Sami: Ithaca Island Boat Cruise with Swim Stops and Snacks

Ithaca is the star here, but the way you reach it matters. You spend seven hours aboard Christina III, a handcrafted wooden boat, stopping at quiet bays, rocky coves, and Gidaki Beach, one of the island’s finest shores. I like the easy rhythm of the day: swim, snack, sail, repeat. I also like the included riganada, fresh fruit, juice, and water, since you are not left hunting for lunch at sea.

The main drawback is that this is a full day in the sun, with three swimming stops but no snorkel equipment supplied. You need to arrive at Sami Port by 8:40 a.m., and the tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Vathi gets only about 70 minutes, so you will sample the town rather than properly explore it.

Key points to know before booking

• Christina III is a traditional wooden boat, giving the cruise a slower, more local feel than a large excursion vessel.
• Three swim stops are built into the day: Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach.
• Gidaki is reachable only by boat, making it the most special beach stop.
• Riganada, fruit, juice, and water are included, with refreshments available throughout the cruise.
• Vathi offers 70 minutes ashore, enough for a waterfront coffee, short walk, or quick browse in the shops.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear, towel, hat, swimwear, and a change of clothes.

Why this Sami to Ithaca cruise works so well

At $76 per person, this is a good-value day if you want Ithaca’s coastline, beaches, and capital in one outing. The price covers the boat ride, three swim opportunities, fresh seasonal fruit, a traditional Kefalonian snack, juice, and water.

I especially like that the food is simple rather than overplayed. Riganada is a local-style snack made with bread, tomato, and olive oil. Add watermelon, other seasonal fruit, and cold drinks, and you have enough to keep you going through a warm day, though you should not expect a full restaurant lunch.

The tour also gives you something a standard beach day cannot: access to parts of Ithaca that are easiest to reach from the water. The coastline, caves, small islets, and steep rocky edges make more sense when you see them from a slow-moving boat.

This is not a luxury yacht trip. It is a relaxed sightseeing cruise with swimming, snacks, and a short town visit. That distinction matters. You are paying for the route and the day out, not for a private boat, a formal meal, or a highly active excursion.

Leaving Sami at 9:00 a.m. aboard Christina III

Check in at Zaharatos Cruises at Sami Port and arrive at least 20 minutes before departure. The boat leaves at 9:00 a.m., and hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to the port.

The first sailing section lasts about 30 minutes. This gives you time to settle in and watch Kefalonia recede as the boat heads toward Ithaca. The pace is part of the appeal. You are not rushing from one attraction to the next, and the sea crossing helps set up a quiet day.

The English-speaking crew handles the trip, and the onboard service begins with refreshments and the first local snack. One useful detail from a recent outing: the crew had supplies available when a passenger suffered a wasp sting. You should still bring any personal medication you need, but it is reassuring to know the staff responded sensibly to a minor problem.

Bring a hat and use sun protection, though sunscreen is not listed among the included items. You will be exposed to sun during the crossings and at the beaches. A change of clothes is also worth packing because three swimming stops can leave you damp for the ride home.

Pera Pigadi and Nisopoulo Islet set the tone

The first swim stop is at Pera Pigadi, a peaceful bay near Nisopoulo Islet. You get about an hour here, with clear water suited to a first swim and a chance to look below the surface if you bring your own mask and snorkel.

The stop is a good introduction to the day because it combines a quiet cove with time to eat. Riganada, watermelon, juice, and water are available, and the refreshments are described as unlimited. That is helpful on a warm morning, especially since there is no full meal included later.

The drawback is simple: snorkeling equipment is not provided. If you care about seeing fish or underwater rock formations, pack your own gear. Without it, this is mainly a swimming and floating stop, not a guided snorkeling session.

After roughly an hour in the water, the boat continues for about 15 minutes toward Filiatro Beach. That short sailing time keeps the day moving without making the stops feel rushed.

Filiatro Beach brings calm water and rocky scenery

Filiatro is the second swimming stop, with another hour set aside. The beach is known for calm water and dramatic rock formations, so it gives you a different view from the quieter opening bay.

I like the structure here. You get a proper hour rather than a quick photo stop, which makes it possible to swim, sit on the shore, or simply cool off without watching the clock every few minutes. The clear Ionian water is a major reason to choose this cruise, and Filiatro gives you time to enjoy it.

The beach surface is described as rocky, so beach shoes may be useful if you have sensitive feet. They are not listed as required equipment, but a pebble or rocky shore is less forgiving than a sandy beach. A towel, swimwear, and a dry layer remain essential.

The boat then passes toward Vathi Bay and Lazaretto Island. This is another scenic sailing section, but you should think of it as sightseeing from the deck rather than an island landing.

Lazaretto Island and coastal caves are best seen from the water

Lazaretto is a small island in the center of Vathi Bay. The boat makes a photo stop of about 10 minutes, giving you a chance to take pictures and see the setting without disembarking.

The nearby caves and rugged coastline are among the visual highlights of the cruise. From sea level, the rock formations have a different character than they do from a road or town viewpoint. Keep your camera ready during the slower sailing sections, since the itinerary includes several short sightseeing passages around this part of Ithaca.

This stop is brief, so do not expect a walk, swim, or extended visit on Lazaretto. Its value is in the view and the photographs. If you prefer long shore visits to scenic cruising, this portion may feel quick. If you enjoy seeing an island’s edges from a boat, it adds useful variety between the beach stops.

Vathi gives you 70 minutes to see Ithaca’s capital

Vathi is Ithaca’s capital and the only substantial town visit on the cruise. You get approximately one hour and 10 minutes of free time, enough for a short look around but not enough for a full museum visit or a detailed tour of the town.

I would use the time simply. Walk through the narrow streets, browse the local boutiques, and then settle at a waterfront café if you want to enjoy the harbor. The town’s appeal is its peaceful setting around the bay, and you will get more from the stop if you avoid trying to do everything.

This is also your best chance to buy anything you forgot at the port, though the time is limited and personal expenses are not included. Keep an eye on your watch and return to the boat on time. The cruise cannot wait for a late coffee.

Vathi is one of the most praised parts of the day because it gives the cruise a human scale. You are not only looking at beaches from a boat. You also get a short taste of everyday island life, with shops, streets, cafés, and harbor views.

Gidaki Beach is the day’s strongest stop

The final swimming stop is Gidaki Beach, reached only by boat. You get about an hour here, with time to swim in emerald-colored water, relax on the pebbled shore, and enjoy the feeling of being away from road access.

For me, this is the stop that best justifies the cruise. Gidaki is difficult to include in a normal sightseeing day unless you arrange sea transport, and the beach gives the excursion a clear finish. The water and rock formations are particularly striking, according to the experience feedback, and the setting feels less developed than a beach beside a town.

The tradeoff is that Gidaki is a pebble beach, not a broad sandy resort. Bring a towel and beachwear, and expect to spend the hour swimming, sitting, or sunbathing rather than browsing shops or finding extensive facilities. The provided information does not list beach facilities, so pack what you need for comfort.

The final 40-minute cruise back to Sami lets you dry off and watch the coastline pass by. After a full day in the water and sun, that return trip can feel long if you are tired, but it is also a calm way to end the excursion.

Food and drinks keep the day simple

The included food is one of the practical strengths of this trip. You receive riganada, fresh seasonal fruit, juice, and water, with refreshments available throughout the day.

Do not confuse this with a catered lunch. The food is light and traditional, which suits a swim-focused cruise but may not satisfy a large appetite. If you normally need a more substantial midday meal, eat breakfast before departure and consider bringing an extra snack, provided it fits the operator’s rules.

The reported serving of fresh fruit and bruschetta-style snacks is a nice touch. Water and juice are available, and the boat has a bathroom, another useful comfort on a seven-hour outing.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want an easy way to see Ithaca from Kefalonia without arranging separate boat transport, beach visits, and town stops. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable swimming from a boat and spending a full day outdoors.

It is also a good choice if you care more about scenery and swimming than guided cultural commentary. The English-speaking crew provides the basic support for the day, but the experience is centered on the sea, beaches, and free time rather than long explanations at every stop.

You may want another activity if you dislike boats, cannot manage a rocky beach, or need substantial assistance with boarding and moving around. The experience is specifically not suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women.

This is also not the best pick if you want a long visit in Vathi. Seventy minutes gives you a taste, not a full exploration. Choose it for the complete mix of boat scenery, swim stops, and a short town break.

What to pack for seven hours on the Ionian Sea

Pack lightly, but pack for changing between wet and dry conditions.

• Swimwear and a towel
• A hat and a change of clothes
• Camera or phone in a water-safe case
• Your own snorkeling equipment
• Comfortable beachwear
• Personal medication and any items you need during the day

You should arrive at Sami Port 20 minutes before the 9:00 a.m. departure. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your route to Zaharatos Cruises in advance.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Availability and starting times should still be checked when you book, since the advertised cruise duration is approximately seven hours.

Is the $76 price fair?

I consider $76 fair for the amount of time and access included. You receive a full-day boat cruise, three one-hour swimming periods, the Vathi stop, the Lazaretto photo stop, onboard snacks, fruit, juice, water, and the chance to reach Gidaki Beach by sea.

The strongest value comes from combining several separate experiences in one day. A boat trip to Gidaki alone would involve extra planning, while Vathi and the coastal sightseeing add variety beyond a basic beach transfer.

The value is weaker if you will not swim. Much of the schedule is built around getting into the water, and there is no long walking tour or major historical attraction included. In that case, you would spend a lot of the day watching others swim and paying for a format you do not fully use.

Should you book the Ithaca day cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed, water-centered day from Sami with three swim stops, local snacks, and a short visit to Vathi. Gidaki Beach and the chance to see Ithaca’s caves and rocky coast from Christina III are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if you need full accessibility, dislike pebbled beaches, or want hours of independent sightseeing in Vathi. For confident swimmers who enjoy clear water, slow boat rides, and a little island exploring, the $76 price gives you a solid day out with just enough structure and plenty of time to relax.

FAQ

Where does the Ithaca cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Zaharatos Cruises at Sami Port on Kefalonia.

What time does the boat leave?

Departure is at 9:00 a.m. You should arrive at the port 20 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours, including the sailing time, swimming stops, Vathi, Lazaretto, and the return to Sami.

Which beaches does the cruise visit?

The cruise stops for swimming at Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel.

Is food included?

Yes. The cruise includes riganada, a traditional Kefalonian snack, fresh seasonal fruit, juice, and water.

Is there a bathroom on the boat?

Yes. A bathroom is available on the boat.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to Sami Port.