Santorini Star Catamaran: Small-Group Cruise With Meal and Open Bar

Included in the $111

The listing includes the roundtrip hotel transfer in an air-conditioned minibus, the experienced crew and skipper, live commentary, snorkeling gear and towels, safety equipment, finger food and appetizers, fresh fruit, a handmade dessert, a meal with seafood, meat and vegetarian options, and the open bar with local white wine, beers, beverages and a glass of Prosecco. No mandatory extras and no pickup surcharge are stated.

What You Pay Nothing Extra For, and What You Might

Nothing in the listing is a paid upgrade. The full open bar with Prosecco is in the base price. State any food allergies when you book, since the meal is cooked on board.

Bring a windbreaker, swimwear and sunscreen, because those are listed as what to bring, not what is provided. Tipping the crew is not mentioned either way, so carry some cash if that is your habit. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure applies, and reserve now and pay later is available.

Pickup and Departure from Vlychada

A minibus collects you from your hotel and drives to the old marina of Vlychada, a working fishing harbor on the island's low southern shore with close to 980 meters of quay. The sailing begins and ends here. You set out along the coastline, with the captain and crew giving live commentary in English throughout the 5 hours.

White Beach, Then the Anchor Drops at Red Beach

The first stretch of coast takes you past White Beach, which has tall pale cliffs of pumice above dark sand and is reached only by boat because it has no road. The catamaran then anchors off the volcanic Red Beach for a refreshing swim and snorkel. You do not step onto the beach.

The catamaran cannot moor there, and land access to Red Beach is closed anyway, so the water is the only way to see the red cliff face up close.

The Venetian Lighthouse and the Hot Springs

Sailing on, you pass the Venetian lighthouse on the southern edge of the caldera. The second stop is at the volcano hot springs near Palea Kameni, where you swim in water warmed by volcanic activity. The springs carry sulfur, manganese and iron, which turn the water murky brown or orange and can permanently color a light swimsuit, so wear an old or dark one.

The swim from the boat covers open water, so be honest with yourself about your swimming.

The Main Stop at Thirassia and the Meal

The longest stop is at Thirassia, the island across the caldera from Santorini. You swim and snorkel in clear water while the crew prepares the meal on board: finger foods, appetizers, fresh fruit, a handmade dessert, shrimp, mussels, tzatziki, Greek salads and pasta with Mediterranean sauce, with seafood, meat and vegetarian options. The open bar runs through all of it.

Tell them about allergies at booking, because the seafood is central to the menu.

Indian Rock, Black Mountain and the Return

On the way back the catamaran passes Indian Rock and Black Mountain, and a sunset departure closes with the sun going down over the caldera before you dock again at Vlychada and the minibus returns you to your hotel. Sunset falls between about 17:05 in late December and 20:40 at the summer solstice. The listing states no weather policy, so treat the order as a plan rather than a promise.

The Honest Limits

There is no stated minimum age, wheelchair access, fitness requirement or pregnancy restriction in the listing, so check with the operator directly if any of those apply to your group. The 18-passenger cap keeps the group small, so check dates early. The catamaran cannot moor on the beaches, so nobody with limited mobility should count on stepping ashore at Red Beach.

And if you arrive on a cruise ship, check your tender times back to the Old Port before booking, because the listing gives no return time.

When a Different Boat Is the Better Call

If price is the deciding factor, the Sunset Oia Ocean Voyager costs $67 per person, though it carries up to 50 to 55 guests and the crowd is the trade-off. If you want a boat of up to 16 guests from Ammoudi Bay, the Caldera Yachting Thirassia cruise runs $229.06 per person and shares this tour's Thirassia stop. If you want the whole boat to yourselves, the Sail Away Private Catamaran takes up to 4 guests for $944 per group.

Browse the full range of Santorini catamaran cruises before you commit.

The Old Marina of Vlychada

Vlychada Marina sits on Santorini's south coast, about 10 km from Fira and 6 to 7 km from the airport. It is a working fishing harbor that operates around the clock. Because the tour includes a roundtrip hotel transfer in an air-conditioned minibus, you normally never drive here yourself.

If you do come independently, confirm the exact meeting point on the marina with the operator when you book.

Cruise-ship Guests

Cruise ships cannot dock at Santorini, so passengers tender to the Old Port below Fira or to Athinios. From the Old Port you can take the cable car up to Fira for €10 one way, or climb the nearly 600 steps. Greece charges cruise passengers €20 per person at Santorini between June and September, less in shoulder months.

Build your day around your ship's tender schedule before adding a 5-hour cruise.

What to Add Before or After

This cruise does not land on Nea Kameni, so if you want the crater walk, book it separately: a volcano tour takes you to Nea Kameni, where a gravel path leads around the rim and the entry fee is €5. Before your sailing, read up on the caldera you will be crossing in the Santorini caldera guide and pack for the springs using the Santorini hot springs guide. Ammoudi Bay sits below Oia and is reached by 300 steps down from the town.