Argostoli: Full-Day Boat Cruise with Lunch

The best part of this eight-hour cruise on the wooden Artemis is the mix of swimming, scenery, food, and easygoing fun. You sail out of Argostoli, stop at quiet water near White Rocks, eat a homemade Greek lunch by Vardiani Island, then finish at the red sand of Xi Beach.

I like the three very different stops and the fact that lunch, water, local wine, and refreshments are included. I also like the water slide, which gives children and adults something to do between swims. The main thing to consider is that getting ashore may involve a small dinghy or swimming from the boat, and wind can force the captain to change the route.

Key points to know before booking

• White Rocks swimming stop: Turquoise water, steep green hills, and small bays make this a fine first swim.
• Rabbit Island lunch: Vardiani Island is uninhabited except for a small church and ruins, giving lunch a wonderfully quiet setting.
• Xi Beach finale: Red sand and natural clay make this one of southern Kefalonia’s most unusual beaches.
• Artemis water slide: You can jump from the boat or use the slide, with stand-up paddle boards also available.
• Homemade Greek meal: Expect food such as moussaka and salad, with stuffed peppers available for vegetarians who request the option ahead of time.
• Weather matters: Poor weather or wind can change the stops, so keep your final day flexible if possible.

Why this Argostoli cruise works so well

This is not just a boat ride with a view. It is a full day built around three different kinds of coastal experience: a sheltered swim, a meal on a small island, and time on a distinctive beach.

The Artemis leaves Argostoli at 10 a.m. and returns around 5 p.m. That timing gives you a proper day at sea without requiring an early start. You also get a pleasant view of Argostoli from the water as the boat heads south, a simple but worthwhile change of angle from walking around the port.

The crew is a major part of the experience. George is named as one of the hosts, and the service includes regular offers of drinks, wine, watermelon, and help throughout the day. The tone appears relaxed rather than formal. You can swim, sit back, eat, or join the more active fun without having to follow a tightly packed program.

The price is $76 per person. For a full eight hours, three coastal stops, lunch, drinks, local wine, beach transport, and the boat slide, that is a solid package if you want an all-day outing rather than a short sightseeing sail. You are paying for the boat time and the staff as much as the destinations, so the value is best for people who plan to spend much of the day swimming and socializing.

If you mainly want a quiet cruise with no activities, the slide, paddle boards, and repeated swimming opportunities may feel like more than you need. If you want a simple way to reach several coastal spots in one day, the price makes more sense.

Leaving Argostoli with a view of Kefalonia

The cruise begins in Argostoli port at 10 a.m. The first minutes give you a broad view back toward the city, which helps you see how the capital sits around its bay.

The wooden Artemis is part of the appeal. It gives the day a traditional feel that a modern speedboat would not provide. At the same time, the boat has a water slide and stand-up paddle boards, so this is not a museum-like sailing experience. It blends an old-fashioned boat setting with a playful day at sea.

The crew keeps drinks available during the day, and lunch includes local wine and water. Some departures have also included sangria and a range of soft drinks. If you enjoy an occasional drink in the sun, that adds value. You should still pace yourself, since the day is long and the Greek sun can be strong.

White Rocks: your first swim in clear water

The first stop is the White Rocks area, south of Argostoli. The coast here is marked by steep hills, green paths, turquoise water, and small bays that are difficult to reach by road.

This is the stop for swimming and views. The water is the main attraction, while the cliffs and sheltered coves provide the setting. From the boat, you can take in the coast without worrying about finding a road, trail, or parking space.

You may be able to swim toward a beach or a small bay, but do not assume that every stop means a standard walk ashore. One important practical detail is that beach transfers can take place by dinghy, and some people may need to swim ashore. The experience can feel adventurous, but it may not suit anyone who needs firm, step-free access into the water.

Wind can also affect this first stop. On one windy day, the captain could not visit White Rocks and took the group to another private island instead. That is a sensible safety change, but it means you should treat the exact route as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed.

The captain’s decision-making matters here. A changed stop is not the same as a ruined day, especially when the replacement offers its own swimming and scenery. Still, if White Rocks is your main reason for booking, check conditions before departure and keep your expectations flexible.

Rabbit Island and lunch beside a tiny church

The second stop is Vardiani, better known as Rabbit Island. This small, uninhabited island sits near the entrance to Kefalonia’s bay, within walking distance of Xi Beach on the Lixouri side.

Vardiani has a small church and ruins, but no town or busy beach facilities. That gives the lunch stop a quiet, open-air feel. You are eating in a place with very little development, rather than stopping at a crowded waterfront restaurant.

The meal is traditional Greek and homemade. Moussaka with salad has been served, and the vegetarian version can include stuffed peppers. A vegetarian lunch must be requested in advance, so do not leave that request until the morning of the cruise.

Drinks are included during lunch, along with local wine and water. The food is described as plentiful, which is useful on a day when swimming and sun can work up a serious appetite. Fresh watermelon has also been served during the cruise, adding a welcome break from heavier food.

I particularly like this part of the schedule because it gives the day a local food element instead of treating lunch as an afterthought. The meal is not just fuel between stops. It is one of the reasons the cruise feels connected to Greece rather than like a generic sightseeing boat.

There is one point to keep in mind. The island setting is simple. Do not expect a fully equipped beach club or a choice of restaurants. The appeal is the quiet setting, the home cooking, and the chance to pause somewhere small and lightly developed.

Xi Beach and the red-sand finish

The final destination is Xi Beach in southern Kefalonia. Its strong tile-red sand gives it a look that is quite different from the pale coves around White Rocks.

Xi is also known for natural clay made from the rocks on the beach. You can rub the clay on your skin as a playful, traditional beach treatment, then wash it off in the sea. The promise of looking ten years younger is best treated as holiday humor, but the clay is a memorable feature and costs nothing to try.

This stop is likely to suit families especially well. The shallow beach setting, unusual sand, and playful clay treatment give children something to explore, while adults can swim or relax. The boat’s water slide is another strong draw, and children are not the only ones who use it. Adults of different ages have joined in, which tells you the activity is meant to be part of the day rather than a small extra nobody notices.

The order of the stops also works. After the more scenic swimming area and the quiet lunch island, Xi provides a livelier final stop with a beach you can walk on and examine. If you are interested in photography, the red sand offers a strong change of color from the blue water and green hills seen earlier.

Do not expect Xi Beach to feel like a remote cove. It is a known destination, and the beach itself is the most developed-feeling stop in the schedule. Its unusual color and clay are the reason to visit.

The Artemis water slide and time in the sea

The water slide is the cruise’s most obvious novelty. It lets you enter the sea directly from the boat, and you can also jump from the boat where conditions allow.

Stand-up paddle boards are available too. These extras make the cruise more active than a standard day sail where you simply sit on deck and look at the coast. You can choose your own pace: swim a little, try the slide, paddle, or stay aboard with a drink.

The water activities also help spread attention across the day. Instead of one short swim stop followed by hours of sitting, you have several chances to get into the water. That matters on a warm Kefalonia day.

The practical limitation is access. The information for the activity says the cruise is wheelchair accessible, but one account specifically describes transfers to beach stops by dinghy or by swimming ashore. If you use a wheelchair, have limited mobility, or are not a confident swimmer, contact Artemis Express before booking to confirm exactly how boarding, boat transfers, and beach access will work on your departure.

How the crew shapes the day

The staff are attentive without making the cruise feel stiff. Drinks are offered during the day, and the crew has been described as helpful with food, swimming, and general questions.

The boat is driven gently, which is good news if you are concerned about seasickness. No boat can remove the effect of rough water, but a calm pace and a larger traditional boat can make the ride easier for some people than a fast, sharply moving vessel.

The captain may also explain parts of the boat itself. One captain allowed a passenger to steer briefly and talked about the engine. That is not something you should assume will happen every time, but it shows the friendly, hands-on mood this cruise can have.

The best fit is someone who likes informal days with a bit of structure. You know the departure and return time, the broad route, and the meal plan, but the captain can adjust the stops if wind or other conditions make the original plan unsafe.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and something dry to wear for the ride back to Argostoli. A waterproof phone pouch is useful if you want photographs near the water slide or during a swim.

Wear shoes that can handle a beach with sand and clay. You may also want sandals that are easy to remove before boarding a dinghy or entering the water.

If you need a vegetarian meal, request it in advance. Lunch, local wine, water, and refreshments are included, but the available food choice is not presented as a full menu, so tell the operator about your dietary needs before the day.

Plan around the weather. The schedule may change or the cruise may be canceled in poor conditions. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which is useful if the forecast is uncertain.

The host languages are Greek, English, and Italian. That makes the cruise practical for a wide range of visitors, especially if you want help during boarding, lunch, or the swimming stops.

Who should book this day on the water?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and friends who want a full day with plenty of variety. The slide, paddle boards, swimming, red sand, and homemade lunch give the day more texture than a simple coastal transfer.

It is also a good choice if you are staying around Argostoli and want to see the coast toward Xi Beach without arranging separate transport. The boat combines several destinations in one outing and removes the need to plan roads, parking, and beach access yourself.

You should think twice if you dislike organized group activities, want complete control over how long you stay at each beach, or prefer a quiet sailing trip with no water games. The schedule is fixed enough to keep the day moving, and weather can alter the route.

Anyone uneasy about swimming ashore should ask for clear details before booking. The boat transfer is included, but the exact method of reaching a beach can vary. That is the one practical issue most likely to catch an unprepared person off guard.

Should you book the Artemis cruise?

Book it if you want an active, friendly day that combines three coastal stops with a real Greek lunch. At $76, the inclusion of food, wine, water, refreshments, beach transfers, and water equipment makes the price fair for eight hours.

The strongest reasons to go are the homemade moussaka or vegetarian meal, the quiet setting of Rabbit Island, the red clay at Xi Beach, and the water slide. The main cautions are weather changes and the possibility of reaching shore by dinghy or by swimming.

For many visitors, this is one of the easiest ways to turn a day in Argostoli into a proper Kefalonia outing. Keep your route expectations flexible, bring swim gear, and you should be set for a relaxed day with plenty to do.

FAQ

What time does the cruise leave Argostoli?

The cruise starts from the port of Argostoli at 10 a.m.

What time does the boat return?

The Artemis returns to Argostoli at about 5 p.m., making the total duration around eight hours.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The planned stops are the White Rocks area, Vardiani Islands, also called Rabbit Island, and Xi Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A traditional Greek lunch is included, along with local wine and water. Refreshments are also provided during lunch.

Is there a vegetarian meal?

Yes. A vegetarian lunch is available if you request it in advance. Stuffed peppers have been served as one vegetarian option.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Local wine and water are included throughout the day, and refreshments are provided with lunch. Sangria has also been served on some cruises.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. However, beach transfers may involve a dinghy or swimming ashore, so confirm the exact arrangements with Artemis Express before booking.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. Wind or poor weather can change the schedule, and the cruise may be canceled in unsafe conditions. The captain may replace a planned stop with another location.