Kefalonia Cruising by Motor-Cruiser

Probably the longest running operator on the island is Captain Makis Fokas, who offers his famous beach BBQ on the 'Suncruise Glass Bottom Boat' operating out of Argostoli harbour. The boat has below water level portholes through which you can view the marine wildlife. The cruise itinerary usually follows a routine cruise of the fish-farms, local ship-wreck, Vardiani island for snorkelling and then a stay at the lovely red sand beach of Xi with a BBQ of souvlaki and Greek salad with unlimited local wine! It helps the atmosphere if you join in with making the salad. The local clay cliffs mean that a 'therapeutic' mud bath usually follows. The boat is fully equipped with wet-suits, masks and snorkels. Tours run daily from 09.00 returning around 17.00 and depart from the harbour in Argostoli, fairly near to the Port Authority. On Sundays there is a half-day cruise without the BBQ. This is a really great fun day out for all the family.

A cruise itinerary is offered from the ports of Aghia Efimia and Fiscardo. Some operators start in Aghia Efimia and pick up more passengers in Fiscardo, which is a good experience as cruising into Fiscardo is a wonderful opportunity for photography. From here the usual route is first to the sea-cave of Papanicoli on the island of Meganisi, followed by a stop ashore on Meganisi, where you can either go for a swim, stay in the tiny harbour for refreshment or take a ten minute hike up to the top of the hill to the village of Sparto Horio, a lovely island village with stunning panoramic views of the islands across to Lefkas.

After Meganisi, the highlight of the cruise is a visit to Skorpios island. This is a private island purchased by Aristotle Onassis, who transformed it into a real paradise. The boats are allowed to moor in the south of the island and you can swim from the boat to the pebbly beach on Skorpios. Opposite Meganisi on the island of Skorpios you can see the private beach which Maria Callas used when she visited the island. Cruising the coastline of the island you can see the Onassis' family beach with a taverna and the pink villa which was Jacky Onassis' private villa. Just before the boat stops for swimming, you can see the harbour where the yacht Christina used to moor. As you leave the island you can see the church where Onassis married Jackie and where Onassis, his son and Jackie Onassis are buried.

The cruise takes in the islands of Sparti and Madouri, with a stop on the island of Lefkas at Nidri where there's a break for a couple of hours for lunch and water-sports for the more active. The Nidri water-sports centre is well equipped and offers paragliding and rides on the 'flying fish'! If the dolphins decide to join you on this cruise then it may well be one of the best days of your holiday.

Operating out of Skala the glass bottom boat runs hourly boat trips. Guided by captain Vangelis, the cruise goes to Mounda bay and the site of the Perseus submarine wreck. Your guide will also take you to the Kakava reef and tell you of the legend of the sunken village of Dulihion refered to by Homer. Tickets available from Skalina Tours in Skala.

Operated from Aghia Efimia and Fiscardo,a wonderful cruise to Kefalonia's sister island of Ithaca. This is a day of total relaxation, swimming in secluded coves on Ithaca island and visiting some of the island's villages. The island's capital is Vathy which has a picturesque, horse-shoe shaped harbour. Vathy's harbour is lined with cafes and shops selling local handicrafts and there are two museums - folklore and maritime - within a few minutes' walk from the harbour. Lunch stop is usually in Kioni, which is another very pretty harbour village on the north-east of the island. The local tavernas serve traditional Greek and Kefalonian food and there are a few tourist shops selling postcards and souvenirs.

Kavvadas Tours with offices in Poros and Skala operate regular cruises over to Ithaca. The pick up in Skala is timed to fit in with the local bus, which goes to Poros. This means a very early start with the cruise leaving Poros around 08.15. The cruise operates with fairly small groups on the Cruise boat Saint Nicholas.

The 'Sami Star' is a wooden caique cruise boat which operates out of Sami usually three times each week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The boat departs around 09.00 returning at 17.15, visiting Vathy and Kioni. Tickets can be purchased in the harbour at Sami from the Blue Sea Shipping office. Blue Sea Shipping also offer smaller caique boats for private charter.

Jamie Stirling is a marine biologist who operates the Marine Adventure. This is more than just a snorkelling trip. as Jamie introduces you to the natural history of the region and the Mediterranean in general. During the day the caique boat Aghia Kiriaki, cruises to different swimming and snorkelling locations, including beaches, shallow reefs, caves with bats and a mysterious black hole!. These are daily cruises out of Fiscardo harbour. The small caique only takes 17 passengers and you need to book early to ensure a place.

For information
kefalonia@agni.gr