The best part of this day is the mix of three swimming stops and a real town visit. You get clear Ionian water, rocky coves, a look at Lazaretto Island, and 70 minutes to walk around Vathy instead of spending every hour on the boat.

I like the easy start from Sami and the crew’s supply of water, juice, fruit, snacks, and riganada, a traditional Kefalonian toast topped with tomato and other local ingredients. I also like that Gidaki Beach and Pera Pigadi are reached by boat, giving you access to shorelines that are not simple road stops.

The main caution is route and scheduling clarity. One account praised the day from start to finish, while another found that the actual course and return timing did not match the published details. The trip can also be canceled if too few people book, so keep that in mind when planning a tight island schedule.

Key points before you reserve

• Three swim stops: Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach each offer about 30 to 50 minutes in the water.
• A proper Ithaca stop: You get 1 hour and 10 minutes in Vathy for cafés, shops, harbor views, and a walk through town.
• Local food onboard: Water, juice, fruit, snacks, and riganada are included, but lunch is not.
• Small shared excursion: The boat takes no more than 35 people, though this is still a group cruise rather than a private charter.
• Sami departure: Meet at EO Argostoliou Samis 18 in Sami at 9:00 am, then return to the same meeting point.
• Weather and numbers matter: Poor weather or too few bookings can lead to a new date, another activity, or a full refund.

From Sami harbor to Ithaca’s quiet coves

At $78.10 per person, this is priced as a full-day island outing rather than a simple beach transfer. Your roughly seven hours cover the boat ride, several swim breaks, a stop in Ithaca’s capital, drinks and snacks, and the return to Kefalonia.

That combination gives the trip good value if you want a taste of Ithaca without arranging several separate boat rides. You are paying for the route and the day out, not just time on one beach. If you mainly want a long, lazy stay on a single shore, this may feel too chopped up.

The starting point is in Sami, on Kefalonia’s east coast. Booking ahead removes the need to search around the port for an available cruise, which is useful during a short island stay. The listed start is 9:00 am, and the activity ends back at the Sami meeting point.

The group limit is 35 people. That is more manageable than a very large ferry-style excursion, but you should still expect shared boarding, shared seating, and some competition for the best view. Bring patience during boarding and keep your belongings compact.

Pera Pigadi: the first swim in turquoise water

The first stop, Pera Pigadi, lasts about 30 minutes. It is presented as a quiet spot with turquoise water, suited to a quick swim or snorkel. The boat provides a change of scene right away, before you have spent much time sitting on board.

Thirty minutes is enough for a refreshing swim, but not for a slow beach afternoon. You will need to change quickly and follow the crew’s timing. Bring your own snorkel gear if you want to look below the surface, since equipment is not listed among the inclusions.

This is also the first point when the onboard food becomes useful. Traditional treats are served while you enjoy the stop, and the wider food package includes water, juice, fruit, snacks, and riganada. I would treat these as pleasant provisions between swims, not as a replacement for lunch.

If you tend to feel hungry after swimming, pack something extra. Lunch is not included, and the 70-minute stop in Vathy may be your best chance to buy a more substantial meal.

Filiatro Beach and the Ionian water

Filiatro Beach receives about 40 minutes. Its appeal is the setting: a pebbled bay, clear water, and large rock formations around the shore. The pebbles mean water shoes may be worth packing if your feet are sensitive, though the tour does not specifically require them.

This stop works well for a second swim because it changes the view from the first cove. You are not simply repeating the same beach visit. The transparent water and rocks give you something to look at from the boat as well as from the water.

The tradeoff is time. Forty minutes passes quickly once you account for getting ready, swimming, and returning to the boat. You will not have much room for a long walk, a full beach lunch, or a relaxed sunbathing session.

I would keep your camera and phone protected from splashes. The route is built around swimming, and the most enjoyable parts are close to the water. Use the stop to swim first, take photographs second.

Lazaretto Island from the water

The boat circles Lazaretto Island in the center of Vathi’s port. This is a sightseeing section rather than a shore stop, so you do not get off to explore the island.

The view includes rugged cliffs and sea caves along Ithaca’s coast. It gives you a useful sense of the island from the water, where rock formations and small inlets make more sense than they do from a road.

This passage is particularly helpful for anyone who likes photography but does not want the day reduced to beach time. Keep your camera ready as the boat moves around the island, but do not expect a long, fixed viewpoint. The appeal comes from seeing the coastline unfold during the cruise.

Lazaretto also introduces Vathy before your free time there. You first see the harbor as part of the boat route, then return to it on foot for a closer look.

Vathy: 70 minutes to eat, walk, and reset

The stop in Vathy lasts 1 hour and 10 minutes, making it the longest break away from the swimming schedule. Vathy is Ithaca’s capital, and this is your chance to slow down, walk through its small streets, browse local shops, or sit at a café beside the harbor.

I like this pause because it keeps the excursion from becoming a string of timed swims. Saltwater, sun, and boat motion can wear you out. A drink at the harbor gives you time to dry off and regain your bearings before the final beach stop.

You should plan this hour instead of wandering without a purpose. If you want lunch, look for it early. If you prefer a short walk, leave enough time to return to the boat. Personal expenses are not covered, so carry money for food, coffee, or shopping.

This is also the stop where timing matters most. One complaint about the experience focused on confusion over the route and return hours, especially around Vathy. I would confirm the expected return time with the crew when you board, then keep your own watch during the free period.

Gidaki Beach, the final swim

Gidaki Beach is the last stop and lasts about 50 minutes. It is known for emerald-green water and an unspoiled shoreline that can be reached by boat. That access is a major reason to choose this excursion over a land-based sightseeing day.

After the earlier swims and the town stop, Gidaki works as a final reward. You can settle into the water without feeling rushed by a long list of sights still ahead. Still, 50 minutes is not a full beach day. You will have time to swim and relax, but not endless time to explore the shore.

The beach is described as pebbled in the wider route information, so pack footwear that you can manage on a stony shoreline. A towel, swimsuit, sun protection, and a dry bag are sensible additions. The provided snacks and drinks help, but there is no included lunch.

The return begins after this stop. If you are prone to motion sickness, the combination of a full day in the sun and a boat ride home is worth considering. The tour notes a moderate fitness level, which fits a day involving repeated boarding, swimming, and moving around a boat.

Food, drinks, and what you should bring

The included refreshments are one of the tour’s strongest practical features. You receive bottled water, water or juice, snacks, fruit, and riganada. Local food adds a small taste of Kefalonia rather than relying only on packaged drinks.

That food is best viewed as light fuel. Lunch is not included, and the schedule does not promise a formal meal. Use Vathy to buy lunch if you want something filling, or bring your own food for the day.

Pack lightly, since boat space can feel limited in a group. My short list would be:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• Water shoes or sturdy sandals for pebbled shores
• Personal snorkel gear, if wanted
• Dry bag or waterproof phone case
• Cash or a card for Vathy
• Any medication you need during a seven-hour outing

The crew’s refreshments mean you do not need to carry a large supply of drinks. You still need to take care of your own beach and personal items.

What the price really covers

The $78.10 price makes sense for someone who wants a packaged day with transport between islands and several separate stops. You avoid arranging a boat to Ithaca, finding remote beaches, and working out how to return to Sami.

The value is strongest when you use every part of the day: swim at each cove, spend time in Vathy, enjoy the snacks, and pay attention to the coastal views between stops. It is less compelling if you plan to skip swimming or already have easy access to a private boat.

All fees and taxes are included, along with the listed refreshments. Personal purchases and lunch are extra. That is a fair setup, but you should budget for food in Vathy if riganada and snacks will not be enough.

The 4.4 rating from 17 published ratings suggests a generally positive experience, but not a flawless one. The most praised features are the beautiful swim locations, kind crew, local food, wildlife and coastal views, and the chance to see both Kefalonia and Ithaca in one day.

The main weakness is not the scenery. It is uncertainty around the exact route and timing. The operator’s response to the route complaint says the stops are clearly stated, but that does not remove the practical need to confirm the day’s order and return time before leaving Sami.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this for you if you want a simple, active day at sea and do not want to organize island transport yourself. It suits swimmers, casual snorkelers with their own gear, photographers, and people who like combining natural scenery with a short town visit.

It also works well for a first look at Ithaca. You see Vathy, Lazaretto Island, several coves, and the coast from the water without committing to a longer stay on the island.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the variety, provided everyone can manage the physical demands of a boat day. The tour asks for a moderate fitness level, and the schedule includes several swims and boarding points. Anyone who needs a slow, highly flexible pace may find the fixed stops demanding.

I would not pick this if your top goal is solitude. A boat carrying up to 35 people will not feel like a private escape, even when the beaches themselves are reached only by water. I also would not book it as the only plan on a day when you must catch another timed connection, given the possibility of weather problems, low numbers, or route changes.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation when you book, and the activity is near public transportation. The meeting point is EO Argostoliou Samis 18, Sami 280 80, Greece, with a 9:00 am start and a return to that same point.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.

The cruise requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you can take another date or receive a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of participants. If that number is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

This is important on quieter dates. One booking was canceled because too few people had signed up, though an alternative outing was offered at a much lower price. I would avoid placing this cruise immediately before a flight, ferry, or other fixed appointment.

Should you book the Sami to Ithaca cruise?

Book it if you want a full day of swimming, coastal views, and a short Ithaca visit for one clear price. The route gives you more variety than a simple beach transfer, and the crew’s drinks and local snacks make the long day easier.

Before paying, confirm the planned order of stops and the expected return time. Pack your own snorkel gear, allow extra money for lunch in Vathy, and keep your schedule flexible because weather and minimum numbers can affect departure.

For an active visitor based in Kefalonia, this is a worthwhile way to sample Ithaca by sea. For someone seeking a quiet private beach day or a guaranteed exact timetable, another boat option may be a better fit.

FAQ

How long does the Ithaca cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at EO Argostoliou Samis 18, Sami 280 80, Greece, at 9:00 am. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Which swimming locations are included?

The scheduled swim stops are Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach.

How much free time is available in Vathy?

You have 1 hour and 10 minutes to explore Vathy, visit shops, walk through the town, or sit at a harbor café.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes snacks, fruit, bottled water, water or juice, and riganada. Lunch and personal expenses are not included.

What happens if the cruise is canceled?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.