Kefalonia: Private Sailing Cruise with Local Lunch & Snacks

The best part of this eight-hour cruise is the access to quiet swimming spots around Kefalonia and Ithaca that are much easier to reach by boat than by road. You spend the day moving between beaches, coves, and small islands, with plenty of time in the water rather than sitting on board.

I like the small group of up to six and the practical mix of snorkeling gear, SUP, lunch, snacks, and drinks. I also like that the day includes both a Kefalonia coastline and stops around Ithaca, giving you a broader view of the Ionian Sea in one outing. The main drawback is that the plan depends on the weather, and non-swimmers, pregnant women, and people with mobility impairments should not book it.

Key points to know before booking

• Poros departure: Meet at Poros Port, opposite the old Levante Ferries ticket office, 15 minutes before departure.
• Five water-focused stops: The day includes swimming at Koutsoupia, Pera Pigadi, Lygia, either St. Andrews Bay or Blue Lake, and the north-west coast of Kefalonia.
• Small-group setting: The boat carries no more than six participants, which gives the day a more personal feel than a large excursion boat.
• Food and drinks included: You receive a local lunch, snacks, beer, wine, and soda on board.
• Equipment supplied: Snorkeling equipment and a SUP are included, so you do not need to bring your own gear.
• Plan for a full day outside: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, water, snacks, and a camera.

A full day on the Ionian Sea from Poros

This is a sea day first and a sightseeing tour second. You leave Poros in Kefalonia and spend about eight hours cruising, swimming, snorkeling, eating, and stopping at quiet coastal places.

The route is designed to keep you in and around the water. There are several cruising sections, ranging from about 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, broken up by stops lasting roughly 40 minutes to 1.5 hours. That rhythm matters. You get time to settle into the scenery, but you are not expected to swim for eight straight hours.

The English-speaking skipper handles the boat and guides the day. No individual skipper name is provided, so you should not book this expecting a named guide or a formal historical commentary. The appeal is the route, the water, and the relaxed small-group format.

Leaving Poros and reaching Koutsoupia Beach

The meeting point is easy to identify: Poros Port, opposite the old Levante Ferries ticket office. Arrive 15 minutes early. Transportation to the port is not included, so you need to make your own way there.

The first sightseeing cruise lasts about an hour. That gives you a gradual start, with the boat carrying you away from Poros toward Koutsoupia Beach. Once there, you have about an hour for swimming and a little time on the beach.

Koutsoupia is known for clear water and thick greenery around the shore. It is a good first stop because you can ease into the day with a swim or sunbathing before the more active snorkeling sections begin.

I would use this first stop to check your equipment, apply sunscreen again, and get comfortable with the sea conditions. The schedule allows one hour, so it is not a stop for a long walk or an extended beach visit. It is mainly about getting into the water.

Pera Pigadi and the Ithaca side of the trip

After another sightseeing cruise of about 40 minutes, the boat reaches Pera Pigadi Beach on Ithaca. This stop lasts about an hour and includes swimming and snorkeling.

Pera Pigadi is described as a quiet bay with clean sand and sheltered water. Compared with a busy beach day, the attraction here is the calm setting and the chance to look below the surface. Snorkeling equipment is provided, which keeps the packing list simple.

You should still bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and camera. A camera may be useful for the scenery, but protect it carefully around the water. The activity does not state that underwater cameras are supplied.

The snorkeling should appeal to you if you enjoy looking at marine life without needing a full scuba setup. Keep your expectations sensible. This is recreational snorkeling during a coastal cruise, not a specialist marine excursion with a trained underwater guide.

Lygia, the small island stop

The next cruise lasts about 30 minutes before the boat reaches Lygia. You have around 1.5 hours here for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.

Lygia is presented as a quiet island stop with untouched natural surroundings. The value of this part of the day comes from the pause. Instead of rushing through several photo stops, you get a longer block of time for the water and a meal.

Lunch is served on board, along with snacks and drinks. The included drinks are beer, wine, and soda. Water is also listed among the items to bring, so pack your own supply rather than assuming every drink you need is provided.

A local lunch makes this more than a simple boat transfer with swimming stops. It also means you do not need to find a restaurant during the day. Still, food preferences and dietary requirements are not described, so contact the provider before booking if you need a specific menu.

This is likely to be the heart of the excursion. You have the longest stop, a meal, time to snorkel, and access to a SUP. Use the SUP only if you are comfortable in open water and can follow the skipper’s instructions.

St. Andrews Bay or Blue Lake

After another 30-minute cruise, you stop for about 40 minutes at either St. Andrews Bay or Blue Lake. The exact choice is not fixed in the information provided, so you should expect the skipper to select the location based on the day’s conditions or operating plan.

Both are described as good places for swimming and snorkeling. This shorter stop works well as another chance to cool off, see the water from a different angle, and break up the return route.

The flexible stop is also a reminder that this is a weather-dependent sea excursion. The cruise may be rescheduled or canceled in bad weather. That is a normal concern for a small boat, not a flaw in the experience, but it is worth considering when you plan other activities around it.

Cruising along north-west Kefalonia

The final major section takes about 1.5 hours by sightseeing boat before you return to Poros. Along the north-west region of Kefalonia, you can expect views of rugged shores, small villages, remote beaches, and open sea.

This part is less about getting off the boat and more about watching the coast pass by. It gives the day a proper scenic finish, especially if you enjoy seeing parts of an island that are difficult to reach from land.

The description also notes the possibility of spotting local wildlife. That should be treated as a possibility, not a promise. Bring your camera if you enjoy coastal photography, but keep the focus on the scenery and changing sea conditions rather than expecting a dedicated wildlife tour.

The final cruise is long enough for you to rest after the swimming stops. It is also the time to dry off, enjoy the breeze, and take in the coast before arriving back at Poros.

What the small group changes

The maximum group size is six people. That is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise, especially if you dislike crowded excursion boats.

A small group can make boarding, serving lunch, and handling snorkeling equipment less awkward. It may also make it easier to communicate with the skipper and agree on a comfortable pace within the planned schedule.

Do not confuse small group with fully private unless your booking confirms that the boat is reserved only for your party. The experience is described as a private sailing cruise, while the activity details specify a limit of six participants. If exclusivity matters to you, ask the provider for clarification before paying.

The skipper speaks English. No other language is listed. The supplied details also do not promise a formal guided talk about local history, geology, or marine life, so book this for the sea experience rather than for a lecture.

Food, drinks, and equipment

The included lunch is a real advantage during an eight-hour outing. You do not have to leave the water to search for food, and the meal fits naturally into the longer stop at Lygia.

Snacks are included as well, but you are still advised to bring snacks of your own. That is good practical advice for a long day in the sun, particularly if you eat between meals or have dietary needs.

Beer, wine, and soda are provided. Bring water, and do not rely on alcoholic drinks for hydration. The sun, salt water, and steady breeze can make you feel less thirsty than you really are.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, along with a SUP. You need to bring a towel, swimwear, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera. Comfortable sun protection matters more here than dressing up. You will spend much of the day exposed to sun and wind.

Is $530 per person good value?

At $530 per person, this is a substantial day out. The price makes the most sense if you value a small group, a full eight-hour schedule, several swim stops, a local lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a SUP in one package.

It is less attractive if you mainly want a short boat ride or a single beach stop. You would be paying for the length of the day and the range of locations, not just transportation from Poros to a nearby beach.

The small capacity is important to the value. A boat limited to six people offers a different setting from a large public cruise, even though the exact boat size and seating arrangement are not provided.

Lunch and drinks also reduce the need for extra spending during the day. Personal expenses and transportation to Poros are not included, so add those costs when planning your budget.

The reserve-now-and-pay-later option may help if your plans are still changing. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Weather remains the main uncertainty, since poor conditions can lead to a rescheduled or canceled cruise.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to confident swimmers who want an active day around Kefalonia and Ithaca without organizing several separate boat trips. It suits couples, families with older children who swim well, and small groups that value a more personal setting.

It also fits you if lunch on board sounds better than stopping at a crowded waterfront restaurant. The mix of beach time, snorkeling, SUP use, and coastal views gives the day variety.

I would not choose it if you are uncomfortable in open water, do not swim, or need easy access on and off the boat. Pregnant women and people with mobility impairments are specifically advised not to take part.

You should also think about your tolerance for weather changes. The cruise can be rescheduled or canceled in bad weather, and the exact stop at St. Andrews Bay or Blue Lake may vary.

Practical advice for making the day better

Arrive at Poros Port 15 minutes early. The meeting point is opposite the old Levante Ferries ticket office, so allow enough time to find the correct spot without rushing.

Pack light, but do not leave out the basics. Your day bag should include:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Water and extra snacks
• A camera in a waterproof case
• Any personal medication you need

Apply sunscreen before departure and again during the day. The sea breeze can hide how much sun you are getting.

Bring a dry layer if you dislike sitting in wet swimwear during the longer cruises. A camera is worth carrying for the beaches, coves, villages, and open-water views, but keep it secure during swimming stops.

Finally, treat the schedule as a guide rather than a guarantee. The route has a clear structure, but sea conditions affect small-boat travel. The skipper may adjust the day for safety.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a full day on the water, prefer a group capped at six, and plan to swim and snorkel several times. The combination of Koutsoupia, Pera Pigadi, Lygia, a choice of St. Andrews Bay or Blue Lake, and the north-west Kefalonia coast gives you a broad sample of the area in one outing.

Skip it if you want a land-based sightseeing day, need accessible facilities, or are not a confident swimmer. At $530 per person, the value depends on using the inclusions: the long cruising time, water stops, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and SUP. For the right kind of sea-loving visitor, that is a well-filled day. For everyone else, it is a costly way to spend eight hours.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Poros Port in Kefalonia, opposite the old Levante Ferries ticket office.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts eight hours and returns to Poros.

What islands and areas does the cruise visit?

The route includes parts of Kefalonia and Ithaca, plus the small island of Lygia. Stops include Koutsoupia Beach, Pera Pigadi Beach, either St. Andrews Bay or Blue Lake, and the north-west region of Kefalonia.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A local lunch and snacks are included.

What drinks are provided?

Beer, wine, and soda are provided. You are also advised to bring water.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with access to a SUP.

How many people can join the cruise?

The group is limited to six participants.

Is transportation to Poros Port included?

No. Transportation to the meeting point is not included.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, snacks, and a camera.

Can the cruise be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The cruise may be rescheduled or canceled in bad weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.