Luxury Day Cruises to Ithaca – swimming, snorkeling food and more !

Ithaca is best seen from the water, and this small-group sailing day gives you three fine reasons to swim there. You sail from Agia Efimia to Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach, with clear water, pine-covered shores, and quiet bays that are not reached by ordinary road trips.

I like the maximum group size of 10, which keeps the boat from feeling crowded. I also like that lunch, local wine, beer, fruit, snacks, snorkeling gear, and a paddleboard are included. The main consideration is value: at $181.02 per person, this is not a cheap beach day, and one meal review found the food modest in both quantity and quality.

• Three Ithaca swimming stops: Gidaki, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach each offer a different setting.
• A genuinely small group: The boat carries no more than 10 travelers, giving the day a more personal feel.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect traditional Greek food, fruit, snacks, soft drinks, bottled water, beer, and local wine.
• Useful water gear on board: Snorkels and masks, a SUP, and a restroom make the long sailing day easier.
• A relaxed sailing schedule: The day starts at 9 a.m. and returns to Agia Efimia after 5 p.m.
• Strong overall satisfaction: The experience holds a 4.9 rating from 84 reviews, with 95 percent recommending it.

Why This Ithaca Cruise Is Worth Considering

This is a full day on the Ionian Sea, not a quick boat transfer with a rushed swim attached. You leave Agia Efimia at 9 a.m., sail toward Ithaca, stop at three beaches, eat lunch on board, and return after 5 p.m. The pace gives you time to swim properly instead of stepping into the water for ten minutes and climbing straight back aboard.

The biggest appeal is access. Gidaki, Skinos, and Talaros are visited by boat, so you get a view of Ithaca that a standard road excursion cannot provide. You spend less time looking for parking and more time watching pine-covered hills, open bays, and bright blue-green water.

This is also a practical choice if you enjoy swimming but do not want to organize every detail yourself. The crew supplies snorkeling equipment and a SUP, while food and drinks are part of the price. You can pack a towel and swimwear, then let the day take care of itself.

Still, $181.02 is a serious price for a day trip. The experience earns that cost through the small group, the long duration, the boat access, and the included food and drinks. It may feel expensive if your main goal is simply to lie on a beach. It makes more sense if you value a full day at sea and would otherwise need to arrange a boat, equipment, meals, and drinks separately.

Leaving Agia Efimia at 9 a.m.

The meeting point is DodoniAgias Eyfimias in Agia Efimia, and the tour returns to the same place. You need to arrange your own way to the port because transfers to and from the meeting point are not included.

The boat carries a maximum of 10 people. That number matters. On a swim cruise, a small group means fewer people waiting to use the steps, less crowding around the lunch table, and a better chance to ask the crew for help with snorkeling gear or the paddleboard.

The crew names connected with the experience are Vangelis and Evia. Feedback also spells their names as Evangelous and Evina, so do not be surprised if the names appear in slightly different forms. The hosts are praised for being warm and attentive, and one gluten-free lunch option has been provided.

The trip is offered in English. A restroom is on board, free Wi-Fi is available, and most people can participate. The description does not promise a particular type of sailing boat or guarantee that the vessel will sail under wind power all day. One account notes that there was little wind in the morning, so you should think of this primarily as a boat cruise with swimming stops, not as a pure sailing lesson.

Gidaki Beach: The First Long Swim

The first stop is Gidaki Beach on the east side of Ithaca, reached after a long sail. You get about 40 minutes here, enough for a proper swim and some time with the supplied snorkeling equipment.

Gidaki is a pebbled beach, with larger stones on the western side and smaller ones to the east. That detail is useful when you step ashore or stand in the shallows. Water shoes may be worth bringing if you dislike walking on stones, although the tour does not specifically require them.

The bay is open and suitable for swimming from one side to the other. Its clear blue-green water and thick natural surroundings create the sort of setting that makes the long approach worthwhile. This is the stop most likely to set the tone for your day, so have your camera ready before you jump in.

A snack and drink are served at the end of the stop. Since the visit lasts only 40 minutes, keep your swim gear easy to reach and do not wander too far from the boat. The appeal here is water time, not a long beach walk.

Gidaki is often considered one of Ithaca’s finest beaches. That reputation also means expectations are high. The beach is pebbled rather than sandy, and the tour does not give you hours to settle in. If your idea of a perfect beach is soft sand and a long sunbathing session, this may not be your favorite stop. If you want clear water and a scenic swim, it is a strong opening.

Skinos Bay: Lunch Among Pine Trees

After Gidaki, the boat continues to Skinos Bay on Ithaca’s eastern side. You spend about 1 hour and 15 minutes here, the longest stop of the day. This is where lunch is prepared and served on board, along with soft drinks, beer, and local wine.

Skinos Bay is surrounded by pine trees, giving the stop a different feel from the open water at Gidaki. The bay provides a calm setting for eating, swimming, and taking in the shore without rushing. You can use the time as a proper break between the first and final swims.

The meal includes traditional Greek food, snacks, fruit, refreshments, bottled water, wine, and beer. That package is a real part of the value calculation. Buying lunch and several drinks at a beach restaurant can add up quickly, particularly in a popular island setting. Here, you do not need to leave the boat or search for a place to eat.

Food quality is the one area where the experience receives a clear criticism. One person found the meal mediocre and too small, while other comments describe the food as lovely and praise the gluten-free option. The safest way to read this is that lunch is convenient and included, but you should not book the cruise expecting a large restaurant-style feast.

If you have a dietary need, mention it when booking or before departure. A gluten-free option has been available, but the supplied information does not list every possible dietary choice. The crew can also explain what is being served before you sit down.

The 75-minute stop gives you room to eat at a sensible pace and swim again. Wine and beer are included, but remember that this is a boat day in the sun. Drink water as well, and be sensible if you plan to use the snorkeling gear or SUP afterward.

Talaros Beach and Pera Pigadia Bay

The final selected stop is Talaros Beach, also called Pera Pigadia Bay, on the southern coast of Ithaca. You have about 40 minutes here before the return sail to Agia Efimia.

The water in Pigadia Bay is described as calm, warm, and smooth. That makes Talaros a good final swim, especially after lunch. The mood is less about fitting in another major activity and more about enjoying one last quiet stretch in the water before the boat turns back.

Three stops are enough for a satisfying day, but they also mean each visit is timed. You will not have unlimited freedom to stay at the beach that suits you best. The schedule works well if you like variety. It is less suitable if you prefer to spend an entire afternoon in one cove.

There is no promise of a stop in a village or town. One dissatisfied account specifically wished the route had included a view of a settlement from a distance. If you want an Ithaca day focused on villages, architecture, or island history, this is the wrong type of excursion. The focus here is bays, swimming, food, and the view from the sea.

After Talaros, the boat sails back to Agia Efimia and reaches the port around or after 5 p.m. Allow some flexibility after the stated return time, since weather and sea conditions can affect a boat schedule.

What Is Included on the Boat

The inclusions are generous, but each one matters differently.

• Snorkeling equipment: You do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel. This makes short swimming stops more useful, since you can look below the surface without renting gear elsewhere.
• SUP use: The paddleboard gives you another way to enjoy the bays. Use depends on sea conditions and the crew’s judgment.
• Lunch and drinks: Traditional Greek food, fruit, snacks, soft drinks, water, beer, and local wine are included.
• Restroom: This is a small comfort that becomes important during an eight-hour outing.
• Free Wi-Fi: Useful if you need to send a message or check something during the long sail, though the main attraction is being away from shore.
• English service: The experience is offered in English.

Gratuities are not included. Transfers to and from the port are also not included, so plan your own arrival at Agia Efimia.

The $181.02 Price and the Small Group Tradeoff

At $181.02 per person, this cruise sits in the premium day-trip range. I would judge the price by asking what you would need to arrange on your own: a boat for the full day, access to three Ithaca bays, snorkeling equipment, a paddleboard, lunch, several drinks, and a crew to handle the route.

The maximum of 10 people strengthens the case for the price. You are not paying for a large excursion boat packed with a crowd. You are paying for a more contained day with room to move and a better chance of personal service.

The weak point is the meal. If the lunch is generous and well prepared, the package feels fair. If you find it small or plain, the price may feel high. The mixed food feedback means I would book this for the small boat and the swimming route first, with lunch treated as a useful inclusion rather than the main reason to go.

The 4.9 rating from 84 reviews and 95 percent recommendation rate suggest the overall experience works very well for most people. No tour pleases everyone, and the main complaint is clear: the cost can feel out of proportion if you want more food or more cultural sightseeing. That is a useful warning, not a reason to dismiss the cruise.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this day to couples who want a special full-day outing, friends looking for a relaxed day on the water, and families whose children are comfortable swimming from a boat. The snorkeling equipment and SUP add variety, while the three stops prevent the day from becoming repetitive.

It also suits you if you prefer a small group and do not want to plan lunch, drinks, or beach access yourself. The boat restroom is useful for families, and the limited group size should make the day calmer than a large organized cruise.

You should think twice if you dislike pebbled beaches, need long periods on land, or want a strong cultural program. There are no listed village visits, historic sites, or guided walks. The attraction is the sea around Ithaca, not the island’s inland life.

The trip also depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Should You Book the Ithaca Cruise?

Book it if your perfect holiday day includes three clear-water swims, a small boat, Greek food, local wine, and little planning. The route is well chosen, the group size is excellent, and the equipment and drinks make the long day easy.

Skip it if $181.02 feels too high for a beach outing, or if you want a substantial lunch and time in Ithaca’s villages. The most honest description is a premium swimming and sailing day, not a cultural tour.

For most people who value boat access and calm coves, this is a strong choice. Bring swimwear, sun protection, and perhaps water shoes for the pebbled shore. Arrive ready for a full day at sea, and you will understand what you are paying for.

FAQ

How long is the Ithaca cruise?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. It starts at 9 a.m. and returns to the meeting point in Agia Efimia around or after 5 p.m.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts and ends at DodoniAgias Eyfimias, Ag. Effimia 280 81, Greece. Transfers to and from the port are not included.

Which beaches and bays does the cruise visit?

The route includes Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach, also known as Pera Pigadia Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes traditional Greek food, along with snacks, fruit, soft drinks, bottled water, beer, and local wine. A gluten-free option has been available.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and a SUP is also available for use.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 travelers.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

The cruise requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.