. If you want hours on one beach, a dedicated beach outing will suit you better.

The return cruise takes about 25 minutes. By then, you will have spent a substantial part of the day outside, so sunscreen, water, a hat, and dry clothes are not minor details. The sun can make a pleasant boat trip feel long if you arrive unprepared.

What the crew and organization add

The strongest feedback about the operation concerns the crew. They have been praised for being professional, friendly, and attentive to people’s needs. That matters on a swimming cruise, where clear instructions and calm handling of changing conditions are more important than flashy entertainment.

The boat has also completed the route in difficult wind conditions, according to the information available for this trip. One return journey became quite rough in a strong northwesterly wind, while another account praised the captain and crew for keeping the excursion smooth and safe despite increasing wind.

That tells you two things. First, the team takes weather seriously. Second, the sea can be lively on the way back. If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare accordingly. The tour may still run as planned, but a calm morning does not guarantee a calm return.

The advertised language is English, and the host or greeter is listed as English-speaking. You should be able to follow the basic meeting and boat instructions, though the heart of the day is sightseeing and swimming rather than a long narrated program.

Food, drinks, and what to pack

The included refreshments are practical:

• Traditional riganada
• Seasonal fruit, including watermelon
• Juice
• Water

The description also refers to unlimited refreshments, but the actual food remains snack-sized. You are not paying for a sit-down meal. For many people, the bread, tomato, cheese or stouba-style topping, fruit, and drinks will be enough to get through the day, especially with a meal later in Vathi. If you need substantial food after swimming, carry something extra.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to see more than the surface. You should also pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes.

A dry bag or waterproof pouch would be sensible for phones and cameras, though it is not listed as required equipment. Since that item is not specifically provided by the tour, treat it as a personal packing choice rather than an included service.

Is $76 good value?

At $76 per person, this is a midrange full-day boat outing rather than a budget ferry ride. The value comes from combining transport, several scenic stops, swimming time, onboard snacks and drinks, and free time in Vathi.

I think the price works best for you if you would otherwise need to arrange separate transport and beach visits around Ithaca. The route covers several places in one day, and the boat provides a simple way to reach coastal spots that are not presented as easy road stops.

The value is weaker if you expect a full lunch, luxury seating, or a small private group. The boat may be close to full, and there are only seats rather than places to lie down. The snack service is also basic, despite the use of the word unlimited for drinks.

The rating attached to the experience is 4.6 from 43 reviews, which fits the overall picture: very good organization, excellent swimming locations, and a friendly crew, with a few complaints about food and seating. That is a useful balance. The tour’s strengths are clear, but they are not luxury features.

Who should book this Ithaca cruise?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an active day with several swims and a short town visit. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who enjoy boats and clear water.

It is also a good choice if you are staying around Sami and want to see Ithaca without arranging a complicated day yourself. The schedule is clear, and the stops provide enough variety to keep the day from feeling like one long ride.

You may want a different plan if you cannot swim comfortably, dislike sitting for long periods, need step-free access, or want a relaxed beach day with a lounger. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments, and the operator does not list snorkeling gear as included.

The length matters too. Seven hours is a serious commitment in the sun. You will get the most from it if you welcome a full schedule rather than hoping to nap your way around the Ionian Sea.

Cancellation and booking details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your plans depend on the weather or the rest of your Kefalonia schedule.

The boat leaves Sami Port at 9:00 a.m. Arrive at the Zaharatos Cruises meeting point at least 20 minutes early. The return is expected after roughly seven hours, although one account places the total time closer to seven and a half hours.

Should you book the Sami to Ithaca boat trip?

Book it if swimming is your main goal. Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach give you a strong series of water stops, while Vathi adds a welcome hour on land. The traditional wooden Christina III and the attentive crew add character and confidence to the day.

Just keep the trade-offs in mind. Food is snack-level, seating is upright rather than lounge-style, and wind can make the return journey rough. Pack your own snorkeling equipment and an extra bite to eat, arrive early, and choose this tour for its scenery and swimming, not for luxury.

FAQ

Where does the Ithaca boat trip depart from?

The trip departs from Sami Port in front of the Zaharatos Cruises meeting point.

What time does the boat leave?

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

How long is the boat trip?

The scheduled duration is approximately seven hours. The return may take closer to seven and a half hours depending on conditions.

Which beaches does the trip visit?

The swimming stops are Pera Pigadi, also called Nisopoulo, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach.

How much free time do I get in Vathi?

You have 70 minutes in Vathi, the capital of Ithaca, for walking, photographs, shopping, or relaxing by the harbor.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel.

What food and drinks are included?

The boat provides traditional riganada, seasonal fruit, juice, and water.

Is lunch included?

A full lunch is not included. The food consists of traditional snacks and fruit, so you may want to bring extra food if you need a substantial meal.

Is the trip suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.