Private Motor Yacht Cruise Santorini: Snorkel, swim, sunset

Snorkel and swim at five stops without sharing the boat or the itinerary.

A private motor yacht cruise around Santorini lets you stop as long as you want at White Beach, the Red Beach, the volcanic hot springs, and Nea Kameni, with snorkeling gear, a Greek meal and open bar included. You pick the daytime departure or the sunset cruise, and the boat picks you up from your hotel. The itinerary can shift if weather demands it, and Cruise Ship guests need to reach the office in Fira an hour before departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Red Beach10m
2. White Beach20m
3. Santorini Volcanopassing by
4. Nea Kameni20m
5. Thirasia40m

Santorini motor yacht cruise highlights

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

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel in an air-conditioned minibus and brought to the port, where your private yacht is ready. The boat is yours alone: no other groups, no fixed schedule beyond the five-hour window. The crew handles the route and the timing. You decide how long to linger at each stop. Snorkeling gear and towels are on board, along with a full bar stocked with Greek wine and beer.

The route takes you past the Red Beach first, where you stop to photograph the mineral-rich red cliffs, then to White Beach, accessible only by boat, for your first snorkel. The water here is clear enough to see the reefs below. Next is a sail beneath the Indian Rocks and their cave formations, followed by a swim in the volcanic hot springs, where the sulfurous water feels like a natural spa. The crew explains the volcano's history as you approach Nea Kameni, the northern cove where you snorkel again. A final stop at Thirasia Island rounds out the swimming and snorkeling, and if you choose the sunset cruise, you'll sail past Ammoudi Harbour and the red rocks framing it as the light drops.

A Greek traditional meal is served on board, with vegetarian options available if you request them at booking. The open bar runs throughout: white wine, beer, and soft drinks. Fuel, all fees and taxes, and the hotel transfers are included. The only things to bring are sunscreen, your swimsuit, sunglasses and a windbreaker. The sea can be choppy and the sun reflects hard off the water. If weather forces a cancellation, you'll be offered another date or a full refund.

What’s included

• Snorkeling and safety equipment.
• complimentary towels.
• Greek traditional meal with vegetarian options.
• open bar with white wine, beer and soft drinks.
• hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minibus.
• all fuel, fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Daytime Private CruiseGuide in English or Greek · 09:30Private cruise lasting 5 hours, with a Greek traditional meal, Santorini highlights plus Thirasia, on a Targa 46 motor yacht (2025), and pickup is included

Sunset Private CruiseGuide in English or Greek · 14:00Private option lasting 5 hours, with a Greek traditional meal, Santorini highlights plus Thirasia, on a Targa 46 motor yacht (2025), and pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:30 and 14:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Spiridakos Sailing Cruises

Is this one for you?Book the daytime cruise if you want the full five-hour route with multiple snorkel stops and time to absorb each location. The sunset version trades some swimming time for the light show over Ammoudi Harbour and Oia. Either way, the boat is private to your group, so the crew adjusts the pace and the stops to what you want.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3).

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 snorkel at every stop on the Santorini yacht cruise?

Snorkeling is offered at White Beach, the volcanic hot springs, Nea Kameni and Thirasia Island. The Red Beach stop is for photos of the cliffs, and the Indian Rocks are viewed from the boat as you sail past them.

What's included in the open bar on this private yacht cruise?

The open bar includes Greek white wine, beer and soft drinks throughout the five hours. A Greek traditional meal is also served on board, with vegetarian options available upon request.

Does the yacht pick me up from my hotel in Santorini?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the cruise price, with transport in an air-conditioned minibus to and from the port.

What is the volcanic hot springs stop like on the Santorini cruise?

The hot springs are a swimming stop where you can soak in sulfurous waters that offer a natural spa experience. Snorkeling gear is available if you want to explore underwater.

Can I book the daytime or sunset version of this private yacht cruise?

You choose between the daytime private cruise or the sunset private cruise at checkout. The sunset option includes sailing past Ammoudi Harbour and the red rocks as the light drops.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my cruise?

The cruise requires good weather to operate. If it's cancelled due to poor conditions, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.