Hiring a boat is the ideal way to explore the hidden beauty of Ithaca. Wandering about the Ionian Sea, you will come across this low-key and peaceful island that awaits you for discovery. Ithaca is also known to be the homeland of Odysseus and has several picturesque marinas where you can find the ideal catamaran, sailboat, motor yacht or speedboat of your choice. You can directly contact the owners for the ideal boat or simply allow a BednBlue travel expert to guide you with some suggestions.
You have plenty of options:
You can book and hire a sailboat or speedboat with a skipper, or without if you have a license and enjoy a one-day cruise around the unique coastline. You can also rent a motor boat and visit further destinations such as Kefalonia or Lefkada on a two-day cruise. With the option to book a catamaran you can arrange a birthday party, wedding anniversary or romantic trip with your special someone. Finally, you can hire a luxury yacht for some of the best island-hopping trips in Greece you can imagine.
Ithaca is the second smallest island in the Ionian complex right after Paxi, with a population of about 3,500 people. Vathy is the capital of Ithaca right at the southern part of the island and is considered to be one of the safest natural harbors in Greece where many sailors dock their boat. Here you will be fascinated by colored traditional houses, a Maritime and Folklore Museum and many café-bars and tavernas where you can relax before you head back to your yacht. In the northern part of Ithaca, you will come across beautiful seaside villages including Lefki known for its churches, Kioni with its romantic ambience and top fish taverns and Frikes with one of the most beautiful sunset views and a great harbor for day-trippers in neighboring islands such as Kefalonia. Some other top sights you can get to see include the Cave of the Nymphs with rich stalactite formations just a few km away from Vathy and the Monastery of Panagia Kathariotiss, serving as the most important pilgrimage center of the island, with wonderful views at an altitude of 600m. In Greek Mythology, the king of Ithaca, Odysseus had a long journey ahead of him right after the Trojan war and his struggle to make it back to homeland was a brilliant feat. Being the only survivor following the intervention of Zeus who destroyed his ship, nothing stopped Odysseus to craft a replacement and return home.The decade-long adventure has made Ithaca the eternal symbol of adventure and travel. As the poem of Cavafy highlights, Ithaca awaits you on a long path where you will not be deceived and you will be tied forever with an atmosphere of peace and serenity. With your sailboat you can follow the routes of legendary myths in the Ionian islands or simply craft your own itinerary and create your own worth-telling story.
A boat trip in Ithaca can take you to multiple breathtaking beaches and visit traditional fishing villages that have a lot to offer. Vathy is characterized by it’s charming alleys and reflects Ionian architecture, also offering a multitude of amenities for holidaymakers who may want to spend an entire day of fun. Departing from Vathy you can find the beautiful Loutsa beach, organized with shallow waters where you can anchor your catamaran. Also worth visiting are the touristic resorts of Frikes and Kioni which have several boat rentals departing from their picturesque harbors where you can commence your excursion. For the perfect island tour in Ithaca you can visit all three villages making several stops for lunch or swims as your please. Several charterers offer trips to Afales bay, great for swimming and snorkeling in a secluded environment with multiple coves that can only be accessed by boat. Filiatro, Gidaki and Sarakiniko are some other popular beaches which are close to Vathy and have brilliant natural settings, definitely a paradise for all swimmers looking for moments of relaxation. You can also pass by Marmakas Bay and Cape Agios Ioannis at the northernmost tip of Ithaca. Anchor your sailboat or catamaran to enjoy sea kayaking and diving in turquoise waters.
A day trip to Kefalonia from Ithaca is quite common with only a few nautical miles from each other. The village of Fiskardo in Kefalonia is appreciated for its historical buildings and fishing boats that dock along the harbor. You have the option to spend an overnight or continue island-hopping to Zakynthos. You may want to also visit hidden gems in the Ionian sea including Atokos known for its virgin nature and cedar trees making the perfect backdrop to your sailing vacation. You can also make your way to Lefkada where you will taste traditional food in spectacular restaurants and swim in top beaches such as Egremni and Porto Katsiki. Your boat rental trip in Greece can be crafted to your liking, you can even arrange the perfect wedding on board a luxury catamaran under the perfect calm environment for special moments with your other half!
Below we have some useful information on Marinas, Anchorages and Airports for your boat trip in Ithaca.
Avra Marina, Kioni: A small marina which can anchor vessels all the way up to 20m. Near this marina you can find Rachi which is a tucked away beach where you can also anchor your vessel if there is no space.
Marina Vathy: Occupies about 100 berths for all types of vessels with great facilities and amenities. Vathy is the capital of the island and generally provides excellent shelter from all wind conditions except the north-west.
Frikes Bay: on the north-eastern coast of the island with deep waters great for motor yachts to anchor.
Pisaetos Port: Mainly a ferry port but one of the world's largest natural harbors on the western side of ithaca. Ferry rides from Sami in Kefalonia to ithaca take 2 hours and reach this port.
There is no airport in Ithaca but you can book a direct flight from Athens to Kefalonia which is about 30 minutes from Argostoli.
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