Santorini Catamaran Cruise with BBQ: Volcano, Beaches & Sunset

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (861 reviews) 95% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/32

Duration5h

GroupUp to 18

LanguagesEN · EL

PickupAt your hotel

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

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.

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.