Santorini: Sailing Tour with BBQ, Drinks & Hot Springs

Summary

Santorini sailing with bbq swim at red beach hot springs soak

You’ll sail Santorini’s caldera with a local crew, stopping for swims at Red or White Beach and soaking in Nea Kameni’s volcanic hot springs. Enjoy barbecue lunch with unlimited wine or beer on deck—all with hotel pickup included. Expect laughter, new friends, and those strange moments when everything feels both familiar and completely new.

What’s the experience like?

We climbed onto the catamaran just below the cliffs of Santorini, shoes off and toes already salty. I didn’t know what to expect from a “shared sailing tour”—sometimes that means forced small talk, but honestly, everyone just seemed happy to be out on the water. Our guide, Maria, handed me a cold drink right away and grinned at my clumsy attempt to say “kalimera.” The sea was this unreal blue—almost too much—and you could smell charcoal from the little grill before we even left the dock.

First stop was Red Beach. I’d seen photos but up close it’s stranger—the cliffs look almost edible, like layers of cake (I was hungry by then). We jumped in for a swim; the water felt cool and heavier than I expected. Someone on board said something about volcanic minerals making your skin soft. Maybe it’s true, maybe it’s just local legend, but either way I floated there for a while just listening to distant voices echo off the rocks. There was this moment where everything went quiet except for the slap of water against the hull.

We sailed past White Beach (only reachable by boat), then drifted near these old volcanic islands—Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni. The air changed as we got closer: faint sulfur, like boiled eggs but not unpleasant. Maria pointed out the hot springs bubbling up near Nea Kameni and told us to jump in if we wanted. I hesitated (the color is kind of rusty-orange) but went for it anyway. It’s warmer than you’d think and sort of silky; I didn’t want to get out.

Lunch was grilled chicken and veggies right on deck—simple but perfect after swimming so much. Local white wine flowed easily (maybe too easily). Someone tried to teach me how to say “cheers” in Greek; I definitely butchered it but nobody seemed to care. By the time we sailed back toward port, everyone looked sun-tired and happy, hair tangled by wind and salt. I still think about that view over Santorini’s caldera as we drifted home—just light bouncing off white houses stacked above us. Hard to explain why that sticks with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Santorini sailing and volcanic caldera tour

• Sail past Old Venetian Lighthouse
• View Indian Head Mountain
• Stop at Red or White Beach
• Visit Old Burnt Island
• Swim in New Burnt Island hot springs
• Snorkel in caldera waters
• Enjoy Greek BBQ with drinks

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Santorini sailing tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for all guests.

Do you stop at both Red Beach and White Beach?

The tour stops at either Red Beach or White Beach depending on weather conditions—not always both.

Are drinks included during the cruise?

Yes, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are provided throughout the sailing tour.

Can I use snorkel gear during the trip?

Snorkels and masks are available for all guests who want to swim or snorkel.

Is lunch served on board?

A barbecue lunch is freshly prepared on deck during the cruise.

Are towels provided on this Santorini sailing tour?

Towels are included for guest use during swimming stops.

How long do we stop at each beach?

The stop at Red or White Beach lasts approximately 20-30 minutes.

Can vegetarians be accommodated for lunch?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested at booking.

Are children allowed on this sailing tour?

Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off around Santorini, fresh towels ready for swimming stops at beaches only accessible by boat, all snorkel gear you might need, unlimited local wine or beer plus soft drinks throughout the cruise, and a barbecue lunch cooked right onboard before heading back in the late afternoon or after sunset if you choose that option.