*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information.
If you’re heading to Santorini and wondering whether a Santorini catamaran cruise is worth it—spoiler: it absolutely is. This sunset sailing experience ended up being one of the most fun, memorable, and relaxing parts of our entire week in Greece, and I’m so excited to share it with you!
We booked the Half-Day Exclusive Catamaran Cruise in Santorini with Meal and Open Bar through Viator (our go-to for tours) and couldn’t have been happier with the experience.
This cruise gave us the perfect mix of adventure, stunning views, great food, and good vibes—and it was surprisingly budget-friendly, too!
In this post, I’ll share exactly what to expect, what to pack, what we loved, and a few tips to help you get the most out of your own sunset sailing trip in Santorini. Now, let’s dive in (pun intended!).
Why Book a Santorini Catamaran Cruise?
Seeing Santorini from the caldera is a whole different experience than admiring it from the cliffs, and it was one of the highlights of our 2 days on the island of Santorini.
On a Santorini catamaran cruise, you’ll get uninterrupted views of the whitewashed buildings, dramatic coastline, and volcanic rock formations—plus a chance to swim in crystal-clear Aegean waters.
Here’s what made the cruise totally worth it for us:
- 🧭 Access to areas only reachable by boat
- 🌊 Swimming stops at Red Beach and Thirasia Island
- 🌋 A chance to float in Santorini’s hot springs
- 🍽️ A full Greek meal with seafood + BBQ
- 🥂 Open bar with beer, wine, and even a glass of Prosecco at sunset
- 🚐 Round-trip Airbnb/hotel transfers
- 🎶 A fun, laid-back party vibe with great music (plus, we had a great group along for the ride!)
We were looking for something scenic and social but not over-the-top—and this cruise hit that balance perfectly. I really can’t recommend it enough!
🛥️ Book your Half-Day Exclusive Catamaran Cruise in Santorini with Meal and Open Bar here!
What to Expect on Your Catamaran Cruise
We booked the sunset sailing option (there’s also a morning option if you prefer) and paid around $160 per person. The whole experience lasted about five hours, and from start to finish, and everything ran smoothly and on time.
Here’s what to expect from this Santorini catamaran cruise, though note that itineraries may differ slightly depending on time of year, weather, etc.
🚐 Hotel Pickup & Transfer
Pickup was included in the price of our Santorini catamaran cruise and was incredibly convenient. A van arrived right on time to scoop up our group of five from our Airbnb and dropped us off at the marina with zero hassle. No taxi stress, no guesswork—everything was smooth and easy from the start.
🚢 Boarding the Catamaran
Our cruise began at Vlychada Marina, a peaceful port on Santorini’s southern coast. After a quick safety briefing, we were ready to set sail.
The catamaran was sleek and stylish, shared with about 15–20 people. While it felt a little crowded at first, it helped that five of those guests were already in our group.
Right away, we could tell that the crew was absolutely amazing—warm, funny, and totally on top of things (and always ready to refill our beers and wine glasses).
When seating was limited up front at some point, the captain actually invited our group to sit beside him while he navigated the boat. It felt like we’d landed a spot on Below Deck, and we were definitely not mad about it!
🏖️ Cruise Route & Stops
Once everyone was on board and settled in, our Santorini sunset cruise was officially underway. Here’s a breakdown of all of the scenic stops and highlights along the route:
First Stop: Red Beach
Known for its dramatic red cliffs and contrasting turquoise water, Red Beach was our first stop. Close by (not directly on the beach), we had about 20 minutes to swim and snorkel, and the views were just unreal. Plus, we were given some noodles to make the experience even more relaxing!
Sail By: White Beach & Mesa Pigadia
After we got back on board, the catamaran cruised past the bright limestone cliffs of White Beach and the volcanic coastline of Mesa Pigadia, both of which are only accessible by boat. Even though we didn’t stop here, the views were epic and totally photo-worthy.
Sail By: Akrotiri Lighthouse
As we continued around the caldera, we passed the historic Venetian Akrotiri Lighthouse, one of the oldest in Greece. It’s perched right on the edge of the cliffs and was such a cool contrast to the natural rock formations.
Second Stop: Volcano & Hot Springs
We dropped anchor again near Palea Kameni, home to Santorini’s volcano and hot springs. We jumped in for a quick swim, but heads up—the water didn’t actually feel all that warm. Still, it was fun to say we swam near a volcano!
A Broad Recommendation: Though we didn’t notice any smells or staining, I’d still recommend wearing a dark bathing suit, as sulfur in the water, especially near the hot springs, could stain lighter colored bathing suits.
Third Stop: Thirassia Island
Our final stop was a relaxing swim near Thirassia Island, where we splashed around and had the option to snorkel in the crystal-clear water, while the crew prepared dinner. It was peaceful, quiet, and the perfect wind-down moment before heading back. Plus, the lighting here during golden hour was gorgeous.
🍽️ Dinner On Board
After drying off, we enjoyed a generous BBQ meal on board: grilled shrimp and mussels, Greek salad with feta, pasta with sauce, fresh fruit, dessert, and more. We were so impressed with how fresh, flavorful, and delicious everything was—especially considering it was prepared right on the boat!
🌅 Sailing Past Fira & Sunset
As we made our way back to Vlychada Marina, we cruised past the cinematic Old Port of Fira, Indian Rock, and Black Mountain—each with its own dramatic cliffside views. Then came the grand finale: a world-famous Santorini sunset.
With wine in hand and music in the background, we watched the sky melt into layers of gold and pink. It was the perfect end to an unforgettable afternoon in Santorini!
🛥️ Book your Half-Day Exclusive Catamaran Cruise in Santorini with Meal and Open Bar here!
What’s Included in Your Catamaran Cruise
Our Santorini catamaran cruise came with everything we needed for a perfect afternoon on the water—and then some.
Here’s what was included:
- Delicious Greek meal with grilled meats, shrimp, mussels, salads, pasta, etc.
- Open bar with unlimited white wine, beer, and soft drinks
- Glass of Prosecco at sunset
- Snorkel gear and towels
- Round-trip hotel transfers
- Friendly, professional crew + captain
A Broad Recommendation: Tips are not included, so be sure to bring some cash for this. Like I mentioned, the crew and captain were all incredible, so you’ll want to be sure to show your appreciation at the end of your trip!
We were so impressed with everything and left this experience feeling full, happy, and maybe a little wine-happy too.
🛥️ Book your Half-Day Exclusive Catamaran Cruise in Santorini with Meal and Open Bar here!
What to Pack for Your Catamaran Cruise
If you’re sailing on a Santorini catamaran cruise in the summer (we went in September), here’s what to bring:
- Swimsuit (wear it under your clothes before boarding)
- Light cover-up or sun shirt (avoid dresses, as it can get windy)
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Polarized sunglasses + beach hat
- Flip-flops or sandals
- Waterproof cell phone case
- Quick-dry towel (a few are provided, but extra never hurts)
- Dark swimsuit for hot springs swim
- Small bookbag or beach bag to put everything in (don’t worry, you can store all of your stuff inside the catamaran, so it won’t get wet)
A Broad Recommendation: If you’re prone to seasickness, bring some Dramamine or Bonine just in case. We didn’t have any issues, but it’s always smart to be prepared.
Final Thoughts: Is a Santorini Catamaran Cruise Worth It?
Absolutely. From the easy hotel pickup to the beautiful sunset views, tasty food, and amazing crew, this cruise was one of the best things we did during our week-long Greece trip.
There was plenty of time at each stop, and the vibe was just right—laid-back but upbeat, with music and wine flowing throughout the ride.
If you’re visiting Santorini and looking for a memorable way to unwind, explore, and celebrate with friends or your partner (or to meet new friends if you’re traveling solo!), this is an experience you won’t want to miss.
We laughed, swam, snacked, and toasted the sunset—and we’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
🛥️ Book the same cruise we did here: Half-Day Exclusive Catamaran Cruise in Santorini with Meal and Open Bar, and it’ll all be smooth sailing from there!
XOXO Sara at Travel A-Broads
Sara is the founder of and voice behind Travel A-Broads, a travel blog designed to empower women to explore the world boldly and safely.
A Sr. Manager of a Data Engineering team (aka math nerd) by day and travel enthusiast by night, Sara shares practical tips, curated itineraries, and inspiring stories from her adventures across 5 continents and 28+ countries and helps curious, independent women plan smarter, travel farther, and feel more connected along the way.
Read more about Sara’s journey here, and start planning your next adventure today!