From Agia Efimia: All Inclusive Sailing Day Trip to Ithaca

The best part of this day is the sense of space. Lily carries no more than eight people, so you reach quiet Ithacan coves by boat instead of joining a crowded ferry outing. Menios and crew members such as Vangelis, Fotis, Tassos, or Stassos look after the practical details while you swim, snack, and watch the coast slip by.

I like the small-group pace and the unusually thoughtful lunch setup, often served at a shaded gazebo on a stone pier. I also like that the captain can adjust the swimming stops for calmer, cleaner water. The main catch is simple: this is a sailboat, but you may motor for much of the day, and the minimum group size is four people.

Key points at a glance

• Up to eight people on Lily: This feels far more personal than a large cruise boat.
• Two main swimming areas: Gidaki Beach and Lygia-Pera Pigadi offer time for swimming and snorkeling.
• A proper Greek lunch: Expect local food, snacks, drinks, and Robola wine, with past menus including sardine bruschetta and lamb kleftiko.
• Paddleboard and snorkel gear included: Equipment is available, though the paddleboard may need to be shared.
• Eight hours at a gentle pace: The route includes long stretches aboard the yacht, so this suits you if you enjoy time on the water.
• Weather can change the plan: The captain may swap swimming spots, and poor weather or too few participants means cancellation with a full refund.

Leaving Agia Efimia aboard Lily

Your day begins at the harbor office of Sail The Day Kefalonia in Agia Efimia, with the exact meeting point depending on the option you book. Agia Efimia is north of Sami, and one booking described the harbor as about 15 minutes from Sami by car.

The boat is Lily, a spacious sailboat designed for a maximum of eight passengers. That number matters. You have room to sit, move around, and find a quiet place without the packed-deck feel of a large day cruise. It also gives the crew a real chance to keep an eye on what you need.

The sailing time to the first stop is listed as about two hours. You will spend that stretch looking across the Ionian Sea and along the Kefalonia and Ithaca coasts, with snacks and drinks available. The boat cruises at roughly 7 to 8 knots, so this is not a speedboat transfer. You are buying a slow day on the water, not the fastest route between beaches.

That pace is one of the pleasures here. You can settle into the morning, watch the shoreline change, and enjoy a drink rather than spending the whole trip rushing from one stop to the next. If you want constant action, the long yacht sections may feel too quiet. If you like the sound of water and an unhurried schedule, they are part of the point.

Gidaki Beach and the first swim

Gidaki Beach is the first major stop, with about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. The water is described as crystal clear, and this is where the included snorkel equipment and paddleboard become useful.

You can swim straight from the boat or use the equipment to look below the surface. The paddleboard adds a little movement without turning the day into a hard workout. It may need to be shared, especially if the boat is full, so do not count on having it to yourself for the entire stop.

Gidaki is also a good test of the tour’s style. You are not being hurried ashore for a short photo stop. The plan gives you a real block of free time, enough to swim, float, snorkel, and dry off before lunch.

The captain has room to change this stop if conditions are poor. That flexibility is useful in the Ionian Sea, where wind and waves can alter which cove feels best on a particular day. You may not visit the exact same patch of water every time, but the choice is made with calm and clean swimming conditions in mind.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, sun hat, and biodegradable sunscreen. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you also need to arrange your way to Agia Efimia.

The second stop at Lygia-Pera Pigadi

After the first swim, Lily spends about 45 minutes underway before reaching the next area, listed as 8GC28PPW+4XQ and associated with Lygia-Pera Pigadi. The full stop lasts about two hours and 15 minutes, giving this part of the day more breathing room than a quick anchorage.

This is where the outing feels especially private. Instead of simply dropping anchor in front of a busy resort, the boat reaches places described as accessible only by sea. The reward is clear water, open views, and time to swim without the usual road traffic and beach facilities around you.

You can snorkel again, use the paddleboard, or stay aboard and enjoy the quiet. The crew may arrange the lunch on a pier, with a table, chairs, and a shaded gazebo. That detail turns a basic packed lunch into a proper break from the sun.

Past menus have included sardine bruschetta and lamb kleftiko, along with local products from Kefalonia and Ithaca. Reviews also describe home-cooked Greek food, generous snacks, and drinks served throughout the day. The exact menu can vary, but this is clearly more substantial than sandwiches tossed onto a boat table.

Robola wine is included, along with other drinks. If you do not drink alcohol, the all-inclusive drinks provision still makes the day easy, since you do not need to arrange every bottle yourself. Just remember that this is a boat in strong sun. Pace yourself.

Lunch with a view, not a rushed sandwich

The lunch setup is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. A gazebo erected on a stone jetty, with a set table and chairs, gives you shade and a comfortable place to eat while surrounded by the Ionian Sea.

I like this because it uses the setting without making lunch awkward. You are not trying to balance a plate on your lap while the boat moves, and you are not losing half the stop to a restaurant transfer. You can eat, swim again, and return to Lily when you are ready.

The food also adds a local angle. Sardines, lamb kleftiko, Greek snacks, small-producer products, and Robola wine connect the meal to the islands rather than treating it as generic catering. One account singled out the kleftiko, while other meals were praised for their presentation and variety.

Food preferences and exact menu details are not provided, so you should ask the operator before booking if you have dietary needs. Do not assume every dish will be available on every departure.

What the crew adds to the day

Menios is the captain most often associated with the trip, and names used for the second crew member include Vangelis, Fotis, Tassos, and Stassos. The crew’s role is more than steering. They serve drinks, arrange lunch, help with equipment, and keep the day moving without making it feel formal.

The strongest pattern is attentive, friendly service. A special request such as an English cup of tea has even been accommodated, which gives you a sense of the personal care possible on a boat this small.

The crew can also guide you if you want to try steering the sailboat. That is a nice extra for curious adults or older children, though nobody needs to take part. You can simply sit back and watch the coast.

One limitation is that the trip focuses on scenery, swimming, and food more than on island history or culture. One person specifically wished for more explanation about Ithaca and Kefalonia. If you want a running commentary about mythology, archaeology, or local life, this may feel light on narration. If you mainly want a peaceful day with good hospitality, that is less of a problem.

Sailing under sail, or motoring across the Ionian

The word sailing needs a little explanation. Lily is a sailboat and may sail, but the boat also motors. At least one departure spent the entire day under engine, which disappointed a passenger who had booked mainly for the sailing itself.

The operator is upfront that sailboats are not speedboats and that the normal cruising pace is about 7 to 8 knots. Still, you should not book this expecting a full day of sails raised and engine off. Wind, timing, route, and operating choices can all affect how much actual sailing takes place.

For me, the boat remains appealing even when motoring because the small size, swimming stops, and lunch are the main attractions. But if the physical act of sailing is your top priority, ask ahead about expected conditions and whether the captain plans to sail that day.

Is $176 good value?

At $176 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach near Ithaca. You are paying for eight hours, a small or private group, a crewed sailboat, two main swimming stops, snorkel equipment, a paddleboard, Wi-Fi, snacks, lunch, and drinks.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat charter and a meal. A private or semi-private setting also matters for couples, families, and small groups who want to avoid a packed excursion boat. The lunch setup and attentive service give the day more of a special-occasion feel, which helps explain why it suits an anniversary or celebration.

The value is weaker if you want a fast sightseeing circuit, lots of guided commentary, or guaranteed sailing under canvas. You also need at least four participants for the cruise to launch. If the minimum is not met, or bad weather cancels the trip, you receive a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those policies help if your Kefalonia plans depend on weather.

Who should book this Ithaca day trip?

I would choose this for couples, families, and friends who want a relaxed day away from busy beaches. Children enjoyed the paddleboard and snorkeling on one outing, but the tour is not designed for people who need wheelchair access.

You should also be comfortable on the sea. The activity is not recommended for people prone to seasickness, and the route includes about four hours of total yacht travel according to the listed schedule. Take the warning seriously, especially if you have struggled on boats before.

Pack light but bring the basics: towel, beachwear, sun protection, hat, sunglasses, and camera. Biodegradable sunscreen is requested. The crew provides snorkeling equipment, a paddleboard, snacks, lunch, drinks, and Wi-Fi, so you do not need to bring lunch or water for the day.

The route can be adjusted, which is good for weather but means the precise order and swimming coves are not fixed. The main promise is a day on the Kefalonia and Ithaca coast, not a rigid checklist.

Should you book Sail The Day Kefalonia?

Book it if you want a small, quiet boat day with excellent food, clear-water swimming, and a crew that pays attention. The limited passenger count, shaded lunch setup, and flexibility over swimming locations make this feel more personal than a standard island cruise.

Think twice if you need guaranteed sailing, extensive cultural commentary, wheelchair access, or a fast-moving itinerary. For everyone else, $176 buys a generous eight-hour outing with lunch and drinks included, plus the chance to reach Ithacan coves that are difficult to visit by land. That is a fair price for a special day on the Ionian Sea, provided you are happy to let the captain set the pace.

FAQ

Where does the Ithaca sailing trip start?

The trip starts from Agia Efimia, with the meeting point listed as the Harbour Office or Sail The Day Kefalonia, depending on the option booked.

How long does the activity last?

The full trip lasts eight hours.

How many people can join the sailboat?

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

What swimming locations are included?

The listed swimming locations are Gidaki Beach and Lygia-Pera Pigadi. The captain may change the stops if another area has cleaner or calmer water.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, and drinks are included. Local products from Kefalonia and Ithaca and Robola wine are part of the offering.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard are included.

Can I try steering the sailboat?

You may be able to try steering with guidance from the experienced skipper.

Is the boat always powered by its sails?

No. Lily is a sailboat, but it may motor during the trip. Its usual cruising speed is about 7 to 8 knots.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What happens if the trip is canceled?

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