Santorini Sailing with Snorkeling: Red & White Beaches

Volcanic hot springs swim tour by boat with access to two hidden beaches in one afternoon

A five-hour sailing tour in Santorini's Caldera with snorkeling at Red and White beaches, a stop at the volcanic hot springs of Nea Kameni, and a freshly prepared BBQ lunch served on board. The boat is small enough to reach quiet anchorages and less crowded waters. Hotel pickup and unlimited wine and beer are included. Book the day tour (10:00–15:00) or the sunset departure (15:00 onward), and bring a swimsuit. You'll spend most of the afternoon in the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Nea Kameni30m
2. Red Beach20m
3. White Beach20m

Santorini sailing with swimming and BBQ

• Sail by Old Venetian Lighthouse
• Visit Red Beach for swimming
• Visit White Beach for swimming
• Visit Hot Springs at Nea Kameni
• Anchor in Palea Kameni bay
• Enjoy Greek BBQ lunch and swim

The experience

You start from your hotel in Santorini, picked up and driven to the boat. The five-hour sail moves through the Caldera (the flooded volcanic crater that gives Santorini its shape), and stops first at the hot springs off Nea Kameni, the volcanic island. The water there stays warm year-round from geothermal activity. You swim and float in it as the crew watches from the boat. It's not a quick dip. You have real time in the water before moving on.

The snorkeling happens at two beaches, Red and White, both only reachable by boat. Weather decides which one you visit (you see both from the water either way), and you get roughly 20 to 30 minutes at each for swimming and looking at what's below the surface. The Red Beach is rust-colored volcanic rock. The White Beach is limestone cliffs that drop straight into the sea. Between stops, the boat passes the Old Venetian Lighthouse and Indian Head Mountain: landmarks the crew points out as you sail.

Lunch is a Greek BBQ prepared on board: grilled meat, vegetables, bread. Beer, wine (local Santorini varieties) and soft drinks flow throughout the day. The boat is small enough that you're not packed in with a hundred other people, and the crew is professional. They know the water, the timing and how to keep the day moving without rushing it. By the time you're back at your hotel, you've been in three different bodies of water, eaten, and seen the Caldera from the one angle most of Santorini never reaches.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks throughout the day.
• a freshly prepared Greek BBQ lunch on board.
• snorkeling stops at Red and White beaches.
• entry to the volcanic hot springs of Nea Kameni.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Options for this experience

2 options

Day tour from 10:00 to 15:00Guide in English · 10:00A 4.5 to 5 hour tour that takes in the Red and White Beaches, the sulfuric Hot Springs and a calm bay suitable for snorkeling. Transfers, a steak BBQ, beer, wine and soft drinks are included, with a maximum of 34 passengers. Pickup is included.

Sunset tour from 15:00 until sunsetGuide in English · 15:00A 4.5 to 5 hour tour that takes in the Red and White Beaches, the sulfuric Hot Springs and a calm bay suitable for snorkeling. Transfers, a steak BBQ, beer, wine and soft drinks are included, with a maximum of 34 passengers. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDepartures at 10:00 and 15:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 34

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Santorini Sailing

Is this one for you?Choose the day tour if you want the afternoon in the water and prefer to be back on land by early evening. Pick the sunset departure if you're free later and want to watch the light move across the Caldera as you sail back. Either way, the small group size and the boat's access to quiet anchorages mean you're not competing with the big tour boats for space in the water.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the day tour and the sunset sailing?

The day tour runs 10:00 to 15:00 and spends the afternoon in the water at the beaches and hot springs. The sunset tour departs at 15:00 and continues into the evening, so you see the light change over the Caldera as you sail. Both visit the same stops. The timing is what changes.

Is the White Beach really only accessible by boat?

Yes. The White Beach sits on limestone cliffs with no road or path down, so the only way to reach it is by water. Weather can affect which beach the boat stops at on any given day, but you'll see both from the boat either way.

What happens if I'm vegetarian?

A vegetarian option is available for the BBQ lunch. Let the operator know when you book so they can prepare it for you.

I'm arriving on a cruise ship, can I still book this tour?

Yes. Cruise passengers can book the tour, but you'll need to provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time at the time of booking so the operator can time the return correctly.