Sami: Ithaca Island Boat Trip with Swimming and Snacks

Ithaca is best seen from the water, and this 7-hour trip gives you three proper swim stops along with time in Vathi, the island’s small capital. I like the traditional wooden boat and the chance to reach Gidaki Beach, a beautiful spot that is far easier to visit by sea than by road.

I also like the simple local food, especially riganada, watermelon, juice, and water served onboard. The main drawback is comfort: you get seats, not loungers, and the boat can feel lively in windy weather. Bring a towel, hat, and a little patience for the return crossing.

Key points at a glance

• Three swimming stops: Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach each offer clear water and a different setting.
• Christina III: Cruise on a handcrafted wooden boat rather than a large modern ferry.
• Vathi visit: You have 70 minutes to walk, shop, take photos, or sit by the harbor.
• Local refreshments: Riganada, seasonal fruit, juice, and water are included.
• Snorkeling gear is not included: Bring your own equipment if you want to see below the surface.
• Weather matters: Strong winds can make the trip back to Sami choppy.

Why this Ithaca day trip works

For $76 per person, this is a full-day outing built around the Ionian Sea rather than museums or long walks. You leave Sami at 9:00 a.m., spend much of the day on the water, and return after roughly seven hours. The price includes the boat, three swimming visits, time in Vathi, snacks, seasonal fruit, juice, and water.

I see the strongest value in the number of swimming stops. You are not paying for one quick splash followed by hours of cruising. Pera Pigadi gives you about an hour, Filiatro Beach gets roughly 90 minutes, and Gidaki Beach gets about 50 minutes. That is enough time to swim without feeling rushed at every stop.

The wooden Christina III adds character. It suits the trip better than a plain transport boat because the journey itself is part of the experience. You will see Ithaca’s rocky coast, small bays, cliffs, and sea caves from a low position on the water.

Still, this is not a luxury yacht cruise. Seating is available, but there is no promise of a place to stretch out. If you want a padded sunbed, privacy, or a quiet ride with very few people, this probably is not your best choice.

Leaving Sami on Christina III

The meeting point is Zaharatos Cruises at Sami Port. Be there at least 20 minutes before departure, since the boat leaves at 9:00 a.m. That early start gives the crew a full day to reach the swimming spots and return before evening.

The opening section is a sightseeing cruise of about 15 minutes. Use it to settle in, find your seat, and keep your camera ready. The scenery begins before the first swim, with coastal views and open water around Kefalonia and Ithaca.

The boat is traditional and handcrafted, which gives the crossing a more local feel. It also means you should dress for sun and wind rather than assuming the deck will feel sheltered. Comfortable shoes are listed among the recommended items, and they make sense for moving around a boat and walking briefly in Vathi.

The trip is conducted in English. No individual guide names are provided, so you should think of this as a crew-led boat day rather than a formal history tour with long commentary.

Pera Pigadi and Nisopoulo: an easy first swim

The first stop is Pera Pigadi, also shown as Πέρα Πηγάδι, near Nisopoulo. You get about one hour here, with time to swim, use your own snorkeling gear, or stay onboard and enjoy the view.

This is a good opening stop because it gives you time to get comfortable in the water before the day’s longer visit at Filiatro. The setting is described as quiet and less visited, with clear water suited to a relaxed swim.

The onboard snack arrives as part of the morning rhythm. Riganada is a rustic local preparation made with bread, tomato, olive oil, oregano, and stouba. Seasonal watermelon, juice, and water are also provided.

Do not picture a full breakfast buffet. The food is a useful light snack, not a substantial meal for everyone. One direct account described the portions as modest, while another found the snacks simple but sufficient and said there was little need for a full meal during the Vathi break. Your appetite, and the time of year, will make a difference.

If you want to snorkel, bring your own mask and equipment. Snorkeling gear is specifically not included. You can still swim without it, but bringing your own gear gives this stop more purpose.

Filiatro Beach: the longest swim break

After another short cruise, the boat reaches Filiatro Beach. This is the longest stop, at about 90 minutes, and the time is well suited to a proper swim rather than a quick dip.

Filiatro is framed by rock and known for turquoise water. The appeal is simple: you step off the boat, swim in clear water, and spend time looking back at the shore from the sea. It is one of the stops where the trip feels less like transport and more like a day at the beach.

The beach setting is peaceful, but remember that a boat trip does not guarantee a private cove. Conditions and the number of people on the boat will shape how much space you have. The tour description also makes clear that seating is the main onboard arrangement, with no dedicated area for lying down.

I would use this stop as your main water break. Put on sunscreen before departure, keep your towel handy, and avoid waiting until the last minute to gather your things. A hat helps during the cruise, though you will want to secure it in windy conditions.

Vathi: 70 minutes in Ithaca’s capital

The boat then heads toward Vathi, the capital of Ithaca, with about 70 minutes ashore. This is the tour’s main land-based pause and gives the day a useful change of pace.

Vathi sits around a scenic bay, and the free time is designed for wandering rather than a guided lecture. You can walk through small streets, browse boutique shops, take harbor photos, or stop for coffee. If you want a more substantial meal, this is the natural point to arrange one, since the included food onboard is snack-sized.

Seventy minutes is enough to get a taste of the town, but not enough for a slow, unplanned afternoon. I would decide before arrival whether you want coffee, shopping, a meal, or photos. Trying to do all four could leave you hurrying back to the boat.

This stop also matters because the day is otherwise centered on the sea. You get a glimpse of everyday Ithacan life instead of seeing only beaches from offshore. The contrast makes the outing feel more complete.

There is no indication that admission fees or personal purchases are included. Food, drinks bought in town, and other personal expenses are on you.

Lazaretto and the sea caves near Vathi

After Vathi, the boat makes a short sightseeing run to Lazaretto Island. The stop lasts about 10 minutes and is mainly for photos and views, not swimming or a long walk ashore.

Lazaretto sits in the center of Vathi Bay. From the boat, you can see its rugged edges and nearby sea caves. This is a compact stop, but it adds visual variety after your time in town and gives you a chance to photograph the bay from the water.

Keep your camera ready before the boat reaches the island. Ten minutes passes quickly, and this is more of a scenic pause than a destination where you will explore on foot.

The caves and cliffs are part of the appeal of seeing Ithaca by boat. Roads can take you to towns and beaches, but they cannot provide the same view of the shoreline from the water.

Gidaki Beach, the final swim

Gidaki Beach is the last major stop and one of the main reasons to book this tour. The beach is known for emerald water and smooth pebbles, and the boat gives you access without requiring a long land approach.

You get about 50 minutes here. That is shorter than the Filiatro stop, but it is enough for a final swim and some quiet time on the beach. The water is the star, so bring your mask if you have one and make the most of the clear conditions.

The pebbles mean water shoes could be useful, although they are not specifically required. At the very least, wear comfortable footwear for moving between the boat and shore.

Gidaki is a strong final stop because it leaves you with the day’s most scenic beach experience. The tradeoff is timing. By this point you may have already spent several hours in the sun, so keep some water with you and do not treat the final swim as optional if you are tired.

What is included, and what is not

The $76 price covers the boat ticket and the core stops. You also receive traditional riganada, seasonal fruit, juice, and water. The description presents juice and water as unlimited, which is helpful on a warm day.

The food is best viewed as a series of local snacks rather than lunch. Riganada gives you a taste of a simple Greek preparation, and watermelon is welcome in the heat. Still, one account felt the snack portions were too small for the price, while another found them generous enough to avoid needing lunch during the Vathi break.

That difference is easy to understand. A swimmer with a large appetite may want to buy food in Vathi or eat before departure. Someone who prefers light meals may find the included snacks perfectly adequate.

You pay separately for anything bought in town, plus personal expenses. Snorkeling equipment is also not provided. Pack your own mask, snorkel, towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, and comfortable shoes.

Comfort, weather, and the return to Sami

The crew’s care and organization are important parts of a boat trip, especially when wind picks up. The available feedback describes the crew as professional, friendly, attentive, and capable of handling difficult weather conditions while keeping the outing running smoothly.

That said, the sea can still be rough. A strong northwesterly wind made one return crossing quite choppy. The crew can manage the boat, but they cannot flatten the Ionian Sea. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider taking your usual precautions before departure.

Most of the day is spent sitting, swimming, and moving between the two. Since there are no loungers, pack light but make your seat comfortable with a towel. The boat had enough room for a nearly full departure according to one detailed account, but a busy sailing will naturally feel less spacious than a private charter.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Boarding, moving around the boat, swimming stops, and beach access all require a reasonable level of physical ease.

Who should book this boat trip

I would recommend it most strongly if you want to combine swimming and sightseeing without arranging several separate boat transfers. It suits couples, friends, and active families who are happy with a full day in the sun and do not need luxury seating.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Kefalonia and want to see Ithaca from the sea. The three swim stops are the main event, while Vathi provides enough town time to keep the day from feeling like one long cruise.

You may want another option if your priority is a long visit in Vathi, a full meal, private space, or a relaxed sunbed. This tour gives you only 70 minutes in town and keeps the schedule moving.

The cancellation terms are helpful for weather-sensitive planning: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the departure availability for your date, then arrive at Sami Port early.

Should you book the Sami to Ithaca cruise?

Book it if clear water, repeated swimming stops, and a traditional boat matter more to you than luxury comfort. The strongest parts are the 90-minute Filiatro stop, the beautiful final visit to Gidaki, the compact look at Vathi, and the friendly crew service.

At $76, the value is fair when you use the boat as both transport and a full-day sea outing. Just set the right expectations: the food is light, snorkeling gear is yours to provide, seating replaces sun loungers, and wind can make the return trip rough.

For an active day that shows you Ithaca’s coast, I think it is a sound choice. Pack your own snorkel, eat a good breakfast, and save your best camera shots for Gidaki and Lazaretto.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart?

It departs from Zaharatos Cruises at Sami Port in Kefalonia.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat departs at 9:00 a.m. You should arrive at least 20 minutes before departure.

How long is the experience?

The trip lasts about seven hours, including the boat rides, three swimming stops, the Vathi visit, and the return to Sami.

What swimming locations are included?

The swimming stops are Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach.

How much time do I get in Vathi?

You have about 70 minutes, or one hour and 10 minutes, to explore Vathi, shop, take photos, or relax by the harbor.

Is food included?

Yes. The tour includes traditional riganada, seasonal fruit, juice, and water. Personal food and drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You need to bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to snorkel.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, snorkeling gear, a hat, and comfortable shoes.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.