Argostoli: Full-Day Boat Cruise with Lunch

The best part of this Argostoli cruise is the mix of beautiful swimming stops and an easygoing day on a traditional wooden boat. You leave the port at 10:00, visit White Rocks, Vardiani, and Xi Beach, then return at 17:00 with lunch and drinks included.

I like the home-cooked Greek meal, often moussaka and salad, and the friendly service from the crew, including George on some departures. I also like the water slide, paddle boards, and the chance to see Kefalonia from the sea rather than only from the road.

One thing to consider: getting ashore may involve a small dinghy or swimming from the boat, depending on conditions. That is fun for many people, but it may surprise anyone expecting a simple walk from the deck onto each beach.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different stops: Expect White Rocks’ coves, the quiet Vardiani Islands, and red-sand Xi Beach.
• A full Greek lunch is included: Moussaka, salad, vegetarian food on request, local wine, water, and soft drinks are part of the day.
• The Artemis is made for relaxed fun: You can swim, use paddle boards, and launch into the sea from the boat’s slide.
• The crew earns strong marks for care: Staff regularly offer drinks, watermelon, and help throughout the cruise.
• Weather controls the route: Wind can remove White Rocks from the schedule, with another island used instead.
• Good value at $76: Eight hours of cruising, food, drinks, beach transfers, and water activities make this more than a basic boat ride.

A full day from Argostoli on the wooden Artemis

This is not a quick harbor outing. The Artemis leaves Argostoli at 10:00 and returns around 17:00, giving you a full eight hours on and around the water.

The boat takes you south from Argostoli, with the city opening out behind you as you head toward the coast. The traditional wooden design gives the trip a slower, more local feel than a large excursion vessel. You are there for swimming, simple food, and time outside, not a formal sightseeing lecture.

The crew speaks Greek, English, and Italian. Their role is practical and hands-on. You can expect drinks to be offered during the day, help getting into the water, and guidance when the boat reaches each stop. George is one crew member specifically praised for going out of his way to look after people.

The mood appears to be friendly rather than stiff. Staff have been known to bring around wine, sangria, water, refreshments, and fresh watermelon. That matters on an eight-hour outing, since you are not left to manage food and drinks on your own.

White Rocks, the first stop for swimming

The first stop is the White Rocks area, south of Argostoli. This coastline is known for pale cliffs, clear blue water, steep hills, and small coves that are difficult to reach by road.

The attraction here is the setting more than a built-up beach. You get a chance to swim below the cliffs, float in sheltered water, or simply look back at the Kefalonian coast from the boat. The water is the star, especially on a calm, sunny day.

The route can change. Wind prevented one departure from stopping at White Rocks, so the captain used another private island instead. This is a useful reminder that the advertised plan is weather dependent, not a fixed guarantee.

That flexibility is a good sign for safety and comfort, but it means you should book this cruise for the overall day rather than for one exact cove. If White Rocks is the only reason you are booking, keep that limitation in mind.

Access also deserves attention. At least one departure used a dinghy for beach transfers, and some people had to swim ashore. You may be able to remain on the Artemis, but the details can vary with sea conditions and the exact stop. If you have mobility concerns, ask the operator how the current route handles shore access. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the small-boat and swimming detail is worth clarifying before you pay.

Lunch and drinks on Vardiani, Rabbit Island

The second stop is Vardiani, also called Rabbit Island. It sits near the entrance to Kefalonia’s bay, close to Xi Beach and Lixouri.

Vardiani is uninhabited apart from a small church and ruins. There are no shops or resort facilities to distract you, so the stop feels quiet and open. The island provides a pleasant place to eat lunch with the sea around you.

The included meal is one of the strongest reasons to consider this outing. Moussaka and salad are common examples, with portions described as generous. Vegetarian meals are available if requested ahead of time, and one vegetarian option included stuffed peppers.

Local wine and water are included throughout the day, with refreshments served during lunch. Sangria has also been popular, and the crew offers a choice of drinks rather than treating lunch as a rushed sandwich stop.

I like this arrangement because it saves you from carrying a full picnic and gives the day a taste of ordinary Greek hospitality. It also adds real value to the $76 price. A separate boat ride, beach transfers, lunch, drinks, and water equipment could easily cost more when booked piece by piece.

Do not expect a restaurant service or a long menu. This is a shared homemade-style meal served during an outdoor boat day. That is part of its charm, but anyone needing a specific diet should make the request in advance.

Xi Beach and its famous red sand

The final destination is Xi Beach in southern Kefalonia, near Lixouri. Its most recognizable feature is the deep reddish, tile-colored sand created by the local rocks.

Xi is more than a photo stop. You can swim, relax on the sand, and use the natural clay from the beach as a simple skin treatment. The clay is part of the beach experience, so bring a playful attitude rather than expecting a polished spa treatment.

This stop is especially suitable for families and anyone who wants more time on land after several hours around the boat. Children have enjoyed Xi Beach, and the water slide on the Artemis adds another burst of fun before or after the beach visit.

The shore transfer may not be a standard walk-off-the-boat arrival. Depending on conditions, you may use the dinghy or swim ashore. Wear swimwear under your clothes, keep valuables secure, and expect wet feet.

The water slide, paddle boards, and swimming time

The Artemis includes a water slide for launching into the sea. It is not just a feature aimed at children. Adults have enjoyed it too, and it often becomes one of the most memorable parts of the day.

You can also use stand-up paddle boards and jump from the boat into the water. These activities give the cruise more energy than a simple ride between beaches. You can spend some time relaxing on deck, then get active when the boat anchors.

The slide and swimming stops depend on suitable sea conditions. The captain may change the route or activities when wind makes a stop uncomfortable. That is normal for a coastal excursion, but it is another reason to think of the equipment as a bonus rather than a promise of nonstop action.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sun protection, and dry clothing for the ride home. The supplied information does not specify equipment storage, so keep phones and cameras protected around the water.

How the crew shapes the experience

The crew is a major part of the appeal. The most repeated praise goes to the attentive service, gentle handling of the boat, and relaxed atmosphere.

Staff have been described as regularly checking on people, offering drinks and watermelon, and making sure no one is left out. That is important on a long day at sea, especially when the group includes families, older adults, and people who may not be confident swimmers.

The captain also adjusted the route when weather prevented access to White Rocks. On another departure, the captain allowed a passenger to help sail the boat and explained something about the engine. That kind of informal contact adds character, though it should not be assumed on every sailing.

The boat was driven gently enough that one passenger who usually gets seasick felt comfortable. You should still take sensible precautions if you are prone to motion sickness, since no boat can remove the effect of rough water completely.

The overall rating is 4.7 from 53 ratings, and the praise is notably consistent around the food, staff, swimming locations, and relaxed organization. The one clear caution concerns the unexpected beach transfers, not the general quality of the day.

Is $76 good value for eight hours?

At $76 per person, this cruise sits in the middle range for a full-day coastal outing, but the inclusions make the price reasonable.

You receive:

• Eight hours from Argostoli and back
• Boat transport to swimming and beach stops
• A traditional Greek lunch
• Local wine and water
• Refreshments during lunch
• A vegetarian meal if requested in advance
• Use of the water slide
• Access to paddle boards, according to the activity details and onboard experience

The value is strongest if you plan to spend the day swimming and eating onboard. Buying lunch, drinks, beach transport, and a separate water activity on your own would reduce the savings of a basic boat ticket.

The price is less compelling if you dislike being on a boat for most of the day or prefer to choose exactly how long you stay at each beach. This is a set group outing with a planned route, not a private charter.

The smaller feel of the boat is another plus. One passenger specifically appreciated that it was not overcrowded. Group size is not stated, so I would not book expecting an intimate private trip, but the experience does not appear designed as a packed ferry ride.

Who will enjoy the Artemis cruise most?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a complete day with little planning. The route gives you several parts of Kefalonia in one outing, while lunch and drinks remove the need to organize meals between stops.

Families should like the mix of beach time, swimming, paddle boards, and the slide. The slide is a particularly strong feature for children and playful adults.

Couples and friends can enjoy the scenery, wine, homemade food, and quieter stretches around Vardiani. You do not need to use every activity. It is perfectly reasonable to stay on deck, swim once, and spend the rest of the time enjoying the coast.

This may not suit you if you need firm control over the schedule, dislike wet transfers, or want a polished luxury yacht experience. It is also not the right choice if your main goal is a long visit to one beach. You will move between several places during the day.

People with mobility needs should contact Artemis Express before booking. The excursion is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the possibility of dinghy transfers or swimming ashore deserves a direct question.

Practical details that make the day easier

The cruise leaves Argostoli at 10:00 and returns at about 17:00. Allow the entire day, since this is not an activity you can fit casually between other appointments.

Book the vegetarian lunch in advance. The meal includes local wine and water, and refreshments are supplied during lunch, but you should not assume every special dietary request can be handled without notice.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a secure waterproof pouch for electronics. The water slide, paddle boards, and shore transfers mean you will spend much of the day close to the sea.

Keep your plans flexible around the weather. Wind can change the first stop or bring you to another island instead. The operator allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Kefalonia plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Argostoli boat cruise?

Book it if you want a social, active day on the water with real food, regular drinks, and several scenic swimming stops. The strongest reasons are the friendly crew, generous lunch, gentle boat handling, Xi Beach, and the water slide.

Think twice if you need easy step-free access to every beach or want a private, fully controlled itinerary. Confirm the transfer method and accessibility details before booking.

For most people, $76 is a fair price for eight hours that combines transport, food, drinks, swimming, and a look at parts of Kefalonia that are easier to appreciate from the sea. The weather may rearrange the route, but that is a normal trade-off for a coastal day and not a reason to dismiss the experience.

FAQ

What time does the cruise leave Argostoli?

The Artemis leaves the port of Argostoli at 10:00 and returns at approximately 17:00.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The planned stops are the White Rocks area, the Vardiani Islands, also known as Rabbit Island, and Xi Beach in southern Kefalonia.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A traditional Greek lunch is included, along with local wine and water. Vegetarian lunch is available when requested in advance.

Are drinks included during the day?

Local wine and water are included, and refreshments are provided during lunch. Sangria has also been served on the cruise.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The schedule may change or the cruise may be canceled because of poor weather. Wind can also cause the captain to replace White Rocks with another island or private stop.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. However, some beach transfers may use a dinghy or require swimming ashore, so contact Artemis Express before booking to confirm what access will be possible on your departure.