Santorini is all cliffs and crowds—this cruise gives you a different angle on the island, with a 360° view from an open catamaran. You start with round-trip hotel pickup to the port, then settle in on deck for swimming stops that are mostly impossible by road.

What I like most is the combo of time at the water plus comfort on the boat: you get snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel, plus a jacket) and you can relax in the shade under the canopy or stretch out for sun. The second big win is the Greek barbecue lunch on board, with a meal that’s not just a snack—stuffed vine leaves, Greek salad, and grilled options for vegetarians.

One thing to plan for: the hot springs and nearby swimming can mean chilly water, and the tour info also notes it can be up to about 4°C warmer in the Hot Springs area than the open water. Bring the right clothes for after you swim, because you’ll want to get dry fast.

Quick Hits You’ll Care About

• Open-air catamaran layout with lots of deck space and seating under the canopy for shade.
• Three swim-and-snorkel stops: Hot Springs near the volcano, Red Beach, and White Beach.
• BBQ lunch + Greek sides onboard, including vegetarian grilled vegetables and familiar Greek flavors.
• Open bar with specific inclusions (white Santorini wine, soft drinks, water); beers aren’t listed as included.
• Small-group feel with a maximum of 55 travelers.
• Safety and practical facilities like seawater-wash off options and a crew that’s English-speaking.

Why This Catamaran Day Feels Different on Santorini

If you’ve only seen Santorini from the road, you’re missing the best “stage”: the sea. This tour is built for that shift. You leave the caldera viewpoints and head out on an open catamaran where the horizon stays in view, and the island looks more like a coastline than a postcard.

The boat setup matters. You’re not stuck in a narrow seating room. You’ve got a broad deck, plus an under-canopy sitting area for when the sun gets intense. That combo is a real quality-of-life thing on a 5-hour day, especially when you’ll spend chunks of it in and around the water.

And yes, the goal is fun—swim, snorkel, photos—without it turning into an all-day grind of ferry schedules and bus transfers.

Hotel Pickup to Ammoudi or Athinios: The Start That Saves You Time

The day begins with round-trip transfers from your hotel or Airbnb area. A driver meets you by mini bus and takes you to Ammoudi or Athinios port, where the crew welcomes you aboard.

This is one of the best parts for most people: you don’t have to worry about how early to leave, where to park, or whether your timing will line up with the actual departure. You just get picked up, then you’re on the water.

A few practical notes to keep your day smooth:

• The exact pickup time and location are shared after booking.
• If you book inside 24 hours of departure, pickup isn’t guaranteed, so try not to leave it to the last minute.
• Before embarkation, you remove your shoes—the kind of small rule that’s easy to forget until you’re standing at the gangway.

The Boat Experience: Deck Space, 360° Views, and Open Bar

Once you’re aboard, the vibe is “settle in.” You can take a drink from the open bar and choose where to hang out—sunbathing space out in the open, or the shade under the canopy.

That 360° view isn’t just a nice detail. It changes how you experience the stops. Instead of arriving at one spot and staring at rock walls, you get constant changing angles of the caldera, cliffs, and the coastline. It’s the kind of perspective that makes photos better without even trying too hard.

Drink inclusions are clearly set up:

• Alcoholic beverages listed include white Santorini wine
• Plus soft drinks and water
• Beers aren’t included

If you’re the type who plans around exact drinks, it’s worth noting that. If you’re expecting beers as part of the package, you’ll want to buy those separately.

Stop by Stop: Volcano Hot Springs First

Swimming next to the volcano’s black-rock world

The first swim is in the Hot Springs area, close to the volcano. This is where the “wow” factor is strongest: lava formations, and that dramatic dark, almost black look to the rocks.

Here’s the practical part that you’ll appreciate once you’re in the water:

• The catamaran keeps a 50 m distance from the warm sulfuric water bay.
• The Hot Springs area can be up to about 4°C warmer than the open water.
• The tour also notes you swim securely close to the volcano, with dark color swimwear recommended.

Even with that warmth difference, you should still expect it to feel cooler than a summer pool. The smart move is treating this as a “go in, snorkel, enjoy it” moment, then get out to warm up.

A scenic pass before the next stop

Before Red Beach, you’ll pass landmarks from the water—Old Lighthouse, Indian Rock, and the Black Mountain. This is one of those portions that feels like bonus value. You’re not only going to swim; you’re also seeing Santorini from a perspective that most people miss.

Red Beach: Photos, Quick Swim, and Snorkel Time

Red Beach is your second stop, and it’s classic Santorini. Even if you don’t know the geology, you’ll instantly recognize the look—strong, red-toned rock and a shore that’s visually different from the black and gray volcanic zones.

This stop is built for quick enjoyment:

• You get around 30 minutes
• It includes time for photos, swimming, and snorkeling
• It’s also positioned as places not reachable by car, which helps explain why the timing stays tight

The main tradeoff with short stops is you can’t “slow-walk” the experience. You’ll want to be ready to move: kit on, water first, then photos. The upside is you’ll see more different environments in one day, rather than spending a long time at only one beach.

White Beach + BBQ Lunch: Where the Meal Fits the Day

The third stop is White Beach, known for its limestone look. The main reason I like this stop is that it shifts from “quick swim” energy to “settle in” energy. You’re given about 1 hour 30 minutes, so you can pace yourself without rushing.

What you’ll do here:

• More swimming and snorkeling (gear provided)
• Time for lunch on board

Lunch is part of the experience rather than something you’re forced to eat quickly. The meal is served with Greek favorites:

• Stuffed vine leaves with rice
• Tzatziki
• Greek salad
• Potato salad
• Pita bread
• And BBQ mains: pork skewers, chicken skewers, or grilled vegetables (vegetarian option)

On a day like this, I think the best lunches are the ones that match the setting—salt air, sea breezes, and food that doesn’t feel like it belongs in a restaurant dining room. This one does that.

Also, it’s not just “food.” You’re eating while the coastline keeps changing in the background. That’s the kind of detail that makes the day feel like a memory, not just an activity.

Food, Drinks, and the One Thing to Watch: Coffee and Towels

This tour nails the basics: you’ll be fed and you’ll have drinks. But there are a couple of things worth knowing so you’re not caught off guard.

What’s included

• BBQ-style lunch plus Greek sides
• White Santorini wine, water, and soft drinks
• Snorkeling equipment: mask and snorkel, plus a jacket to return to the crew
• Floating devices (ask the crew)

What’s not included

• Beers
• Towels

Towels are a big one. If you forget yours, you’ll have to figure out a workaround after you swim. The tour also recommends bringing warm dry clothes, so plan to have something comfortable for after your saltwater time.

About coffee

One older-person detail shows up as a practical wish: a cappuccino-like treat would have been nice. Since coffee isn’t listed as included, if you’re used to specific café drinks, assume you’ll be working with what the bar offers rather than expecting a full coffee menu.

Safety and Comfort: The Stuff That Makes Swimming Actually Easy

The crew is set up for day-at-sea logistics. You’ll have English-speaking help, and there are safety instructions provided on board in multiple languages (you can ask the crew).

There are also real comfort items that people don’t always notice until they need them:

• WC and seawater-wash facilities for rinsing off after swimming
• A jacket is provided for snorkeling (and returned to the crew)
• The stops are chosen with the reality that boats can’t moor directly on the beach in Greece, so you’ll swim from the closest safe points

Weather matters. The tour notes the itinerary and stops may change if conditions aren’t right for sailing outside the caldera. And it’s also described as requiring good weather, with a different date or full refund if canceled for poor conditions.

One more practical: bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sunhat. Even if you spend time in the shade, the sun can still be intense out on open water. It’s easy to underestimate that when you’re focused on snorkeling.

How Long Is the Day, Really?

Expect about 5 hours on the water, plus the pickup and transfer time. The swim stops are relatively short but frequent:

• Volcano Hot Springs: around 30 minutes
• Red Beach: around 30 minutes
• White Beach + lunch: about 1 hour 30 minutes

That structure is a good fit if you want variety without feeling like you need a full-day tour plan. You get multiple environments and still return while the day feels “complete,” not exhausted.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Rethink It)

This cruise is ideal if you want:

• A water-focused Santorini day
• Snorkeling with gear included
• A Greek BBQ lunch without eating in a crowded setting
• Round-trip transfers that reduce stress

It’s also a good pick for people who want a bit of social energy without chaos. The max group size of 55 travelers suggests you’ll still feel like it’s a shared day, not a moving queue.

You might want to consider another option if:

• You’re very sensitive to cold water and don’t plan for it. The tour info points out the water can be cooler even with the Hot Springs warmth difference.
• You need lots of time on land. This day is designed for the sea—time ashore is mostly limited to getting photos and quick moments.

Should You Book the Santorini Catamaran with BBQ and Open Bar?

If your goal is to get off the busiest parts of Santorini and see the island from the water, this is a strong match. The value is in the package: transfers, multiple snorkeling stops, a real Greek lunch, and wine/soft drinks included—plus facilities to wash off after you swim.

My call: book it if you’re excited by volcano scenery and beach coves and you’re okay with shorter, more efficient stop times. It’s the kind of day that feels fun right away: deck time, then water time, then lunch with sea views.

One last decision check: pack for getting wet and then drying off. If you do that, you’ll likely feel like you got the best version of Santorini—sea breezes, black-rock hot springs, and those white-and-red beach contrasts—without the full-day slog.

FAQ

How long is the Santorini cruise?

The cruise is about 5 hours (approx.).

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip transfers from your hotel or Airbnb area are included, and you’ll be told the exact pickup time and location after booking.

Which drinks are included on the open bar?

The tour includes white Santorini wine, soft drinks, and water. Beers are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. You get snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel) and a jacket to be returned to the crew. Floating devices are also available (ask the crew).

What lunch is served, and is there a vegetarian option?

Lunch includes stuffed vine leaves with rice, tzatziki, Greek salad, potato salad, and pita bread. The BBQ options include pork skewers, chicken skewers, or grilled vegetables for vegetarians.

Do I need to bring towels?

Yes. Towels are not included, so bring your own.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring towels, warm dry clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sunhat.

How many people are on the cruise?

The catamaran has a maximum of 55 travelers.

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