Santorini Caldera Sailing: Red & White Beaches, BBQ Lunch

Summary

Sail past red cliffs swim at white beach taste greek bbq on deck

You’ll sail Santorini’s caldera with a small group, stopping to swim at Red Beach and White Beach (only reachable by boat), soak in volcanic warm springs near Nea Kameni, and share a Greek BBQ lunch with local wine on deck. Every moment feels easygoing—just sun, sea air, good food, and new friends drifting past those famous cliffs.

What’s the experience like?

“Don’t drop the bread!” someone laughed as I tried to balance my plate and grab another piece of feta. We were anchored just off Palea Kameni, the water that unreal blue-green you only see in postcards. Our guide, Yannis, was already flipping souvlaki on the grill—he said his mother taught him the marinade. I could smell charcoal and oregano mixing with the salty air. It’s funny, I’d read about this Santorini sailing tour but didn’t expect it to feel so relaxed. Like we were all friends who’d known each other longer than an hour.

The boat drifted close to Nea Kameni’s volcanic edge and Yannis pointed out where the warm springs bubbled up—he called it “volcano spa” and grinned as we slid into the water. It’s not exactly hot, more like a weirdly cozy bath with a whiff of sulphur that clings to your skin for hours (my swimsuit still smells faintly of it). I floated there watching steam curl over the rocks, thinking how wild it is that people have lived around these volcanoes for centuries. The main keyword for me was just: slow down.

After swimming by Red Beach—those cliffs really are brick red up close—we sailed past White Beach. You can only get there by boat, which made it feel secret even though we weren’t alone. A couple from Athens shared their wine with us; we traded stories about bad ferry rides and favorite Greek islands. The light kept shifting on the water, silver then gold then almost purple as we passed the old Venetian lighthouse. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m back home staring at my computer screen.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Santorini sailing with beach visits and BBQ

• Sail by Old Venetian Lighthouse
• View Indian Head Mountain
• Visit Red Beach for swim
• Visit White Beach for swim
• Swim and snorkel in Palea Kameni bay
• Enjoy Greek BBQ lunch
• Visit Hot Springs at Nea Kameni

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Santorini sailing tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

Do you visit both Red Beach and White Beach on this tour?

You’ll see both beaches from the boat; swimming stops depend on weather but usually include one or both.

Is lunch provided during the sailing trip?

Yes, a freshly prepared BBQ lunch is served onboard along with unlimited drinks.

Can vegetarians be accommodated for lunch?

Vegetarian options are available if you request them when booking.

Are drinks included during the cruise?

Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included throughout the trip.

Is this day trip suitable for children?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infant seats are available if needed.

How long do you spend at each swimming stop?

You’ll usually have 20-30 minutes at each beach or swimming spot depending on conditions.

Will we visit the volcanic hot springs near Nea Kameni?

Yes, there’s a stop for swimming in the warm springs off Nea Kameni island.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Santorini, all taxes and entry fees covered up front, unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks while sailing between stops like Red Beach and White Beach (with time for swimming), plus a freshly grilled Greek BBQ lunch served right onboard before heading back in the afternoon.