Private Kefalonia tour: Caves, lake boat ride, Myrtos Beach swim

Descend into a 150-million-year-old cave, then float on turquoise water and swim at Greece's most awarded beach.

This private tour of Kefalonia island covers three major sites in a single afternoon: Drogarati cave with its ancient stalactites and stalagmites, a boat ride across the turquoise waters of Melissani Lake inside the cave, and a swim at Myrtos Beach. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver and set the pace yourself. The tour runs five hours and departs from Argostoli, Lassi, Lixouri, Xi, Skala or Kateleios depending on which option you choose at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore caves and swim at Myrtos Beach

• Descend steps to Drogarati cave
• Observe stalactites and stalagmites
• Enjoy boat ride at Melissani Lake
• Swim at Myrtos Beach

The experience

You arrive on Kefalonia with a free afternoon or a morning to spare, and three places everyone mentions: the caves, the lake, and the beach that keeps winning awards. A private tour with your own driver lets you hit all three without coordinating buses or joining a group schedule. The driver speaks English and handles the route. You decide how long to linger at each stop.

Drogarati cave sits underground and opens to a chamber of stalactites and stalagmites that rise like a cathedral. The cave itself is over 150 million years old and carries a reputation for acoustics that make the space feel alive. From there you move to Melissani Lake, where the real shift happens: you board a small boat and float across water so turquoise it looks unreal, with sunlight pouring through the cave opening above. Then comes the swim. Myrtos Beach has held a spot on the list of best Greek beaches for more than a decade, and the tour ends there so you can actually get in the water instead of just looking.

The whole day runs five hours. Transportation is private (just your group and the driver in an air-conditioned vehicle), so there's no waiting for other tourists or sticking to a rigid timetable. Pickup happens from your choice of starting points: Argostoli or Lassi on the west side, Lixouri or Xi on the opposite coast, or Skala and Kateleios in the south. Pick the one closest to where you're staying.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation.
• English-speaking driver.
• boat ride on Melissani Lake.
• entry and access to all three sites.

Options for this experience

3 options

Departing from Lixouri, XiGuide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:00Lixouri, Xi, and Megas Lakos, pickup is included

Departing from Skala, KateleiosGuide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:00Skala, Kateleios, and Poros, pickup is included

Departing from Argostoli, LassiGuide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:00Argostoli, Lassi, and Lourdas, pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:00Last departure this season: 30 Nov

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by La Rotta Transfers & Tours

Is this one for you?The private format and your own pace mean you can spend as much time as you want at each cave or linger longer at the beach without holding up a group: ideal if you want to photograph the stalactites, float on the lake without rushing, or actually swim instead of just dipping in.

Traveler reviews

4.83★★★★★★★★★★

18 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

How old is Drogarati cave and what makes it special?

Drogarati cave is over 150 million years old and is known for its dramatic stalactites and stalagmites that create the feeling of walking through a cathedral. The cave is also famous for its acoustics, which add to the sense of scale and depth underground.

What happens on the boat ride at Melissani Lake?

You board a small boat and float across the turquoise waters inside the cave while sunlight streams in from the opening above. It's a relaxing ride through one of Kefalonia's most photographed spots, and the water color is the main draw.

Why is Myrtos Beach included in this tour?

Myrtos Beach has ranked among the best Greek beaches worldwide for over ten consecutive years and is the destination's most awarded beach. The tour ends there so you have time to swim rather than just pass through.

Can I choose where the driver picks me up?

Yes. You select your starting point at checkout: Argostoli or Lassi on the west coast, Lixouri or Xi on the east, or Skala and Kateleios in the south. Pick whichever is closest to your accommodation.

Is the vehicle air-conditioned and how many people can travel together?

The vehicle is air-conditioned and private to your group. The driver speaks English and handles all the driving so you can relax between stops.