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Santorini: Catamaran Sunset Cruise, Thirassia Swim & Dinner

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/13

Duration5h

GroupUp to 16

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Sail past red & white beaches, swim thirassia island, taste local dinner at sunset

You’ll sail Santorini’s caldera by catamaran with stops to swim at Thirassia Island and soak in volcanic hot springs. Enjoy fresh dinner on deck as you pass White Beach and Red Beach at sunset—plus stories from your local guide along the way. The sea air and changing colors will stick with you long after you return.

Step-by-step itinerary

Start cruise at Ammoudi Bay
Swim and snorkel at Thirassia
Sail around the Volcano
Sail past Plea Kameni
Swim at Volcano hot springs
Sail past Black Mountain and Indian Rock
Sail past Venetian Lighthouse in Akrotiri
View White Beach from boat
Take photos at Red Beach
Enjoy sunset before Vlychada port

The Experience

Ever wondered what the sea smells like just before sunset in Santorini? I didn’t, honestly — not until we stepped onto the catamaran at Ammoudi Bay and the salt hit me, sharp and clean. Our guide, Eleni, handed us towels with a grin (“Don’t lose these!”), and we set off with maybe a dozen others. The cliffs around Oia looked almost unreal from the water — all those layers of color stacked up like someone painted them in a rush.

The first swim stop was Thirassia. I hesitated at first (the water looked cold), but everyone else was already splashing around so I just went for it. It’s true what they say about the clarity — you can see your toes even when you’re floating way out. Someone nearby found a tiny shell and passed it to me; it felt smooth and oddly warm from the sun. Back on board, Eleni poured us local white wine (crisp, kind of peachy?) while she told us stories about how Santorini’s volcano shaped everything here — even the beaches’ colors.

I didn’t expect to like the hot springs as much as I did. The water near Nea Kameni turns this weird rusty color from the minerals, and it’s warmer than you’d think — sort of like slipping into a bath after a long hike. There was this sulfur smell that stuck to my skin for hours (not bad though, just… volcanic). We sailed past Black Mountain and that old Venetian lighthouse; someone pointed out goats scrambling along rocks way above us. Dinner was grilled chicken and seafood — simple but perfect after swimming all afternoon. I probably ate too much bread with olive oil.

As we drifted close to Red Beach for photos, everyone got quiet for a second. The cliffs really do look redder right before sunset. Then suddenly there were cameras everywhere again, but I just watched the light change on the water instead. We ended at Vlychada port after dark, hair tangled from wind and salt. Still thinking about that last bit of sun over Oia — it’s hard to explain unless you see it yourself.

What’s included

Your day includes complimentary hotel pickup by air-conditioned minibus or van, printed safety instructions in seven languages, use of snorkeling equipment and towels for swimming stops at Thirassia Island and volcanic hot springs near Nea Kameni, an open bar with local white wine or beer plus soft drinks throughout the cruise, fresh dinner served on board featuring seafood dishes alongside salads and dessert—and drop-off back at your accommodation after sunset at Vlychada port.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Caldera Yachting Santorini