Ithaca is best seen from the water, and this seven-hour cruise from Sami gives you three swim stops, a look at the island’s caves and rocky coast, and free time in its handsome harbor capital, Vathi. The traditional wooden boat Christina III keeps the day relaxed rather than rushed.

I like the secluded swimming bays, especially Pera Pigadi and boat-access-only Gidaki Beach. I also like the simple onboard food: riganada, fresh watermelon, juice, and cold water are served throughout the day, so you are not left hunting for lunch between swims.

The main consideration is the long day on the water. You need to arrive at Sami Port by 8:40 a.m., bring your own snorkeling gear, and be comfortable boarding a boat and swimming from or near the shore. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women.

Key points to know before booking

• Three separate swim stops: Spend about an hour at Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach.
• Christina III wooden boat: Sail around Ithaca on a traditional handcrafted vessel rather than a fast ferry.
• Seventy minutes in Vathi: Shop, stroll narrow streets, or settle at a waterfront café in Ithaca’s capital.
• Food and drinks included: Riganada, seasonal fruit, juice, and water are available during the cruise.
• Gidaki is boat-access only: The final beach stop offers a quieter setting and clear emerald water.
• Simple meeting point: Check in at Zaharatos Cruises at Sami Port, with departure at 9:00 a.m.

Why this Ithaca cruise works so well

Ithaca has a strong place in Greek legend as the home of Odysseus, but you do not need to be a mythology enthusiast to enjoy this trip. The real pleasure is practical: you get an entire day of coves, swimming, coast views, and one pleasant town visit without arranging several separate boat trips.

The route also gives you variety. You are not parked at one beach for seven hours. The morning begins with a swim, continues through another bay and the waters around Vathi, then finishes at Gidaki. In between, the boat provides a moving view of the island’s rugged shoreline.

The tour earns a reported rating of 4.8 from 14 reviews, with especially strong praise for the friendly crew, fresh snacks, and beautiful water. One useful detail from the feedback is that the boat has a toilet, which matters on a full-day outing. The crew also helped with a wasp sting during one trip, a small but reassuring sign that basic problems can be handled onboard.

Setting off from Sami at 9:00 a.m.

Your day begins at Zaharatos Cruises in Sami Port, on Kefalonia’s eastern side. Check in at least 20 minutes before the 9:00 a.m. departure. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the port.

The first part of the journey is a sightseeing cruise of roughly 30 minutes. This is a useful start because you can settle into the boat, watch Kefalonia recede, and get your first broad views of the Ionian Sea before the swimming begins.

Christina III is a traditional handcrafted wooden boat. That gives the ride a more classic Greek-island feel than a modern transfer vessel, though it also means you should expect a leisurely pace. This is a sightseeing day, not a high-speed ride from one stop to the next.

Bring a hat and sunscreen, along with swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, beachwear, and a camera. The listing specifically asks you to bring your own snorkeling equipment. You can swim without it, but clear water and rocky coves are much more interesting when you can look below the surface.

Pera Pigadi and Nisopoulo Islet: an easy first swim

The first main stop is Pera Pigadi, near the small Nisopoulo Islet. You get about an hour here for swimming and snorkeling in a quiet bay with clear water.

This is a good first stop because it eases you into the day. After the initial cruise, you can get into the sea, cool off, and enjoy the setting before the boat continues around Ithaca. The water is one of the main reasons to book this outing, and Pera Pigadi gives you an early taste of the blue Ionian color promised by the trip.

The onboard snack service begins in a useful way here. You can have riganada, a traditional Kefalonian snack made with bread, tomato, and olive oil, along with fresh watermelon, juice, and cold water. The refreshments are described as unlimited, which is handy on a hot day when swimming makes you thirsty.

Do not expect a full restaurant lunch. Riganada, fruit, and drinks are light fare, enough to keep the day comfortable but not a substitute for a large meal. If you need more substantial food, plan ahead, since personal expenses are not included.

Filiatro Beach and its rocky shore

After about 15 minutes of sightseeing by boat, you reach Filiatro Beach for another hour in the water. The beach is known for calm water and rocky surroundings, giving this stop a different feel from the first bay.

I like the structure of the morning. You get one swimming period, a short cruise, and then another chance to swim. That breaks up the day and lets you enjoy the coast without spending too long in one place.

The rocks are part of the appeal, but they also mean you should take care when entering the water and walking along the shore. The supplied information does not specify the beach surface in detail, so sturdy beach footwear may be useful if you already own it, though the official packing advice focuses on swimwear, towels, and beachwear.

This is also a good point to use the refreshments. Juice and water are available onboard, and the fruit and riganada help keep the schedule moving without requiring a long meal stop.

Vathi Bay, Lazaretto, and Ithaca’s coastal caves

The boat next sails toward Vathi, Ithaca’s capital, with a sightseeing section of about 10 minutes before arrival. On the way, you pass Lazaretto, a tiny island in the middle of Vathi Bay, and see caves and rough coastal rock along the shore.

The route gives you two ways to experience Ithaca. From the boat, you see the island as a chain of coves, cliffs, caves, and small beaches. On land, you get a short look at daily life in Vathi. That combination is more satisfying than a swim-only cruise if you want some local atmosphere as well as sea time.

The coastal caves are viewed from the boat, not explored on foot. Expect a slow sightseeing pass and photo opportunities rather than a cave tour. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from splashes and sun.

Lazaretto is scheduled as a photo stop of about 10 minutes. It is a small stop, yet it adds a memorable marker to the trip because the island sits in Vathi Bay and helps frame the harbor views.

Seventy minutes in Vathi

You have approximately one hour and ten minutes in Vathi. This is enough time to take a short walk, browse local boutiques, sit at a waterfront café, or simply enjoy the harbor.

The free time is not long enough for a major town tour, and it is not meant to be. Think of it as a chance to get your bearings and enjoy Ithaca’s capital at an easy pace. You can wander through narrow streets, shop for a small souvenir, or find a place by the water before returning to the boat.

This stop also gives your body a break from swimming. If you prefer not to spend every hour in a swimsuit, Vathi adds welcome variety. On the other hand, people who want maximum beach time may find the 70-minute town visit slightly long, especially if they have little interest in shopping or cafés.

The schedule matters here. Keep an eye on the time and return to the meeting point as directed. The boat cannot wait for a long, independent exploration of town.

Gidaki Beach, the final reward

After leaving Vathi, the boat continues for about 15 minutes before reaching Gidaki Beach. You have roughly an hour here for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing beside emerald water.

Gidaki is one of Ithaca’s most attractive beaches and is accessible by boat, making this stop feel more removed than a beach reached by road. The shore is pebbled, so a towel provides comfort and water shoes may be worth considering if you have them. The official list asks you to bring beachwear, swimwear, and a towel, but it does not include snorkeling equipment.

The final swim works well because you have already seen the harbor and much of the coast. You can settle into the beach rather than worrying about missing an important town visit. The clear water and rocky surroundings are among the strongest reasons to choose this cruise.

Gidaki can also be the busiest-feeling part of the day if other boats arrive. The information provided does not give a group size or promise exclusive access, so book this for access to a beautiful boat-only beach, not for a guarantee of solitude.

The ride back to Sami

The return cruise takes about 40 minutes. By this point, you have had three one-hour swim stops, a town visit, several sightseeing stretches, and time around Lazaretto and the caves.

That final ride is useful for drying off and enjoying the Ionian views without another scheduled activity. You return to Zaharatos Cruises at Sami after approximately seven hours in total.

The schedule is full but not frantic. The short sightseeing sections keep the boat moving, while the longer stops give you time to swim properly. If you want a quiet day with no fixed timetable, this is not that kind of outing. If you appreciate having the day organized for you, the structure is a strength.

Food, drinks, and comfort onboard

The included food is modest but well matched to the activity. Riganada, fresh seasonal fruit, juice, and water keep you supplied during a day when you are exposed to sun and salt water.

Fresh watermelon is particularly practical after a swim. The snacks are served throughout the day, rather than saved for one formal meal, so you can take them when you need them. One review specifically noted the fresh fruit, bruschetta-style snacks, water, juice, and the presence of a bathroom on the boat.

There is no mention of a full lunch, hotel transport, or snorkeling gear. Bring any extra food you need, and do not forget your own mask and snorkel if underwater views matter to you.

The English-speaking crew is available throughout the trip. The feedback gives the crew high marks for friendliness, and the onboard help with a wasp sting suggests they are attentive when a small problem arises. Still, pack your own usual personal medicines and sun protection.

Is $76 a fair price?

At $76 per person, this is a reasonable day-trip price if you plan to spend the day around Ithaca anyway. The fare includes the boat, a seven-hour route, three substantial swim stops, Vathi free time, sightseeing around Lazaretto and the caves, plus fruit and drinks.

The value becomes clearer when you consider the access. Gidaki is reachable by boat, and the cruise lets you see several parts of Ithaca without arranging separate transport. You also avoid the work of finding a beach boat, planning a town stop, and carrying food and drinks for the entire day.

It is less appealing if you only want a quick swim or a short transfer. Seven hours is a serious commitment, and personal expenses in Vathi are extra. You also need to pay for your own transport to and from Sami Port.

For an organized full-day sea outing, the price is fair. I would compare it with the cost of separate boat hire before booking, but the included stops and food make this a straightforward option for a visitor staying in Kefalonia.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a full day of swimming with some island sightseeing. It suits couples, friends, and families with confident swimmers who enjoy being on a boat for several hours.

It is also a good fit if you are staying near Sami and want to see Ithaca without arranging a private boat. The English-speaking crew and fixed route make the day easy to follow.

You may want a different outing if you dislike boat travel, need extensive mobility support, or want a long cultural tour on land. Pregnant women and people with mobility impairments are specifically advised not to book.

Arrive early, wear your swimsuit under your clothes, bring a towel and dry change of clothes, and carry your own snorkeling equipment. A hat, camera, and beachwear belong in your day bag. I would also keep valuables to a minimum, since the main point of the trip is getting into the water.

Should you book the Sami to Ithaca cruise?

Book it if clear water, boat-only beaches, and a relaxed Greek snack service sound better than a packed sightseeing day. The combination of Pera Pigadi, Filiatro, Vathi, Lazaretto, and Gidaki gives you a well-rounded look at Ithaca from both sea and shore.

Skip it if you want a private experience, a full meal, or a shorter outing. For most people who are comfortable on a wooden boat and happy to swim, $76 buys a well-planned day with strong scenery, friendly English-speaking service, and enough free time to make Ithaca feel more than a quick photo stop.

FAQ

Where does the Ithaca cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Zaharatos Cruises at Sami Port on Kefalonia.

What time does the boat leave?

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

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts approximately seven hours, including the cruise, three swimming stops, sightseeing, and free time in Vathi.

What beaches does the boat visit?

The route includes Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach. Each swimming stop lasts about one hour.

How much free time do I get in Vathi?

You get approximately 70 minutes in Vathi, Ithaca’s capital, for walking, shopping, sightseeing, or sitting at a waterfront café.

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 riganada, a traditional Kefalonian snack, fresh seasonal fruit, juice, and water.

Is there a bathroom on the boat?

Yes. The boat has a bathroom.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to Sami Port.

What language does the crew speak?

The host or greeter and crew speak English.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.