Program
A sea kayaking trip is always dependent on wind and weather, and a plan is never more than a plan. The following program is therefor preliminary:
Day 1
Day of travel. You are responsible for your trip to Kefalonia, Greece. We will meet you in Argostoli, the main town of Kefalonia, check in at our guest house / hotel, and spend the evening exploring and dining in the town.
Day 2
Our first day on the water. After breakfast and preparations in Argostoli we transfer to the small fishing village of Agia Kiriaki, our starting point. There we pack our kayaks and have a basic review of paddling and safety in calm waters. Then we paddle north under impressive limestone cliffs along the west coast of the island. Picnic on the island’s famous beach Myrtos, or on any less visited beach we may have to ourselves. Our goal for the day is the amazingly beautiful little village of Assos. Accommodation in private guest house, with splendid sea views. Dinner at a local tavern by the water.
Paddling distance, ca 18 km.
Day 3
We continue further north and pass caves, coves and beaches along an impressive coastline. We stop for a swim and lunch along the way. Perhaps we aim for the small beach at Aqua Café about half way, the only inhabited place along the deserted coast. On the beautiful beach in Dafnoudi Bay we may take a second break before we paddle the last stretch around the island’s northern tip and land in Fiskardo, in a sheltered bay on the island’s eastern side. Fiskardo is possibly the most popular village of Kefalonia, with old Venetian houses, waterfront restaurants and a nice setting. We check in at our guest house and enjoy another water front dinner.
Paddling distance, ca 20 km.
Day 4
We start early and cross a few kilometers of open water, to the island of Ithaka, famous for being the home island of Homer’s classic novel hero Ulysses. In Afales Bay on the north side of the island there are some stunningly beautiful white beaches, where it is impossible not to stop and swim. After coming around Cape Ai Giannis, the views become different, with mountainous islands and the mainland straight ahead. The slopes on the eastern side of the island are greener and maybe we’ll be joined by a kingfisher or two along the way. After another break we will land in the small, fabulous village of Kioni, situated in a perfect southeasterly facing bay. The kayaks just fit on the small beach strip next to the tavern’s tables. Check in at our guest house offering an impressive view of the island’s lush greenery. Dinner at the water front.
Paddling distance, ca 21 km.
Day 5
Today the distance is a little shorter. If weather permits, we can have a nice slow breakfast before we start. We glide along Ithaca’s eastern side and rest on one of the beaches along the way. We will almost certainly have the beach for ourselves. Towards the end of the day we make a short crossing of Molos Bay and paddle into Vathy, the main center of Ithaca, a small island town where life goes on the traditional way, without being completely overrun by tourism. We stay in a local waterfront hotel, walk around the village and eat at one of the restaurants specializing in local, organic produce.
Paddling distance, ca 14 km.
Day 6
Our paddle & walk-day. We pack the kayaks for a day trip and paddle around the peninsula north of Vathy. We keep an eye out for dolphins as we continue around the capes of Skinos and Skotargia, before we land on the small beach in Sarakiniko. We will leave our kayaks there, have time for another crystal blue swim, change our footwear and walk back to Vathy, a nice walk of about 3 kilometers. We stay in the same hotel and try a new restaurant in the evening.
Paddling distance, ca 12 km.
Day 7
Our last day in the kayaks. A short taxi ride takes us back to the Sarakiniko beach. We slide away past fish farms, beaches, green slopes and the rocky Cape Mounta, the southern tip of Ithaca. After a couple of swims and snacks breaks we will do the final crossing back to Kefalonia again, landing on Antisamos beach, immortalized as a scene for several movie shoots in the film Captain Corelli’s mandolin, with Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz. We get picked up at Antisamos and transfered back to Argostoli. There will have a great final dinner with great, half true stories about the week’s achievements.
Paddling distance, ca 20 km.
Day 8
Breakfast and packing. Transfer to the airport. Departure.
