Sami: Ithaca Island Boat Trip with Swimming and Snacks

Ithaca looks better from the water. This full-day trip out of Sami turns island sightseeing into real time in the sea, with a traditional wooden boat and multiple secluded swimming bays. You also get a solid chunk on Ithaca land in Vathi, the island capital.

I particularly like the snacks and drinks included onboard, especially the local riganada style offering, plus watermelon and unlimited juice and water. I also like that you have 70 minutes in Vathi, enough time to walk the harbor lanes, browse a couple shops, or just sit with a coffee and watch boats come and go.

One possible drawback is comfort and sailing conditions. The ride can feel bumpy on the return if winds pick up, and seating may be your main option since there is not a lot of space to really lounge.

Key things to know before you go

• Christina III, a traditional handcrafted wooden boat: this is part of the appeal, and it also frames how the day feels, more old-school Ionian than cruise ship.
• Multiple swimming stops: you are not just looking at beaches, you are in the water, with generous time at Pera Pigadi and Filiatro.
• Snack-forward onboard plan: you get local treats and drinks included, but full meals are not part of the price.
• Vathi time is real: about 70 minutes to explore the capital at your own pace.
• Gidaki Beach ends the day well: it is a famous Ithaca stop and a great final swim.
• Snorkelling gear not included: bring your own if you want to snorkel comfortably.

From Sami Port to Ithaca, on Christina III

This is a full-day boat tour built around the Ionian Sea feel: leaving from Sami Port at 9:00 a.m., then hopping from bay to bay along Ithaca’s coast. The boat is Christina III, a traditional handcrafted wooden vessel, which matters because it changes the vibe. Instead of feeling like a floating bus, you get more of that Greece at water level, sun on your face, salt in the air, and constant glimpses of coastline as you move.

You start with a short sightseeing cruise right after boarding, then the day quickly becomes practical. Expect swim time, photo moments, and short stretches of sailing between stops rather than one long uninterrupted journey. The host or greeter is English-speaking, so getting your bearings and understanding the schedule should be straightforward.

Before you go, pack like it is a beach day plus a little walking. You will want swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes for Vathi’s streets and harbor areas. If you plan to snorkel, note that snorkelling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you have it. Also keep in mind the tour is listed as not suitable for pregnant women and people with mobility impairments, so choose something else if you need easier accessibility.

Stop 1, Pera Pigadi swimming for your first hour in clear water

Pera Pigadi is your kick-off swim, with about 1 hour in the water. This stop is described as a stunning, lesser-known spot, the kind of place where you get that clean, calm-water feeling that makes snorkeling worth the effort. You can either swim and relax onboard until it is your turn to gear up, or jump straight in with your snorkel gear if you brought it.

The main thing to know is that this tour is built to keep momentum. After the first boarding and a brief sailing segment, you are already doing the thing most people come for: being in Ithaca’s water. If you get motion discomfort, this is still early enough in the day that you can settle into the rhythm before conditions change later.

Food and drink timing also helps here. You are not starting the day on empty, because you will have local snacks onboard, including riganada-style bread, watermelon, and unlimited juice and water during the day. This matters because the included snacks are what bridge you between swims and the Vathi stop.

Stop 2, Filiatro Beach for the longest stretch of beach time

After another short sightseeing cruise, you reach Filiatro Beach, where you get about 1.5 hours of swim time. This is the longest water block after Pera Pigadi, and the reason the tour works for people who really want to swim, not just dip a toe.

Filiatro is framed by dramatic rocks with turquoise water, so the setting feels more “there is something here” than generic beach time. You can keep it simple, swim, float, and take a break in the shade. Or if you brought snorkel gear, this is one of your better chances to watch what moves under the surface.

A small practical note: this is a beach stop, so plan for sun exposure and changing light as clouds move. Sunscreen and a hat are not optional if you want to enjoy the day without thinking about it every 10 minutes.

Lazaretto Island sea caves: photo stop with big coastline payoff

Between swimming breaks, the tour gives you the coastal drama without turning it into a long lecture. You sail around Lazaretto Island, plus the sea caves near Vathi Bay, with a photo stop and short sightseeing time.

This part is perfect if you like photography, because you are moving past rugged cliffs and cave lines, not just staring at a shoreline from one fixed point. It is also a nice way to rest your body a bit between water sessions. You still get that “Ithaca from the sea” feeling, just with less wet logistics.

Time here is shorter than the swim stops, so treat it as a visual intermission. Snap a few photos, look around, and then get back ready for the land break in Vathi.

Vathi, the capital of Ithaca: 70 minutes for your own pace

You reach Vathi, the island’s capital, for about 70 minutes of free time. This is one of the smartest parts of the plan because it gives you the best of both worlds: you spend most of the day on the water, then you actually get a taste of the town.

Use that time to do what fits your style:

• Wander the harbor lanes and alleyways
• Browse small shops
• Stop for a coffee and watch boats

The onboard snacks help you not feel rushed, and they can cover you until you find something you want in town. But remember this is not a guided, sit-down meal. Food and drinks are listed as not included, so if you want a proper lunch, you will likely need to buy it in Vathi or bring a plan for how you will handle meals during that window.

This is also where you can reset. After swimming, it feels good to step onto land, dry off, and walk at a normal pace. It is an ideal stop for first-time Ithaca visitors, especially if you want a quick orientation to the island capital without spending a full day there.

Gidaki Beach, one of Ithaca’s best-known swims to finish strong

Your final swim stop is Gidaki Beach, with about 50 minutes in the water. It is one of Ithaca’s famous beaches, and the description focuses on emerald waters and a calmer end-of-day feeling.

This is a great finish because it tends to be the kind of place where you can slow down. If earlier bays felt like a sprint from swim to swim, Gidaki is your chance to enjoy the setting and swim without worrying about the next stop arriving in 15 minutes.

Also, Gidaki is described as having soft pebbles, which is more gentle than sharp rocks for getting around, but it still helps to wear shoes if your feet are sensitive. The main thing is to arrive ready for one last swim, then let the boat carry you back to Sami with the daylight still on your skin.

Snacks, juice, and what the included food is really like

For the price, the biggest value lever is that the tour includes practical, local refreshments. You get traditional riganada, plus seasonal fruit, and unlimited juice and water onboard.

Riganada here is described in a very specific way: rustic bread with tomato, olive oil, oregano, and stouba. If that sounds like Greece at its simplest, it is. It is the kind of snack that tastes good with sea air and does not require a formal meal.

That said, I would treat these snacks as snacks. One piece of feedback flagged that the food felt more like small portions than a full lunch for a price around the mid 70s. Another review noted that the free time in Vathi meant you did not have to rush to eat immediately. So your best move is to expect light fuel onboard, then decide if you want a proper meal in Vathi.

If you are the type who needs a full lunch to function, plan to budget for something you pick up during the 70 minutes in town. If you are happy with simple bites plus fruit and drinks, you will probably feel well covered.

Price and logistics: is $76 worth it?

At $76 per person for roughly 7 hours, the price is mainly buying three things:

1. Boat transport from Sami with a traditional vessel
2. Several swim opportunities across different bays and beaches
3. Included snacks and drinks, so you do not have to spend every break hunting food

You also get short sightseeing stretches that matter because they position you where the coast looks best. For many people, that combination is the sweet spot: you are not paying to sit on a bus, and you are not paying to pay entry fees to towns or attractions that take more time than water time.

But there are two practical considerations that can affect perceived value. First, the included food may not feel like a meal, especially if you want something heavier midday. Second, seating comfort is not described as lounge-style, and one review specifically noted only seating without much space to relax flat. If you are picky about comfort or your body needs long reclining time, you may feel the value differently.

On balance, if you go in with the right expectations, the price looks fair because the main item is time in the water plus a real Ithaca town stop.

Weather and comfort on the Ionian: the ride can change

This trip is at sea, so wind can matter. One review mentioned the maestrale making the return trip more agitated, basically meaning the sea state can get rough when conditions shift.

The good news from other feedback is that the captain and crew are described as professional and friendly, and they handled changing conditions while keeping the excursion running smoothly and with attention to comfort and safety.

Still, I would plan for the possibility of a choppier return. If you know you get motion discomfort, it helps to be ready with your own strategy. Also consider sun management earlier rather than later because even a short bumpy ride can make you want to keep your eyes open less.

Finally, pack for both sun and sea spray. Sunscreen, a hat, and a towel are your best friends. If you tend to get cold when you slow down on the water, a light layer can also be useful, even if the weather looks warm when you start.

Who this tour is for, and who should skip it

This boat trip fits best if you want:

• A swim-heavy day with multiple water stops
• Real time on Ithaca through the capital Vathi
• An experience with a traditional touch on Christina III rather than a modern, generic setup

You might skip it if you need accessibility accommodations, since it is explicitly listed as not suitable for mobility impairments and pregnant women. You should also be cautious if you need a full meal experience included, because the onboard snacks are not positioned as a full lunch, and the plan expects you to eat on your own in Vathi if you want more than snacks.

Should you book the Sami to Ithaca boat trip?

I think this is a strong choice if your top priority is water time and a simple way to see Ithaca without organizing ferries, buses, and beach logistics yourself. The tour structure makes sense for a one-day visit: swim at Pera Pigadi, swim again at Filiatro, take a cave and coastline photo break near Vathi Bay, spend meaningful time in Vathi, then finish with Gidaki Beach.

Book it if you are happy with snacks instead of a full onboard meal, and you are comfortable with the idea that sea conditions can change, especially on the return. I would also bring your own snorkel gear if you want to get the most from the clearer-water stops.

If your idea of comfort is lying down for long stretches, or if you are sensitive to bumpy rides, you may want to compare alternatives that focus more on shore time or offer different comfort setups.

FAQ

What time does the boat leave from Sami?

The boat departs from Sami Port at 9:00 a.m.. You should arrive at the meeting point at least 20 minutes early.

How long is the Ithaca Island boat trip?

The total duration is listed as about 7 hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes boat tickets, traditional riganada snack, juice and water, and seasonal fruit.

Are meals included onboard?

No. Food and drinks are not included beyond the snacks and the onboard juice and water.

Do I need to bring snorkelling equipment?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want it.

Is there free time in Vathi?

Yes. You get about 70 minutes in Vathi, Ithaca’s capital, for photos, visiting, shopping, and general sightseeing.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

It is not suitable for pregnant women and people with mobility impairments.