SWIM CHALLENGE – Ithaca to Kefalonia
Swim the strait Ithaca to Kefalonia 07-13 August. This is a unique swim trip set in the mythical land of Odysseus in the Ionian Islands.
Looking for an incredible Mediterranean Sea swim crossing challenge combined with an adventure holiday full of beautiful swims within one of Europe’s most fascinating islands? We have the answer, make your swim challenge goals a reality by crossing the Ionian islands from Kefalonia island to Ithaca island and from Atokos island to Ithaca island. Also experience the vast variety of the Ionian islands coastline with its stunningrock formations and postcard pebbles beaches.
Coastal swims will have a length of approximately 5 km per day. The swims will be in preparation of the main event of the expedition, the 2 crossings from Kefalonia island to Ithaca island (6 km) and from Atokos island to Ithaca island (10 km). Each day the Swimtrekking instructors will inform you of the daily itinerary and provide safety and support during the swims. Swimtrekking will provide you a total of 5 full days of swimming (2 crossings, 3 days of coastal swims) and 1 half day of coaching session of coastal swims.
Equipment
This is your swim challenge! What stands us alone from other crossing providers is that we aren’t rule specific in terms of swim equipment*. You are undertaking a non-competitive swim crossing; we just need to know what swim equipment you wish to use when you register. We appreciate everyone’s goals and how they wish to achieve them is different. We suggest each swimmer brings a swim costume and 2 goggles. You could also choose to bring wetsuit, fins, snorkel or any other kind of technical equipment. Swimtreeking will provide swimmers with a swim cap and t-shirt.
*The only exceptions are you must wear a swim cap provided by Swimtrekking and waterproof MP3 players are prohibited. The use of front snorkels is permissible, but the use of these is to be discussed with the lead swim instructor prior to your crossing purely for safety purposes.
About Ithaca
Known as the home island of Ulysses from Homer’s Odyssey, Ithaca Greece belongs to the Ionian island group. Apart from its mythical essence, it boasts an incredible natural beauty. (Read more…)
Dates of trip
07-13 August
Please note: for group bookings Swimtrekking can tailor the trip to the groups specific needs/requirements/dates.
About the trip
Start point: Kioni, Ithaca, Captain’s Apartments
Start time: on the arrival day meet your Swimtrekking Instructors at the residence Captain’s Apartments at 2pm. Check in, briefing and first swim in the evening.
Finish point: Kioni, Ithaca, Captain’s Apartments
Finish time: on the departing day last breakfast @ 7.30am and transfer to Pisaeto for the first ferry to Kefalonia.
Typical day Swimtrekking
Breakfast and briefing. Pack up your essentials for the day before heading out for the morning swim. Walk to Kioni port near Captain’s Apartments. Meet your boat that will take you to the swim locations. We’ll stop off in a cove for lunch, after which you have time to spend exploring. Once lunch has settled and everyone is ready to cool off in the water again, we start our second swim in a different location. At the end of the second swim the boat will take us back to Kioni port.
The Crossing – General information
Location
Ionian islands
Distance
6 kilometers according to weather conditions from Kefalonia island to Ithaca island and 10 kilometers from Atokos island island to Ithaca island. Itinerary could also slightly change due to Greek coast guard decisions.
Swim Window Dates
We will have a swim crossing window of 5 days from 07 to 13 of August. In case of bad weather conditions, an alternative itinerary will be organized along the coastline.
The day of the crossing
Aim for a 7am start (this is subject to change at the discretion of the lead Swimtrekking instructor and boat captain). The crossing would only go ahead if the weather conditions are satisfactory and safe (neutral or favourable currents; maximum Beaufort scale (2) and only with the authorization of the Greek coast guard.
Groups
All swims are non competitive. Instructor(s) will create a maximum of 3 groups. Each group will be assigned 1 support boat. Each group will have different speeds and swimmers should always swim together and as a team (pod).
Swimmers
Should wear a swim cap for all swims. Each swim group will be assigned a colour. During the week Swimtrekking instructors will take care of swim drinks and feeds, approximately every 30 minutes. Swimmers are free to prepare their personalized drinks and feeds.
See Rules and Regulations below about K2I Swim 1 week programme. 
Rules and Regulations K2I Swim 1 week programme
A solid open water swimming and sea conditions knowledge base is preferential. This will help facilitate the success of crossings from Kefalonia to Ithaca and Atokos to Ithaca.
Swim window dates
We will have a swim crossing window of 5 days from 07 to 13 of August. In case of bad weather conditions, an alternative itinerary will be organized along the coastline.
Swim Equipment
This is your swim challenge! What stands us alone from other crossing providers is that we aren’t rule specific in terms of swim equipment*. You are undertaking a non-competitive swim crossing; we just need to know what swim equipment you wish to use when you register. We appreciate everyone’s goals and how they wish to achieve them is different.
*The only exceptions are you must wear a swim cap provided by Swimtrekking and waterproof MP3 players are prohibited. The use of front snorkels is permissible, but the use of these is to be discussed with the lead swim instructor prior to your crossing purely for safety purposes.
Medical Certificate
Provide a completed medical certificate from a doctor certifying that the swimmer has no medical reason which would preclude him/her from performing non-competitive swimming and is fit for the swim challenge.
Insurance (travel and life insurance)
Swimmers must have their own individual insurance which assures they are covered for any unforeseen event during their voyage. Any accident in relation to any support boats are covered by the insurance of the boat and Swimtrekking, apart from that Swimtrekking is not responsible for the consequences that arise as long as they are not within their responsibilities.
Communication and language
The swimmer, coach, mentor or support crew should be able to communicate in Italian or English.
Swimmer support crew
A maximum of one support crew is permissible for the crossing. Support crew will need to pay a discounted rate.
Aborting swim due to swimmers safety
The skipper of the main support vessel, after consultation with the doctor and lead swim support instructor has the final decision with regards to swimmers safety and aborting a swim.
Group (Pod) swimming
Instructors will split all the swimmers into 3 speed groups. Therefore every group will have swimmers with a similar swimming ability and they shall not separate more than 3 metres throughout the entirety of the crossing. If swimmers exceed this distance, the faster swimmer(s) should slow down, wait or loop back. If one or more swimmers for any reason are delayed several times, the skipper of the main support vessel, doctor and lead swim support instructor after consultation with each other have the right to remove the swimmer(s) without question. This decision will be made in the interest of the swimmer(s) safety. Depending on the health of the swimmer(s) removed from the water the swim may need to be aborted.
Feeds/Nutrition during the crossing
All feeds/nutrition is the responsibility of each swimmer. It is recommended that substances to be ingested during the crossing have been tested during your training swims and are unlikely to cause any unwanted reaction during your swim crossing. Due to varying currents in Aeolian islands and to ensure the success of the crossing it is advised that feeds are limited to a maximum of 1 minute, this will provide enough time to ingest liquids and/or solids. Swimtrekking advises feeds occur no less than 30 minutes between each stop.
Medication
All medications (non-narcotic and prescribed) that the swimmer must take during the crossing must be shown and validated by the doctor assigned by Swimtrekking prior to any boats leaving for the start of the swim.
Stimulants
The use of any performance enhancing stimulants is forbidden. This would result in your solo swim, group swim or relay not being recognised if there is evidence of such a breach.
Minimum age limit
Swimmers under 18 years of age before the year of the crossing date are not allowed.
Passports
Each swimmer and any accompanying personal must have their passport with them for the crossing day.
Start and finish of crossing
The crossing must begin after sunrise and must end before 5.30 pm.
Adverse weather conditions and/or environmental factors
The weather and environment can be unpredictable. The skipper of the main support vessel, after consultation with the lead swim support instructor may cancel the crossing before or during the swim due to adverse weather conditions and/or adverse environmental factors.
Emergency evacuation
You will hear one long blast on the whistle or fog horn. Although you may feel like you are in your natural element in the water this is not our home. If we need to remove you from the water “get out” straight away. We can discuss the reasons why we have removed you once you are on the safety of a boat. The skipper of the main support vessel or any swim support instructor all have equal final say on this.
Burocratic issues external to Swimtrekking
The swimmer understands that he/she is participating in a crossing that includes the jurisdiction of different countries. Every country has his own rules, therefore any order or mandate of the authorities of those countries may affect the crossing.
Getting to Ithaca
Kefalonia is the nearest international airport to Ithaca. Easy Jet, Olympic Air, Air France, Ita Airways, Air Dolomiti, Aegean Airlines, Ryan Air, fly to Kefalonia from different European destinations. From Kefalonia it will be possible to reach Ithaca with local ferry Ionion Pelagos services within 30 minutes.
Accommodation
We stay 6 nights at Captain’s Apartments residence in Kioni, which is a nice and comfortable residence 2 minutes walking distance from the sea front of the town village of Kioni. There are 2 types of accommodation: apartments for 2-3 persons and studios for 2 persons, all with en-suite facilities.
Food
Breakfast will be served each morning at 8:00 at the local bar in Kioni port;
Lunches will be a selection of sandwiches, fruit and snacks;
Traditional Greek dinners will be served each evening at Mythos restaurant on the sea front of Kioni village.
We can cater for vegetarian and gluten free diets but please ensure you inform us of your dietary requirements on booking.
Temperatures and conditions
August: air temperature 29°C; sea temperature 26°C.
Sea conditions will vary according to the weather and currents. This all adds to the experience of being in open water.
What to bring
On top of your normal clothes you should bring with you: a waterproof jacket, warm sweatshirt, walking shoes/sandals, sun hat, and sun glasses.
There are cash points on the island in the town of Vathi and in the villages of Stavros and Kioni.
Places of interest
You can see below the best Sites in Ithaca. You can filter them by category and location.
Do you want to learn about available activities? Check the best Things to do in Ithaca.