Private All Inclusive Sailing Day Tour from Agia Efimia to Ithaca

The best part of this day is the chance to reach Ithaca by private boat, then spend time in quiet coves rather than rushing between crowded sights. Captain Menios and Katerina handle the sailing, food, drinks, and gear, leaving you free to watch the coast, swim, and enjoy the ride.

I like the generous setup: snorkeling gear and a paddleboard are included, along with lunch, snacks, coffee, soft drinks, water, and alcohol. I also like the small-group feel, since a private boat for up to eight people gives you far more room and flexibility than a standard group cruise.

The main drawback is the price. At $1,148.83 per group, this is expensive for two people, though it becomes much better value when shared by a larger family or group of friends. You should also think twice if you are prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before booking

• A private trip to Ithaca: Your group travels aboard Lily, with no other booking parties sharing the boat.
• Gidaki Beach comes first: Allow about 1 hour and 15 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding in clear water.
• Ligia adds food and a second swim: This stop lasts about two hours and includes a local-style meal prepared by the crew.
• Captain Menios and Katerina host the day: Their role goes beyond navigation, with drinks, food, conversation, and help with activities.
• The price works best for groups: The flat rate covers up to eight people, so the cost per person drops sharply as your party grows.
• No hotel pickup: You must reach Cyprus 1 in Agia Efimia for the 9:00 a.m. departure.

Sailing from Agia Efimia toward Ithaca

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. at Cyprus 1 in Agia Efimia. You are responsible for getting to the meeting point, since pickup and drop-off are not included. The tour returns to the same place at the end of the day.

The crossing to Ithaca takes about an hour and a half, depending on conditions. That travel time is part of the eight-hour outing, but it is not dead time. You can sit at the front of Lily, take in the sea views, and settle into the slower rhythm of a day under sail.

Menios serves snacks during the journey, with bottled water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and alcoholic drinks available. That matters more than it might sound. A morning crossing can feel long if you must wait for the first meal, but the food and drinks begin early and help make the ride comfortable.

The boat has a restroom and WiFi on board. Those are useful touches on a full-day trip, especially for families or anyone who prefers not to be away from basic facilities for several hours. Still, this is a boat day, not a sightseeing cruise with constant narration or a packed program. The pleasure comes from open water, swimming stops, and time spent together.

Gidaki Beach: clear water and easy water sports

Your first main stop is Gidaki Beach, also written as Gedaki in some descriptions. The beach is on Ithaca and is known here for clear, calm-looking water and a peaceful setting.

You have about 1 hour and 15 minutes at this stop. That gives you enough time to swim, try the paddleboard, and use the snorkeling equipment without feeling forced to choose only one activity. If you enjoy moving around, you can paddle for a while, then change into a mask and snorkel. If you prefer a quiet start, you can simply float and enjoy the setting.

The included paddleboard is a useful feature for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can head farther from the boat, while less confident participants can remain close and treat it as a short, playful try. You should remember that conditions on the day affect how easy paddleboarding feels. Calm water makes it simple; wind or chop can turn it into more work.

Snorkeling is another reason this stop works well. The water is described as exceptionally clear, and the trip includes the mask and snorkel rather than asking you to bring your own. The available information does not promise a particular species or reef, so you should think of this as a relaxed coastal swim with a chance to see fish, not as a specialist snorkeling expedition.

Gidaki is also a good place to keep the schedule loose. You are not being marched from one photo stop to the next. The private format lets your group give more time to swimming if everyone is enjoying it, though the total day still has to allow for the crossing and Ligia.

Ligia brings lunch, snorkeling, and a second rhythm

The next stop is Ligia, where you spend about two hours. This is the longer stop and the one that adds the strongest food element to the day.

The crew prepares local-style dishes, and lunch can be served either at the stop or on the boat during the return journey. That choice is a small but valuable piece of flexibility. A couple who wants privacy can eat aboard Lily, while a larger group might prefer to stop and enjoy the meal before taking another swim.

A sample meal described for the trip included chicken kleftiko with Greek salad, tzatziki, and bread. Food choices may be discussed ahead of time, with chicken, lamb, or a vegetable option offered in the arrangements described. If you have dietary needs, raise them when booking or before the day rather than waiting until lunch.

Ligia is also a water stop. You can snorkel with the supplied gear and swim in clear water where fish may be visible. There is a small jetty and an opportunity to walk on land, giving you a short break from the boat. That matters on a long sailing day. Even people who love swimming often appreciate a chance to stand, stretch, and change the view.

The two-stop design is well judged. Gidaki gives you an early chance to get into the water and try the paddleboard. Ligia slows the day down with a longer pause, food, and another swim. You do not need to carry the entire day with nonstop activity.

Food and drinks are part of the value

The all-inclusive setup covers lunch, snacks, bottled water, soda, alcoholic drinks, coffee, and tea. It removes the need to pack a full picnic or keep track of small onboard purchases.

I especially like that the food is described as local rather than generic packed fare. Chicken kleftiko, Greek salad, tzatziki, and bread create a meal that fits the setting and gives the boat day a real taste of Greece. The crew prepares the food, which adds a personal touch that you do not get from a standard ferry or large excursion boat.

The exact menu is not listed in full, so you should not book expecting a fixed restaurant menu or unlimited choice. The information does indicate that meal preferences can be arranged, including chicken, lamb, or a vegetable option. Ask about any allergies or restrictions before departure.

Alcohol is included, but you still need to pace yourself. Sun, salt water, and a moving boat can make drinks feel stronger than expected. Water is included as well, and it should be your main drink throughout the day.

Captain Menios, Katerina, and the private boat feel

A private trip depends heavily on the crew, and Menios and Katerina appear to be central to the experience. Menios is the captain, but he also helps create the relaxed tone of the day. He serves drinks, answers questions, chats with the group, and takes care with the sailing.

The boat is called Lily. It carries up to eight people, and only your group participates. That makes a real difference for couples, families, and friend groups. You do not have to fit your swim time around strangers, share every meal conversation with a busload of people, or worry about making space for another party.

For two people, the private format feels particularly personal, but it also makes the price harder to justify. For six to eight people, the same flat group price becomes much more attractive. At the listed $1,148.83, the approximate cost is $574 per person for two, about $287 per person for four, or about $144 per person for eight.

Those figures do not include hotel transportation, since none is provided. You also need to account for getting to and from Agia Efimia. Even so, lunch, drinks, equipment, boat facilities, taxes, and a full day with a dedicated crew are included in the main cost.

What the eight-hour schedule really feels like

The headline duration is about eight hours, and travel time counts toward it. The crossing to Ithaca takes around 90 minutes each way based on the described day, leaving several hours for stops, meals, and swimming.

That is enough time for a proper outing, but not enough to explore Ithaca by road or visit several villages. This is a sea-based look at Ithaca. You see the coast from the water, stop at beaches and coves, and return to Cephalonia the same day.

The pace should suit you if you want one major activity rather than a string of short stops. You can expect:

• A 9:00 a.m. departure from Agia Efimia
• Snacks and drinks during the crossing
• About 1 hour and 15 minutes at Gidaki Beach
• Around two hours at Ligia for swimming, snorkeling, walking, and lunch
• A return sail to Agia Efimia
• An end point at the original meeting location

Exact timing may shift with weather and sea conditions. The trip requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. A minimum number of participants may also apply, with a different date, another experience, or a full refund offered if the trip is canceled for that reason.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this outing to a group that values privacy, food, and time in the water. Families can use the boat at their own pace, and a group of friends can split the cost while making use of the drinks, paddleboard, and snorkeling equipment.

It also suits couples who want a quiet day together and are comfortable paying for a private experience. The peaceful ride at the front of the boat, the choice of where to eat, and the freedom to swim without a large group can make the higher price worthwhile.

It is less suitable if you want extensive land sightseeing on Ithaca. You will not have a full island tour or a long visit to towns and archaeological sites. It is also a poor match for anyone with serious seasickness, since the experience involves several hours on the water and is specifically not recommended for people prone to it.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation. The available details do not provide specific information about wheelchair access or the physical demands of boarding Lily, so anyone with mobility concerns should confirm those points before paying.

Practical ways to get more from the boat day

Arrive ready for a full day outside. The included food and drinks reduce what you need to pack, but you will still want swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. The supplied information does not list a towel among the inclusions, so bringing your own is sensible.

Wear something comfortable for the crossing and bring a dry layer if you tend to feel cool after swimming. You will move between sitting on the boat, getting into the water, and possibly walking on a jetty or nearby land.

Tell the crew your lunch preference in advance if you want chicken, lamb, or a vegetable dish. If you have allergies, state them clearly before the trip. This is also the right time to ask about any special needs related to the boat or boarding.

Book early if your dates are fixed. The experience is booked, on average, 68 days ahead, which suggests that prime summer dates may not remain open until the last minute. The cancellation policy is friendly: you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Agia Efimia to Ithaca sailing day?

I would book it for a group of four to eight people who want a private day on the water, especially if swimming, snorkeling, and a Greek lunch sound better than a formal island tour. The crew, included food and drinks, and two generous swim stops give the day more substance than a simple boat transfer.

For just two people, compare the cost with other private sailing options before committing. The experience may still be worth it for a special birthday or a quiet couple’s day, but the per-person price is high.

Choose this trip if you want to see Ithaca from the sea, enjoy clear water, and let Menios and Katerina manage the practical details. Skip it if you dislike boat travel, need extensive land sightseeing, or are likely to suffer from seasickness.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Cyprus 1, Agia Efimia, at 9:00 a.m. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including travel time between Agia Efimia and Ithaca.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point in Agia Efimia.

What food and drinks are included?

The trip includes snacks, lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, coffee, and tea. A meal choice such as chicken, lamb, or a vegetable option may be arranged in advance.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard are included for use during the swimming stops.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.