Private All Inclusive Sailing Day Tour from Agia Efimia to Ithaca

Clear water, quiet coves, and a private boat await. This eight-hour sailing trip from Agia Efimia to Ithaca combines Gidaki Beach, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a freshly prepared Greek lunch. I like the small-group format and the fact that captain Menios and Katerina focus on hospitality, food, and a relaxed pace rather than rushing from stop to stop.

I also like that the price covers drinks, snacks, lunch, equipment, WiFi, a restroom, and taxes. For up to eight people, the $1,148.83 group price can be good value, especially if you fill the boat. The main drawback is simple: for only two people, it is a costly day, and anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to eight: Your group has the boat to itself, which makes the day more flexible and personal.
• Gidaki Beach stop: Expect clear water, time for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding in a beautiful Ithacan setting.
• Lunch prepared onboard: The meal includes Greek dishes, with chicken, lamb, or vegetable choices discussed in advance.
• Menios and Katerina: Their attentive service is a major part of the appeal, from drinks and conversation to help with activities.
• Everything is bundled: Snacks, lunch, soft drinks, alcohol, coffee, tea, water, equipment, WiFi, and taxes are included.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead.

Leaving Agia Efimia at 9:00 a.m.

The meeting point is at Κύπρου 1 in Agia Efimia, with departure scheduled for 9:00 a.m. You need to arrange your own way to the marina because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The activity finishes back at the same meeting point, which keeps the day easy to plan if you are staying in or near Agia Efimia.

The trip lasts about eight hours, and sailing time counts toward that total. The crossing to Ithaca takes roughly an hour and a half, based on the described outing, so this is not a tour that gets straight to the swimming stops. That crossing is part of the day. You can sit toward the front, watch the sea, and settle into the slower rhythm of traveling by boat.

That distinction matters. A fast motorboat can pack in more stops, but this trip is built around a gentle day on the water. If you enjoy sitting with a drink, looking out across the sea, and letting the route unfold, the crossing should feel like a pleasure rather than wasted time. If you want constant activity, you may find the first part too quiet.

The vessel is called Lily, and the group size is limited to your own party, with a maximum of eight people. That makes a big difference for families and friend groups. You are not sharing lunch with strangers, waiting for a large group to return from the water, or competing for the best place to sit.

What makes the private format worth paying for

The total price is $1,148.83 per group, not per person. With eight people, that works out to about $144 per person. With four people, it is about $287 per person, and with only two, it is about $574 per person.

That sliding scale is the key to judging the value. For a full group, the cost includes a boat, crew, food, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, water activities, and taxes. It can be a sensible splurge for a family or group of friends that wants a private day in Ithaca without arranging each part separately.

For a couple, the price is much harder to justify unless privacy is the main goal. The food and drinks help, but they do not change the fact that the fixed group price stays the same. I would compare this with shared sailing options before booking if you are only two people.

The private setup also gives you a more comfortable social atmosphere. The day can feel like an outing with friends rather than a scheduled excursion. Menios is described as warm, generous, and happy to answer questions, while Katerina helps with the same attentive style. That personal care is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip.

Gidaki Beach and Ithaca’s clear water

The first main stop is Gidaki Beach, also written as Gedaki in the route details. The stop lasts about one hour and 15 minutes. The setting is known for exceptionally clear water, making it a natural place for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.

You can take a paddleboard out across the calm water, use the mask and snorkel, or simply swim near the boat and enjoy the view. The water activities are included, so you do not need to rent equipment separately or carry your own gear from Cephalonia.

The paddleboard is a nice touch because it gives you another way to see the cove. You can paddle at your own pace, then return to the boat for a drink or try snorkeling. The equipment makes this more than a sightseeing cruise, but you are not forced into a demanding sports session. The activities are available for you to use as you wish.

One hour and 15 minutes is enough for a taste of the beach and water without turning the stop into a full beach day. You should not expect a long stretch of time on shore. The emphasis is on the cove itself, swimming, and the water around the boat.

Gidaki’s appeal depends heavily on weather and sea conditions. On a calm day, the clear water should be the star. On a windy day, paddleboarding may be less comfortable, and the boat ride may feel rougher. Since the tour requires good weather, the operator may move the booking or offer a full refund if conditions are poor.

Snorkeling and lunch at Ligia

The second stop is Ligia, where you spend about two hours. Here the day shifts from beach time to food, swimming, and more snorkeling. The water is described as clear, with fish visible below the surface, so this is the longer stop for enjoying the sea at a relaxed pace.

The crew prepares lunch using local recipes. The meal described for one outing included chicken kleftiko, Greek salad, tzatziki, and bread. A choice of chicken, lamb, or vegetable food was discussed the night before, which is useful if your group has different tastes or if you do not eat meat.

You may have the option to eat at Ligia or onboard during the return journey. That flexibility is valuable. If the shore setting appeals to you, eat at the stop. If you prefer a quieter meal with just your group, you can choose to wait and eat on the boat.

The food is not an afterthought here. A prepared Greek meal, served after swimming and snorkeling, gives the day a more local feel than a basic packed lunch. You also have snacks during the trip, along with bottled water, soda, coffee, tea, and alcoholic drinks.

There is no need to bring a full picnic, although you should still consider your own needs if you have a strict diet. The provided information confirms meal choices discussed in advance for one outing, but it does not give a full allergy or dietary policy. Ask the operator before departure if you need specific arrangements.

Life onboard Lily with Menios and Katerina

A sailing day succeeds or fails on the crew. Here, Menios and Katerina are central to the experience. Menios is described as making people feel safe and comfortable, answering questions, offering drinks, and keeping the mood easy. That is important on a private boat, where the crew’s manner shapes the whole day.

You can expect regular attention without a formal, scripted atmosphere. The service includes snacks and refreshments during the crossing, and the crew helps make the water activities approachable. If you are unsure about paddleboarding or snorkeling, having staff nearby can make it easier to give them a try.

The boat has a restroom, WiFi, and private transportation by sea. The restroom is especially useful on an eight-hour outing. WiFi may matter less once you are surrounded by open water, but it is included if you need to stay connected.

The atmosphere sounds best suited to people who enjoy conversation and personal service. Menios is described as friendly and generous, so you should expect an engaged crew rather than a hands-off sailing charter. If you want total solitude and minimal interaction, that style may feel more social than you prefer.

Food, drinks, and the all-inclusive setup

The included food and drink list is unusually broad for a private day trip. You get snacks, lunch, bottled water, soda, alcoholic drinks, coffee, and tea. This means you can leave the marina without planning multiple food stops or packing a cooler.

The value is strongest for a group that will make good use of those inclusions. Adults who want wine, beer, or another alcoholic drink with lunch may find the package convenient. Families can rely on water and soft drinks, while coffee and tea add a small comfort during the day.

Still, all-inclusive does not mean every personal need is covered. Hotel transfers are not included, and the information does not list towels, sunscreen, or personal medication. You should plan those items yourself rather than assuming the boat supplies them.

The lunch style also makes this more than a transport service to a beach. You are spending much of the day with the crew and your group, eating food prepared with local recipes and enjoying the sea between meals. That combination gives the trip its character.

Who will enjoy this Ithaca sailing day most

I would recommend this trip most strongly to:

• Families or friend groups that can share the fixed cost
• Couples celebrating a birthday or another special occasion
• People who prefer a private setting to a large shared boat
• Swimmers who want both snorkeling and paddleboarding
• Visitors who value a prepared Greek lunch and drinks
• Anyone who wants a calm day rather than a packed sightseeing schedule

The trip can also suit mixed-age groups because participation is flexible. You can swim, paddleboard, snorkel, sit onboard, or simply enjoy the crossing. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed.

I would be more cautious if you are prone to seasickness. The experience is not recommended for people who struggle on boats, and the crossing to Ithaca takes about an hour and a half. You should also think twice if you want a long walking tour, major historical sites, or several different villages. The focus here is the sea, food, and quiet coves.

Practical details before you book

You receive confirmation at the time of booking. The tour is offered in English, and the meeting point is near public transportation, though you still need to get there independently because pickup and drop-off are not included.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Since the trip depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants, the operator may offer another date or a full refund if the outing cannot go ahead.

Keep the day open. Travel time is included in the eight-hour duration, and the crossing forms a meaningful part of the schedule. Bring anything you need for comfort on the boat, and ask in advance about food requirements if your group needs special meals.

The fixed departure time also means this is not a last-minute beach stop you can squeeze between other plans. It is a full-day commitment from morning until late afternoon, ending back at Agia Efimia.

Is this private Ithaca tour worth booking?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost, want a private boat, and care as much about good food and friendly service as you do about clear water. The strongest features are the personal attention from Menios and Katerina, the flexibility of a private group, and the combination of swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a Greek lunch.

I would hesitate if you are traveling as a couple on a tight budget, dislike boat crossings, or want a history-focused tour of Ithaca. For the right group, though, this is a polished and relaxed way to spend a full day at sea, with enough activity to keep things interesting and enough free time to let the water set the pace.

FAQ

How long is the sailing tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, including travel time. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and finishes back at the meeting point in Agia Efimia.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Κύπρου 1, Ag. Effimia 280 81, Greece. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private activity is for your group only and can include up to eight people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and snacks are included. A meal described for the outing included chicken kleftiko, Greek salad, tzatziki, and bread, with chicken, lamb, or vegetable choices discussed in advance.

Are snorkeling and paddleboarding equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.