From Agia Efimia: Day Cruise to Ithaki Island with Lunch

Ithaca is at its best from the water, where pine-covered bays and pebbled beaches appear far beyond the reach of a road. This small-group sailing trip takes you to Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach, with long swim stops rather than a rushed string of photo calls.

I like the calm scale of the trip, limited to 10 people, and the fact that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and snacks are already on board. I also like the friendly, hands-on crew, especially Evangelis and Evina, who keep the day relaxed without loud music or a speaker system.

The main thing to consider is the long sailing time. You spend about 1.5 hours sailing toward Ithaca, then cruise back after the final stop, so this suits you if you enjoy being on the water as much as swimming. People prone to seasickness may want a shorter or more sheltered outing.

At a glance

• Gidaki Beach is the first major stop: You get around 40 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, snacks, refreshments, and paddleboarding.
• The yacht keeps the group personal: The boat carries up to 10 participants, with space under the awning and at the front.
• Lunch is served at Skinos Bay: Expect a meal on board with fruit, snacks, local wine, beer, and soft drinks.
• The route can change with the weather: The captain may choose a different bay if wind or sea conditions make another spot more comfortable.
• You get useful water equipment: Snorkels, paddleboards, and a GoPro camera are included.
• The day runs from about 8:50 to after 17:00: Meet at the S/Y Venus near Dodoni Divine Ice Cream Cafe in Agia Efimia.

Why this cruise works better than a large boat tour

A small yacht changes the feel of a day at sea. With no more than 10 participants, you are not being moved through the Ionian Islands as part of a floating crowd. You can find a place under the awning, stretch out at the front, or chat with the crew without shouting over music.

That matters most during the swim stops. A large boat can make a beautiful bay feel busy. Here, the emphasis is on quiet water, swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. The crew has also been praised for keeping music and announcements to a minimum, which is good news if you want a peaceful day rather than a party cruise.

The boat is the S/Y Venus, described as modern, clean, and comfortable. This is still a sailing yacht, not a resort with endless room, so your comfort depends partly on how well you handle a full day outdoors. The available seating is considered sufficient for the group, but you should expect a shared space rather than a private charter.

The crew is another important part of the experience. Evangelis and Evina are associated with the trip, and the crew handles the sailing, food service, drinks, and water equipment. Their role is practical and social: they help beginners with the paddleboards, keep refreshments moving, and make sure the swim stops run smoothly.

Meeting the S/Y Venus at Agia Efimia

You meet at 8:50 in the morning in Agia Efimia harbor. The yacht is moored in front of Dodoni Divine Ice Cream Cafe, at the beginning of the picturesque harbor. The listed starting location is Dodoni, so use the cafe and the yacht name as your main landmarks.

Hotel transfers are not included. You need to make your own way to the harbor, and the boat returns to the same general meeting point after the cruise. Arrive with swimwear and a towel. Large bags, oversize luggage, strollers, and baby carriages are not allowed, so pack lightly.

Shoes are not allowed indoors on the yacht. That is typical for a sailing boat, but it is worth knowing before you arrive. A small personal bag with sunscreen, a towel, and basic items is more practical than a suitcase.

Before the trip, the crew needs each passenger’s full name, passport or ID number, nationality, and year of birth at least 24 hours in advance. This is required for the crew list, so do not leave those details until the last minute.

The long sail toward Ithaca

The day begins with a long sail toward the eastern side of Ithaca. The crossing is part of the experience, but it is also the section that may test your patience if you want immediate swimming.

I like this opening because it gives you time to settle into the yacht and watch the coastline change. You see the eastern shore of Ithaca from the sea, along with its bays and steep, green slopes. The captain has sailed many nautical miles and can share the route as you go, though the experience is not presented as a formal sightseeing lecture.

The water and wind decide how the day unfolds. The advertised order includes three main swimming areas, but the captain can change the route to find the safest and most pleasant conditions. That flexibility is valuable in the Ionian, where a perfect beach on the map may not be the best choice on a particular day.

Keep your expectations sensible about wildlife. Dolphins, sea turtles, and rare migratory birds may appear, but sightings are not guaranteed. If you do see them alongside the boat, it will be a lucky bonus rather than a promised part of the schedule.

Gidaki Beach, the first swim stop

Gidaki Beach is the first major stop and one of the strongest reasons to book this cruise. It is often regarded as Ithaca’s finest beach, and its clear blue-green water is the kind that makes you want to get in before the anchor is fully settled.

The beach is pebbled rather than sandy. Larger stones sit on the western side, while smaller pebbles are found toward the east. Water shoes might be useful for comfort, though they are not listed as required equipment.

You have about 40 minutes here for swimming, snorkeling, snacks, welcome refreshments, and stand-up paddleboarding. The bay is open enough for swimming from one side to the other, although you should follow the crew’s guidance about where to enter and how far to go.

The setting is natural and quiet, with thick vegetation behind the shore. From the yacht, you get a better sense of why this beach is special: road access does not dominate the view, and the water is the main attraction.

Forty minutes is enough for a refreshing swim and a short look beneath the surface. It is not enough for a slow beach afternoon, so do not expect to walk ashore, settle in for hours, or explore every corner of the bay. This is a water-based visit, not a beach day in the usual sense.

Skinos Bay turns swimming into lunchtime

After Gidaki, the boat moves to Skinos Bay, another attractive eastern Ithaca setting surrounded by pine trees. This is the longest stop, at roughly 70 minutes, and lunch is prepared and served on board.

The meal is described as fresh, tasty, and plentiful, with local snacks and fruit also available during the day. Drinks include soft drinks, beer, and local wine. The food is a useful part of the price because you do not need to find a restaurant, leave the water, or spend time searching for provisions during a full-day cruise.

Do not expect a formal restaurant meal with a printed menu. The appeal is simple local food served in a relaxed setting, often while you are looking across the bay. If you have dietary needs, ask the operator before booking because the provided information does not specify special menus.

Skinos Bay is also a good place to use the paddleboards. You can paddle along the calm shoreline, swim, or snorkel near the yacht. The water here is sheltered by the bay, though conditions still vary with wind.

This stop gives the day a natural rhythm: swim, eat, talk, paddle, and swim again. It is also where the small group matters. Lunch is easier to organize when there are only a handful of people, and the crew can offer drinks regularly without turning service into a production.

Talaros and Pera Pigadia Bay

The final selected stop is Talaros Beach, in Pera Pigadia Bay on the southern coast of Ithaca. The bay is known for calm, warm, smooth water, making it a good last stop when you want one more relaxed swim before the return crossing.

You get about 40 minutes here for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. By this point, you may be ready for a quieter pause rather than another ambitious activity. The timing works well for a final dip, a few photographs, and a chance to enjoy the water without feeling rushed.

The description calls this a small, special part of Ithaca, but the practical point is more important: the stop is chosen for its swimming conditions and access by boat. As with Gidaki and Skinos, the exact location may change if the sea is rough or the wind shifts.

After Talaros, the yacht begins the return journey to Agia Efimia. The return is listed as about 1.5 hours of sailing, with arrival after 17:00. That makes this a full-day commitment, not a short morning excursion with the afternoon free.

What the $176 price really covers

At $176 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ithaca. It can still be good value if you want a complete day on a small yacht rather than paying separately for a boat seat, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and paddleboard rental.

The included package covers:

• The cruise and experienced skipper
• Lunch, snacks, and fruit
• Wine, beer, and soft drinks
• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up paddleboards
• Onboard WiFi
• A GoPro camera

The value comes from the combination. You are paying for access to several boat-only coves, a crewed sailing day, food, drinks, and equipment in one booking. If you would use the paddleboards and spend much of the day swimming, the price is easier to justify.

The value is weaker if you dislike long periods at sea, do not drink alcohol, or would prefer time on land in Ithaca villages. This cruise focuses on the coast and the water. It does not provide a town visit, museum stop, or extended walk on Ithaca.

The high rating, 4.9 from 76 ratings, fits the strongest features of the trip: the crew, food, clean yacht, small group, and secluded swimming areas. The 96 percent perfect transport score also points to a well-run boat operation. Still, I would judge the cruise by your own priorities, not the score alone.

Who should book this day on the water

This is a strong choice for couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends who want swimming and quiet scenery. One family of four particularly valued the generous swim time and calm bays, while other passengers enjoyed learning to paddleboard for the first time.

It also suits people who prefer a social outing without a party atmosphere. The group is small enough for conversation, but there is no promise that you will have the yacht to yourself. One booking had only four participants, while the boat can carry up to 10.

You should be comfortable climbing on and off a yacht and swimming from the boat. The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people with visual impairments. It is also not recommended for anyone prone to seasickness or motion sickness.

Families should note that baby strollers and carriages are not allowed. The provided information does not set a minimum age, so ask before booking if you are traveling with young children.

Practical ways to make the day better

Bring swimwear and a towel, then keep your luggage small. The yacht supplies snorkeling equipment and paddleboards, so you do not need to carry bulky water gear.

Wear sun protection and bring anything you personally need for a long day outside, since the trip lasts 8.5 hours. The boat has an awning and space at the front, but the sun will still be part of the day.

If you are prone to motion sickness, think carefully before booking. The route includes a long outward sail and a long return sail, not just short hops between bays. Conditions can change even when the morning looks calm.

Give the crew your passenger information at least 24 hours ahead of departure. Full names, passport or ID numbers, nationalities, and birth years are required for the crew list.

The route is flexible. Treat the named beaches as the planned highlights, not an absolute promise. A captain who changes the order or selects another bay is responding to wind and sea conditions, which is exactly what you want on a sailing day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you useful flexibility when weather is uncertain, though a last-minute change should still be handled within the stated cancellation window.

FAQ

Where does the Ithaca cruise depart from?

The S/Y Venus is moored in front of Dodoni Divine Ice Cream Cafe at the beginning of Agia Efimia harbor. The meeting time is 8:50 in the morning.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about 8.5 hours. The yacht returns to Agia Efimia after 17:00, depending on the route and sea conditions.

What beaches and bays does the cruise visit?

The planned stops are Gidaki Beach, Skinos Bay, and Talaros Beach in Pera Pigadia Bay. The captain may alter the route according to wind and sea conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, fruit, and welcome refreshments are included. Wine, beer, and soft drinks are also provided on board.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboards, and a GoPro camera are included.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility or motion problems?

The cruise is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or people with visual impairments. It is also not recommended for people prone to seasickness or motion sickness.

Should you book the Agia Efimia to Ithaca cruise?

Book it if you want a full day of swimming in beautiful Ithacan bays, prefer a small yacht to a large cruise boat, and value having lunch, drinks, and water equipment included. The strongest features are the peaceful pace, the crew’s personal service, and access to places you cannot easily reach by land.

Think twice if you want to explore Ithaca on foot, dislike long sea crossings, or need a fully accessible boat. At $176, this is a premium day trip, but it earns that price for the right kind of passenger: someone who wants the sea itself to be the main event.