A Santorini catamaran cruise is a great way to experience the island beyond its famous cliffside villages. You can sail through the volcanic caldera, swim in the Aegean Sea, visit the hot springs, and enjoy some pretty incredible views of Santorini’s coastline.
We booked a five-hour daytime cruise that included swimming near the volcanic islands, a stop at Thirassia, and a BBQ lunch on board. In this Santorini catamaran cruise review, I’ll share what our experience was like, what I’d do differently, and what you should know before booking your own.
A catamaran cruise was one of the experiences I REALLY wanted to do in Santorini.
You’re surrounded by water, you’re visiting an island shaped by volcanic activity, and some of the best views of Santorini’s cliffs are actually from the sea.
So yes. I wanted on a boat.
Unfortunately, the exact tour we booked is no longer available, but our itinerary was a little different from many of the popular cruises advertised today.
Our five-hour daytime cruise included:
And honestly, I really liked this route.
I didn’t feel like we were missing anything by skipping Red Beach and White Beach because we explored those areas during the rest of our trip. If you’re interested in visiting those locations, my Best Beaches in Santorini Greece: Red Beach White Beach Kamari and More guide covers the different beaches around the island.
I wanted our boat excursion to offer something different from what we could experience on land.
Swimming in volcanic hot springs? That qualified.
Since our exact tour is no longer available, there a few types of excursions I’d compare if you’re looking for a similar experience.
Volcano, Hot Springs, and Thirassia Boat Tour: Look for a roughly five-hour excursion departing from Fira’s Old Port that visits the volcanic area, includes swimming in the geothermal hot springs, and offers time on Thirassia. This is the closest match to our itinerary, although these tours aren’t necessarily on catamarans.
Daytime Santorini Catamaran Cruise: Several approximately five-hour sailing tours combine the caldera and hot springs with stops along Santorini’s southern coastline, including Red Beach, White Beach, and Mesa Pigadia. Some itineraries also include Thirassia.
Sunset Santorini Catamaran Cruise: If you’d rather be on the water for Santorini’s famous sunset, look for an afternoon cruise that includes swimming stops, a meal on board, and sailing through the caldera as the sun goes down. Many sunset tours visit Red Beach, White Beach, and the volcanic hot springs before finishing with sunset views from the water.
I’d choose based on whether you want to focus on the volcanic caldera or see more of Santorini’s coastline in one excursion. Just check the actual stops before booking, since not every tour visits the same locations.
We chose a daytime cruise, and I was really happy with that decision.
Santorini sunset cruises are incredibly popular, and I completely understand why. But we already had several sunsets planned around the island, so I wanted this boat day to focus on swimming, relaxing, and exploring the caldera.
During the day, we could clearly see the cliffs, volcanic islands, and that gorgeous deep blue Aegean water. We also had plenty of daylight for swimming, which was one of my biggest priorities.
If you’re already planning to watch the sunset in Oia, Fira, Firostefani, or Imerovigli, I wouldn’t feel obligated to book another sunset experience just because you’re visiting Santorini. My Best Sunset Spots in Santorini: Where to Watch the Sunset guide can help you choose where to spend your evenings.
However, if you have limited time on the island or want to combine sailing with sunset views, an evening cruise makes sense.
Our cruise departed from Fira, where we headed down to the Old Port area to board.
However, not every Santorini catamaran leaves from the same location. Common departure points include Fira’s Old Port, Ammoudi Bay near Oia, and Vlychada Marina on the southern coast.
If your cruise departs from Fira’s Old Port, you’ll also need to account for getting down to the harbor.
WENDY’S TIP: Check your booking confirmation for the exact meeting point, boarding instructions, and whether hotel transportation is included. Some tours provide transfers, while others require you to arrange your own transportation.
If you’re planning to explore Fira before or after your cruise, my One Day in Fira Santorini: What to See Eat and Do guide covers the main sights, shopping streets, and places to eat around town.
Our cruise lasted approximately five hours, which I thought was the perfect amount of time.
We had enough time to swim, eat, relax on the boat, and enjoy the scenery without feeling like we were constantly rushing from one stop to another.
It also didn’t take up our entire day, which was nice because we had plenty of other places we wanted to explore around Santorini.
Many catamaran cruises follow a similar four-and-a-half- to five-hour format. Just check whether the advertised duration includes hotel transfers or refers only to time on the water.
The catamaran itself was very comfortable. There were nets stretched across the front of the boat where you could lie down directly above the water. We spent quite a bit of time there, and it was easily my favorite place to relax between swimming stops.
There were also shaded benches if you wanted a break from the sun, which I appreciated after spending several hours outside. Our schedule was pretty straightforward.
Lay in the sun for a while. Move into the shade. Swim. Eat. Go back to the net.
Very demanding schedule.
There were quite a few passengers on our cruise, although it never felt so crowded that we couldn’t enjoy ourselves. We were still able to use the nets at the front several times, and I never felt like I spent five hours searching for somewhere to sit.
That said, the number of passengers is the biggest thing I would change if I booked another Santorini catamaran tour.
Shared catamaran capacities can vary considerably. Some smaller semi-private cruises carry around 14–20 passengers, while larger shared boats may accommodate 50 or more.
Those can be VERY different experiences, especially when everyone wants to use the same lounging areas.
Next time, I’d happily spend a little more for a semi-private cruise with fewer passengers. I don’t necessarily think I’d pay for an entirely private catamaran unless I were traveling with a group and could divide the cost.
No! And if you’ve read many of my travel guides, you know that is not something I take for granted. I am VERY prone to motion sickness, so spending five hours on a boat always makes me a little cautious.
Thankfully, the seas weren’t especially rough during our cruise. I also think being on a larger catamaran helped because the boat didn’t rock as much as I would have expected from a smaller vessel.
I was completely fine the entire time.
Of course, that doesn’t mean every Santorini cruise will have calm water. Conditions in the Aegean can change, particularly when the wind picks up.
If you’re prone to seasickness like I am, take your normal precautions rather than trusting the Aegean Sea to behave simply because it behaved for me.
THIS was my favorite part of the entire cruise. I mean… hot springs in the middle of the ocean?! I’d never done anything like that before, and it was exactly the type of experience I wanted to have in Santorini.
The volcanic hot springs are located near the volcanic islands inside the caldera. Boats typically stop nearby, allowing passengers to swim toward the warmer, mineral-rich water.
Now, let me prepare you for something. The water does not look like some crystal-clear luxury spa. It is sulfuric. And it looks kind of gross. Ha.
As you swim closer to the springs, you’ll notice the water changing color. The mineral-rich areas have a brownish-orange appearance, which is completely different from the clear blue water surrounding the volcanic islands.
Was the sulfuric water beautiful? Not particularly. Did I want to drink it? Absolutely not. But swimming around the volcanic islands in the middle of Santorini’s caldera was SO cool.
That’s exactly what I want from an excursion. Something I couldn’t just do at home.
I wouldn’t picture a steaming hot tub floating in the Mediterranean.
The geothermal water is warmer than the surrounding sea, but you’re still swimming outside in open water. The temperature varies depending on where you’re swimming and how much the warmer water mixes with the sea.
And the surrounding Aegean? CHILLY.
You could definitely notice the temperature difference as you moved between the regular seawater and the warmer areas.
WENDY’S TIP: Do not wear your favorite white swimsuit into the volcanic hot springs! The mineral-rich water can discolor light-colored fabrics. White goes in. Yellow may come out. Ha! Consider yourself warned. I’d wear a darker swimsuit and save the cute white one for another beach day.
One important thing to understand is that you’ll generally need to swim from the boat toward the geothermal area rather than step directly into a hot spring.
The water can be deep, and the distance depends on where your boat is permitted to stop. Make sure you’re comfortable swimming in open water, follow the crew’s instructions, and ask about flotation equipment if you need it.
Not every cruise follows the same swimming procedures, so it’s worth confirming the requirements before booking.
Away from the volcanic hot springs, the water was completely different. It was crystal clear and this gorgeous deep, dark blue. The contrast between the blue Aegean Sea and Santorini’s volcanic cliffs was incredible.
But if you’re used to swimming in the Caribbean, don’t expect Caribbean water temperatures. Santorini’s water was definitely colder.
Beautiful? Absolutely.
Warm bathtub? No.
We still enjoyed swimming, but that first jump into the water will wake you up!
Another stop on our Santorini boat cruise was Thirassia.
Thirassia sits across the caldera from Santorini and is part of the same volcanic island group. It’s much smaller and less developed than the main island, making it an interesting addition to a sailing itinerary.
We had another opportunity to swim here, and the water was beautifully clear.
I liked that our itinerary included Thirassia because it added another swimming location and a different perspective on the caldera.
If you’re considering a current tour that advertises a Thirassia stop, check whether it includes time ashore or simply anchors nearby for swimming. Some excursions give passengers free time to explore the island, while others focus entirely on the water.
We also sailed past Ammoudi Bay, the small harbor sitting beneath Oia.
Seeing Oia from the water gives you such a different perspective.
When you’re exploring the village, you’re looking down over the cliffs toward the sea. From the catamaran, you’re looking UP at those same cliffs, with the white buildings perched high above you.
It really puts Santorini’s geography into perspective.
You can spend days exploring the viewpoints around the island, but seeing those massive cliffs rising straight out of the water is something you can’t fully appreciate from land.
If you’d prefer to explore the coastline independently rather than join an organized excursion, my How to Rent a Boat in Santorini: Everything You Need to Know guide covers another option.
Our crew prepared a small BBQ lunch and served fresh fruit while we were on board. It wasn’t some elaborate multi-course meal, but it was exactly what I wanted during a boat day.
Swim. Come back on board. Eat. Lay on the net. Repeat.
I wasn’t looking for a fine-dining experience, and having lunch included meant we didn’t have to worry about finding somewhere to eat before or immediately after the excursion.
Food inclusions vary quite a bit between Santorini cruises. Some catamarans offer a full Greek BBQ, open bar, and snacks, while simpler volcanic island boat tours may provide little or no food.
Before booking, check whether your excursion includes lunch, drinking water, other beverages, and any dietary accommodations you might need.
The crew was great. They were funny, fun, and helped make the entire experience enjoyable.
I think this matters more than people realize when booking a boat tour. You can have the most incredible scenery in the world, but you’re also spending five hours with the same crew.
Ours kept everything relaxed and entertaining without making the excursion feel overly organized or touristy. They were a big part of why we enjoyed the cruise so much.
You don’t need to pack a ton for a Santorini catamaran cruise, but there are a few things I’d recommend bringing, especially if you’re planning to swim.
| What to Bring | Why I Recommend It |
|---|---|
| Swimsuit | Wear it under your clothes so you’re ready for swimming stops. |
| Coola Spray Sunscreen + Supergoop Face Sunscreen | You’ll spend hours exposed to the Mediterranean sun. Apply spray sunscreen before boarding or away from other passengers to avoid slippery decks. |
| Water Shoes | Useful around rocky swimming areas and if your tour includes exploring Thirassia. |
| Sand Cloud Quick-Dry Towel | Lightweight, compact, and useful after swimming. |
| Dry Bag | Helps protect your phone, wallet, and other belongings from splashes. |
| GoPro | Great for underwater footage and capturing Santorini’s coastline from the boat. |
| Snorkel Mask | Nice to have if snorkeling is included. |
| Rash Guard | Extra sun protection while swimming or lounging, especially if you burn easily. |
| Nano Bag | A lightweight, foldable bag for carrying essentials without taking up much space. |
| Clutch Powerbank | Keeps your phone charged after hours of photos and videos. |
| Brita Water Bottle | Useful for staying hydrated throughout the excursion. |
| Motion Sickness Medication | Plan ahead if you’re prone to seasickness, even when conditions look calm. |
I’d also bring sunglasses, a secure hat, a light cover-up, and comfortable sandals if your itinerary includes time ashore on Thirassia.
If I were booking another Santorini catamaran cruise today, I wouldn’t automatically choose the cheapest option.
I’d compare the actual experience being offered, because two five-hour cruises can look very similar online but be completely different once you’re on board.
Beyond the itinerary and passenger capacity, I’d pay attention to what’s included in the price, whether hotel transportation is provided, and how many swimming stops you’re actually getting.
I’d also read recent reviews to see whether guests mention crowding, how much time they spend at each stop, and whether the advertised itinerary matches the experience.
A cheaper cruise isn’t necessarily a better deal if you’re spending most of your time on a crowded boat with limited room to relax.
For me, absolutely. Between swimming in the volcanic hot springs, visiting Thirassia, enjoying the gorgeous blue Aegean water, and spending several hours relaxing on the catamaran, I thought it was genuinely worth adding to our Santorini itinerary.
I’d particularly recommend it if you enjoy being on the water, are comfortable with open-water swimming, and want to experience a different side of the island.
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No landmarks, no crowds, no souvenir shops. Otterberg is the everyday side of Germany 🇩🇪
It’s a small town just outside Kaiserslautern. Lunch at Putai inside the historic Das Blaue Haus means crispy chicken in coconut curry and spring rolls with homemade sweet chili sauce, then a slow walk past the old church and quiet streets. The Palatinate Forest and Humberg Tower views are close by. If you want a packed itinerary this isn’t your town, but if you like good food and nowhere to be, you’ll love it.
Save this for your Germany road trip!
Every 6 minutes a new round unlocks, and you can eat your way around the world for two hours. 🌍🍽️
Masons in Kaiserslautern: Korean BBQ, Jamaican jerk chicken, raclette potatoes, crispy baked ricotta from Monaco, and the Belgian cookie cheesecake you’ll still be talking about the next day. €39-45 per person. Bring a group and pace yourself, because they charge for leftovers.
Save this for your next trip to Germany
Sedona got me again 🌵
This was my second trip, and somehow I liked it even more. Every visit adds another trail, viewpoint, or restaurant to the list, and the list keeps getting longer. This time I stayed near Airport Mesa, with sunsets right outside my door and none of the crowds.
My Substack has everything I’d tell a first-time visitor: the lodge I’ve now stayed at twice, the experiences I’d do first, and the restaurants I’d plan my days around.
Subscribe for free so you don’t miss the next one. Link in bio ✨
YES is always the answer... ✈️
I’m Wendy, and yes, I travel for a living (still pinching myself). After 15 years teaching middle school math, I traded the whiteboard for a passport and never looked back. Knoxville is home base, but Arizona sunsets are on another level, and if it’s been sitting on your list, this is your sign to finally say yes and book it. City guides, hotel reviews, and foodie spots are all on the blog. So glad you’re here 🌵☀️
A café, bakery, market, and wine shop all in one Phoenix stop 🍊
At La Grande Orange, order the crepes first, they’re the thing I’d go back for. The chicken salad sandwich is perfect if someone wants lunch while you’re still on breakfast, and the red velvet mini cupcake and a chai latte round it out. The sea salt chocolate chip cookie is heartier than gooey, so it’s best for dunkers. It’s counter service with easy parking, and the market has quirky gifts you won’t find elsewhere. Leave time to browse, because you’ll stay longer than planned.
Save this for your Phoenix trip ☀️
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