Sami: Ithaca Island Boat Trip with Swimming and Snacks

Ithaca is best appreciated from the water, and this seven-hour cruise from Sami gives you three swim stops, a look at Vathi, and a ride aboard the traditional wooden Christina III. The day has a pleasant rhythm: cruise, swim, snack, cruise again, with enough free time to see Ithaca’s small capital.

I like the excellent swimming locations, especially Gidaki Beach and the quieter Pera Pigadi stop. I also like the simple local food, including riganada with tomato, olive oil, oregano, and stouba, plus watermelon and unlimited juice and water. The main consideration is comfort: seating is available, but there is no promise of a place to lie down, and strong wind can make the return trip rough.

Key points to know before booking

• Three sea stops: Swim at Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach, with stops lasting about one hour, 90 minutes, and 50 minutes.
• A proper visit to Vathi: You get 70 minutes to walk, shop, take photos, or sit by the harbor.
• Traditional boat setting: Christina III offers an old-fashioned Ionian feel, but seating is designed for sitting rather than stretching out.
• Food is modest but useful: Riganada, seasonal fruit, juice, and water are included. This is not a full restaurant lunch.
• Weather matters: Wind can make the return ride uncomfortable, even when the crew continues the trip safely and professionally.
• Bring your own snorkel gear: Equipment is not included, and the water stops are the main reason to pack it.

Why Ithaca works so well from the water

Ithaca is linked to the story of Odysseus, but you do not need to be a mythology expert to enjoy this day. The appeal is visual and physical: steep shores, small bays, bright water, sea caves, and beaches that are easier to reach by boat than by road.

From Sami, the trip gives you a useful introduction to the island without asking you to organize several separate transfers. You get a full day on the water, three chances to swim, and a short shore visit in Vathi. That mix is more varied than a simple beach cruise.

The wooden Christina III is part of the experience. This is not a fast modern ferry designed to get you across the water as quickly as possible. You are there for the slow passage between stops, the views along the coast, and the feeling of a Greek island outing.

The schedule starts at 9:00 a.m. from Sami Port. You should arrive at least 20 minutes early at the Zaharatos Cruises meeting point. A prompt start matters here because the day has several planned stops, and Vathi time is fixed at 70 minutes.

Pera Pigadi and Nisopoulo: a quiet first swim

The first stop is Pera Pigadi, also identified as Nisopoulo, after about 15 minutes of sightseeing from Sami. The boat stays for around one hour, giving you a chance to get into the water early rather than waiting half the morning for the main attraction.

This is one of the less familiar stops on the route. The water is described as clear, and the area suits swimming and snorkeling from the boat. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to see below the surface, since equipment is not supplied.

The first snack service adds a useful local touch. Riganada is rustic bread topped with tomato, olive oil, oregano, and stouba. You also receive seasonal fruit, such as watermelon, along with juice and water.

Do not picture a large breakfast buffet. The food is a light onboard snack, not a full meal. That distinction matters because one review found the portions too small for the price, while another found the snacks simple but sufficient and had little need for a full lunch during the Vathi break.

Filiatro Beach gives you the longest swim

After another short cruise, the boat reaches Filiatro Beach for about 90 minutes. This is the longest water stop, so it is the best part of the schedule for anyone who wants time to swim without constantly watching the clock.

Filiatro is framed by rocks and has turquoise water. The setting is suited to a proper swim, floating near the boat, or sitting back on deck while others use the water. The longer stop also gives you time to dry off before the next section of the trip.

I see this as the strongest part of the outing for people who care more about swimming than sightseeing. You are not rushed through a five-minute photo stop. At the same time, the boat remains your base, so this is not a long beach visit with a broad stretch of sand.

The practical catch is the seating. Christina III has enough room for everyone when nearly full, based on the available feedback, but the arrangement is mainly for sitting. If you want to stretch out in the sun, you may find the boat less comfortable than a purpose-built day cruiser with padded loungers.

Vathi gives the day a welcome change of pace

The cruise then heads toward Vathi, the capital of Ithaca. You get 70 minutes ashore, which is long enough to walk around, browse small shops, take photos, or stop for coffee beside the harbor.

Vathi is an important part of the schedule because it breaks up the swimming stops. Seven hours on a boat can feel repetitive if every stop involves only water. Here, you can put on dry clothes, walk on solid ground, and get a quick sense of Ithaca’s everyday village life.

Keep your expectations sensible. Seventy minutes is a short visit, not a full tour of the capital. You will have time to wander and get your bearings, but not to explore the island beyond the harbor area. The schedule does not include a guided walk, so you set your own pace.

You may also use this time for extra food or drink, since personal expenses are not included. The included snacks may be enough for some people, but anyone with a bigger appetite should plan to use the Vathi break for lunch or another purchase.

Lazaretto Island and the sea caves

After leaving Vathi, the boat makes a brief sightseeing stop around Lazaretto, a small island in the center of Vathi Bay. The schedule allows about 10 minutes for photos and views.

This is not a long landing. The attraction is the boat-level view of the island, rugged cliffs, and nearby sea caves. Have your camera ready because the stop is short, and the boat then continues toward Gidaki.

Lazaretto helps show off the coast in a different way from the beaches. The swimming stops are about getting into the water. This part is about rock formations, the shape of the bay, and the chance to see Vathi from offshore.

Gidaki Beach is the final reward

The last swimming stop is Gidaki Beach, with about 50 minutes in the water. It is one of Ithaca’s most famous beaches and is known for emerald water and pale pebbles rather than a broad sandy shore.

Gidaki works well at the end of the day. You already have time on the boat and in Vathi, so this final stop feels like a last chance to swim before the return to Sami. The shore is peaceful, but remember to bring suitable footwear if you dislike walking on pebbles.

Fifty minutes is enough for a swim and a little time on the beach, but it is not generous if you want a long shore stay. The boat must still make the return journey, so the stop has a firm limit.

After Gidaki, the cruise back to Sami takes about 25 minutes according to the schedule. Wind is the main variable. On calm days, the return should be an easy finish. In stronger weather, the ride can become noticeably choppy, particularly on the open-water sections.

The crew’s handling of difficult conditions is one of the more reassuring parts of the experience. The available feedback describes the captain and crew as professional, friendly, and attentive even when wind increased. That does not remove the possibility of an uncomfortable ride, but it does suggest that safety and smooth operation receive serious attention.

What you actually get for $76

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near Kefalonia. The value depends on how much you use the boat and how much you value convenience.

Your price covers the boat ticket, the full route, three swimming stops, the Vathi visit, and the included refreshments. You also avoid having to arrange separate transport to several coastal locations. For someone who wants a ready-made day at sea, that package can make sense.

The food is where expectations need adjusting. You receive riganada, seasonal fruit, juice, and water, but not a large lunch. One portion of bread with toppings and a slice of watermelon may feel light to a hungry swimmer. Other feedback describes the snacks as simple but ample enough to avoid a full lunch during the Vathi hour.

I would treat the included food as a welcome extra rather than part of the main value. Pack your appetite around the schedule, and plan to buy food in Vathi if you know you need a substantial meal. Personal expenses and extra drinks are not included.

The price also does not include snorkeling equipment. That is easy to handle if you already carry a mask and snorkel, but it is worth noting before you arrive. The water is a major part of the day, so bringing your own gear can make the stops more rewarding.

Comfort, weather, and who should book

This boat trip suits you if you want a social day built around swimming, short sightseeing stops, and a traditional vessel. It is a good match for couples, friends, and active families who are happy to move between deck seating, water, and short shore visits.

It is less suitable if you need a lot of space, dislike sitting for long stretches, or want a quiet luxury cruise. There are places to sit, but you should not expect broad sunbeds or a private corner. The boat can feel full when the outing is close to capacity.

The route also requires reasonable ease of movement. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. You should be comfortable boarding a boat, moving around the deck, and getting in and out of the water.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, and snorkeling gear. Keep your belongings practical and compact. A dry layer for the Vathi stop can also be useful, although the supplied information does not specify changing facilities.

The host service is in English. If you need detailed guidance at every stop, note that the schedule is mainly a boat outing with free time, swimming, and sightseeing rather than a lecture-heavy guided tour.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans are uncertain: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start time when booking, but the stated departure is 9:00 a.m.

The best way to plan your day

Arrive at the Sami meeting point at least 20 minutes before departure. That gives you time to find Zaharatos Cruises, board without a rush, and settle in before Christina III leaves at 9:00.

Wear swimwear under your clothes if that is comfortable, since the first swim comes fairly early. Put sunscreen on before boarding, and bring enough protection for repeated time in the sun. You will move between swimming, sightseeing, and open deck time, so a hat and towel earn their space in your bag.

Use the longer Filiatro stop for your main swim. Treat Pera Pigadi as the early-water introduction, and save some energy for Gidaki rather than exhausting yourself at the first stop.

When you reach Vathi, check the time before walking away from the harbor. Seventy minutes passes quickly, especially if you want coffee, shopping, photos, and food. The boat will not wait for an extended lunch.

Finally, keep an eye on the weather forecast and accept that the sea can change. The crew may operate the trip safely in wind, but safety does not guarantee a smooth ride. If you are prone to seasickness, the possibility of a rough return is worth considering before you book.

Should you book the Sami to Ithaca cruise?

Book it if your ideal Greek island day means clear water, several swims, a wooden boat, and a short visit to Vathi. The schedule is well balanced, the swimming stops are the main attraction, and Gidaki gives the day a strong finish.

Think twice if you expect a full lunch, luxury seating, or a calm ride in every kind of weather. The included snacks are modest, and the boat is made for sitting rather than stretching out.

For $76, I find the trip most convincing as a full-day access pass to Ithaca’s coast. You are paying for the route, the boat, the swimming time, and the ease of having it all organized. Bring your own snorkel gear, carry a little money for Vathi, and book this when the sea and swimming matter more to you than polished comfort.

FAQ

Where does the Ithaca boat trip depart from?

The boat departs from Sami Port at the Zaharatos Cruises meeting point. Departure is scheduled for 9:00 a.m., and you should arrive at least 20 minutes early.

How long does the tour last?

The full activity lasts about seven hours, including the cruise from Sami, swimming stops, sightseeing, the visit to Vathi, and the return journey.

Which beaches and swimming spots are included?

The route includes swimming at Pera Pigadi, Filiatro Beach, and Gidaki Beach. The scheduled swimming times are about one hour, 90 minutes, and 50 minutes.

Is food included on the boat?

Yes. The price includes traditional riganada, seasonal fruit, juice, and water. Personal food and additional drinks are not included, and the snack service is not intended to be a full restaurant lunch.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later, subject to the booking conditions.