From Kefalonia: Day Trip to Ithaki Island with a Swim Stop

Ithaki is the island of Odysseus, but this seven-hour cruise is less about epic poetry and more about clear water, old lanes, and time spent at your own pace. From Poros, you will visit Vathy, swim at boat-only Gidaki Beach, and finish in the fishing village of Kioni.

I like the generous 90-minute stops in each place, especially the chance to choose between coffee and backstreets in Vathy or a long swim at Gidaki. I also like the easygoing boat day: tickets, insurance, an English-speaking host, and swim stops are covered. The main drawback is that food and drinks are not included, and the host may provide less island history than some visitors hope for.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different Ithaki stops: Spend time in the island capital, at a beach reached only by boat, and in a small fishing village.
• A full 90 minutes at Gidaki Beach: You have time to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the water without a rushed shore visit.
• Free time rather than a tightly scripted tour: Vathy and Kioni are yours to explore, with room for coffee, shopping, photos, or a taverna meal.
• A practical seven-hour outing from Poros: The cruise includes boat tickets, insurance, an English-speaking host, and the listed swim stops.
• Bring your own lunch if you want maximum swim time: Taverns are available in Kioni, but food and drinks cost extra.
• Pack shade-friendly clothing: A hat and cover-up are useful if the best shaded place on the boat is already taken.

Why Ithaki makes a good day from Kefalonia

Ithaki feels like a natural companion to Kefalonia. The islands are close enough for a day on the water, yet the experience gives you a change of pace. Kefalonia is known for larger beaches and broad views, while this outing focuses on a small capital, a boat-only cove, and a fishing village with seaside taverns.

The trip begins at Poros, on the southeastern side of Kefalonia. The boat leaves at 9:00 in the morning from the port, across from Remetzo cafe. I would arrive by 8:45, as requested, so you can find the departure point without starting the day in a sprint.

The price is $76 per person. I consider that fair for a seven-hour boat excursion with three substantial stops, insurance, a host, and a dedicated swim break. It is not the cheapest way to reach Ithaki if you only want transportation, but it offers a useful mix of sightseeing and time in the water. You are paying for a planned day that removes the need to work out the crossings and separate local transport yourself.

The crossing from Poros to Vathy

The first boat ride takes about 25 minutes. That is long enough to settle in, take in the Ionian views, and get into the rhythm of the day without spending half the morning in transit.

The boat is described as comfortable and not too crowded on at least one recent sailing, though exact capacity and seating are not provided. I would still bring a light cover-up and hat. The sea breeze can keep you comfortable while the boat is moving, but shade may be limited when everyone is aboard.

Your first proper stop is Vathy, Ithaki’s capital. You get about 90 minutes here, which is enough for a useful look around but not enough for every museum and side street. I like that the time is yours. You can sit with a coffee, browse the alleys, shop, take photos, or simply walk through the old town without being pulled from one sight to the next.

Vathy, Ithaki’s old-town stop

Vathy has the feel of a traditional Ionian town, with narrow lanes and a slower pace than a major resort center. The appeal is not one single monument. It is the chance to walk through the capital, notice the old-town atmosphere, and see how daily island life fits around the harbor.

I would use the first few minutes to get your bearings, then choose one simple plan. If you want photos, stay near the waterfront and the pretty lanes behind it. If you prefer local culture, use the time for a museum visit if one is open. If you want a relaxed morning, order coffee and let the town come to you.

Ninety minutes passes quickly. Shopping, a museum, coffee, and a long walk will not all fit comfortably. I would avoid treating this as a full historical tour. The host speaks English, but the information provided for the outing suggests that the emphasis is on free time rather than detailed guiding. If island history matters greatly to you, take a little time to read about Ithaki before sailing.

Gidaki Beach, reached only by boat

After another 25-minute cruise, the boat reaches Gidaki Beach. This is the day’s main swimming stop, and you have about 90 minutes in the water.

Gidaki’s strongest feature is its access. Cars cannot reach it, so arriving by boat gives the stop a special sense of separation from the road network and larger beach resorts. The water is described as crystal clear, making this the place to bring your beachwear and plan for a proper swim rather than a quick paddle.

I like the length of this stop. Thirty minutes would barely cover getting ready and getting wet. An hour and a half gives you time to swim, dry off, sit quietly, and go back in. Bring only what you need to the beach, and keep valuables secure on the boat or with your group.

The outing does not include food or drinks, so carry water and a snack if you need them. The supplied information specifically asks you to bring beachwear, but I would add sunscreen, a towel, a hat, and a cover-up. Those are practical choices for a boat day, especially if you cannot claim a shady spot.

Do not expect a full beach-service stop based on the information available. The point is the water and the setting, not a planned meal or organized beach activity. I would also remember that conditions can affect how comfortable the swim feels. The day is built around a boat-access beach, so a swimmer or anyone who enjoys time in the sea will get more value than someone who prefers staying on land.

One recent sailing also included a second swim stop on the return trip, with watermelon served afterward. That sounds like a welcome extra, but I would treat it as a possible bonus rather than the core promise of the day. The main scheduled swim stop is Gidaki.

Kioni and its waterfront taverns

The boat then takes about 15 minutes to Kioni, the final stop. You have another 90 minutes here, and the village offers a different mood from Vathy.

Kioni is a scenic fishing village known for its seaside taverns. This is the best stop for a relaxed lunch if you do not bring your own. You can sit near the water, order something, and make the final part of the day feel unhurried. Food and drinks are not part of the $76 price, so check your spending plans before ordering.

I like that you are not forced into one meal arrangement. You can bring lunch and save money, eat at a taverna, or use the time for photos and a walk. One useful tip from the experience is to bring lunch if you want to use every minute for swimming, since you may prefer to spend more of your Kioni stop in or near the water rather than waiting for a meal.

The village is also a good place for photographs. The harbor setting, boats, and traditional buildings give you a clear sense of the smaller-island character this trip is designed to show. Still, Kioni is a short visit, not an in-depth village tour. I would choose one main goal, such as lunch or a walk, rather than trying to do everything.

What the boat day feels like in practice

This is a flexible excursion, but it is not an independent charter. The boat follows a planned route and the host or greeter is on board, with English used for the activity. You will have set departure and return times, yet the time ashore is largely your own.

That balance works well for people who enjoy some structure but dislike being marched from one sight to another. You know where you are going next, but in Vathy and Kioni you decide how to spend the stop.

The transport sections total about 95 minutes according to the listed schedule: 25 minutes to Vathy, 25 minutes to Gidaki, 15 minutes to Kioni, and 30 minutes back to Poros. That leaves most of the day for the three stops. The return crossing is a little longer than the earlier legs, so keep your cover-up handy if the sea breeze picks up.

A few simple choices will improve the day:

• Arrive at Poros at least 15 minutes before the 9:00 departure.
• Bring beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a cover-up.
• Pack water and lunch if you want to avoid buying food.
• Keep some cash or a payment method available for coffee, shopping, taverns, and personal expenses.
• Do not count on a shaded seat unless you are able to find one early.

How much value do you get for $76?

The value depends on what you want from a day trip. For $76, you receive the boat tickets, an English-speaking host, insurance, and access to three worthwhile stops. You also avoid arranging separate crossings between Kefalonia and Ithaki.

I think the price works best for someone who would otherwise spend time and money piecing together transport and beach access. The 90-minute stops are especially important. This is not a short photo run with a quick look from the harbor. You have enough time in Vathy and Kioni to make a few choices, plus a proper swim at Gidaki.

The price does not cover lunch, drinks, shopping, or other personal costs. That gives you control, but it also means the final bill depends on how you spend the day. A packed lunch keeps the outing closer to the advertised cost. A meal and drinks in Kioni will add to it.

You should also understand what you are not paying for. The tour includes a host, but it does not promise a detailed lecture on Ithaki’s archaeology, mythology, or history. One useful criticism of the experience is that some people may want more commentary about the island. I would book this for the route, swimming, and free time first, and for serious historical interpretation second.

Who should book this Ithaki cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple island day with a good balance of town time and swimming. It suits couples, families with older children, and independent-minded visitors who like having a schedule for transport but freedom at each stop.

It is particularly good for anyone staying on Kefalonia who wants to see Ithaki without arranging a complicated day alone. The boat-only access to Gidaki is the strongest practical reason to choose it. You can reach the beach as part of the same outing, then continue to two very different settlements.

I would think twice if your priority is a long guided history tour. The available details point to an English-speaking host and free time, not a specialist-led cultural program. I would also reconsider if you dislike boats, swimming stops, or planning your own meals.

The outing is more comfortable for people who can handle sun, wind, and time around the water. Bring the right clothing and do not assume the boat will provide every beach essential.

Booking flexibility and the final return

The cruise lasts seven hours and returns to Valsamis Cruises in Poros. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later, which is useful if your Kefalonia plans are still shifting.

The return from Kioni takes about 30 minutes. If a second swim stop happens, the day may feel especially generous, but the published route gives you the main swim at Gidaki. Either way, the final crossing brings you back to Poros after a day built around water, small towns, and unhurried stops.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a relaxed Ithaki sampler with a strong swimming stop and enough free time to choose your own food and sightseeing. Vathy gives you the old-town setting, Gidaki gives you the clearest reason to get on the boat, and Kioni finishes the day with waterfront charm.

At $76, I see good value in the combination of transport, three stops, insurance, and the long swim break. Just bring lunch or budget for Kioni, pack protection from the sun, and do not expect a detailed history lecture. For an easy, scenic day from Kefalonia, this is a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the boat depart from?

The boat leaves from the port of Poros in Kefalonia, directly across from Remetzo cafe.

What time does the cruise depart?

Departure is at 9:00 AM. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts seven hours, including the boat rides, time in Vathy, the Gidaki Beach swim stop, and time in Kioni.

What places will I visit on Ithaki?

You will visit Vathy, Gidaki Beach, and Kioni. Vathy is Ithaki’s capital, Gidaki is the swimming stop, and Kioni is a scenic fishing village with seaside taverns.

How long do I get in Vathy?

You have about 90 minutes in Vathy for free time, sightseeing, photos, shopping, coffee, or a museum visit.

How long is the swim stop at Gidaki Beach?

The planned stop at Gidaki Beach lasts about 90 minutes.

Can I reach Gidaki Beach by car?

No. Gidaki Beach is described as accessible only by boat.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can bring lunch or purchase food and drinks during your free time.

Is an English-speaking host available?

Yes. An English-speaking host or greeter is on board.

What is included in the $76 price?

The price includes boat tickets, an English-speaking host or greeter, insurance, and the listed swim stops. Personal expenses, food, and drinks are not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.