Venturing around the Greek Islands by sea kayaking is a magnificent way to explore sea caves, arches, and beaches while marveling at the impossibly teal and turquoise colors of the water. The island of Kefalonia has some of the best sea kayaking in the Greek Islands. The seas around Kefalonia are generally calm with inviting sea temperatures for swimming and snorkeling along the way. The seat of a sea kayak is the best way to access the magical coastal beauty of Kefalonia.
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Where is Kefalonia?
Kefalonia is the largest of the group of islands in the Ionian Sea west of the Peloponnese Peninsula. Corfu is located to the north in the Ionian island chain. Ithaca Island, located to the east is the closest island to Kefalonia. Kefalonia is touted to have some of the most beautiful beaches in all of the Greek Islands. Therefore, sea kayaking is a wonderful way to visit these amazing beaches.
Levante ferries embark from the ports of Kyllini and Patras on the Peloponnese Peninsula. The ferry journey from Kyllini to Poros takes 1.5 hours. The ferry trip from Patras to Sami takes 3 hours. We took our car on the ferry as it’s essential to have a car on the island to get around to all the best outdoor adventure spots. There is also an airport on the island and you can rent a car there.
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Sea Kayak Trip on Kefalonia
I chose to go with Sea Kayaking Kefalonia for a day trip near Argostoli along the southwest coast of Kefalonia. This company is one of the premier sea kayaking outfitters in Greece. Pavlos and Yvonne have run the company for 21 years. As a result, the professionalism and quality of the organization are quite evident.
The equipment that Sea Kayaking Kefalonia uses is top-notch. They provide good quality dry bags and comfortable paddling shirts that keep the sun off. The lifejackets are of excellent quality and well-fitted. Finally, the boats used are popular brands with proper outfitting. The seats were surprisingly comfortable. Paddlers can choose to use expedition-quality singles or doubles for their kayaking experience. Many companies provide double kayaks for beginner paddlers. There are many good reasons to use easier-to-paddle and safer double kayaks. However, I was impressed by how Sea Kayaking Kefalonia taught participants to paddle singles.
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Other Sea Kayaking Kefalonia Trips
Sea Kayaking Kefalonia has a full roster of different trips. They offer eleven different day trips at locations around the island. Most of the trips are rated easy so first-time paddlers are able to learn kayaking skills while enjoying the splendid scenery. In addition, some day trips offer more robust paddlers a chance to stretch their muscles.
The Sea Kayaking Kefalonia multi-day trips are bucket list worthy. For example, the 10-day Ionian Odyssey expedition sea kayaking trip visits 7 islands in the Ionian archipelago. The trippers carry all their gear and stay in picturesque inns along the way.
The company also has a day trips/accommodation package. A couple on my day trip were using this option. They had a choice of accommodations and different day trips for their stay. They said they enjoyed kayaking new routes every day on the island. Transportation to the put-in is also included.
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Argostoli Lighthouse to Minies Sea Kayak Day Trip on Kefalonia
The trip started at a beautiful ivory lighthouse on a point in Argostoli. The buttery morning light bathed the Lighthouse of Saint Theodoroi. The earthquake that leveled Kefalonia in 1953 destroyed the historic lighthouse. Subsequently, it was rebuilt to its original architectural design in 1964.
The trip begins with all the information needed for anyone to be able to sea kayak in this environment. Fanis, the guide, gave detailed instructions on paddling and getting in and out of the boats. After introductions in our first circle together, Fanis remarked the group starts as a team and ends as a team. After that, teamwork was displayed in carrying boats from the trailer and throughout the trip as people helped each other out. I appreciated the emphasis on teamwork on this trip rather than the guides doing everything. Performing the physical tasks of sea kayaking gives participants a realistic experience of the activity.
Arches, Caves, and Beaches on the Sea Kayak Trip on Kefalonia
Once we were all in the boats, we headed south along the rugged coast. The limestone rock was sculpted into arches and caves. The emerald and turquoise water reflected on the cliffs. There were some houses perched on the cliffs so the feeling of pure remoteness was affected by seeing civilization. However, the rugged coast was pristine and we didn’t see another boat.
The ochre-colored sea arches peeked out along the rocks. We played follow the leader to paddle through the arches behind Fantis. The sea arches are created when a cave on a headwall is battered by the sea over the years until it opens up.
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After the sea arches, we quickly arrived at our first sea cave. We ducked into the cave in our boats. The water was calm, therefore we didn’t have to worry about smashing against the walls or ceilings as I’ve experienced in rougher water. The cave was dark but provided beautiful reflections looking out the cave’s mouth.
The Sea Urchin Cave
Next, it was time to pull ourselves along the walls of a sea arch to enter a cave. This one was called Sea Urchin Cave due to the abundance of sea urchins in the clear shallow water.
Sea Urchin Cave has a collapsed roof so light spills in to reflect the clear green color of the water. It’s like you are entering a grand ballroom with an emerald jade floor.
Fantis showed the gathered group a sea urchin and shared information about them. Many of the sea urchins had a few stones and shells on top of them. This covering behavior of sea urchins is to provide protection against the sun or predators or to hold them down against wave action. With only a few objects on them, the sea urchins looked quite uncovered. They looked like that kid who was terrible at hide and seek.
Beaches and Limestone Cliffs
After a fruit stop at a deserted beach, the scenery began to change. Huge white limestone cliffs appeared. These mammoth chalky cliffs stained with rust colors gave a more remote feel to the paddling trip. Finally, we stopped at a remote beach at the foot of the enormous limestone walls. If you want a definition of paradise, this is it.
As the guide and people who wanted to help set up the lunch tarp and food table, others went swimming and snorkeling. There was plenty of time to enjoy the gorgeous beach, the epitome of a Greek island experience.
After lunch, it was a short paddle to the next beach to meet Pavlos and Yvonne at the take-out. We loaded the boats and put away our gear. Some companies have the guides load all the boats, but I liked the teamwork of the participants experiencing this part of a kayaking trip. As Fanis said, begin as a team and end as a team.
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Sea Kayaking Trip in Kefalonia Details
The total time for the trip is 5 to 6 hours. Consequently, it feels very leisurely and is rated easy. The distance covered is about 5 nautical miles. The company picks you and the boats up at the end of the trip so you don’t have to paddle back along the same stretch of coast. They provide transportation back to your car.
You won’t go hungry on the trip with Sea Kayaking Kefalonia. We stopped at the beach after about an hour of paddling for a luscious snack of fresh-cut melon. Fanis carved up the melon on his sea kayak deck and served it from there. Lunch was a traditional Greek lunch with bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, dolmas, feta, and tzatziki.
The mark of a good sea kayaking company is in the little details. Things like having fresh water available to fill water bottles during the trip, and setting up a tarp for shade at lunch make a difference. I was also impressed with the lycra paddling shirts lent to participants to keep sunburn at bay.
The safety management of the group was excellent. The guide carried the proper safety gear and was attentive to all group members in issuing safety tips. The experience of the company showed up in minimizing risks on the trip.
The guide, Fanis, was wonderful at coaching beginners, while at the same time, providing advanced instruction on the water to more experienced paddlers. In particular, there was one participant who had been on four Sea Kayaking Kefalonia trips, and Fanis worked with him to improve his turning skills by edging the boat.
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Sea Kayak Day Trip Gear
My recommended essential gear for a warm weather kayaking day trip with links to where to buy it.
Clothes
Wide brim hat or baseball cap
Long-sleeved synthetic shirt or rash guard for sun protection
Gear
Sunglasses with floating retainer
Sea Kayak Trip on Kefalonia Logistics
Having a car is essential on Kefalonia to get to the amazing outdoor adventures of the island. I use and recommend Discover Cars for your Greek rental. Discover Cars works with reliable local car rental companies to give you the best price and rental experience. I’ve used them often and have always been happy with the car rental.
We rented our car in Athens as we were also visiting the Peloponnese Peninsula. Subsequently, we took the car on the ferry. Just check the car rental agreements to see which ones allow you to take their cars on the ferry. You can also rent in your port of entry on Kefalonia.
While we stayed in Poros because we had a late ferry arrival and an early ferry departure, in the future I would try to stay in a more central city on the island. I really like the charming harborside village of Agia Efimia. Therefore, I checked out some accommodations in Agia Efimia for my next trip.
Blue Moon Apartment is a spacious one-bedroom apartment with an ample balcony overlooking the ocean. It’s close to town so you can enjoy the pulse of this picturesque town.
Another choice is the seafront hotel Kefalonia Bay Palace with breathtaking views of the Ionian sea. The hotel with suites has a pool and offers breakfast. It is a short walk to our favorite restaurant in Agia Efimia. Definitely be sure to dine at Paradise Beach Restaurant for authentic Greek food and views and desserts to die for.
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Wrap Up of Sea Kayak Trip on Kefalonia
Sea kayaking is just one of the many wonderful outdoor adventures on the island of Kefalonia. However, a sea kayaking trip will definitely be a highlight of your Greece vacation. Sea Kayaking Kefalonia is the perfect company to find a paddling trip that fulfills your dreams of seeing this spectacular island from the water. If you are looking for a more remote trip than I described here, they certainly have them. If you have a group of experienced paddlers, Sea Kayaking Kefalonia, can accommodate you.
In sum, you will be astounded by the colors of the water, the unique rock formations, and the fascinating caves, all while accompanied by an excellent guide and interesting fellow paddlers. There’s no better way to see the beauty of Kefalonia.
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Disclaimer: I was a guest of Sea Kayaking Kefalonia on this trip. I was not compensated or asked to write a positive review. All opinions are from my honest experience.
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6 Comments
Michelle · October 25, 2023 at 5:47 pm
A sea kayaking tr ip to Kefalonia looks like a fun adventure in a beautiful place. I cannot get over how clear and blue the water looks in your pictures. Look like you had fun!
Carly · October 25, 2023 at 8:50 pm
The water is so crystal-clear that you’d never be able to keep me in my kayak – I would be swimming all over the place pulling my kayak behind me!
Sharyn · October 25, 2023 at 9:24 pm
All the water shots show clear and inviting water – I can’t wait to get back to the Greek islands!
Kelly · October 26, 2023 at 12:49 am
I always love trying water activities on my travels! I’d love to try kayaking on Kefalonia Island in Greece. I can’t believe how clear the water is! Thanks for sharing your experience and recommendations!
Lenore · October 26, 2023 at 5:21 pm
Sea Kayaking would be something I’d love to do. Navigating through the caves and being right on the water sounds like an amazing time. The lunch looks amazing too, I can’t wait to go!
Josy A · October 30, 2023 at 11:31 pm
This looks fantastic! I have been to Kefalonia before, but we stayed on dry land (I can see that was an error!) I looove that you got to explore the sea urchin cave and the food looks sooo good.
p.s. the little details like the sun-shirts and shade make Sea Kayaking Kefalonia sound like a really great company to go with.