Ithaca gets personal on a small sailboat. This 8-hour day tour from Agia Efimia pairs real time on the water with swim-and-snorkel stops like Gidaki Beach, plus included snorkeling and paddleboarding gear and a relaxed, all-in meal with snacks and drinks.

You’ll also like how easy the day feels: you can ask the crew questions, get help with the equipment, and spend the middle hours actually in the sea, not just staring at it from a bus.

One thing to plan for: there’s no hotel pickup/drop-off, so you’ll need to make your way to the meeting point on your own.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel During the Day

• Max 8 travelers keeps the boat calm and helps you get personal attention from the crew.
• Snorkeling and paddleboarding gear included means you don’t waste time figuring out rentals.
• All-inclusive food and drinks (including alcoholic beverages) keeps the vibe steady from stop to stop.
• Onboard WiFi lets you share photos without waiting until you get back online.
• Two standout water stops: Gidaki Beach and the Lygia area near Πέρα Πηγάδι for snorkeling and lunch.

Setting Out From Agia Efimia at 9:00

This tour runs as a full day, about 8 hours total with travel time included. You start at 9:00am at Κύπρου 1, Ag. Effimia, and you’ll return to that same meeting point when you’re done.

The practical win here is simple: you get a clean, straightforward day plan. No hopping between multiple tour offices, no juggling separate tickets for food or activities. You’re basically joining a moving day on the Ionian Sea, with the crew managing the timing.

Language is English, so you can ask questions and get clear answers about the route, the water, and what to do at each stop.

If you’re the type who likes to be on time (and then relax), this fits you well. If you’re depending on a pickup from your hotel, plan ahead and get to the meeting point by public transport or on foot/taxi.

Why the Gidaki Beach Stop Matters for Swimmers

The first major stop is Gidaki Beach on Ithaca, with about 1 hour 15 minutes to play. This is the kind of stop built for people who want to get wet right away: you can swim in the clear water, snorkel, or paddleboard when conditions allow.

Gidaki is also a good spot to slow down. You’ll have time to rinse off that road-time feeling and just enjoy the water. With the included gear, you don’t have to scramble for masks or worry about whether the equipment will fit.

Practical tips I’d use in your shoes:

• Bring sun protection early. Even on a day with sailing and breaks, you can still burn fast when you’re in and out of the water.
• Plan your photo moments. The day moves in a smooth flow, so if you want good shots, do them while you’re actually stopped—when the boat is steady.

One small caution: your time here is fixed. If you’re the slow-and-relax type, pace yourself so you don’t miss snorkeling if you want it.

Lygia (Πέρα Πηγάδι) for Shallow-Water Snorkeling and Lunch

After Gidaki, you’ll head toward Πέρα Πηγάδι, also described as Lygia—a smaller island in the southeast part of Ithaca. You get about 2 hours in this area, and it’s structured around two big priorities: lunch and snorkeling.

Lygia’s big advantage is the shallow waters, which make it easier to find a snorkeling window without needing to be fearless in deep water. If you’ve never snorkeled before, this kind of setup is often more comfortable because you can focus on technique and fish-spotting without feeling disconnected from the surface.

Lunch is prepared by the crew and served at the port of Lygia. Several guests highlight that it’s served with comfortable shade—think a pergola-style setup—so you’re not stuck eating in harsh direct sun.

What makes this stop work as more than a meal break is the timing. You swim, you snorkel, then you eat while everything is already organized for you. You’re not hauling your stuff around a crowded beach trying to find somewhere to sit.

The only real consideration is that this part of the day depends on sea conditions. If the water is too rough, your snorkeling might be less comfortable than you imagined. The crew will adapt, but if calm water is your #1 goal, it helps to keep a flexible mindset.

All-Inclusive Value: What Your $179.74 Actually Covers

At $179.74 per person, this isn’t the cheapest way to spend a day in the Ionian Sea—but it’s also not an “add-ons will kill your budget” tour. Your money covers a lot of the stuff that usually piles up.

Included:

• Lunch
• Snacks
• Alcoholic beverages
• Soda/pop
• Snorkeling equipment
• Paddleboard
• Onboard WiFi
• All fees and taxes

That matters because a sailing day can get expensive fast if you have to buy food, rent gear, and then pay for drinks separately. Here, you’re paying once and moving through the day without constant decisions.

There’s also value in the small size. With a maximum of 8 travelers, the crew can spend real time helping with gear and guiding you to better water moments. You feel it in the ease of the trip: fewer people to manage, more attention per person.

My take on the price: it’s best value if you’d otherwise pay separately for:

• snorkeling gear rentals,
• a lunch out,
• drinks,
• and a guided day on the water.

If you only want one quick swim and you’re fine packing snacks from home, a cheaper option might be tempting. But if you want a full sailing day where food, gear, and drinking are handled, this price starts to look fair.

Menios and Tasos: The Crew Makes the Day Feel Effortless

This is a small-group sailing experience, and the crew attention is part of why it’s rated so highly. The hosts you’ll likely interact with include Menios and Tasos, and their style comes through in how the day runs.

The best part isn’t just friendliness—it’s practical competence. When snorkeling or paddleboarding gear is included, you want someone who can help you use it quickly and safely. You also want local knowledge: where to go, when to pause, and how to handle the little in-between moments that make a day smoother.

You can feel that the route and stops are chosen for enjoyment, not for check-the-box tourism. Many guests point out how the day balances swimming, snorkeling, food, and sailing without turning it into a rushed schedule.

And yes, there’s a cultural thread too. One guest describes sailing through the feeling of following in Odysseus’s footsteps. Even if you’re not deep into the myth side, it’s still a fun lens for noticing the coastline as you move.

Onboard WiFi and the Photo-Share Convenience

You get WiFi on board, which sounds like a small perk until you’re actually in it. When you’re in and out of turquoise water, you take pictures. Then you realize you’d rather share them immediately than wait until you get home or hunt for service later.

This tour gives you a practical way to do that—so you can post while the day is still fresh and the lighting is still good.

If you care about photos, a simple strategy helps:

• Take a few wide shots of the coastline when you’re sailing.
• Then focus on close-ups during each stop while the boat is stable and you’re not scrambling between activities.

What to Pack (So You Don’t Turn a Great Day Into a Hassle)

The tour includes equipment for snorkeling and paddleboarding, and it includes lunch and snacks. That said, you’ll still want to show up ready to enjoy the water.

I’d pack:

• Swimsuit + a spare layer (because you’ll likely get wet more than once)
• Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses)
• A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch
• Water shoes if you have them (not required, but helpful)
• A light cover-up for the sailing stretches

Also, because there’s no hotel pickup, don’t assume you’ll have a place to change right before boarding. Wear what you can and plan a quick transition once you’re at the meeting point.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This sail day works especially well if you want:

• A small-group experience with time for swimming and snorkeling
• All-inclusive food and drinks during the day
• A guided route that saves you from planning your own Ithaca day
• A relaxed pace where the crew handles the flow

It’s also a good match if you like structure but not crowds. With up to 8 travelers, you’re less likely to feel packed in, and you can actually talk to the crew.

Who should think twice:

• If you strongly need hotel pickup, this one won’t remove that burden for you.
• If you hate the idea of time on open water (even with stops), consider a more land-based day on Kefalonia or Ithaca instead.

Should You Book Sail The Day Kefalonia’s Ithaca Sailing Day?

I’d book it if your goal is a true water day—swimming at Gidaki Beach, snorkeling near Lygia/Πέρα Πηγάδι, and enjoying lunch plus drinks without budgeting every hour.

It’s also a smart choice if you want a guided small group with real attention from hosts like Menios and Tasos and you’d like your snorkeling/paddleboarding gear to be handled for you.

But if you want to sleep in, start late, or need your hotel to manage the whole schedule, you’ll be happier with a tour that includes pickup. Here, you come to the boat, at 9:00am, and you get a smooth day in return.

FAQ

How long is the All Inclusive Sailing Day Tour to Ithaca?

It runs about 8 hours total, and that duration includes travel time.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Κύπρου 1, Ag. Effimia 280 81, Greece and ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00am.

What’s included in the price?

Lunch, snacks, alcoholic beverages, soda/pop, snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, WiFi on board, and all fees and taxes are included.

Do I get hotel pickup or drop-off?

No. Pick-up/drop-off from your hotel is not included.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Is WiFi available on the boat?

Yes, WiFi on board is included.

What activities can I do during the day?

You can swim and enjoy snorkeling and paddleboarding with the included gear during the stops.

Is the tour affected by weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Cancellation is also free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.