Santorini: Luxury Catamaran Cruise, BBQ & Drinks with Pickup

Summary

Sail past volcanoes swim at red beach taste greek bbq on deck

You’ll sail Santorini’s caldera on a luxury catamaran with a small group, stopping to swim at Red Beach and White Beach and soak in volcanic hot springs. Enjoy a Greek BBQ lunch with drinks on deck as your local crew shares stories and music drifts over the water. Expect laughter, sea air, and moments you’ll remember long after you dry off.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to laugh so much before noon. The first surprise was having to hand over my shoes at Amoudi Bay—felt weirdly freeing, honestly. Our local crew greeted us with that easygoing Greek warmth (Christos kept calling everyone “my friend” and I think he meant it). The Ipanema catamaran looked almost too sleek for my salt-stained backpack, but nobody cared. As we pulled away from the port, the cliffs of Oia looked like they were floating above us in the morning haze.

We drifted close to Santorini’s volcano—black rock against blue water, just quietly steaming. Christos pointed out Palea Kameni and told us about the last eruption. There was this smell—like warm stone and seaweed—when we swam near the hot springs. The water changed color right under our feet, from clear blue to rusty orange. I’m still not sure if it actually made my skin softer or if that’s just what everyone says, but it felt good either way.

Lunch was grilled chicken and vegetables with oregano that tasted like summer dust (in a good way), plus white wine poured without measuring. We anchored near White Beach and then Red Beach—those cliffs are wild up close, all jagged stripes and rust colors. Jumping off the back of the boat into cool water while music played somewhere behind me… can’t really describe it except that I didn’t want to climb back onboard right away. Oh, and don’t forget sunscreen; I learned that one too late.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Santorini Catamaran Cruise and Swimming

• Start tour from Ammoudi port
• Sail next to the Volcano
• Sail next to Palea Kameni
• Swim in the Hot Springs
• Watch the Ancient Lighthouse from the sea
• Swim and snorkel at White Beach
• Enjoy BBQ meal on board
• Swim and snorkel at Red Beach

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Santorini catamaran cruise?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

Can I swim at both Red Beach and White Beach during the cruise?

Yes, there are stops for swimming and snorkeling near both beaches.

Is food provided on board?

A full Greek BBQ meal is served on board during the cruise.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes, beer, white wine, soft drinks, bottled water, and juice are all included.

What should I bring for this day trip?

You should bring sunscreen; towels and snorkeling gear are provided by the crew.

Is there an English-speaking guide or crew?

The crew speaks English and provides information about landmarks along the route.

Can children join this luxury catamaran tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; strollers are allowed on board.

Will we visit Santorini’s volcano or just sail past it?

You will sail close by the volcano but not land; you can see it from the boat.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from your accommodation in Santorini, all drinks (beer, white wine, soft drinks), bottled water and juice throughout the cruise, plus towels and snorkeling equipment provided by the friendly English-speaking crew. You’ll enjoy a full Greek BBQ meal served onboard after swimming stops near White Beach—with floating devices available if you want them—and finish with an easy transfer back to your hotel.