One among my favorite issues to do on any Greek island is spend a day at sea – and with some improbable Kefalonia boat journeys to attempt, the trickiest half is deciding which one to take.
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For this journey we have been staying round quarter-hour outdoors the island capital Argostoli, the place the vast majority of Kefalonia’s boat journeys set off from. And whereas I’ve listed a number of different itineraries beneath, the vast majority of day excursions comply with the identical route – stopping at White Rocks seashore, the little island of Nisida Vardianoi, and Xi seashore.
Generally the order’s totally different, typically you’ll keep for a unique period of time, however these three locations make for a fantastic Kefalonia boat journeys with youngsters.
For extra concepts of the very best issues to do in Kefalonia with youngsters, take a look at my prime picks
Whereas we eyed up the Artemis and Dreamy Cruises, we opted for a day tour on the Queen Bee II throughout our keep for a number of causes – the boat seemed large enough to have a great quantity of house to loosen up plus some shade, that they had vegan and vegetarian choices for lunch, and (frankly) the boat seemed fairly cool.
Setting off at 9.30, we bought to the harbour at 9am to board – there’s free parking round a five-minute stroll away, and also you’re normally positive of an area in the event you get there early.
Snaffling a cushioned nook that was simply large enough for 3 and all our snorkel gear, we additionally managed to get a little bit of shade for a lot of the day. Inevitably, as you journey spherical and the solar strikes overhead, you’ll need respectable SPF and to remain lined up as you possibly can’t dodge the rays all day – we nonetheless got here again a bit pinker than meant!
The itinerary is fairly easy and really chilled out. Sail for round an hour till you attain the primary cease, the place you could have simply over an hour to swim, snorkel or borrow one of many stand-up paddleboards, then sail some extra, repeat on the longer second cease which incorporates lunch, sail some extra, repeat once more with simply over an hour on the third cease earlier than the ultimate hour or so again to Argostoli.
In the event you’re fortunate you may additionally spot dolphins alongside the way in which, though they didn’t present up throughout our boat tour.
TOP TIP: In the event you do need to head out on one of many stand-up paddleboards, it’s value grabbing them rapidly – our boat didn’t appear over full, however there are solely three or 4 boards so that they go quick at every cease.
Every cease has its personal specific attraction too. White Rocks seashore simply lives as much as its identify with a gleaming pale seashore and a few satisfyingly spherical white pebbles dotted with sea glass, lapped by ridiculously turquoise water.
The ocean wasn’t fairly as clear right here as different areas, so though we noticed a number of fish, the snorkelling was higher elsewhere. The journey does say you possibly can borrow snorkels, though I admit I didn’t really see anybody doing it – we introduced our personal. Having water footwear is an efficient choice too on the pebbly seashore.
With round 75 minutes right here, it was lengthy sufficient to discover and swim with out feeling rushed, or with out becoming bored.
Then onwards to Nisída Vardiánoi – the little isle has a collection of names, together with Rabbit Island (you received’t spot any any extra although) and was used to defend Kefalonia by occupying Italian forces throughout the Second World Battle, with weapons mounted right here (additionally now lengthy gone).
At present, there’s the stays of a lighthouse and tiny monastery, the place the bell nonetheless chime, wildflowers and thistles galore (stroll cautiously!) and what seemed like a thousand crickets, chirruping within the silence.
Our boat had its personal little motorised dinghy to take passengers to shore in the event that they didn’t need to swim, obtainable in any respect three stops, so we hopped on board to take a stroll across the island.
There are a few paths which result in the monastery and lighthouse, passing flitting butterflies and a relatively surprising deserted bathtub. The lighthouse itself isn’t protected to go inside, or to climb the rusting ladder, but it surely’s surprisingly enjoyable to wander round, gazing out to sea and recognizing gulls down within the shallows.
Which nonetheless left time sufficient for a fast swim and snorkel earlier than lunch – this time I got here throughout a few shoals of tiny fish, which blended in impressively properly to the sandy seabed. Actually, I solely noticed their shadows at first and swam over anticipating to see small black fish!
The ocean is astonishingly clear and had warmed up properly by July. You possibly can borrow noodles too in the event you’re not a robust swimmer or want simply to drift round having fun with the blue skies and surroundings. Or in the event you fancy extra of an adrenaline rush, additionally they raised the gangplank larger so you would soar off into the ocean.
Which all labored up a great urge for food for lunch, pastitsio – or Greek lasagna – with bread and Greek salad, or a vegan stew utilizing potatoes, peas, and carrots in a tomato sauce, plus salad and bread alongside. All adopted by chunks of juicy watermelon.
Water, wine and low are included too, which meant a fantastic iced espresso for me as we set sail, though solely a sip of the wine as I used to be driving dwelling later. In the event you’re not, the large bottles appeared infinite, plus you should buy tender drinks and beer as properly.
In spite of everything that, it was in all probability a great job that we had time to sit back out on our cushions and digest earlier than our ultimate swim cease. Fortunately mendacity again and watching the totally different shades of blue within the waves, I used to be very tempted to embrace the Greek custom of mesimeri, the native equal of a siesta.
Which left one ultimate cease, at Xi seashore, the place the clay from the cliff face and shoreline is meant to depart you wanting 20 years youthful in the event you combine it with water and rub it throughout your self – I’d learn warnings that the blackish gray clay and crimson sand can stain swimwear, in case you’re carrying something pale, though mine escaped unscathed.
I’m not fairly satisfied I’d discovered the fountain of youth, but it surely made my pores and skin really feel impressively tender after a day spent largely within the sea, and stopped a number of insect bites from itching too.
I’d swum to shore and left my digital camera aboard, so sadly (happily?!) no photographic proof of me wanting just like the creature from the black lagoon.
It’s one other good cease to snorkel, with vastly clear water and a bit sheltered amid the rocks the place I discovered a number of shoals of silver and black fish.
Then, instantly, it was time to move again on board as soon as extra for the ultimate cruise again to Argostoli. Returning at round 5pm feeling sun-kissed, salty, surprisingly full and totally relaxed, it was an ideal option to begin our Kefalonia vacation.
Take a look at my video of our Kefalonia boat journey for extra inspiration
Extra Kefalonia boat journeys with youngsters
In the event you’re planning a Kefalonia boat journey with youngsters, the day journey definitely isn’t the one choice to select from. For one thing shorter, there are sundown sailings from Argostoli, together with aboard the Queen Bee – the four-hour journey options a few swim stops, together with the prospect to benefit from the views.
Alternatively, this sundown boat tour from Argostoli could be very related. Or for a shorter daytime cruise, this three-hour boat journey from Argostoli visits White Rocks seashore and there’s an opportunity of seeing dolphins alongside the way in which.
In the event you’re based mostly round fairly Fiskardo within the north, there are ferry routes throughout summer time which run to Lefkada – the journey takes round an hour and there are two corporations working, with round 5 sailings per day.
Or in the event you’re staying on the east coast of the island, it’s additionally straightforward to take a day journey to Zakynthos (Zante) from Poros, stopping on the Blue Caves and Shipwreck Seashore, in addition to a ship tour to Zakynthos leaving from Skala. Or you possibly can sail to Ithaca from Skala too, in addition to Ithaca boat excursions from Sami.
For extra inspiration, take a look at my prime issues to do in Kefalonia with youngsters, a go to to the Melissani Cave, the very best seashores on Kefalonia, a Kefalonia cooking class and my information to Greece with youngsters
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