Santorini: Platinum Catamaran Cruise w/ BBQ Meal & Open Bar

Santorini looks best from the water. This five-hour catamaran cruise combines the island’s volcanic coast, several swimming stops, a generous Greek meal, and a sunset viewed from offshore. I especially like the small group of no more than 18 people and the well-rounded route, which gives you scenery, food, swimming, and local commentary in one outing.

I also like the practical all-inclusive setup: hotel pickup, towels, snorkeling equipment, an open bar, and a BBQ meal are included. The main consideration is the sea temperature, especially outside midsummer. The water can feel cold in October and November, and the hot springs are warm rather than truly hot. Also, the boat stops close to beaches but cannot pull directly onto the sand.

The best parts of the cruise at a glance

• Small group sailing: The catamaran is limited to 18 people, giving you more room than a large excursion boat and making the outing feel personal.
• Three main swim opportunities: You can swim near the volcanic coast, at the hot springs, and around Thirasia, with towels and snorkeling gear supplied.
• A proper meal at sea: Expect BBQ chicken and pork, seafood pasta, Greek salad, anchovy meze, vegetarian ratatouille, snacks, and fruit salad.
• Open bar throughout the cruise: Beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are included, with sparkling Moschato D’Asti wine for the sunset.
• A useful island transfer: Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation or the closest reachable point remove the hassle of reaching Vlychada.
• A strong value at $117: For five hours of sailing, food, drinks, swimming equipment, and transport, the price is competitive for Santorini.

Leaving Vlychada with room to relax

Your day begins with a pickup from your accommodation or a nearby point that the van can reach. Common pickup points include the Imerovigli bus stop, Fira, Mitropoleos Street, and Thera. You are asked to be ready 10 minutes early, and the driver waits no more than 10 minutes after the scheduled time.

The transfer takes you to Vlychada, where you board the catamaran. The drive can be longer than expected if the van collects people around the island, so build a little patience into the start of your day. The pickup is useful, though, especially if you are staying away from the southern port area.

The boat is spacious, clean, and set up for an easygoing afternoon or evening. Past departures have had between 16 and about 20 people, though this experience is officially limited to 18. That number matters. You can find a place to sit, move around, eat without feeling crowded, and watch the coast without fighting for every good spot.

The crew begins with a safety briefing and then keeps the day moving without making it feel rushed. Several past crew members have been praised by name, including skippers Pedro, Vasilis, and Alkis, guide Alice, and crew members George and Anna. Staffing can change, but the pattern is clear: expect a friendly crew with local commentary, music, and steady attention to the basics.

Red Beach and the southern coast

The first major sight is Red Beach, one of Santorini’s most unusual coastal views. Its dark and rust-colored cliffs show the island’s volcanic past more clearly than the whitewashed villages do. The catamaran cannot moor directly on the beach, so you will see it from the water and stop as close as conditions allow.

This is a photo stop as much as a swim stop. If you want a close look at the cliffs, keep your camera ready before the boat moves on. The brief stop is not designed for a long walk ashore, and you should not expect the same experience as visiting Red Beach by land.

White Beach follows, with pale limestone formations contrasting against the darker volcanic rock. From the catamaran, the appeal is the changing color of the shoreline and the chance to see a section of the coast that is difficult to appreciate from the road.

The route also passes Mesa Pigadia, a quieter coastal area with caves and rugged rock formations. This is one of the more relaxed parts of the journey. You get around 20 minutes for a break, photos, drinks, and possibly a swim, depending on the day’s conditions and the captain’s judgment.

I like this section because it gives you more than the standard postcard view of Santorini. From the water, the island is not just white buildings and blue roofs. You see raw cliffs, small coves, volcanic beaches, and the way the caldera rises above the sea.

Akrotiri Lighthouse and the caldera from sea level

The boat continues past Akrotiri and its 18th-century Venetian lighthouse. The lighthouse is seen from the water, not explored as a land visit, but it adds a historic marker to the coastal scenery.

The catamaran then turns toward the Santorini caldera. This is when the scale of the island becomes easier to understand. The cliffs and settlements look different from offshore, and you get a broad view without the crowds found in the popular village viewpoints.

The guide provides information in English as the boat travels. The commentary covers the island and its surroundings, helping you connect the volcanic rock, caldera, beaches, and settlements into one picture. If you prefer quiet sailing, the music and conversation may feel more active than a private charter, but the atmosphere is generally social rather than rowdy.

That distinction is useful. This is a comfortable shared cruise, not a silent yacht charter and not a packed party boat. You can enjoy music and conversation, but the small passenger limit leaves enough space for a calmer experience.

Swimming at Palea Kameni hot springs

The stop at Palea Kameni is one of the most unusual parts of the route. The boat pauses near the volcanic hot springs, and you can swim in the mineral-rich waters. A safety briefing comes first, and the crew directs you on how to enter the water.

Do not picture a hot pool. The sea around the springs may feel warmer than the surrounding water, but it is not necessarily hot, and the swim can still feel chilly. If you visit in spring or autumn, bring realistic expectations. One useful tip from past passengers is to wear an old swimsuit, since the mineral water can affect light-colored fabric.

You enter the water from the boat rather than walking onto a beach. That makes the stop exciting, but it may not suit anyone who is uncomfortable with open-water swimming. The crew provides snorkeling equipment and towels, although one passenger wished there had been more snorkels available at each stop. Equipment is included, but availability can vary as people use it.

Thirasia, lunch, and the longest stop

Thirasia is the most substantial stop, with about an hour set aside for swimming, snorkeling, and eating. This small island sits across from the main Santorini settlements and offers a quieter setting for lunch on the boat.

While you swim, the crew prepares the meal. The menu is more generous than the usual sandwich-and-chips boat lunch:

• BBQ chicken and pork
• Seafood pasta
• Greek salad
• Greek anchovy meze
• Vegetarian Greek ratatouille
• Snacks and finger food
• Greek fruit salad

The meal is one of the cruise’s most praised features. The food is prepared aboard, served in generous portions, and includes enough variety for meat eaters and vegetarians. Several people especially liked the fresh cooking and the amount available, while one person found the meal only average. That is a fair reminder that boat catering can vary by day and personal taste.

I would treat this as a real meal, not just something to keep you going until dinner. The setting helps, of course. You are eating on deck with Thirasia and the Aegean around you, rather than sitting in a crowded waterfront restaurant.

The open bar includes beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water. The supplied details describe the bar as open throughout the cruise, but one past passenger advised checking what is included before ordering anything beyond the listed drinks. Bring a swimsuit, camera, and a light layer for the return ride. Towels are supplied, but warm clothing is sensible late in the season.

Sunset near Akrotiri Lighthouse

The final scenic stretch is the sunset sail near Akrotiri Lighthouse. The crew may raise the sail when conditions allow, creating a quieter passage as the sun drops behind the island and sea.

A glass of Moschato D’Asti sparkling wine is served for the sunset. It is a small touch, but it fits the occasion well. Santorini sunsets are popular for good reason, and seeing one from the water gives you a wider view than you get from a crowded cliffside terrace.

The exact sunset colors depend on the weather. One departure took place under cloudy and rainy conditions, yet the crew still kept the mood positive and made the day enjoyable. Another late-October trip had a beautiful sunset but a chilly ride back. The lesson is simple: the sunset is a major reason to book, but you should not treat perfect skies as guaranteed.

This cruise also avoids one common Santorini frustration. You are not squeezed into a famous viewpoint with hundreds of people competing for the same railing. The boat can still be lively, and other passengers share the deck, but the water gives you breathing room.

What $117 includes, and where the value lies

At $117 per person, the cruise is not the cheapest way to see Santorini’s coast. It is also not priced like a private yacht charter. The value comes from combining several costs into one package.

You receive hotel or nearby pickup, transport to Vlychada, five hours on the catamaran, food, snacks, an open bar, towels, snorkeling equipment, a sunset drink, and return transport. If you planned to pay separately for a boat trip, meals, drinks, and transfers, the total could quickly rise above this price.

The small passenger limit improves the value. A cheaper boat with many more people may offer similar scenery but less space and less personal service. Here, the boat size and passenger limit make the experience feel more comfortable without reaching private-charter prices.

I would not book this solely for luxury. The word Platinum suggests a high-end outing, but it remains a shared excursion with scheduled stops, a group meal, and a set route. The boat is attractive and spacious, yet the main luxury is having room, attentive service, and fewer people around you.

The cruise suits couples, families, and friends who want a full day at sea without planning every detail. It also works well for a special occasion. One crew helped a passenger arrange a marriage proposal, though you should contact the company ahead of time if you need a special request.

Practical points before you reserve

The activity is conducted in English, with an optional English audio guide. You should be comfortable listening to safety instructions and guide commentary in English.

Swimming is a central part of the day. If you do not want to enter the sea, you can still enjoy the views, meal, drinks, and sunset, but you will miss much of the experience. The crew provides safety instructions, and the boat carries snorkeling gear and towels.

Families can enjoy the cruise, and one past departure included a two-year-old child. Still, young children should be supervised closely around the boat and during open-water stops. The available information does not specify special child equipment, so ask ahead if you need anything beyond the standard service.

The return transfer is included. Pickup and drop-off are made at your hotel or the closest point reachable by car, not necessarily at your front door. A few departures had longer van pickups, while others were praised for being on time. Stay at the agreed pickup point and keep your phone available.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times carefully, since the exact schedule changes with the date.

Who should book the Platinum Catamaran Cruise?

I would book this if you want Santorini scenery without spending your whole day moving between land viewpoints. The route gives you volcanic cliffs, Red Beach, White Beach, Mesa Pigadia, the caldera, hot springs, Thirasia, and the sunset in one well-paced outing.

I would also choose it if food and service matter to you. The BBQ is substantial, the open bar is useful, and the crew receives consistently strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and informative.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, get seasick easily, or want a private and quiet sailing experience. The crew can help with seasickness, but the sea may still be uncomfortable. I would also avoid booking this as a warm-water beach day in spring or autumn. The sea can be cold, and the beaches are viewed from the boat rather than visited on foot.

For most people, the combination of a limited group, varied route, excellent sunset position, and included meal makes this a strong Santorini choice. The 4.8 rating from 426 ratings fits the experience: it is polished, sociable, and unusually generous for a shared cruise.

FAQ

How long is the Santorini Platinum Catamaran Cruise?

The cruise lasts five hours, not including the time needed for pickup and return transport.

What is the price?

The listed price is $117 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from your accommodation or the closest point reachable by car.

How many people are on the catamaran?

The tour is limited to 18 people.

What food is served?

The meal includes BBQ chicken and pork, seafood pasta, Greek salad, Greek anchovy meze, vegetarian Greek ratatouille, snacks, finger food, and Greek fruit salad.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes white wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. A special Moschato D’Asti sparkling wine is served during the sunset.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and towels are included.

Can I swim at the hot springs?

Yes. The boat stops near the Palea Kameni hot springs for swimming, with a safety briefing before entering the water.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a camera. An old swimsuit and a light layer are also sensible, especially if you plan to swim at the hot springs or travel during cooler months.