A Kefalonia fishing trip is a day at sea with a licensed local fisherman, who shows guests how the nets and lines work and cooks the catch on board. Boats leave from Argostoli and the other ports of the island. Tours across the rest of the country are listed on Greece Tours.
The sections below cover the trips, the ports, fishing tourism, the steps, the methods, the fish, the White Rocks and Vardiani, the lunch, swimming, who it suits, inclusions, timing and booking, with links into the Kefalonia pages. The tour shown is checked on GetYourGuide.
What is a Kefalonia fishing trip?
A Kefalonia fishing trip is a day at sea on a working fishing boat. A local professional fisherman lifts the nets he set the night before. Guests watch or help, swim at quiet beaches and eat the catch for lunch.
The boats are traditional wooden caiques, which are small Greek fishing boats. Kefalonia’s tourism website counts 10 active fishing tourism boats spread around the whole island.
A Kefalonia fishing trip puts the fishing first and the beaches second. Hosts explain the nets, the fish and the sea life of the Ionian Sea. Each boat belongs to a working fisherman and his crew.
Lunch on a Kefalonia fishing trip comes from that morning’s catch, so the menu changes each day. The crew cooks it on board while the boat sits at anchor in a quiet bay.
Which Kefalonia fishing trip can you book?
You can book a Kefalonia fishing trip with Captain Sotiris on GetYourGuide, sailing from Argostoli. Licensed fishing boats also take bookings direct from Argostoli, Lixouri, Svoronata, Katelios and Zola. Each boat is run by its own captain.
The GetYourGuide listing is called “Kefalonia: Fishing Trip with Lunch, Swimming, and Snorkeling”. It lasts 5.5 hours and leaves Argostoli at 9am. Captain Sotiris, a licensed third-generation fisherman, takes a small group to White Rocks and Vardiani island.
- Fishing Tourism Kefalonia Sotiris: Argostoli seafront, up to 8 guests.
- Fishing Trips Kefalonia Dionisios: Argostoli harbour, with Captain Grigoris and Maria.
- Poseidon Fishing Tourism: Lixouri or Argostoli harbour, with Captain Gerasimos Mourelatos.
- Fishing Tourism Kefalonia Michalis: Agia Pelagia port in Svoronata, with Captain Michalis Messoloras.
- Dimitrios-Efthimia: Katelios harbour, with Captain Dimitris and Efthimia.
- Kefalonia Fishing Tours: Agia Kyriaki port in Zola, with Captain Dionysis Gasparatos.
Captain Gerasimos has fished around Kefalonia for 40 years. Captain Michalis also runs swordfish trips and special days of rod fishing. Every Kefalonia fishing trip here is led by a working professional fisherman.
Where does a Kefalonia fishing trip leave from?
A Kefalonia fishing trip leaves from a small harbour near the captain’s fishing grounds. Argostoli and Lixouri face each other across the bay. Svoronata and Katelios sit on the south coast, Zola on the west and Fiskardo in the north.
- Argostoli: the capital’s harbour, where the Dionisios boat moors left of the “I Love Kefalonia” sign.
- Lixouri: the main town of the Paliki peninsula and home port of Poseidon Fishing Tourism.
- Agia Pelagia, Svoronata: a small port 10 km from Argostoli, base of the Michalis boat.
- Katelios: a traditional fishing village on the south coast, base of Dimitrios-Efthimia.
- Agia Kyriaki, Zola: a small port near Fteri beach, base of Kefalonia Fishing Tours.
- Fiskardo: a harbour 49.5 km north of Argostoli, base of private rod-fishing trips.
Fiscardo Fishing Trips runs a private Kefalonia fishing trip with rods and professional gear. Captain Dionisis suits each trip to beginners or experienced anglers. It also visits beaches on Ithaca and Lefkada.
Visitors staying in Skala or Poros, in the south-east, are closest to Katelios. Poros is itself a working fishing port for a handful of local caiques.
On the east coast, Agia Efimia is a fishing village in a sheltered bay. None of the boats above is based there. Captain Michalis can collect guests from other ports on request.
What is fishing tourism on a Kefalonia fishing trip?
Fishing tourism, called alieftikos tourismos in Greek, lets a professional fisherman carry paying guests on his working boat. Every Kefalonia fishing trip of this kind needs a special licence. The port authority that registered the boat issues it.
Greek law names it the Special Fishing Tourism Licence. Only a professional fisherman with a licensed fishing boat can apply. Fishing tourism began in Greece about 11 years ago.
The first Kefalonian boat received its fishing tourism licence a year later. Captain Michalis was among the first licensed fishermen on the island and in Greece.
- The boat measures up to 15 metres long.
- Bottom trawlers, which drag nets along the seabed, cannot hold the licence.
- The boat meets the safety rules for tourist passenger boats.
- The port authority learns the number of guests before each departure.
- Guests need no personal fishing licence.
- Guests under 14 travel with an adult.
On a licensed Kefalonia fishing trip, the fisherman demonstrates his methods. Guests can also handle the gear and join the work directly if they wish.
What happens step by step on a Kefalonia fishing trip?
A Kefalonia fishing trip starts with coffee or breakfast as the boat leaves port. The crew lifts the nets set the night before. Swim stops follow at beaches reached only by boat, then lunch from the catch, then the return.
The evening before a Kefalonia fishing trip, the fisherman sets his nets over a spot he knows well. Guests board in the morning to coffee and tea or a Greek breakfast.
The boat then heads to the nets. One Lixouri trip hauls in a one-kilometre spider net, a fine net for shrimps. This takes about 30 minutes. Guests help pick out fish and prawns.
On the Sotiris boat, guests watch the nets come in but do not fish. The boat then sails on to White Rocks and Vardiani island. The crew cooks lunch while guests swim.
Which fishing methods does a Kefalonia fishing trip use?
A Kefalonia fishing trip uses the gear of small coastal fishermen. The crew lifts static nets or longlines set in the sea the night before. Guests watch, help sort the catch, and on certain boats fish with rods or hand lines.
Greek rules describe fishing tourism in simple terms. The fisherman shows guests how a longline, a long rope with baited hooks, or a static net works. Guests can then try a rod, a trolling line pulled behind the boat, or a hand line.
On a Kefalonia fishing trip from Lixouri, the net is one kilometre long. It is a fine “spider net” made to catch shrimps. Pulling it in takes about 30 minutes, and guests can help.
Captain Sotiris draws in his nets as his family has done for generations. His guests watch from close by and do not fish. Fishing tourism uses shorter nets and fewer longlines, so less fish is taken from the sea.
- Static nets: fine nets left in one place in the sea overnight.
- Longlines: a main line with rows of baited hooks.
- Rods: offered on special days by Captain Michalis, without lunch.
- Hand lines and trolling lines: simple lines guests hold or tow.
- Swordfish trips: a separate outing that Captain Michalis also runs.
Which fish can you catch on a Kefalonia fishing trip?
A Kefalonia fishing trip brings up whatever swims into the nets that night. Greek public broadcaster ERT lists lobsters, groupers, red mullet, octopus and scorpionfish among the catch. Spider crabs, monkfish and shrimps also come aboard.
- Lobster: a spiny shellfish that hides among rocks.
- Grouper: a large, heavy fish of rocky ground.
- Red mullet: a small pink fish with two whiskers under its chin.
- Scorpionfish: a red fish with sharp spines that only the crew handles.
- Monkfish: a seabed fish with a huge mouth.
- Shrimps: caught in the fine spider net on the Lixouri boat.
ERT notes that guests learn which kinds of fish live in the Ionian Sea. Each fish is freed from the net in front of guests on a Kefalonia fishing trip.
On the Argostoli boat Dionisios, guests help free fish and prawns from nets set the night before. The Katelios boat stores its catch on ice straight after the nets are emptied.
The catch changes each day, because the sea decides what comes up. Zakynthos lies south of Kefalonia and has its own fishing boats, covered on the Zakynthos fishing trip page.
What are the White Rocks and Vardiani island on a Kefalonia fishing trip?
White Rocks and Vardiani are the main stops on a Kefalonia fishing trip from Argostoli or Lixouri. White Rocks is a sandy beach below tall white cliffs. Vardiani is a small, uninhabited island known as Rabbit Island.
From Argostoli harbour, a slow cruise along the Lassi coast reaches White Rocks in about an hour. Vardiani lies southwest of Argostoli and south of Lixouri. Its name comes from the Italian “vardia”, meaning guard, since it guards the bay.
- White Rocks: in the Lassi area, just south of Platys and Makris Gialos.
- Access: no road reaches White Rocks, so boats bring swimmers in.
- Vardiani: off the Paliki peninsula, at the entrance to Livadi Bay.
- Lighthouse: a smaller light now replaces a 25-metre tower lost to bombing and an earthquake.
- Ruins: remains of the St Nicholas and Evangelistria monasteries.
Captain Gregory’s Kefalonia fishing trip on the Dionisios adds a third stop at Mania Beach. Other Kefalonia boat trips from Argostoli visit both places without any fishing.
What lunch comes with a Kefalonia fishing trip?
Lunch on a Kefalonia fishing trip is the morning’s catch, cooked on board by the crew. The fish is grilled or fried and served with salads, bread and local wine. The boat anchors in a quiet bay to eat.
On the Lixouri trip, lunch adds dips and linguine with big shrimps. Earlier, guests get meze, small shared dishes, with tsipouro, a strong grape spirit. Breakfast includes boiled eggs, Kefalonian feta, olives and sesame bread rings.
Captain Sotiris serves lunch on his Kefalonia fishing trip at Vardiani, with local recipes. Poseidon anchors in a small Vardiani bay, and guests can help cook. Captain Michalis brings vegetables from his garden and wine from his vineyard.
Efthimia cooks on board the Katelios boat while guests swim nearby, and serves homemade wine. For fish suppers ashore, see the guide to Kefalonia restaurants.
Can you swim and snorkel on a Kefalonia fishing trip?
Yes, every Kefalonia fishing trip stops to swim, and snorkelling is part of the day. Boats anchor off beaches that roads do not reach. Guests swim, snorkel or sunbathe while the crew prepares lunch on board.
On his Kefalonia fishing trip, Captain Sotiris anchors at chosen spots for swimming, snorkelling and diving. At Vardiani, the Poseidon crew can take guests ashore to explore the island.
- Argostoli: the Dionisios stops at White Rocks, Vardiani and Mania Beach.
- Lixouri: Poseidon swims at White Rocks, then anchors at Vardiani.
- Katelios: the Dimitrios-Efthimia anchors at a beach only boats reach.
- Zola: Kefalonia Fishing Tours visits Amidi, Kamari and Fteri beaches.
- Agia Pelagia: Captain Michalis tours beaches reachable only by boat.
The Lixouri boat passes fish farm cages to look for loggerhead sea turtles, explained on Kefalonia turtles. Scuba diving with air tanks is a separate outing, covered under Kefalonia diving.
Who suits a Kefalonia fishing trip?
A Kefalonia fishing trip suits families, couples and first-timers who want a calm day at sea. Local sources call fishing tourism suitable for all ages, whether or not fishing is your hobby. No fishing skills are needed to join.
Children are welcome on a Kefalonia fishing trip. The Poseidon tour from Lixouri lists ages 1 to 99 and a maximum of 12 guests. Infants sit on an adult’s lap. Find more family days out on the Kefalonia with kids page.
Beginners do not have to fish at all. On Captain Sotiris’s boat, guests watch him pull in the nets up close. Captain Michalis invites guests to help collect the catch only if they wish. The Katelios crew points out that fishing is not the only activity on board.
Seasickness is a real risk on a small boat. A family travel guide suggests a seasickness pill one to two hours before departure. Carry the pack along in case you need a second one.
How long does a Kefalonia fishing trip last, and what is included?
A Kefalonia fishing trip lasts between five and a half and eight hours. The GetYourGuide trip with Captain Sotiris runs 5.5 hours in a small group, with lunch included. Boats leaving around 8 am return by mid-afternoon.
Each boat keeps its own timetable, set around the nets laid the night before. The fishermen list their day trips with these hours and group sizes:
- Captain Sotiris, Argostoli: about 9 am to the afternoon, a maximum of 8 guests
- Michalis, Agia Pelagia: 8 am to 4 pm
- Dimitrios-Efthimia, Katelios: 8.30 am to about 3 pm, a maximum of 12 guests
- Kefalonia Fishing Tours, Zola: 9 am to 4 pm
- Grecos, Pessada: 8 am to 4 pm
- Poseidon, Lixouri: 8 hours from 8 am, a maximum of 12 guests
Food and drink come with every Kefalonia fishing trip listed here. Grecos includes breakfast, lunch, soft drinks, water and local wines. The Katelios boat states that everything is included.
Poseidon serves a Greek breakfast on the way to the nets. Its list adds meze dishes and tsipouro, a strong grape spirit. Captain Grigoris’s crew in Argostoli welcomes guests with coffee and tea on boarding.
When does a Kefalonia fishing trip run, and what do you bring?
A Kefalonia fishing trip runs daily in the warm months, and only when the weather allows. The Katelios boat states that its fishing cruises take place all year round. Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunglasses for the swim stops.
Wind decides each day at sea. Boats sail weather permitting, and Grecos advertises trips for all seasons. Summer brings the warmest water for swimming. See when to visit Kefalonia for the island’s seasons.
A windy morning can cancel a Kefalonia fishing trip. A land outing, such as a tuk-tuk tour of Kefalonia, fills the free day. Departures start early, so a base near your port helps; see where to stay in Kefalonia.
Pack light, because deck space on a working fishing boat is tight. Captain Michalis lists three items to bring, and a local fishing charter adds two more:
- A swimsuit for the swim stops
- A towel to dry off on deck
- Sunglasses against the glare on the water
- Sunscreen for hours in the open sun
- A hat to shade your head and face
How do you book and cancel a Kefalonia fishing trip?
You book a Kefalonia fishing trip online through GetYourGuide or directly with the fisherman. Under GetYourGuide’s terms, cancelling more than 24 hours before the start gives a full refund. Later cancellations and no-shows get no refund.
Refunds go back to the payment method used for the booking. Each GetYourGuide listing shows its own cancellation rules on the activity page. If the boat cancels a Kefalonia fishing trip, GetYourGuide refunds the booking.
Booking direct works by message or phone. Captain Sotiris takes requests through his website form and WhatsApp. He replies with a personal quote based on the number of adults and the children’s ages.
Boats take a maximum of 8 to 12 guests. The Katelios crew notes that early booking ensures your place. To skipper a boat yourself, see Kefalonia boat rental.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy fish after a Kefalonia fishing trip?
Yes, on Captain Michalis’s boat. His crew cleans the catch and stores it in fridges on board during the day. Part of it becomes lunch, and fish is on sale at the end of the day. Bring a cool bag if you plan to take fish home.
Will you see turtles or dolphins on a Kefalonia fishing trip?
Wildlife is a bonus, not a promise. Poseidon sails past the fish farm cages early in the morning. That is when loggerhead sea turtles are easier to spot there. Captain Michalis’s trips also offer the chance to meet dolphins and loggerhead turtles close up.
Is there an evening Kefalonia fishing trip?
Yes, three boats run late trips. Captain Grigoris leaves Argostoli daily at 5.30 pm for a sunset trip. Grecos sails from Pessada at 5 pm and returns after sunset. Captain Michalis leaves Agia Pelagia at 5 pm and returns at 11 pm on set dates.
Can you book a private fishing day on Kefalonia?
Yes. Captain Michalis offers private hire for groups at extra cost. He also runs special swordfish trips. Rod-fishing days can be arranged as well, though lunch is not included on those. Poseidon offers private sea trips with a third generation of professional fishermen.
What kind of boat carries a Kefalonia fishing trip?
Guests sail on working fishing boats, not cruise boats. Captain Michalis’s boat is a traditional wooden Greek boat from a shipyard in Halkidiki, northern Greece. Captain Gerasimos, a builder of traditional boats, made it. The boat meets the safety standards set by the fishing tourism law.