The best part of this private sailing day is the freedom to enjoy Ithaca at water level, far from a crowded coach or fixed sightseeing schedule. You sail from Agia Efimia aboard Lily, stop at Gidaki Beach for swimming and paddleboarding, then continue to Ligia for snorkeling and a freshly prepared Greek meal.

I like the small private setting, which lets your group settle into the day without strangers around. I also like the practical mix of food, drinks, snorkel gear, paddleboard, WiFi, and a restroom on board. The main point to weigh is the price, especially for a couple, and the fact that the trip is not a good match if you are prone to sea sickness.

Key points

• Private boat for up to eight: Your group has Lily and the crew to itself.
• Captain Menios and Katerina: Expect attentive service, drinks, conversation, and help with the water activities.
• Gidaki Beach stop: About 1 hour 15 minutes for clear water, swimming, and paddleboarding.
• Ligia stop: About two hours for snorkeling, a swim, a little time on land, and lunch.
• Greek food on board: Lunch includes a main dish selected in advance, with Greek salad, tzatziki, and bread.
• Long open-water crossing: The trip to Ithaca takes about an hour and a half, with total tour time around eight hours.

Setting Out from Agia Efimia at 9:00

The day begins at 9:00 am at Κύπρου 1 in Agia Efimia. You meet the boat there, and the tour ends back at the same point. Pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the marina.

This is a sailing day, not a quick boat transfer with a few rushed stops. Travel time counts toward the roughly eight-hour schedule, and the crossing to Ithaca takes about an hour and a half. That is a fair stretch on the water, but it is also part of the appeal. You can sit at the front, watch Cephalonia recede, and enjoy the quiet rhythm of the trip.

Lily is described as a lovely boat, with a restroom and WiFi on board. The crew serves snacks and drinks during the crossing, including bottled water, soda, coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages. You get the comforts that matter most on a full day at sea without turning the outing into a formal cruise.

Captain Menios is the main point of contact, with Katerina helping look after the group. The service style is personal rather than scripted. Expect regular offers of drinks, answers to questions, and a relaxed atmosphere. That can make a big difference on a private tour, since the crew can focus on your party instead of managing a large crowd.

Gidaki Beach and Ithaca’s Clear Water

The first scheduled stop is Gidaki Beach, also written as Gedaki in the tour details. You have about 1 hour 15 minutes here, with time for swimming and paddleboarding in remarkably clear water.

The beach is the kind of place best appreciated from the sea. You can look back toward the shore from the water, take a paddleboard out for a gentle session, or simply swim without trying to fit in a long list of activities. The supplied paddleboard and snorkeling equipment are included, so you do not need to arrange separate rentals for the stop.

I like this first stop because it gives you time to settle into the day. You are not asked to sprint from the boat into a packed schedule. The clear water makes a good setting for a first swim, and paddleboarding offers something to do if you want more than sitting on deck.

Still, the time is limited. One hour and 15 minutes passes quickly once you account for getting ready, swimming, and returning to the boat. If your main goal is a long beach stay, this is not a beach day in the traditional sense. It is a sailing day with a well-chosen swim stop.

The beach portion also depends on the sea and weather. The operator requires good weather, and a poor-weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for a trip built around open water, but you should keep some flexibility in your holiday schedule.

Ligia for Snorkeling and a Slow Greek Lunch

The second stop is Ligia, where you spend about two hours. This is the longer stop and the one that combines food, snorkeling, and a little time on land.

The water is described as crystalline, with fish and underwater sights to see while using the supplied mask and snorkel. You can swim near the boat, look around the shallow water, and take your time rather than treating snorkeling as a brief photo opportunity.

A small jetty gives you the option to walk on land for a while. That matters because a full day on a boat can feel repetitive if you never change position. Even a short stroll breaks up the swimming and gives you a different view of the cove.

Lunch is prepared by the crew using local recipes. One of the practical touches is the chance to choose a main dish in advance. The available choices mentioned are chicken, lamb, or vegetable. A chicken kleftiko meal was served on one outing, along with Greek salad, tzatziki, and bread.

You may eat at Ligia or choose to have lunch on the boat during the return journey. That flexibility suits different moods. Eat at the stop if you want to make the most of the shore break, or stay aboard if you prefer a quieter meal with more privacy. For a couple or a small family group, eating on board can feel especially calm.

The food is a real part of the value here, not an afterthought. You are not simply handed a packaged snack after swimming. The crew prepares a proper Greek-style lunch, and the inclusion of drinks means you are not constantly calculating extra costs during the day.

What the All-Inclusive Setup Really Covers

The $1,148.83 price is for the whole group, up to eight people. At full capacity, that works out to about $143.60 per person. For two people, the effective cost is about $574.42 each, so group size has a major effect on value.

That pricing makes the most sense for a family, a group of friends, or a special occasion shared by several people. You are paying for a private boat, crew, food, drinks, equipment, and a full day on the water. Compared with buying separate boat tickets, lunch, snorkel rental, and paddleboard hire, the package is easier to understand and budget.

For a couple, the price is harder to justify unless privacy is a top priority or the day marks a birthday or another celebration. The private format does give you space and flexibility that a shared cruise usually cannot provide, but the premium is substantial.

Included items are:

• Snacks
• Lunch
• Bottled water
• Soda
• Alcoholic drinks
• Coffee and tea
• Snorkeling equipment
• Paddleboard
• Private transportation by boat
• WiFi on board
• Restroom on board
• All fees and taxes

Pickup and drop-off are not included. Also, the phrase private transportation refers to the boat experience, not a car transfer from your hotel. You need to reach the Agia Efimia meeting point yourself.

A Private Day with Room to Breathe

The private format is one of the strongest reasons to book. Only your group participates, so you can enjoy the boat without adjusting every moment to strangers. That is useful for families with mixed ages, friends who want a social day, or couples looking for a quieter outing.

It also makes the meal arrangement more useful. You can discuss whether to eat at Ligia or on board, and you have a better chance of keeping the day relaxed. The crew can offer drinks and answer questions as you go rather than delivering a one-size-fits-all program.

The tour is not a luxury yacht charter in the sense of a fully bespoke itinerary. The route and main stops are set: Agia Efimia, Gidaki Beach, Ligia, and the return journey. You should book it for the quality of a private sailing day with included food and water activities, not because you expect to redesign every stop.

The day also has a social side. Menios is described as friendly and attentive, with plenty of conversation and a steady effort to make people comfortable. If you prefer a completely silent or hands-off crew, that style may feel more involved than you want. For most groups, though, having a captain who checks in and helps with activities is useful.

Sailing Conditions and Who Should Think Twice

The tour provider clearly warns that this activity is not recommended for people with sea sickness. That is important. The crossing to Ithaca lasts about an hour and a half, and the total day is around eight hours. Even a beautiful route can be uncomfortable if you struggle on open water.

If you are unsure how you handle the sea, consider that this is not a short coastal ride. You spend much of the day aboard Lily, including the outbound and return travel. Bring any personal remedies you normally use, though the provided details do not promise specific medical supplies.

The tour requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator offers another date or a full refund. Because the experience depends on swimming, paddleboarding, and sailing, this is a reasonable condition rather than a minor technical detail.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but no specific route or timetable is provided. If someone in your group has mobility concerns, contact the operator before booking because the supplied details do not explain boarding arrangements.

What to Bring for a Better Day

The package covers the big items, so your packing list can stay short. I would bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sun protection
• A hat that will not blow away
• Dry clothing for the return trip
• Personal sea-sickness medication if needed
• A phone or camera in a waterproof case
• Any personal snacks or drinks you require

Lunch, snacks, and drinks are supplied, so you do not need to pack a full picnic. Alcohol is included, but pace yourself. A sunny day on the water can make drinks feel stronger than expected, especially when swimming is part of the plan.

You should also remember that WiFi is available on board, but the strongest reason to bring a phone is safety and photos, not constant connection. Gidaki’s clear water and the views during the crossing are the sort of moments you will want to record, but the boat day works best when you spend more time looking up than checking a screen.

How the Day Feels from Start to Finish

A typical rhythm is simple. You meet at 9:00, settle aboard Lily, and spend about an hour and a half crossing toward Ithaca. Snacks and drinks help make that first leg comfortable.

At Gidaki Beach, you have about 75 minutes for swimming and paddleboarding. Then the boat continues to Ligia for a longer break, with snorkeling, a possible walk on land, and lunch either at the stop or on board.

The return journey completes the day, with the boat arriving back at the Agia Efimia meeting point. Since travel is included in the eight-hour duration, do not expect eight full hours divided between the beach and snorkeling. The time on the water is part of the experience and should be treated as such.

That structure is well suited to people who enjoy a gentle day rather than a packed excursion. You get two proper activity stops, but you also get quiet stretches to sit, eat, talk, and watch the coast.

Is This Sailing Tour Worth Booking?

I would book this tour if you have a group of up to eight, enjoy swimming and snorkeling, and value privacy more than the lowest possible price. The strongest features are the private boat, the attentive crew, the included equipment, and the proper Greek lunch with drinks.

I would hesitate if you are traveling as just two people on a tight budget, dislike long periods at sea, or mainly want to spend the day on a beach. The $1,148.83 group price becomes much better when shared, while the 90-minute crossing and full-day schedule make sea comfort essential.

For a birthday, family outing, or friends’ day in Cephalonia, this is a well-rounded choice. You get Ithaca by boat, two worthwhile water stops, and enough unhurried time to make the day feel like a break rather than another appointment.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start?

The tour starts at Κύπρου 1, Agia Efimia 280 81, Greece.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Agia Efimia.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, and travel time is included in that duration.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people. Only your group participates.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes snacks, lunch, bottled water, soda, alcoholic drinks, coffee, tea, snorkeling equipment, a paddleboard, private boat transportation, WiFi, a restroom on board, and all fees and taxes.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the Agia Efimia meeting point.

Is the tour suitable for people with sea sickness?

The activity is not recommended for people with sea sickness because the day includes substantial time on the water.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.