Santorini: Private Yacht Cruise with BBQ, Open Bar & Hotel Pickup

Summary

Sail past red and white beaches to thirassia island with bbq and open bar

You’ll sail Santorini’s coast on a private yacht cruise—swimming at Red and White Beaches, soaking in volcanic hot springs, and tasting fresh Greek BBQ with local wine or beer. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off so you don’t have to worry about transport. Expect laughter with your crew and quiet moments floating off Thirassia Island—this is more than just sightseeing.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the sound — not waves exactly, but that soft slap of water against the hull as we left Vlychada port. Our guide, Giorgos, handed me a cold drink before I’d even found my sea legs. He joked about “Greek time” when we asked if we were running late (we weren’t). The Aegean looked almost too blue, like someone had turned up the saturation. We drifted past Red Beach and I tried to capture the color on my phone — it never really works, you know?

White Beach came next. You can only get there by boat, which made it feel secret somehow. I jumped in for a swim; the water was colder than I expected but so clear I could see tiny fish darting around my toes. The crew set up snorkels for us and pointed out some weird rock shapes — one looked like an elephant if you squinted. There was this smell of grilled meat drifting from the back deck while we dried off in the sun. That’s when I started to really relax.

We stopped at the volcanic hot springs near Nea Kameni. The sulfur smell hit me first — not bad, just sharp and earthy. Swimming there felt strange: warm patches mixing with cool water, and little flecks of yellow on my skin after. Giorgos explained how the volcano shaped Santorini (his hands moved a lot when he talked). Later we anchored off Thirassia Island for more swimming and snorkeling — honestly, by then I’d lost track of time completely.

Lunch was simple but perfect: grilled chicken and vegetables, Greek salad, bread still warm from somewhere nearby. We ate barefoot on deck with wine from the open bar (I might’ve had one glass too many). By the end everyone was laughing about something or other — language didn’t matter much at that point. The light changed as we headed back, gold on white cliffs. I still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Santorini motor yacht cruise highlights

• Depart from southern Port of Vlychada
• Sail past Indian Rocks and caves
• Stop at Red Beach for photos
• Swim and snorkel at White Beach
• Swim at volcanic hot springs
• Sail towards Santorini Volcano and learn about eruption
• Swim and snorkel at Nea Kameni northern cove
• Stop at Thirasia Island for swimming and snorkeling
• Return to southern Port of Vlychada

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Santorini private yacht cruise?

Yes, complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off are included by air-conditioned minibus.

What food and drinks are provided during the cruise?

You’ll get a traditional Greek meal (with vegetarian options), plus an open bar serving white wine, beer, soda, and water.

Can I swim or snorkel during this Santorini yacht tour?

Yes—there are stops for swimming and snorkeling at White Beach, Nea Kameni volcano cove, Thirassia Island, and more.

Are towels or snorkeling gear provided?

Yes—complimentary towels and snorkeling equipment are provided onboard.

How long does the cruise last?

The duration isn’t specified but expect several hours covering all major stops listed in the itinerary.

Is this cruise suitable for vegetarians?

Vegetarian meal options are available; request them when booking.

Can cruise ship passengers join this tour?

Cruise ship guests must reach Fira via cable car; direct pickup from Old Port isn’t possible due to no road access.

Is there an age limit for drinking alcohol onboard?

The minimum age is 18 years to consume alcohol during the cruise.

What’s included

Your day includes complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off by minibus, all entry fees and taxes covered upfront, use of towels plus snorkeling gear for every stop along Santorini’s coast—and a fresh Greek BBQ lunch served onboard with unlimited white wine or beer from the open bar before returning to port in comfort.