Santorini Catamaran Cruise with BBQ: Volcano, Beaches & Sunset

Swim in volcanic hot springs, then eat grilled chicken and pasta as the sun drops behind the caldera.

A small-group catamaran cruise in Santorini carries you to four stops (Red Beach, White Beach, the Venetian Lighthouse and the Volcano Hot-Springs) with time to swim and snorkel at each. The boat holds just 18 people, ensuring a stable ride and room to move. Greek BBQ lunch or dinner, wine, soft drinks and snorkeling equipment are included. You choose between a morning departure or a sunset sailing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Red Beach20m
2. White Beachpass by
3. Santorini Volcano30m

Catamaran cruise with swimming and lunch

• Pickup from hotel
• Sail past White Beach
• Photo stop at Venetian Lighthouse
• Swim at Red Beach
• Swim at Santorini Volcano hot springs
• Lunch and drinks at Mesa Pigadia Beach
• Enjoy sunset sailing

The experience

The catamaran leaves from your hotel with pickup arranged. Red Beach comes first. The cliffs here are rust-colored and steep, and the water is clear enough to snorkel. You swim and float for as long as you want, then sail to White Beach, where the sand is pale limestone and the cliffs rise wild behind it. The Venetian Lighthouse of Akrotiri stands 125 years old at the next stop. Most people shoot photos from the water and keep sailing.

The Volcano Hot-Springs are the reason this stop matters. The water here has healing properties from the volcanic activity below, and you wade into it surrounded by caves and volcanic rock formations. After swimming, the boat anchors at Mesa Pigadia Beach, where the crew sets out lunch or dinner: grilled chicken, Napolitana pasta, Greek salad, vegetarian ratatouille, and fruit salad. Wine, beer, soft drinks and water flow throughout the afternoon or evening. Towels and snorkeling gear stay with you the whole time.

The boat itself is the difference. A catamaran is wider and more stable than a typical tour boat, which matters if you get seasick or if you're traveling with children or elderly guests. The group maxes out at 18, so you're not packed in. A live guide speaks English and Greek and narrates the stops as you sail. The restroom is on board, and the air-conditioned cabin is there if you need a break from the sun.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport.
• Greek BBQ lunch or dinner with grilled chicken, pasta, salad and fruit.
• unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks and bottled water.
• snorkeling equipment for all three swimming stops.
• towels.
• life jackets.
• restroom and air-conditioned cabin on board.

Options for this experience

2 options

Gold Morning CruiseGuide in English or Greek · 09:00Includes pickup

Sunset cruise on the Rose GoldGuide in English or Greek · 12:30 and 14:00Rose Gold sunset cruise, pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 12:30 and 14:00Last departure this season: 15 Nov

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 18

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.

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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by ViSta Yachting

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure if you want the beaches and volcano stops before the afternoon heat builds, and the crew's attention while the light is still sharp for photos. The sunset cruise trades the morning calm for dinner on the water as the sun drops behind the caldera. Pick it if you want the light show and don't mind a later return to your hotel.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); 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.

Can I swim and snorkel at every stop on the Santorini catamaran cruise?

Swimming and snorkeling are possible at Red Beach, White Beach, and the Volcano Hot-Springs. The Venetian Lighthouse is a photo stop where you stay on the boat. Snorkeling equipment is provided for all three swimming stops.

What's the difference between the Gold Morning Cruise and the Rose Gold Sunset Cruise?

The Gold Morning Cruise departs in the morning and serves lunch. The Rose Gold Sunset Cruise departs later and serves dinner as the sun sets over the Aegean. Both follow the same four-stop route and include the same meals, drinks and activities.

Is hotel pickup included in the Santorini catamaran cruise?

Hotel pickup is included with your booking. The boat departs from your hotel, so you don't need to arrange separate transport to the dock.

What makes the Volcano Hot-Springs stop different from a regular beach?

The Volcano Hot-Springs are fed by geothermal activity from Santorini's volcanic geology. The water has mineral properties believed to be healing, and the stop is surrounded by volcanic caves and rock formations you don't find at regular beaches.

How many people sail on this catamaran cruise?

The cruise is limited to 18 guests maximum, keeping the boat from feeling crowded and giving everyone room to move around the deck and in the water.