Sami: Ithaca Island Boat Trip with Swimming and Snacks

Ithaca is best seen from the water, and this trip gives you a full day of it aboard Christina III, a handcrafted wooden boat with room for swimming, sightseeing, and a little Greek island daydreaming. I like the three well-spaced swim stops, and I like the chance to walk around Vathi rather than simply sail past it. The main catch is comfort: seating is available, but there are no lounge beds for stretching out.

I also like that the crew keeps everyone supplied with riganada, seasonal fruit, juice, and water, which takes the edge off the long day. Still, the snacks are simple rather than a full lunch, and wind can make the ride back rough. If you want a polished boat with luxury seating, this is not it. If you want clear water, small coastal stops, and a traditional Ionian feel, it is a strong choice.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swim stops: Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach each offer a different setting for swimming and snorkeling.
• Traditional boat setting: Christina III is a handcrafted wooden vessel, giving the day a more local feel than a standard ferry ride.
• Useful time in Vathi: You get 70 minutes in Ithaca’s capital for shopping, coffee, harbor views, and a short walk.
• Simple refreshments included: Riganada, watermelon, juice, and water are provided, but you should not expect a full restaurant meal.
• Weather matters: Strong winds can make the return journey choppy, even when the crew handles conditions carefully.
• Active shore access: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, and your own snorkeling equipment.

Why this Sami to Ithaca cruise works

The appeal here is simple: you get to see Ithaca without arranging a car, ferry connections, beach access, or separate boat hire. From Sami Port, the boat carries you along Ithaca’s coast, pauses in sheltered swimming spots, and gives you time in Vathi before returning to Kefalonia.

That mix matters. Many boat trips turn into seven hours of sitting offshore, while many island day trips rush you from one village to another. This one gives equal weight to the sea and the shore. You swim, sit aboard during short cruises, explore Vathi, and then return to the water.

The boat leaves at 9:00 a.m. from the Zaharatos Cruises meeting point in Sami. You need to arrive at least 20 minutes early. The total outing lasts about seven hours, with the return usually scheduled for the afternoon. One particularly useful detail is that the boat leaves enough time at each swimming stop to do more than take a quick dip.

The crew speaks English, and the operation is handled by Kefalonia Excursions. The crew has been praised for being friendly, attentive, and careful, including on days with increasing wind. That is important on an open-water trip, where good judgment matters more than cheerful announcements.

Sailing on Christina III

Christina III is a traditional wooden boat, and that shapes the whole mood of the day. You are not simply being transported between ports. You are spending the day on a vessel designed to make the sea part of the experience.

The trade-off is practical. Seating is available, but one detailed account pointed out that there are no places to lie down. If you need a padded sunbed, this boat will feel basic. Bring a hat and choose your seat with care, since seven hours can feel long when you cannot stretch out.

The boat has enough room for a nearly full departure, according to a June account, though personal space will naturally depend on how many people are booked. The most comfortable approach is to treat the boat as a social day cruise, not a private charter. You will spend part of the time seated, part of it in the water, and part of it walking around Vathi.

The short sightseeing cruises between stops also help break up the day. The first ride takes about 15 minutes, followed by another 15-minute cruise after Pera Pigadi. The boat then makes shorter hops toward Vathi, Lazaretto, and Gidaki. Those stretches give you time to look at the coast and take photographs without spending hours continuously at sea.

Pera Pigadi and Nisopoulo: the first swim

After the opening cruise from Sami, the first stop is Pera Pigadi, also referred to as Nisopoulo in the trip details. You get about an hour here, which is enough time for a proper swim rather than a token stop.

This is a lesser-known swimming place, so the attraction is the water itself and the feeling of reaching a spot that is difficult to visit by ordinary road transport. You can snorkel, float, or stay aboard and watch the coast. Bring your own equipment, since snorkeling gear is not included.

This is also when the first refreshments appear. The traditional snack is riganada, a rustic piece of bread topped with tomato, olive oil, oregano, and stouba. Seasonal watermelon, juice, and water are also provided. It is a pleasant Greek-style bite after the early start, but you should set your expectations correctly. This is a snack service, not a catered lunch.

One Italian account found the portions too modest for the price, describing the food as a slice of bread with tomato and some cheese, a slice of watermelon, and drinks. Another account found the snacks simple but plentiful enough that lunch in Vathi was hardly necessary. The sensible conclusion is that appetites vary. If you need a substantial midday meal, carry an extra snack or plan to buy food in Vathi.

Filiatro Beach: the longest water stop

Filiatro is the longest swimming stop, at about 90 minutes. It is framed by rocks and known for turquoise water, making it a good place to slow down after the first swim.

I like the timing here. An hour and a half gives you a chance to swim, snorkel, dry off, and get back in without feeling hurried. You can also remain on the boat if you prefer not to swim, though this trip clearly suits people who want regular time in the water.

The shore is described as peaceful, but the exact conditions can change with wind and sea movement. Comfortable shoes are worth packing because pebble beaches and boat boarding are not the place for bare feet and slippery sandals. A towel is essential, as you will have several water stops rather than just one.

For keen swimmers, this is likely the most satisfying stop. For families or less confident swimmers, the practical question is how comfortable you are with swimming from a boat and moving between boat and shore. The available information does not promise special mobility support, and the trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Lazaretto and the approach to Vathi

The boat spends about 10 minutes sightseeing around Lazaretto, a small island in the center of Vathi Bay. This is not a beach stop. It is a short photo and sightseeing pause, with sea caves, rough cliffs, and views toward the bay.

That short length is just right. Lazaretto works as a visual break before you go ashore in Vathi, rather than as a place where you need a long visit. Keep your camera ready, since the boat may offer the best angle for the caves and the surrounding coast.

The cruise into Vathi is one of the more scenic parts of the day. The bay gives you a different perspective on Ithaca, with the town gathered around its harbor. You do not need a detailed history lesson to enjoy it. The value is in arriving by sea and seeing the capital in its natural setting.

Vathi: 70 minutes in Ithaca’s capital

You get 70 minutes in Vathi, which is enough for a short walk, a coffee, some shopping, and harbor photographs. It is not enough for a leisurely museum visit or a serious meal with several courses, so use the time wisely.

I would begin by walking a little around the harbor to get your bearings, then choose one priority. If you want lunch, go directly to a taverna or café. If the included snacks have satisfied you, browse the small shops and enjoy the waterfront instead. Those who want photographs should leave time to return to the boat without rushing.

The stop makes this cruise more than a beach-hopping outing. Vathi gives you a taste of everyday island life, even if the visit is brief. You can see the capital from the water, then step into its streets and harbor area. That small change of pace keeps the seven-hour schedule from becoming repetitive.

There is a minor limitation: 70 minutes goes quickly. You will not see much beyond the central harbor area, and you should not treat this as a full tour of Ithaca. Think of it as a well-placed introduction and a chance to stretch your legs.

Gidaki Beach: the final swim

Gidaki is the final major stop, with about 50 minutes for swimming. It is one of Ithaca’s best-known beaches, with emerald water, pale pebbles, and a quieter feel than a developed resort beach.

The timing is shorter than at Filiatro, but it comes after a full day in the sun, so that may be welcome. You can take one last swim, sit on the pebbles, or photograph the water before boarding for the return trip.

Gidaki is often treated as the highlight of the route because it has the classic Ionian combination of clear water, rocky coast, and limited development. The word pristine can be overused, but the point here is valid: the beach feels removed from ordinary road access, and arriving by boat is part of its charm.

You should watch the clock at this stop. The return cruise to Sami takes about 25 minutes, and the crew will need everyone back aboard on time. Pack your belongings before the final call so you are not searching for a phone or sandal while the boat is preparing to leave.

Food, drinks, and what $76 really buys

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Kefalonia. It can still be good value if you want transport, three organized swim stops, a visit to Ithaca, and a traditional boat setting in one package.

The included items are boat tickets, riganada, seasonal fruit, juice, and water. The word unlimited applies to the refreshments, not to a full food service. You should not book this expecting a buffet or a sit-down lunch.

The value improves if you would otherwise need to arrange several separate activities. A private boat would likely cost more, while a normal ferry would not take you to Pera Pigadi, Filiatro, or Gidaki for swimming. The organized route also removes the worry of finding these coastal spots yourself.

The value drops if your main priority is a large meal, a private atmosphere, or a sunbed. One careful account felt that the snacks did not match the $75 price, while another found them sufficient for the day. I would pack a small extra food item, especially if you have a big breakfast habit or plan to skip buying lunch in Vathi.

Personal expenses and additional food and drinks are not included. Snorkeling equipment is also not included, so bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to see below the surface.

Wind, comfort, and the practical side

Weather deserves attention. A strong northwesterly wind made one return trip quite rough, although the crew completed the route safely and professionally. A boat day is always affected by wind, and the ride back may not feel as calm as the morning cruise.

That does not mean you should avoid the trip at the first sign of a breeze. It does mean you should be prepared. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the movement feels easiest, keep your eyes on the horizon, and ask the crew for practical advice. The supplied information does not promise a smooth crossing in all conditions.

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and carry a towel, sunscreen, hat, and comfortable shoes. Sunscreen matters even when you spend time sitting under cover, since glare from the sea is strong. A dry bag or waterproof pouch would also be sensible for phones and small valuables, though it is not listed as required equipment.

The trip is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. That fits the nature of the day: repeated swimming stops, boat boarding, beach access, and movement around a traditional vessel. If you have any concern about stairs, uneven footing, or getting in and out of the water, ask before booking.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your Kefalonia plans depend on weather, but they do not remove the need to arrive early at Sami Port.

Who should book this Ithaca day trip

You should book this if you want a sea-focused day with real swimming time, not just a sightseeing cruise. It suits couples, friends, and active families who are happy with simple snacks and shared boat seating.

It is also a good pick if you are staying around Sami and want to add Ithaca without managing your own route. The combination of Vathi and three swimming locations gives you variety, and the crew handles the schedule.

I would think twice if you dislike boat movement, need a full meal included, or want space to lie down. The lack of lounge seating is a real comfort issue for a seven-hour outing. I would also avoid making this your only Ithaca experience if you want to explore inland villages, museums, or more of the island’s roads, since this trip stays focused on the coast.

The strongest part of the day is the balance between swimming and sightseeing. The crew’s friendly, careful service adds comfort, but the water stops are the reason to book. In June, the beaches may feel especially pleasant before the busiest part of summer, while late-season conditions can bring stronger winds, so your date and the forecast matter.

Should you book Christina III from Sami?

Book it if your ideal Greek island day includes a wooden boat, three clear-water swims, a short visit to Vathi, and uncomplicated local snacks. At $76, the price is fair for the amount of coastline covered and the convenience of having the route arranged for you.

Skip it if you want luxury, a substantial included lunch, or a quiet private charter. Pack your own snorkel gear and an extra snack, arrive at Sami Port by 8:40 a.m., and keep your expectations focused on the sea. For the right kind of day, this is a pleasant and well-organized way to meet Ithaca from the water.

FAQ

Where does the Ithaca boat trip depart from?

The trip departs from the Zaharatos Cruises meeting point at Sami Port in Kefalonia. The boat leaves at 9:00 a.m., and you should arrive at least 20 minutes before departure.

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts approximately seven hours. The schedule includes three swimming stops, sightseeing cruises, 70 minutes in Vathi, and the return to Sami.

What food and drinks are included?

Riganada, seasonal fruit, juice, and water are included. The food is a simple snack service, not a full lunch. Additional food and drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to snorkel at the swimming stops.

Which places will the boat visit?

The route includes Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, Vathi, Lazaretto, and Gidaki Beach. The swimming stops are Pera Pigadi, Filiatro, and Gidaki.

Is the trip suitable for everyone?

The trip is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, and snorkeling gear if needed.