Santorini catamaran cruise: Red Beach, volcano hot springs & BBQ

The volcanic hot springs are small enough that you swim without a crowd.

A half-day catamaran cruise from Santorini departing Vlychada Marina with a small group, stopping at Red Beach and White Beach for swimming and snorkeling, soaking in the warm mineral-rich waters near Nea Kameni volcano, and anchoring at Mesa Pigadia Beach for a grilled BBQ dinner with local wine and soft drinks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in some options. The crew speaks English and Greek, provides snorkeling gear and towels, and the boat carries a restroom and fresh water. You swim at your own pace at each stop and return by late afternoon or sunset depending on your departure time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Red Beach30m
2. White Beachpassing by
3. Nea Kameni20m

Santorini Catamaran Cruise and Beaches

• Hotel pickup and panoramic drive
• Board catamaran at Vlychada Marina
• Swim and snorkel at Red Beach
• Sail past White Beach and Akrotiri Lighthouse
• Sail along Akrotiri coastline
• Swim at volcanic hot springs
• Sail towards Santorini Caldera
• Swim and BBQ at Mesa Pigadia Beach
• Sail back to Vlychada Port
• Return and drop-off at hotel

The experience

You start with a hotel pickup across Santorini in an air-conditioned vehicle, then board the catamaran at Vlychada Marina: a quieter departure point known for its lunar landscape rather than the crowded main port. The crew briefs you on safety and the day's route before casting off. From there, the boat heads to Red Beach first, where you slip into crystal-clear water surrounded by dramatic red volcanic cliffs. Snorkeling gear is provided, and the crew stays close if you want guidance on what to look for. The water here is calm enough for photos and long enough for a real swim.

Next comes the sail past White Beach, where you stay on deck to photograph the white volcanic cliffs and turquoise water from the boat, then a quieter stop at the volcanic hot springs near Nea Kameni. This is where the small-group size matters: larger tours crowd the springs, but here you soak in the warm, mineral-rich water in a more private setting, moving at your own pace. The crew keeps the atmosphere unhurried. Along the way you might spot dolphins following the boat, and the Caldera views from the water shift depending on whether you're cruising in daylight or toward sunset.

The final swim happens at Mesa Pigadia Beach, where the water is clear enough for snorkeling and the volcanic cliffs frame the anchorage. After you climb back aboard, a freshly grilled BBQ meal waits: grilled chicken, rice, pasta with Mediterranean sauce, fresh salad, traditional dips like tzatziki and fava, bread, and a sweet dessert. Local Santorini wine, Fanta, Sprite, and Coca-Cola flow throughout the cruise. You eat on deck with the coastline around you, then sail back to Vlychada Port. In the morning you see the Caldera in bright light. In the evening you catch the sunset. Either way, the return journey to your hotel takes you back along the same route you came.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle (when the With Transfer option is selected).
• expert crew guidance in English and Greek.
• snorkeling gear and safety equipment.
• a freshly grilled BBQ buffet with grilled chicken, Santorinian salad, pasta, rice, traditional dips, bread, and dessert.
• local Santorini wine, Fanta, Sprite, and Coca-Cola throughout the cruise.
• towels and blankets available on request.
• an onboard restroom and fresh water.
• free Wi-Fi so you can share photos in real time.
• and a safety briefing with translated leaflets in English and Greek.

Options for this experience

4 options

Semi-private daytime option without transferGuide in English or Greek · 09:00

Semi-private sunset option without transferGuide in English or Greek · 13:20Semi-private sunset option without transfer

Semi-private daytime option with transferGuide in English or Greek · 09:00Pickup is included

Semi-private sunset option with transferGuide in English or Greek · 13:20Semi-private sunset option with transfer, pickup is included

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

Information

Lasts 4h–6h, runs every day at 09:00 and 13:20, from € 85 per person, with a live guide in English and Greek and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:20Last departure this season: 30 NovAnother time? ›

GroupUp to 21

Live guideEnglish and Greek

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ippokampos Sailing

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure if you want the clearest light for photos of the red and white cliffs and the Caldera. Choose the sunset option if you'd rather end the day watching the light change over the water as you sail back. If you're arriving by flight or staying outside the main town, the With Transfer option removes the need to arrange your own ride to the marina. The pickup is timed to get you there on schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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 morning and sunset departure times?

The morning departure leaves early and returns by mid-afternoon, so you see the Caldera and coastline in bright daylight and capture clear photos of the volcanic cliffs and water. The sunset departure follows the same route but returns as the light turns golden, making the final sail back to port more romantic and better for sunset photos. Both stop at the same beaches and hot springs. The timing changes what the light looks like when you're there.

Do I need to know how to snorkel, or is the gear just optional?

Snorkeling gear is provided and optional. You can swim without it. The crew gives a safety briefing on board, and the water at Red Beach and Mesa Pigadia is calm and clear enough for beginners. If you've never snorkeled before, the crew can show you how to use the gear, but you're free to just swim and float instead.

What happens if I don't want to swim at every stop?

You don't have to swim at every stop. Some guests stay on deck to photograph the cliffs and water, rest between swims, or simply relax. The boat anchors long enough at each stop that you can choose to swim, snorkel, or just sit and watch. At the hot springs near the volcano, you can wade in for a few minutes or stay longer: the crew doesn't rush you.

Is the BBQ meal enough for dinner, or should I eat before?

The BBQ includes grilled chicken, pasta, rice, salad, bread, dips, and dessert. It's a full meal. Most guests find it filling, especially with the wine and drinks included. If you have dietary preferences or restrictions, contact the operator before booking to discuss options.

What's included in the hotel pickup, and does it cost extra?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Santorini location are included when you book the "With Transfer" option. They're not available on the "Without Transfer" option. The pickup is in an air-conditioned vehicle and is complimentary when selected. The driver coordinates a time with you, and you're returned to the same location after the cruise ends.

Will we see dolphins on the cruise?

Dolphins occasionally follow the boat along the route, especially on the return sail, but sightings are not guaranteed. The crew watches for them and will point them out if they appear, but the focus of the cruise is the beaches, hot springs, and the Caldera views rather than wildlife spotting.