From Agia Efimia: All Inclusive Sailing Day Trip to Ithaca

Ithaca is best approached from the water, and this eight-hour sailing day gives you time to enjoy the journey rather than race from beach to beach. From Agia Efimia, you cruise aboard Lily toward two quiet swimming spots, with lunch served in a particularly memorable seaside setting.

I like the small group size, with room for up to eight people, and the care put into the food. I also like the flexible route: Captain Menios can change the swimming stops if the sea is calmer or cleaner elsewhere. The main thing to consider is that Lily travels at a relaxed 7 to 8 knots, and the engine may be used for much or all of the trip. This is a slow day on the water, not a fast yacht ride.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, personal service: Lily carries up to eight people, with private and small-group options.
• Two main swimming stops: Spend time at Gidaki and Lygia-Pera Pigadi, with snorkeling and paddle boards available.
• A proper Greek lunch: Expect local products, snacks, drinks, Robola wine, and dishes such as lamb kleftiko.
• A special lunch setting: Lunch may be arranged on a pier beneath a shaded gazebo, rather than served hurriedly on board.
• Flexible sailing route: The captain can adjust the stops for calmer, cleaner water.
• A gentle pace: The boat cruises at about 7 to 8 knots, making this better for scenery and relaxation than speed.

From Agia Efimia toward Ithaca on Lily

The day begins at the harbor office of Sail The Day Kefalonia in Agia Efimia. The precise meeting point depends on the option you book, so check your confirmation rather than assuming every departure uses the same spot.

Once aboard Lily, you have about two hours of open-water cruising before the first long stop. That sounds like a lot, but it is the heart of the experience. You get wide views of the Ionian Sea, the Kefalonia coastline, and Ithaca, with time to sit back, talk, and enjoy the changing scenery.

Lily is a comfortable sailboat, not a speedboat. At 7 to 8 knots, the trip moves at an easy pace. That is good news if you want a calm day with plenty of time to look around, but less appealing if you expect a dramatic, sail-powered dash across the water.

One point deserves clear attention: the boat may motor instead of raising its sails. One person specifically found this disappointing because sailing was the main reason for booking. If the sails matter to you, ask about the expected conditions and sailing plan before you reserve. The experience remains a day on a sailboat, but you should not assume the boat will sail under canvas for the entire route.

Gidaki Beach and the first Ionian swim

The first major stop is Gidaki Beach, where you have about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. The water is described as crystal clear, and this is the point to get into the sea, explore below the surface, or simply float beside the boat.

Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a paddle board. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you prefer a particular fit, since one person found having personal equipment useful. The paddle board is a nice extra, especially for children and anyone who wants a change from swimming, but it may need to be shared among the small group.

An hour goes quickly once you have changed, swum, and dried off. Still, this stop gives the day a good early rhythm: settle into the boat, see Ithaca from the water, then cool off in a sheltered bay.

The captain may change the swimming location if conditions call for it. That flexibility matters in the Ionian Sea, where wind and water conditions can alter the feel of a cove during the day. You may not visit exactly the same spot shown in every photograph, but the aim is to find the cleanest and calmest water available.

The second cove and lunch on a pier

After Gidaki, the boat cruises for about 45 minutes to the next stop, listed as Lygia-Pera Pigadi. This is the longer pause, lasting around two hours and 15 minutes, and it combines lunch with more time in the water.

The lunch is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a basic ferry outing. Food is prepared and presented as a proper meal, with local products and traditional recipes from Kefalonia and Ithaca. Past meals have included lamb kleftiko and sardine bruschetta, along with snacks served during the outward and return journeys.

The setting can be as memorable as the food. The crew has arranged a table and chairs on a little pier, beneath a shaded gazebo set up for the meal. That gives you a welcome break from the sun and turns lunch into a relaxed seaside occasion instead of a quick sandwich between swims.

Drinks are included, including local Robola wine. Snacks and drinks are served throughout the day, so you are not expected to carry all your food aboard. You should still bring water if you prefer a particular brand or want extra for the return ride, but the all-inclusive setup covers the main needs of the day.

The second stop also gives you more time to snorkel and use the paddle board. This longer break is useful because it lets you choose your own pace. You can swim before lunch, eat under the gazebo, and return to the water afterward, or simply stay dry and enjoy the view.

Food, drinks, and the small-producer touch

This is not a food tour in the usual sense, but the meal gives the day a stronger connection to the islands. Local cheese, wine, snacks, and cooked dishes help you taste Kefalonia and Ithaca rather than simply passing their shores.

I especially like the inclusion of Robola wine, a local Kefalonian specialty. It fits the setting well, though you can also enjoy the trip without drinking. The crew provides drinks when wanted, and the food is served with enough care to make lunch feel like part of the experience, not an afterthought.

The exact menu can vary. That is sensible for a boat trip and a small operation, but do not book this expecting a fixed restaurant menu. You may find dishes such as lamb kleftiko, sardine bruschetta, and other Greek recipes based on local products.

If you have dietary restrictions, ask before booking. The supplied details do not state which dietary requests can be accommodated, so you should not assume a particular menu will be available.

Captain Menios and the crew

The trip is closely associated with Captain Menios, and crew names in the available accounts include Vangelis, Fotis, Tassos or Stassos, and a co-skipper. You can expect an attentive, easygoing crew whose main job is to keep the day comfortable and adapt it to conditions.

The crew’s role is practical. They set up the lunch area, serve snacks and drinks, help with swimming equipment, and guide you around the boat. You may also be invited to try steering with help from the skipper, a small but enjoyable extra for anyone curious about sailing.

The service is warm rather than formal. That suits the boat and the small group format. You are not being processed through a large excursion with fixed announcements and a strict timetable. Instead, the day has room for conversation and quiet.

One limitation is that the information focuses more on the sea and food than on island history or culture. One person would have liked more background about Ithaca and Kefalonia. If you want a detailed historical presentation, this may feel light on interpretation. If you mainly want swimming, scenery, food, and a friendly crew, that balance works well.

What the eight-hour schedule feels like

The timetable gives you roughly four hours of cruising and three hours and 15 minutes at the swimming stops, with the remaining time built into transitions. Here is how the day generally works:

• About two hours aboard Lily from Agia Efimia toward Gidaki
• One hour at Gidaki for swimming and snorkeling
• About 45 minutes to the second cove
• About two hours and 15 minutes for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling
• About two hours cruising back to Agia Efimia

This is a full day, not a short outing squeezed into a morning. You should be comfortable spending long stretches on a boat. The reward is a quieter rhythm, with no need to rush back to port after one swim.

The timing also means you should pack for changing conditions. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, a sun hat, a camera, and biodegradable sunscreen. Beachwear is essential, and a light cover-up can make the lunch stop more comfortable.

Is $176 a fair price?

At $176 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Ithaca. You can find simpler boat outings and public transport options for less. The comparison is not quite like for like, though.

Your price includes an eight-hour cruise, lunch, snacks, drinks, Robola wine, snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, Wi-Fi, and a small-group setting. The boat carries no more than eight people, and a private option may be available. You are paying for space, food, equipment, and a more personal day rather than only transportation from one island to another.

The lunch setup adds real value. A shaded table on a pier, a cooked Greek meal, and time to swim before or after make this feel more like a complete day out than a ferry transfer with a beach stop.

I would consider it good value for a couple marking a special occasion, a family that wants a gentler private outing, or anyone who dislikes large cruise boats. It is less compelling if your main goal is simply to reach Ithaca, visit a town, or spend the whole day under sail.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Agia Efimia. That is easy to overlook when comparing prices. Add your local transport costs before deciding.

Who should book this trip?

This trip suits you if you want:

• A quiet day with a small number of people
• Swimming in clear Ionian water
• Snorkeling and paddle boarding without bringing all the gear
• A proper Greek lunch in an unusual seaside setting
• Scenic cruising between Kefalonia and Ithaca
• A flexible plan that can change with sea conditions
• A friendly crew and personal attention

Families can enjoy it, and children particularly liked the paddle boards and snorkeling. The boat is also a good match for couples celebrating an anniversary or looking for a special day away from crowded beaches.

You should think twice if you are prone to seasickness, since the activity is not suitable for people who regularly struggle on boats. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users. Anyone expecting fast travel, nonstop sailing, or a detailed cultural tour may want a different option.

The minimum participation needed to launch the cruise is four people. If bad weather prevents the trip or the minimum number is not reached, a full refund is provided. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option helps keep your plans flexible.

What makes this day different

The best part is the combination of ordinary pleasures done well. You swim in a quiet cove, eat a local meal, sip Robola wine, and watch the islands slide past at a slow pace.

The most memorable detail may be the lunch stop. A gazebo, a table, and a cooked meal on a pier turn a swim break into something that feels carefully arranged without becoming stiff or formal.

The second strength is the crew’s attention. Menios and his co-skippers are repeatedly described as friendly, responsive, and willing to adjust the day. That matters on a boat, where wind, water, and comfort can change the plan.

The main weakness is expectation management. The name suggests a sailing trip, but the boat may motor throughout. You also will not receive a full guided tour of Ithaca’s history. Know that before booking and the experience makes more sense.

Should you book this Ithaca sailing day?

Book it if you want a relaxed, small-scale day on the Ionian Sea, with two swimming stops, a good Greek lunch, and a crew that pays attention to the details. At $176, it earns its price through the meal, included drinks and equipment, and the intimate setting.

Skip it if you want speed, extensive sightseeing on land, or guaranteed sailing with the sails raised. For everyone else, this is a strong choice for seeing Ithaca from the water and enjoying the kind of unhurried day that is hard to arrange on your own.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Agia Efimia. The meeting point may vary according to the option you book, with the Harbour Office and Sail The Day Kefalonia listed as starting locations.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts eight hours. The schedule includes about two hours to Gidaki, one hour there, 45 minutes to the next stop, about two hours and 15 minutes for lunch and swimming, and about two hours back.

How many people can join the boat?

The sailboat has space for up to eight passengers. Private and small-group options are available.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch, snacks, and drinks are included, along with local products and Robola wine. Dishes served on the trip have included lamb kleftiko and sardine bruschetta.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddle board are included.

Can the swimming locations change?

Yes. The captain may change the swimming spots during the cruise if another location has cleaner or calmer water.

What happens if the cruise is canceled?

A full refund is provided if bad weather cancels the cruise or if the minimum participation of four people is not reached. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.