Argostoli: Full-Day Boat Cruise with Lunch

The sea turns a day trip into an adventure. This cruise pairs a traditional wooden boat with three beautiful swimming stops, a homemade Greek lunch, and a cheerful crew that keeps the drinks coming. I especially like the relaxed pace and the chance to reach quiet coastal spots that are harder to visit by land. The main catch is that beach access may involve a small dinghy or swimming ashore, and windy weather can change the route.

The cruise costs $76 per person and runs from Argostoli toward White Rocks, Vardiani, also called Rabbit Island, and Xi Beach. I like that lunch, wine, water, refreshments, and the boat transfer are included, but you should not expect a luxury yacht or a private excursion. This is a sociable day on the water, with swimming, paddleboarding, jumping from the boat, and a popular slide.

Key things to know before booking

• The wooden Artemis sets the mood: This is a classic Greek boat outing, not a fast sightseeing transfer.
• Three stops create plenty of variety: You get turquoise water at White Rocks, a quiet island meal at Vardiani, and red sand and clay at Xi Beach.
• Lunch is part of the experience: Moussaka, salad, stuffed peppers for the vegetarian option, local wine, water, and refreshments are included.
• The water slide is a real highlight: Adults and children use it, along with the stand-up paddle boards and jumping platform.
• Weather can change the day: White Rocks may be replaced by another island when wind makes the planned stop unsafe.
• Beach access is not always step-off-the-boat easy: You may reach shore by dinghy or by swimming, so pack accordingly.

Leaving Argostoli at 10:00

The day begins at 10:00 from the port of Argostoli. As Artemis pulls away, you get a different view of Kefalonia’s capital, with the town opening out behind you as the boat heads south.

The stated return time is 17:00, while the activity is described as lasting eight hours. In practical terms, plan on a full day at sea and keep your afternoon free. The exact timing of each stop can change with conditions, so this is not a trip for anyone who needs to return to Argostoli at a tightly fixed minute.

The crew speaks Greek, English, and Italian. Their role is hands-on rather than formal. George is one of the crew members praised for going out of his way to help, and the staff regularly offer drinks, watermelon, and assistance around the boat.

That friendly service matters on a long outing. You are spending most of the day together, so a warm crew can make the difference between a pleasant boat ride and an uncomfortable one. The best reports of the trip consistently point to attentive hosting, gentle handling of the boat, and a relaxed atmosphere.

White Rocks and the first swim

White Rocks is the first planned stop. This part of the southern Kefalonia coast is known for clear blue-green water, steep hills, small bays, and stretches of coast with no obvious road access.

The appeal is simple: you get time to swim in water that feels removed from the island’s busier beaches. The rocky coast also gives the first stop a more secluded feel than Xi Beach, which is accessible by land and better known.

You may be able to swim, relax, or use the boat’s equipment here. The trip includes a stand-up paddle board, and the water slide is available for anyone who wants more action than a quiet swim.

There is one important qualification. Wind can make the White Rocks stop unsuitable. On one outing, the captain replaced it with another private island instead. That is a sensible change, but it means you should think of White Rocks as a planned destination rather than a guarantee.

The captain’s decision also shows why a flexible schedule is useful on a boat trip. Conditions on the open water can change during the day, and the safest route may not match the printed plan. If seeing White Rocks is your main reason for booking, check the weather before you go and keep expectations flexible.

Lunch at Vardiani, the Rabbit Island

The second stop is Vardiani, a small uninhabited island near the entrance to Kefalonia’s bay and close to Xi Beach on the Lixouri side. Its nickname, Rabbit Island, is more memorable than its size. There is a small church and some ruins, but no town or row of beach cafés.

This is where the cruise feels most distinctive. Instead of eating beside a busy resort, you have lunch in a quiet island setting, with the boat and open water providing the backdrop. It is a modest kind of Greek island pleasure: a shared meal, a glass of local wine, and nowhere else you need to be for a while.

The meal usually includes moussaka and salad. The food is described as homemade, and that is important to the value of the trip. You are not simply buying transport to a beach. The lunch gives the excursion a local food element, with a familiar Greek dish served as part of the day rather than as an extra purchase.

A vegetarian meal is available if requested in advance. One vegetarian serving included stuffed peppers, so you should make the request before departure rather than hoping to arrange it once the boat is underway.

Local wine and water are included throughout the day, with refreshments served at lunch. Sangria has also been a favorite on board, and several drink choices are available. If you prefer not to drink alcohol, water and other refreshments are provided.

Do not expect a restaurant menu or a choice of several main courses. The strength here is the easy, generous meal in an unusual setting. If you value a long lunch with local character, this is a strong part of the package. If you need a highly customized diet, confirm your needs before booking.

Xi Beach and its red clay

The final destination is Xi Beach in southern Kefalonia. Its broad sandy shore has a distinctive reddish, tile-like color, created by the local rock and clay.

Xi is a more conventional beach stop than Vardiani. It is the place for a proper stretch of sand, a swim, and a closer look at the red clay. You can apply the natural clay to your skin as a playful beach treatment, then wash it off in the sea. The promise of looking ten years younger is best treated as holiday humor, but the clay is part of what makes Xi different from the other stops.

The water and sand make Xi especially appealing for families. Children can enjoy the beach, while adults can swim or simply sit back after the boat activities. It also gives the day a change of pace: White Rocks is about secluded coves, Vardiani is about an island meal, and Xi is about a recognizable beach with an unusual natural feature.

You should know that reaching the beach may not always mean walking straight from the main boat onto the sand. A small dinghy may take you ashore, or you may need to swim in. One person found this surprising, even though most of the group adapted quickly.

That detail affects who will enjoy the excursion. If you have limited mobility, ask for clear instructions before booking, even though the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Accessibility on the boat and accessibility at each beach stop are not necessarily the same thing.

A boat day with a playful side

Artemis is not presented as a sleek yacht. The traditional wooden design gives the trip a more old-fashioned Greek feel, with the boat itself becoming part of the day.

The pace is gentle. One report specifically praised the captain for driving smoothly, which is good news if you are prone to seasickness. Still, conditions vary, and no boat trip can promise perfectly calm water. If you are sensitive, sit where the movement feels least troubling and bring whatever usual precautions you need.

The water slide is the most talked-about activity. It is attached to the boat and lets you shoot into the sea, making a memorable change from simply climbing down a ladder. Adults use it as eagerly as children, which tells you something about the mood on board.

The package also includes a stand-up paddle board. You can jump from the boat, swim, paddle, or relax on deck between stops. The mix works well because not everyone wants the same kind of day. Active people have things to do, while others can enjoy the views and refreshments.

This is not a silent nature cruise. With music, drinks, group meals, and a slide, the atmosphere leans social and playful. That is a strength if you want a fun day with your family or friends. It may be less appealing if you are searching for a private, quiet sailing experience.

What the $76 price really covers

At $76 per person, the price is fair for a full day if you plan to use the inclusions. You are paying for the boat, access to several coastal stops, lunch, local wine, water, refreshments, and onboard equipment such as the slide and paddle board.

The strongest value comes from combining transport and meals. Getting to White Rocks, Vardiani, and Xi Beach separately would take more planning, and lunch and drinks would cost extra. The boat also gives you access to coastal viewpoints and swimming areas that are not all easy to reach by road.

The value is weaker if you dislike group activities, do not plan to swim, or want complete control over the timetable. A large part of the enjoyment comes from the shared atmosphere, the crew’s service, and the simple fun of being on the water.

The included lunch helps keep the day predictable from a budget point of view. You do not need to find a restaurant at an uninhabited island, and the drinks are not limited to a single serving at mealtime. Sangria, wine, water, and refreshments add to the sense that the cruise is designed as an all-day outing rather than a short boat transfer.

Practical points that can change your day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a dry bag for small valuables. You may spend time in the water, use the slide, paddle, or swim toward shore, so keeping phones and cameras protected is sensible.

Wear footwear that you can manage around a boat and beach. The information does not specify the exact shore surface at every stop, but the possibility of dinghy transfers and swimming ashore means you should avoid bringing anything awkward or fragile.

Request the vegetarian lunch in advance. The meal is part of the attraction, and the crew needs notice to prepare an alternative.

Keep your schedule open beyond the stated 10:00 to 17:00 window. Poor weather can alter the route or cancel the trip. A flexible booking policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the beach-transfer detail deserves a direct question if access is important for you. A boat may be accessible while a sandy beach reached by dinghy or swimming is not equally easy.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this for a family that wants swimming, food, and a few laughs in one day. Children are likely to remember Xi Beach and the slide, while adults get wine, scenery, and a meal without having to organize each stop.

It also suits couples and friends who want more than a standard beach day. The wooden boat, the quiet Vardiani stop, and the changing coastal views give the outing a sense of occasion.

You should think twice if you want a private charter, a quiet sailing trip, or a guaranteed visit to one exact bay. Wind may alter the route, and the shared boat atmosphere is part of the product.

People with mobility concerns should ask specifically about boarding, the dinghy, and getting ashore. The official accessibility information is encouraging, but the swimming option at the beach stops may not work for everyone.

Should you book the Artemis cruise?

Book it if you want a full day of swimming, Greek food, friendly service, and simple water-based fun. The strongest reasons are the homemade lunch, included drinks, attractive coastal stops, and the excellent slide that gives the boat day some energy.

Go with realistic expectations. White Rocks may be replaced if the wind rises, beach access can be less straightforward than expected, and this is a social group outing rather than a private luxury cruise.

For $76, the package offers solid value, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for meals, drinks, transport, and beach visits. I would book it for a flexible day in Kefalonia, request any dietary needs early, and check the forecast before setting out.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at the port of Argostoli in western Greece.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled departure time is 10:00 in the morning.

What time does the cruise return?

The scheduled return to Argostoli is 17:00.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The planned stops are the White Rocks area, Vardiani Islands, also called Rabbit Island, and Xi Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A traditional Greek lunch is included, along with local wine and water. Refreshments are also provided during lunch.

Can I request a vegetarian meal?

Yes. A vegetarian lunch is available when requested in advance.

What languages are spoken?

The host or greeter service is available in Greek, English, and Italian.

Can bad weather change the cruise?

Yes. Poor weather can change the schedule or cancel the cruise. Wind may also lead the captain to replace a planned stop with another island.