Lefkada Sailing Tour: Trireme, Swimming & Beach BBQ

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Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell out

1/12

Duration8h

GroupUp to 80

LanguagesEN · EL +2

Mobile ticketAccepted

You sail the boat yourself—hoisting the 45 square meter sail like crews did in ancient Greece.

This eight-hour sailing tour departs from Lefkada aboard a replica ancient Greek trireme, taking you through secluded bays and islands with swimming stops at Papanikolis cave and Klimaki, a guided walk through the 300-year-old Spartochori village, and a beachside BBQ lunch with local wine. The boat carries snorkel masks and gear, and the itinerary is built to avoid crowds while teaching you about Odysseus and local maritime tradition.

The Experience

The boat leaves Lefkada and heads into the Ionian Sea under sail—you'll help hoist the 45 square meter canvas if you want, or watch from the deck while the crew handles it. The route takes you past the Prince's Islands toward Meganisi, stopping first at Papanikolis, one of Europe's largest sea caves, where you swim inside the cavern itself and learn its history from the guide. The water is clear enough to see the cave walls underwater, and the crew provides masks and snorkels for anyone who wants them.

Mid-morning you pull ashore at Spartochori, a traditional fisherman village on Meganisi, and walk to its 300-year-old church with a guide who explains the settlement's place in local life. Back on the boat, you sail to Klimaki bay, a secluded anchorage where the crew sets up for lunch. You swim and snorkel in the bay before the BBQ goes on—pork souvlaki, Greek salad, feta, tzatziki, bread, all cooked on the beach with soft drinks and local wine included. The boat also stops at Jackie Kennedy Beach on Skorpios, where you can swim again before heading back to Lefkada. The whole day runs eight hours, and the itinerary is designed to keep you away from the crowded spots most day-trippers hit.

The guide speaks English, Italian, French or Greek depending on the group, and weaves in stories about Odysseus and an alternative theory about where Homer's Ithaca actually was. Children can come—infants travel in a pram or stroller, and the boat carries floaters and beach toys. The crew brings out Greek aperitif ouzo with olives and seasonal fruit before lunch, and alternative menus are available if anyone has dietary needs.

What’s included

Snorkel masks and fins.
beach floaters and toys.
Greek aperitif ouzo with olives and seasonal fruit.
BBQ lunch with pork souvlaki, Greek salad, feta cheese, tzatziki and bread.
soft drinks and local wine throughout the day.
guided tour of Spartochori village and its 300-year-old church.
swimming and snorkeling at three locations (Papanikolis cave, Klimaki bay, and Jackie Kennedy Beach).

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Odysseia Boat Tour

Is this one for you?The boat departs from Lefkada with no car needed—the crew handles all the sailing and navigation, so you focus on swimming, snorkeling and the beach lunch. If you're staying in town without a rental or prefer not to drive to secluded bays, this tour reaches three swimming spots and a traditional village in one eight-hour day, with all the gear and food arranged on the boat.