8-day Zante island-hopping cruise: traditional gulet, swim stops

A gulet cruise reaches the coves and fishing villages car travel cannot.

An 8-day island-hopping cruise around Zante aboard a traditional handcrafted gulet, with seven nights in a private ensuite cabin and stops at Kefalonia, Lefkada, Meganisi and Ithaca. You board Saturday afternoon, sail Sunday morning, and spend each day anchoring at secluded coves for swimming, exploring small harbors and villages on foot, and eating onboard or at local taverns. Breakfast and lunch are included; the Captain's dinner marks your final night before departure on day eight.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and welcome in Zante

• Check-in at 16:00
• Meet onboard and introductions
• Welcome dinner on board
• Explore Zante town at leisure

Day 2 — Visit Agia Efimia village

• Breakfast onboard buffet
• Cruise to Agia Efimia
• Explore fishing village
• Enjoy traditional Greek dinner

Day 3 — Explore Fiskardo, Kefalonia

• Breakfast onboard buffet
• Cruise to Fiskardo
• Explore town by bike or foot
• Lunch onboard buffet
• Dine at local seafood tavern

Day 4 — Discover Nydri, Lefkada

• Breakfast onboard buffet
• Cruise to Nydri
• Swim stops along coast
• Anchor at secluded cove
• Lunch onboard buffet

Day 5 — Relax at Meganisi coves

• Breakfast onboard buffet
• Cruise to Meganisi
• Anchor at secluded coves
• Lunch onboard buffet
• Enjoy night sky onboard

Day 6 — Swim stop at Atokos and Ithaca

• Breakfast onboard buffet
• Cruise towards Atokos
• Swim stop at Atokos
• Lunch onboard buffet
• Cruise to Ithaca

Day 7 — Visit Shipwreck Beach and return

• Breakfast onboard buffet
• Visit Shipwreck Beach and village
• Lunch onboard buffet
• Return to Zante marina
• Captain’s dinner onboard

Day 8 — Departure from Zante

• Breakfast onboard buffet
• Farewell and disembark

The Experience

You arrive Saturday and check in at 16:00, then board the gulet at 17:00 the next morning. If all passengers are onboard early, the boat may sail to Agios Nikolaos instead of staying docked in Zante—either way, you meet the crew and other travelers over a complimentary welcome dinner while the boat settles into its first anchorage. Your cabin is yours alone: ensuite bathroom with shower, hairdryer, reading lights, electric fan and individual air-conditioning remote, so you control your own comfort through eight nights at sea.

The route moves through the Ionian islands in sequence. Day two takes you to Agia Efimia on Kefalonia, a traditional fishing village built around a small harbor with taverns and a wood-fired bakery—the evening is free to walk the waterfront and choose your dinner. Day three is Fiskardo, known for white pebble beaches and blue water; you can rent a bike or car to explore, or watch fishermen from a seafront café and eat the catch at local taverns. Day four brings swim stops near Nydri on Lefkada, then a secluded cove to anchor overnight. Day five is Meganisi, where breakfast is onboard, lunch follows, and the afternoon is yours to swim and relax at one of the island's many hidden coves. On day six you sail toward Ithaca but first stop at Atokos, an uninhabited island with secluded coves, for a swim in open water. Day seven returns you to Zante via Shipwreck Beach on the east coast, with an onboard lunch and the Captain's dinner that night in Zante's main port. Day eight is departure: breakfast onboard, goodbyes, and you leave.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, and WiFi runs onboard. The boat is traditional and handcrafted—not a modern ferry—so the pace is slow and the stops are chosen for swimming and quiet anchorages rather than scheduled tours. You are not on a guided itinerary with a commentary; you are on a boat that moves between islands and gives you time to swim, walk villages and eat where you choose. Transportation before or after the cruise is your own arrangement.

What’s included

• Seven nights in a private ensuite cabin with bathroom, shower and individual air-conditioning.
• breakfast and lunch onboard each day.
• welcome dinner on day one and Captain's dinner on day seven.
• snorkeling equipment.
• WiFi onboard.
• bath amenities.
• use of the gulet's facilities throughout the cruise.

Good to know

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

Operated by Sail in Greece Adventures Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you want to reach the small harbors and secluded coves that only a boat can access—villages like Fiskardo and Agia Efimia, and swimming stops at uninhabited islands like Atokos. The fixed seven-night itinerary and included meals mean the days unfold without you arranging transport between islands or hunting for restaurants each evening, so you can focus on swimming, exploring on foot and the rhythm of the sea.

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Top questions

What islands does the 8-day Zante cruise visit?

The gulet stops at Kefalonia (Agia Efimia and Fiskardo), Lefkada (Nydri), Meganisi, Ithaca, and Atokos, an uninhabited island with secluded coves used as a swim stop on day six. You also spend time docked in Zante at the start and end of the cruise.

Is breakfast and lunch included on the cruise?

Breakfast and lunch are included onboard each day; the welcome dinner on day one and the Captain's dinner on day seven are also included. Dinner on other evenings is your choice—you can eat at local taverns in the villages where the boat is anchored, or arrange meals onboard separately.

What is the cabin like on this gulet?

Each cabin is a private ensuite with its own bathroom and shower, hairdryer, reading lights, electric fan and individual air-conditioning remote so you can set your own temperature. Cabins are onboard accommodation for all seven nights of the cruise.

Are there swimming opportunities during the 8-day cruise?

Yes—the itinerary includes dedicated swim stops at secluded coves, particularly near Nydri on day four, at Meganisi on day five, and at Atokos on day six. Snorkeling equipment is provided and included. The boat anchors overnight at these locations so you have time to swim and relax.

When does the cruise depart and return?

Check-in is Saturday at 16:00 and embarkation is Sunday at 17:00. The cruise returns to Zante on day seven evening, where you stay onboard for the Captain's dinner. Departure is the morning of day eight after breakfast.

Is WiFi available onboard the gulet?

Yes, WiFi is available onboard throughout the cruise, though connectivity may vary depending on location in the Ionian Sea.