From Agia Efimia: All Inclusive Sailing Day Trip to Ithaca

Ithaca is best seen from the water, and this eight-hour sailing day gives you a calm, scenic way to reach coves that are difficult to visit by land. Menios and his crew take you from Agia Efimia aboard Lily, with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and a proper Greek lunch served near the water.

I especially like the small group of up to eight people and the lunch setup, which may include a shaded gazebo, table, and chairs on a pier. I also like that the captain can change the swimming stops when weather or water conditions call for it. The main consideration is pace: Lily cruises at about 7 to 8 knots, and the boat may motor rather than sail with the sails raised.

Key points at a glance

• Lunch by the water: Expect local dishes such as sardine bruschetta and lamb kleftiko, along with snacks, drinks, and Robola wine.
• Two main swimming areas: Gidaki Beach and Lygia-Pera Pigadi provide time for swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boarding.
• A genuinely small boat: Lily carries up to eight passengers, creating a quieter day than a large excursion boat.
• Flexible route: Menios can change the swimming locations to find cleaner, calmer water.
• Slow sailing pace: The boat travels at 7 to 8 knots, so the journey is about views and relaxation, not speed.
• Bring your own extras: Snorkeling equipment and a paddle board are supplied, but the paddle board may need to be shared.

From Agia Efimia to Ithaca aboard Lily

The day begins at the harbor office or the Sail The Day Kefalonia base in Agia Efimia, depending on the option you book. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to arrange your own way to the harbor.

Once aboard Lily, you spend about two hours heading toward Ithaca. This is not a speedboat transfer. At 7 to 8 knots, the trip gives you time to watch the Kefalonian coast slide past, take photographs, and settle into the day.

I see the slow pace as part of the appeal. You are not being rushed from one stop to the next, and the long outward and return legs create quiet stretches for conversation or simply sitting in the sun. If you expect a fast ride with constant activity, this may feel too gentle. If you want a day on the Ionian Sea, the pace works well.

The boat is described as comfortable and spacious for its size, with room for a maximum of eight passengers. That capacity matters. A small boat makes it easier to ask for help, find a comfortable spot, and enjoy a more personal relationship with the crew. It also means the paddle board and swimming equipment may need to be shared rather than used by everyone at once.

Gidaki Beach and the first swim

Gidaki Beach is the first main stop, with about an hour set aside for swimming and snorkeling. The beach is known for clear water and a sense of separation from the road-based side of Kefalonia and Ithaca.

Here, you can swim from the boat or near the beach, depending on the captain’s final choice and sea conditions. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the calm water can make it a good place to look below the surface. A paddle board is also available for a more active break.

The captain has the freedom to alter this stop if the water is not clean or calm enough. That flexibility is useful in the Ionian Sea, where conditions can change and a beautiful beach is not always the best swimming site on a given day. You may not visit every exact spot shown in a promotional photograph, but the goal is a comfortable swim rather than checking off a fixed list.

Bring biodegradable sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a towel. Shade is not guaranteed during every part of the day, so your own sun protection matters. Beachwear and a camera are also sensible choices.

Lygia-Pera Pigadi and lunch near the shore

After roughly 45 minutes on the yacht, the boat reaches the second main area at Lygia-Pera Pigadi. The schedule allows about two hours and 15 minutes here for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling.

This is where the trip feels more like a relaxed meal by the sea than a simple packed lunch. The crew may moor near a small pier and set up a table, chairs, and a shaded gazebo. That extra effort changes the rhythm of the day. Instead of eating quickly on a seat or from a plastic container, you get time to sit down, enjoy the setting, and make the meal part of the outing.

The food is based on Greek recipes and local products from Kefalonia and Ithaca. Dishes served on different days have included sardine bruschetta and lamb kleftiko, with snacks available during the sailing legs. Robola wine and other drinks are included, and the crew serves refreshments when you want them.

The exact menu is not listed as fixed, so you should not book expecting one particular dish. What you can expect is a substantial local-style lunch rather than just sandwiches. The food is one of the stronger reasons to consider the price, especially if you value a meal prepared and served in a memorable setting.

After eating, you still have time for another swim or snorkel. Some outings have included an additional swimming area, depending on the route and conditions. The timetable gives enough room for the stop to feel unhurried, although the crew may adjust the order or location to suit the sea.

What the crew adds to the day

Menios is the main name associated with the boat, and he has worked with crew members including Vangelis, Fotis, Stassos, and Tassos. The crew’s role goes beyond steering. They help with food, drinks, swimming equipment, paddle boarding, and the small details that make a long day at sea comfortable.

You can also try steering the sailboat under the skipper’s guidance. That is a nice option if you want a hands-on moment, but it is not the focus of the trip. Most of the day is designed for relaxing, eating, swimming, and watching the coast.

The crew is also responsive to personal needs. One particularly practical detail is the effort to prepare tea when requested, showing that drinks are not limited to a rigid pre-set service. Wi-Fi is included, although the best reason to be on the boat is still the open water rather than staying connected.

One point deserves a clear explanation. This is sold as a sailing trip, but the boat may motor for much or all of the day. At least one outing traveled under engine rather than using the sails, which disappointed a passenger who had chosen the experience specifically for sailing. Wind, route, timing, and operating decisions can all affect this. If raising the sails is essential to your plans, ask the operator before booking.

The food, drinks, and value of an all-inclusive day

At $176 per person, this is not a budget beach transfer. The value comes from combining transport, a small boat, crew service, two swimming areas, equipment, lunch, snacks, and drinks into one day.

You are also paying for access to places that may be difficult to reach by road. A large ferry or standard beach boat may carry more people at a lower price, but it will not offer the same small-group feel or the same lunch arrangement. A private boat hire could cost much more, especially once food, fuel, and crew are added.

The meal helps justify the price. A Greek feast served under a gazebo by a pier is more memorable than eating quickly between scheduled stops. Local products, Robola wine, and snacks during the sailing sections add to the sense that the day is meant to be enjoyed slowly.

The price is easiest to justify for couples, families, or small groups who value comfort and privacy. For a solo visitor or a pair watching every euro, a larger shared cruise may be better value. The minimum participation is four people, so the trip may not operate if that number is not reached.

What the eight-hour schedule feels like

The schedule has a simple shape:

• About two hours from Agia Efimia toward Ithaca
• One hour at Gidaki Beach
• About 45 minutes aboard the yacht
• Around two hours and 15 minutes at Lygia-Pera Pigadi for lunch and swimming
• About two hours returning to Agia Efimia

That leaves roughly seven hours and 15 minutes accounted for in the listed sections, with the remaining time covering transitions, mooring, and the exact timing of the day. You should allow the full eight hours and avoid scheduling another fixed activity immediately afterward.

The length is a strength if you want a complete day on the water. You get enough time to swim, eat, and sit quietly without feeling rushed. It can feel long if you do not enjoy boats or if you are hoping for a fast tour with several land visits.

The return journey is part of the experience rather than dead time. Snacks and drinks are available, and the scenery changes as the light moves across the coast. Still, anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking. The experience is not suitable for people who regularly become unwell at sea.

Practical details before you book

The trip is offered as a private or semi-private experience. Confirm the exact meeting point because it can vary by booking option. The listed starting points are the Harbor Office and Sail The Day Kefalonia.

The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users. The day includes boarding, swimming, and movement around a sailboat, so you should be comfortable with those conditions.

Pack:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Towel
• Camera
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Beachwear

Snorkeling equipment and a paddle board are supplied, but bringing your own mask may be worthwhile if fit and comfort matter to you. One passenger found the snorkeling equipment was not available on that particular outing, so it is sensible to confirm before departure if snorkeling is a major reason for booking. The paddle board may also need to be shared.

Bad weather can cancel the cruise. If the weather is unsafe or the minimum number of four participants is not reached, you receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps payment flexible.

Who will enjoy this Ithaca sailing trip most

I would choose this outing for anyone who wants a slow, comfortable day at sea with a strong food element. Couples celebrating a special occasion fit the experience particularly well, as do families who want swimming, paddle boarding, and plenty of time to relax.

It also suits people who prefer a small boat to a packed ferry. The eight-person maximum gives the day a personal feel, and the crew can adjust the swimming areas rather than following a completely fixed route.

I would be more cautious if you need guaranteed sailing under raised sails, dislike long boat rides, or want to spend several hours walking around Ithaca. This trip shows you Ithaca from the sea. It does not function as a land tour of villages, museums, or historic sites, and no detailed island history talk is promised.

The trip is also a better fit for swimmers than for anyone who wants to stay completely dry. The main rewards are clear water, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and time near secluded coves. If those activities sound like work rather than fun, choose a different kind of excursion.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a polished, small-group day on the Ionian Sea, with local food, drinks, two strong swimming stops, and a crew that pays attention to comfort. The lunch setup near the water and the relaxed pace give it more character than a basic beach transfer.

Think twice if your main goal is active sailing with the sails raised all day, or if you are prone to seasickness. Before paying, confirm the meeting point, minimum group requirement, and whether snorkeling gear will be aboard for your departure.

For most people who enjoy swimming and unhurried boat trips, $176 is a fair price for eight hours of transport, food, equipment, and personal service. It is not the cheapest way to see Ithaca, but it offers a pleasant balance of scenery, comfort, and time in the water.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip start?

The trip starts in Agia Efimia. The meeting point may be the Harbor Office or Sail The Day Kefalonia, depending on the option booked.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts eight hours. Check the available start times when booking.

How many people can join the boat?

The sailboat can carry up to eight passengers. Private and small-group options are available.

What swimming locations are included?

The planned swimming areas are Gidaki Beach and Lygia-Pera Pigadi. The captain may change the stops to find cleaner and calmer water.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, and drinks are included. Local products and Robola wine are provided, and the meal may be served near a pier under a shaded gazebo.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddle board are included. The paddle board may need to be shared.

What happens if the cruise is canceled?

If bad weather causes cancellation, or if the minimum group of four people is not reached, you receive a full refund. You may also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.