Catamaran Cruises in SantoriniSantorini Sailing Center Renieris: The Classic Catamaran Cruise
The Santorini Sailing Center Renieris catamaran cruise is a mid-price option at $98 per person, 5 hours on the water, a 4.9 rating from 582 verified bookings. It leaves Vlychada Marina on the south coast, stops to swim at Red Beach, White Beach and Mesa Pigadia, sails past the Akrotiri Lighthouse and stops in the waters off Nea Kameni, and serves a Greek BBQ with unlimited local dry white wine, soft drinks and water. Hotel pickup is included. This page walks through the full itinerary, what the price covers and where it falls short, and compares it with other Santorini catamaran cruises in the same price band. Compare it with the other catamaran cruises in Santorini.
About This Tour
Santorini Sailing Center Renieris runs a 5-hour shared catamaran cruise from Vlychada Marina with morning and evening departures. A minibus collects you at your hotel, the boat makes swim stops at Red Beach, Mesa Pigadia and the waters off Nea Kameni, and a Greek BBQ is served on board with appetizers and unlimited dry white wine.
The evening tour sails back with the sunset. The morning tour returns to the marina with music on board. The itinerary changes in strong winds, so the exact route is never guaranteed.
$98 per person, bookable on GetYourGuide with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
5 hours, morning or evening, check availability for starting times
Hotel pickup by minibus, or meet at Vlychada Marina right next to the Santa Maria Sailing Yacht. The vessel is confirmed one day before the charter date
Group size not stated, crew hosts in English
Shared catamaran with cabins, a toilet, rinse-off facilities, floating equipment, snorkel gear, towels and music
Onboard BBQ with a handmade chicken or vegetarian skewer, appetizers such as eggplant salad, tzatziki, pita, grilled sausage and Greek salad, plus unlimited local dry white wine, soft drinks and water. Tips for the crew are not included
Check Dates and Availability
Pick a date to see the morning and evening starting times and the pickup options for your hotel. Booking is flexible with reserve now and pay later.
Quick answer The short version
The Santorini Sailing Center Renieris cruise costs $98 per person and lasts 5 hours, with a 4.9 rating from 582 reviews. It includes hotel pickup, three swim stops, an onboard BBQ and unlimited white wine.
Key takeaways
- See how it stacks up in the catamaran cruises in Santorini
- Want beer and an open bar on a sunset run? Look at Volcano Yachting Sunset
- Only 18 guests and a glass of Prosecco? Santorini Star Catamaran caps its boat at 18
- Watch the route change with the wind in the morning or sunset guide
What the Price Actually Covers
The listing on GetYourGuide is explicit about what is in the $98 and what is not. Here is the full line by line.
Included in the $98
Hotel pickup and drop-off by minibus, the 5-hour cruise, the onboard BBQ meal, unlimited dry white wine, soft drinks and water, snorkeling equipment, towels, floating equipment, a map of Santorini, cabins, a toilet with rinse-off facilities and music are all listed as included. There is no entry fee named for any stop.
The meal is a real plate, not just snacks. You choose a handmade chicken skewer or a vegetarian skewer, and appetizers include eggplant salad, tzatziki, pita breads, grilled sausage and Greek salad.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Cruise on a shared catamaran
- Onboard BBQ meal with a chicken or vegetarian skewer and appetizers
- Unlimited local dry white wine, soft drinks and water
- Snorkeling equipment, towels and floating equipment
- Cabins, toilet, rinse-off facilities, music and a map of Santorini
Not Included and What You May Pay on the Day
Tips for the crew are not included, and the listing reminds guests to tip the crew. There is no stated charge for the pickup and no paid upgrade tiers on this listing. The included drinks are wine, soft drinks and water.
Beer and cocktails are not listed, although the listing's summary line mentions beers, so ask the operator if beer matters to you. Volcano Yachting Sunset at $118 has beer in its open bar.
| Line | In the price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel pickup and drop-off | Yes | Minibus from your hotel |
| BBQ meal | Yes | Chicken or vegetarian skewer plus appetizers |
| Wine, soft drinks, water | Yes | Unlimited, local dry white wine |
| Beer and cocktails | No | Not listed as included, see Volcano Yachting Sunset |
| Snorkel gear, towels, floating equipment | Yes | Bring your own swimsuit |
| Tips for the crew | No | Not included |
Fira on the caldera rim, seen across the red lava of Nea Kameni. Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What the Day Is Really Like
The itinerary below follows the operator's own description of the 5-hour run from Vlychada.
Pickup and Boarding
A minibus collects you at your hotel and drives to Vlychada Marina, the working harbor on Santorini's south coast. If you make your own way there, the meeting point is right next to the Santa Maria Sailing Yacht, and the operator tells you which vessel you will board one day before the charter date. No exact clock time is stated for pickup or departure, only that morning and evening options exist.
- Minibus pickup at your hotel
- Meeting point next to the Santa Maria Sailing Yacht at Vlychada Marina
- Vessel confirmed one day before
Three Swim Stops Down the Coast
The boat sails first to Red Beach and you dive in among the bright red rocks. The beach itself has been closed to land access because of rockfall danger, so the water is the only way to see it up close. Next comes the secluded White Beach, with its tall pale pumice cliffs above dark sand, for photos and a swim.
The third stop is Mesa Pigadia, where you can snorkel among colorful fish. Bring water shoes, since the seabed there has rocks and urchins.
- Swim 1: Red Beach, seen from the water
- Swim 2: White Beach, photos of the cliffs
- Swim 3: Mesa Pigadia, snorkeling
The Lighthouse, the Volcano and the BBQ
The cruise continues past the Indian Face Mountain and the Akrotiri Lighthouse, then heads to Nea Kameni, the black lava islet in the middle of the caldera. You stop in its deep blue water for a swim, feeling the sulfur and salt, but there is no landing on the volcano. The crater walk is a separate tour.
Back on board a Greek BBQ is served with appetizers and unlimited local dry white wine.
- Sail past the Indian Face Mountain and the Akrotiri Lighthouse
- Swim in the waters off Nea Kameni, no landing
- Onboard BBQ with a skewer, appetizers and unlimited wine
The Ride Back and the Return
After dinner the listing says the boat heads towards the Old Harbor of Santorini. On the evening tour you relax and watch the sunset from the deck as you sail. The morning tour returns to Vlychada Marina with music playing and time to sunbathe.
At the marina the minibus takes you back to your hotel. In strong winds the itinerary changes, so stops and their order can shift.
- Evening tour: sail back with the sunset
- Morning tour: return to the marina with music on board
- Minibus back to your hotel
Renieris Santorini Sailing Center - Catamaran Sailing Cruises
Santorini Sailing Center shows its Renieris catamaran cruises. Third-party video by Santorini Sailing Center. This site did not shoot it and has no relationship with the creator.
Who This Tour Rules Out
The listing states its exclusions plainly. Check them before you book, because there is no way around most of them on the day.
Access and Health Limits
The cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users and not suitable for people over 95 years. Pets and baby strollers are not allowed on board. No minimum age is stated, so families with young children should ask the operator.
If any of this blocks you, Santorini Day Tours Small Cruise caps its boat at 20 guests and lists ages up to 99, while ViSta Platinum Catamaran takes infants from 0 to 3 on an adult's lap.
- Not suitable for wheelchair users
- Not suitable for people over 95 years
- No pets and no baby strollers
- Minimum age not stated
Weather, Wind and Timing
The itinerary changes in strong winds. A stop can be swapped or dropped. Sunset falls as early as 17:05 in late December, so the evening tour's timing shifts with the season.
If you are arriving on a cruise ship, you tender to the Old Port and your time ashore may not fit a 5-hour block, so check your ship's first and last tender times before booking. Read how the ports work in the guide to the Santorini cruise port. If a fixed long cruise does not fit your day, a smaller boat such as Santorini Star Catamaran may suit better.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing
The pale cliff formation between White Beach and Red Beach. Photo: seligmanwaite, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Getting There and What to Add
The pickup removes most of the logistics, but the marina is remote if you come on your own, and there are good add-ons nearby.
Getting to Vlychada Marina
Vlychada sits on the low southern shore of the island, about 10 km from Fira and 6 to 7 km from the airport, and the marina operates around the clock with roughly 980 meters of quay. Since hotel pickup is included, you normally skip the drive altogether. If you drive yourself, the meeting point is next to the Santa Maria Sailing Yacht, and the operator confirms the exact vessel one day before.
Cruise-ship passengers tender to the Old Port below Fira, where a cable car and nearly 600 steps connect the port to town, so allow time for the tender both ways before committing to a fixed 5-hour cruise.
What to Add Before or After
Nea Kameni is sailed past on this cruise but not landed on. To walk on the volcano you need a separate volcano tour. Red Beach, closed to walkers, is best understood from the water you just swam in.
- Volcano walk on Nea Kameni, separate tour
- White Beach, reached only by boat
- Mesa Pigadia, rocks and urchins on the seabed
Read More
Two guides on this site cover the stops you will see: the guide to White Beach Santorini explains why the only way in is by boat, and Santorini snorkeling covers the gear and the fish you meet at Mesa Pigadia. For the wider picture, see Santorini catamaran cruises.
Full Itinerary
Times are phases rather than fixed clock times, since the listing gives only the 5-hour total and morning or evening options.
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Start
Hotel pickup and drive to Vlychada
A minibus collects you at your hotel and takes you to Vlychada Marina. Self-drivers meet next to the Santa Maria Sailing Yacht. The vessel is confirmed one day before the charter date.
-
First stop
Red Beach swim
The boat sails along the south coast to Red Beach. You dive into the water among the bright red rocks. The beach itself is closed to land access, so the sea is the vantage point.
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Second stop
White Beach and photos
The cruise continues to the secluded White Beach, where pale pumice cliffs rise above dark sand. Photos and a swim here.
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Third stop
Mesa Pigadia snorkel stop
Third swim stop of the day. Snorkel among colorful fish. Water shoes help, as the seabed has rocks and urchins.
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Next
Past the lighthouse to Nea Kameni
The boat passes the Indian Face Mountain and the Akrotiri Lighthouse, then stops in the deep blue water near the black lava of Nea Kameni for a swim with sulfur and salt in the water. No landing on the volcano.
-
Back on board
BBQ on board
Back on deck a Greek BBQ is served. You pick a handmade chicken or vegetarian skewer, eat appetizers such as eggplant salad, tzatziki and Greek salad, and drink unlimited local dry white wine, soft drinks or water.
-
Return
Sunset or music, then back to your hotel
The evening tour sails back with the sunset. The morning tour returns to Vlychada Marina with music on board. The minibus drops you at your hotel.
Pros and Cons
An honest weighing of this listing against the alternatives at similar prices.
What we genuinely like
- $98 per person with hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Swim stops at Red Beach, White Beach and Mesa Pigadia, plus a swim off Nea Kameni
- A real onboard BBQ with a choice of chicken or vegetarian skewer and Greek appetizers
- Unlimited local dry white wine, soft drinks and water, no drink charges
- Snorkel gear, towels, floating equipment, cabins, a toilet and rinse-off all provided
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before and reserve now, pay later
- 4.9 rating from 582 verified bookings
The honest downsides
- Beer and cocktails are not listed, only wine, soft drinks and water are named
- Nea Kameni is sailed past and swum, never landed, so no crater walk
- No stated group size cap, so you cannot tell how full the boat will be
- Strong winds change the itinerary, so a stop can be dropped or swapped
- Tips for the crew are not included
- Wheelchair users and people over 95 years are excluded, and no strollers or pets are allowed
Who it's NOT for: Not for anyone who wants an open bar with beer, a landing on the volcano or a stated group size.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Santorini Sailing Center Renieris cruise cost?
It costs $98 per person for the 5-hour cruise, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Compare it with other boats in the catamaran cruises in Santorini.
Does this catamaran stop at the hot springs?
No. The listing names swims at Red Beach, White Beach, Mesa Pigadia and the waters off Nea Kameni, with no hot springs stop. If you want the warm sulfur water, Volcano Yachting Sunset includes the hot springs on its route.
Can you walk on the volcano on this tour?
No. Nea Kameni is sailed to and swum off, but there is no landing. The crater walk is a separate volcano tour, described in the guide to the Santorini volcano.
Is beer included on board?
Beer is not listed as included. The drinks named are unlimited local dry white wine, soft drinks and water, although the listing's summary line mentions beers. Travelers who want beer in the bar can look at Volcano Yachting Sunset or the Comfort Max Catamaran, where beer is poured or sold on board.
Where does the cruise leave from and how do I get there?
It leaves Vlychada Marina on the south coast, and hotel pickup by minibus is included. If you drive yourself, meet next to the Santa Maria Sailing Yacht. More on the harbor in the guide to Vlychada Marina.
Is this tour suitable for children and wheelchair users?
No minimum age is stated, so families should ask the operator. Wheelchair users are explicitly excluded, as are people over 95 years, and strollers and pets are not allowed. Options with stated infant ages are listed in the small-group catamaran section.
What happens if the wind is strong?
The operator states that the itinerary changes in strong winds, so a stop may be swapped or dropped. Sunset timing also shifts through the season, which is explained in the guide to the Santorini sunset cruise.
What Travelers Said
Great crew to cruise with, a must do activity in Santorini
It definitely met our expectations. Everything was perfect, and the crew was super attentive.
Fantastic day, wonderful attentive crew. Did not feel like a conveyor belt. Three!!! Three swims in the sea. Wine was good. Multicultural cohort very friendly, warm, and entertaining. Bathed in orange glow for the rest of the evening.
Prices, availability and terms are set by the operator and confirmed at checkout.
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