Magical Kefalonia & Ithaca by kayak | Sea kayaking in Greece | Ionian Sea

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Magical Kefalonia & Ithaca by kayak

Experience the natural wonders of the Ionian Islands

The Ionian Islands off the western coast of the Greek mainland are a truly magical world of natural wonders, an incredibly varied coastline, and picturesque villages. Kefalonia and Ithaca are the glistening diamonds of this magnificent archipelago and are the perfect destination to discover by kayak.

During the trip, you explore the wonderful west coast of Kefalonia, one of Greece’s scenic highlights with its steep, imposing white cliffs and picture-perfect beaches. You also explore almost the entire island of Ithaca, home to the mythical hero Odysseus. Here, nature abounds, and time truly seems to have stood still.

Along the way, you discover traditional island villages as well as enchanting bays where you can dive into the crystal-clear Ionian Sea shimmering in all shades of blue. The nights are spent in carefully selected, beautiful accommodation. If you enjoy being surrounded by nature and silently gliding through the water by kayak, this paddling adventure is perfect for you!

Highlights

  • 100 shades of blue: Let yourself be mesmerized by the many hues of the Ionian Sea
  • Animal antics: With a bit of luck, you’ll see dolphins, turtles, and even seals.
  • Truly enchanting: Assos and Fiskardo on Kefalonia are two of the most beautiful villages in Greece.
  • Mythical places: Follow in the footsteps of Odysseus, once king of Ithaca.


9 days/8 nights
May, Jun, Jul, Sep
Easy – Moderate
Kefalonia
Kefalonia
Persons: 2-11
Age: 18+

Included Activities

  • 7 guided kayak tours (each approx. 5 – 10 nautical miles, 3-4 hours)
  • Swimming stops in secluded bays

Dates

  • 13-21 May 2023
  • 26 May-3 Jun 2023
  • 4-12 Jun 2023
  • 13-21 Jul 2023
  • 9-17 Sep 2023
  • 23 Sep-1 Oct 2023
  • 3-11 Oct 2023


DAY 1
Kefalonia: Livathos (Arrival) | Individual arrival on Kefalonia. You can either travel by plane or by ferry and bus. We collect you either from the airport or the bus station in Argostoli and bring you to your accommodation in Livathos at the foot of Mount Ainos, which is protected as a national park.

After you have checked in, we meet to prepare the kayak equipment and give you an introduction to the planned kayak tours as well as a safety briefing.

DAY 2
Kefalonia: Agia Kyriaki – Assos (8 nautical miles) | After breakfast, we take a transfer to Agia Kyriaki. This charming little fishing village on the west coast of Kefalonia is the starting point of our kayak adventure. Impressive white limestone cliffs and seclusion characterize the landscape.

On our way to Assos, we visit sea caves and enjoy lunch at the famous Myrtos Beach. This is one of the most beautiful and photographed beaches in the world and was one of the filming locations for the Hollywood movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” starring Penelope Cruz and Nicholas Cage.

We then continue on towards our day’s destination, Assos, a charming fishing village perched on the narrow headland that connects the Assos Peninsula to Kefalonia. Cypress and pine trees tower next to the colorful houses and an imposing Venetian fortress rises above it all.

We spend the rest of our day exploring this picturesque village with a stroll through the alleyways and a visit to the fort, as well as dinner in a taverna right by the sea. Overnight stay in Assos.

DAY 3
Kefalonia: Assos – Fiskardo (10 nautical miles) | We continue our kayak adventure following the breathtaking coastline northwards. Once again we pass spectacular steep cliffs and natural caves. We take a break in Dafnoudi Bay to enjoy a swim and snorkel. The beauty of this bay with its crystal-clear water and the cypress forest is simply magical.

We then continue our tour to Fiskardo. This picturesque village is often considered the most beautiful village in the Ionian Islands. It is the only village on Kefalonia that survived the great earthquake of 1953 unscathed and looks like something out of a picture book.

We settle into our accommodation for the next two nights. Afterwards, there is plenty of time to stroll around the village.

DAY 4
Kefalonia: Fiskardo (6 nautical miles) | Today is a relaxed day. Our kayak tour takes us to the south of Fiskardo. Turquoise water surrounded by wooded hills characterize the landscape.

Passing Phoki Bay we reach a large cave leading to some tunnels, the remains of a limestone quarry. Later we reach Evreti Bay, where we have time to snorkel above the wrecks of three sunken fishing boats. Here we have our lunch break.

Before we paddle back to Fiskardo, we visit the islet of Daskalio, a seagull rock and the perfect place to spot these proud seabirds. The rest of the day is spent in Fiskardo, where we visit the local environmental museum, hike to the old lighthouse, and have time to shop or simply relax in a café.

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, head to Melina for delicious homemade cakes. The lemon tart and chocolate soufflé are to die for!

DAY 5
Ithaca: Kioni or Frikes (10 nautical miles) | Early in the morning, we paddle to Aphales, a bay located in the north of Ithaca with several secluded white sand beaches and incredibly blue waters. This is an ideal place for snorkeling with wonderful, submerged rock formations and abundant fish life.

We then follow the east coast of the island to our destination: We either go ashore in Frikes or in Kioni. Both villages are close to one another and are very popular amongst sailors thanks to their pristine nature. We end the day with a delicious dinner in a taverna by the sea.

DAY 6
Ithaca: Kioni or Frikes to Vathy (8 nautical miles) | After a rich breakfast, we continue our kayak trip towards Vathy. Along the way, we stop in another idyllic bay for a swim or snorkel. We reach the island capital of Vathy later in the day, situated in a fjord-like bay.

Vathy is one of the most beautiful harbors in Greece thanks to its exceptional location. Here we spend the next two nights in apartments with panoramic views over the entire bay.

In the afternoon and evening, there is plenty of time to stroll through the narrow streets of the town or along the waterfront promenade and enjoy Ithaca’s unique flair.

DAY 7
Ithaca: Vathy – Filiatro – Vathy (5 nautical miles) | Today’s kayak tour starts in the early afternoon. This gives you enough time for a shopping trip through Vathy or to relax in a café and watch the world go by. Order a delicious frappé or a cappuccino fredo and you’ll be half Greek already!

Our kayak tour takes us to the beautiful Filiatro Bay, surrounded by picturesque limestone hills. The perfect place to take a dip in the cool water! We leave our kayaks here overnight and hike back to Vathy, where we spend the night once again.

DAY 8
Ithaca – Kefalonia: Filiatro Bay – Antisamos – Livathos (10 nautical miles) | In the morning a short transfer brings us to Filiatro Bay and we start our kayak tour along the south coast of Ithaca. We allow ourselves a short break before we cross the strait between Ithaca and Kefalonia, just two nautical miles wide.

Arriving on Kefalonia, we will go ashore at the bay of Antisamos, which was also used as a film location for “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”. Enjoy the wonderful blue sea again and swim or snorkel one last time.

We are picked up from the bay later and transferred back to Livathos, where we spend the last night of the trip.

DAY 9
Kefalonia: Livathos (Departure) | Check-out from the accommodation, transfer to the airport or bus station in Argostoli, and individual departure or extension of your holiday in Greece. If you would like to leave the day before, please let us know.

Authentic guesthouses in exceptional locations on Kefalonia & Ithaca

The guesthouses we have chosen on Kefalonia and Ithaca are distinguished by their excellent location with beautiful views, comfort, and great hospitality. In these authentic accommodations, you stay in lovingly furnished rooms with private bathrooms, TV, and air conditioning and can look forward to a delicious breakfast every morning.

This is the best way to rejuvenate and relax after the many experiences that each day has in store for you. Hotel bookings are subject to availability. You will receive a list of the accommodation booked for you before your trip.

How do I get to Kefalonia?
Kefalonia has its own airport, not far from the island’s capital Argostoli. It can be reached directly by charter flights in summer, as well as by numerous domestic flights from Athens and Thessaloniki.

You can also get to Kefalonia from Athens by bus and ferry: The bus ticket from Athens to Argostoli includes the ferry ticket. On arrival and departure days, we offer free transfers between Argostoli airport or bus station and the accommodation in Livathos.

How fit do I have to be to participate in this tour?
Reasonable fitness level and some good experience in sea kayaking is needed as the trip has demanding distances and potentially conditions. Our daily tours vary between 5 and 10 nautical miles, which is equivalent to about 3-4 hours of paddling. We take generous breaks along the way, which you can use to relax or jump into the shimmering sea. If there are strong winds, it may take longer to cover the distances.

How difficult are the kayak tours? Do I need any prior knowledge?
Our kayak tours are designed so that anyone with an average level of fitness can do them without any previous experience. In addition to high-quality kayak equipment, you will also receive a safety and technical introduction.

We always paddle in a group to ensure everyone’s safety. The best way to learn efficient, energy-saving techniques is during the activity itself. Your guide is always close by to give you tips and advice.

Are changes to the tour schedule possible?
As an outdoor sport, kayaking is always subject to prevailing wind and weather conditions. This means that changes to the planned itinerary are possible, but we ensure that in such cases these changes positively affect your holiday.

Our guides have the necessary experience to adapt the route so that your safety is guaranteed, while your days remain full of wonderful experiences. Kayak tours that have to be completely cancelled due to weather conditions are not eligible for monetary reimbursement.

Are changes to the tour itinerary possible?
In the event of extreme weather conditions, we reserve the right to make changes to the tour itinerary.

Are the kayak tours safe?
Your safety is our top priority. Our guides are experienced and qualified to lead groups on the open sea. They know how to make your kayaking experience a pleasurable one.

Of course, they are also trained to respond to emergencies. We will not start a tour until we are sure that each participant understands how to handle the kayak and is aware of what to expect along the way.

Is the trip suitable for children?
No, unfortunately not. Only adults are permitted to participate in this trip.

What language is the tour conducted in?
This tour is guided exclusively in English.

What meals are included?
The tour price includes a daily breakfast (except for day 2 and 9) and lunch (except for day 7), which often consists of a picnic. Special dietary requirements such as vegetarian food can be catered for if you let us know well in advance.

You can enjoy dinner individually in local tavernas and sample the whole range of Greek delicacies. Your guide is happy to make recommendations on site. For each dinner, you should calculate an additional cost of approx. 20 euro/person.

What should I pack for this tour?
Below you will find a brief guideline for what you should bring, which you can of course modify according to your own needs. Things you need for the tour are as follows:

Packing list

  • Casual sportswear for the kayak tours (ideally quick-dry clothing)
  • Sandals or bathing shoes
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Swimwear & beach towel
  • Snorkelling equipment (optional)
  • Casual clothes and comfortable shoes for the evenings
  • Warm jumper or jacket (due to the proximity to the sea, it often feels colder in the evenings than it actually is)
  • Rain jacket (it can rain more than average in the Ionian Islands, especially in May, June, and September).
  • Your own reusable water bottle (to help protect the environment, we try to avoid unnecessary plastic waste as much as possible).

You can safely store everything you don’t need during the kayaking days with us. We provide you with  dry-bags to transport the luggage you need (you take everything with you in your kayak).

BASIC TOUR PRICE

May, June, July & September: 1,520 € per person in a double room

July & August: 1,590 € per person in a double room

INCLUDED SERVICES

  • 9-day trip
  • 8 nights in authentic guesthouses with breakfast
  • 6 x lunch picnic during the kayak tours
  • 6 guided kayak tours with professional kayak equipment
  • Transfers between Argostoli airport or bus station and accommodation in Livathos (only on
  • arrival and departure days)
  • Transfers to the kayak tours according to the itinerary
  • Guided excursions to other places of interest
  • English speaking qualified kayak guide

NOT INCLUDED

  • Journey to Kefalonia
  • All meals not listed under included services
  • Personal expenses
  • Entrance fees to individually visited sights and museums
  • Tips for guides and service staff

ADDITIONAL BOOKABLE SERVICES

  •  Single room, surcharge: 210 € (May, June & September); 240 € (July & August)

Booking of single rooms is subject to availability. Depending on the season, it is possible that single rooms may not be available in all accommodation locations.

In such cases, the participant must agree to accommodation in a double room and we will adjust the single room surcharge individually.

Trip

Tour Extensions