Santorini Boat Rental: Explore Volcano & Thirassia with Snorkel

Summary

Speedboat adventure in Santorini with stops at volcano and Thirassia

You’ll skim across Santorini’s blue waters by speedboat with a local skipper, stopping to snorkel off Red Beach and drift near Nea Kameni’s volcanic rocks. Explore quiet Thirassia island and catch glimpses of daily life along the coast. There’s bottled water on board and snorkel gear included—plus plenty of time to soak up sun and sea air.

What’s the experience like?

I opened my eyes to that wild blue — you know the one — just outside the little port in Santorini. The boat was smaller than I pictured but somehow felt right for six of us. Our skipper, Giorgos, grinned as he handed me a bottle of cold water (which I nearly dropped because my hands were already salty from the air). He asked if we wanted music or just the sound of the engine. We chose both, sort of — Greek pop mixed with wind and spray. I didn’t expect to laugh so much before we’d even left shore.

First stop was Red Beach. The cliffs really are that color — rusty and strange against all that turquoise. Giorgos told us a story about his uncle fishing octopus here as a kid. I tried to imagine it while dipping my toes overboard; the water was colder than I thought it’d be for June. Someone passed around snorkel masks (they’re included), and I ended up chasing after a silvery fish for way too long. My friend Maria swore she saw something bigger but wouldn’t say what.

We cruised past Mesa Pigadia beach — not many people there, just a couple waving from shore — then headed out toward Nea Kameni, the volcano. The smell changed out here: less salt, more sulfur, almost like boiled eggs but not quite as bad as that sounds. Giorgos pointed out steam rising from black rocks and said sometimes you can feel the heat through your feet if you stand on them (we didn’t try). There’s this weird hush when you cut the engine near the volcano; even Maria went quiet for once.

Thirassia island was last. It’s quieter than Santorini itself — fewer boats, more goats (literally). We docked for a bit and wandered up a dusty path where an old woman waved at us from her doorway but didn’t say anything. Maybe she’s seen too many tourists or maybe she just liked watching us sweat uphill. On the way back, sunburnt and hungry, we all agreed we’d do it again if only for that feeling of being somewhere slightly unreal — or maybe just for another shot at seeing whatever Maria saw underwater.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Santorini by SpeedBoat

• Visit Red Beach
• Stop at Mesa Pigadia Beach
• Explore Nea Kameni volcano
• Visit Oia village
• Discover Thirassia island

Top questions

Do I need a boating license to rent this speedboat in Santorini?

No license is needed; you can rent with or without a skipper.

What islands do we visit on this Santorini boat rental?

You’ll visit Thirassia island, Nea Kameni (the volcano), and Red Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment provided during the tour?

Yes, masks and snorkels are available upon request at no extra charge.

How many people can fit on the speedboat?

The boat accommodates up to 6 people comfortably.

Are service animals allowed on board?

Yes, service animals are allowed during your trip.

Is this suitable for families with infants?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available for families traveling with babies.

Does the tour include bottled water?

Bottled water is included for all guests on board.

Can I reach the starting point by public transportation?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water to keep you cool under the sun, use of snorkelling equipment so you can explore beneath the surface at each stop, plus all fees and taxes covered—just show up ready for adventure alongside your local skipper or take charge yourself if you prefer.