A Santorini sunset cruise is a 5-hour catamaran or traditional wooden boat tour that sails through the flooded volcanic caldera. Most itineraries depart around 3:00 PM, include swimming stops at the volcanic hot springs and Red Beach, and culminate with a barbecue dinner served on board while watching the sunset below the village of Oia.
READ ALSO: Best Things To Do in Santorini
Getting on a sunset cruise or a volcano cruise in Santorini is one of the best things you can do with your family and kids while in Santorini, but it’s also one of the best things to do in Santorini for couples.
The typical route that most of the sunset cruises take is the following:
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1. 5-Hour Small Group Catamaran Cruise
Experience the beauty of Santorini on a 5-hour, luxury small-group catamaran cruise. Choose from a 10:00 AM or 3:00 PM departure. Snorkel among the marine life, and enjoy a Greek buffet meal with drinks.
2. Luxurious Small Group Catamaran Cruise
Breathe in the Mediterranean air and take in amazing views of some of Greece’s most picturesque islands on this 5-hour sailing tour from Santorini. Stop at 2 local beaches for great swimming and snorkeling, and enjoy a barbecue meal onboard.
3. Volcanic Islands Cruise with Hot Springs Visit
Cruise to the volcanic islands of Santorini’s caldera region. Swim in hot springs, admire views from an active volcano and explore the typical villages of Thirassia and Oia.
4. Morning or Sunset Cruise with Food & Drinks
Sail around Santorini caldera aboard a luxurious catamaran. Snorkel, swim in hot springs, spot the famous volcano, then indulge in freshly prepared food and drinks.
5. Sunset Fishing Trip with Dinner and Drinks
Join a traditional fishing trip off the coast of Santorini and watch the sunset out at sea. Benefit from the expert knowledge of a local captain and crew and help prepare a fresh fish dinner or snorkel as your meal is cooked.
6. 1-Day Boat Trip: Santorini Volcano, Thirassia & Oia Sunset
Feel the power of nature in an active volcano crater. Swim in the hot springs and visit Thirasia. Shoot a photo of the world-famous panorama of the cliffs of Oia.
7. Romantic Sunset Cruise With King Thiras In The Caldera
The bus will take you to the port of Athinios to get on board of King Thiras and enjoy a welcome drink. The boat will sail under the Caldera, and our Captain will take you to the best spots to enjoy the view and take spectacular pictures of the Caldera and the Volcano. At the same time, the crew will have prepared a delicious buffet dinner that will be served during the cruise.
Before the sun starts setting into the sea, the Captain will bring the boat to the best location to see the amazing sunset of Santorini. After the sunset, King Thiras will sail back to Athinios port, where the bus will be waiting to take you back to the point you started the excursion. It is suggested to bring a light jacket, as it might get cooler after sunset.
8. Santorini: Sunset Cruise
Sail along the southern coastline of Santorini and admire the lunar-like coastline of the island. At the picturesque Red Beach, dive into the crystalline waters for a swim or snorkel to explore the rich seabed. Continue sailing to White Beach, the Black Mountain Beach, and the lighthouse south of the Caldera.
Next stop is the volcanic islands and the famous hot springs. Admire the impressive beauty and spectacular colors of the sunset, while dinner is served, complemented with wine and dessert.
9. Traditional Boat Cruise with Meal
On the day cruise, you will enjoy a wonderful and relaxing way to sail along Santorini as you admire the unique beauty of Caldera onboard a traditional wooden boat. Start by sailing along the beautiful coastline and take a dip at the Red Beach, admire the black and red rocky background, the White Beach, and the big Lighthouse.
Be enchanted by the imposing beauty of the Volcano, one of the most famous scenes in the world. Swim at the Hot Springs, and immerse yourself in the warm volcanic waters that possess therapeutic properties.
Next, sail to Thirassia Island where you can enjoy a swim and a meal. After lunch, continue on your route to Ammoudi Bay for disembarkation. For those who select the Sunset Cruise, your tour starts from the old port of Ammoudi, where you will set sail to Thirassia island and continue to Palea Kameni for a therapeutic dip in the Hot Springs with views of the stunning Volcano.
Cruising south, you will see the Light House, the Black Rock of the Indian, the White Beach, and the Red Beach as you enjoy the best sunset of the Mediterranean before entering the port of Vlychada.
10. Santorini Caldera: Sunset Sailing Cruise with Meal
Climb aboard at Vlychada Marina and sail towards Red Beach and White Beach. Get some time to go for a swim and snorkel at Mesa Pigadia Beach.
Continue to Indian Rock and the Lighting House, where the sails will be opened to sail inside the caldera. See the snow white houses of Fira, Firostefani, and Imerovigli from a different perspective before time to swim in the healing hot spring waters and explore the volcanic beaches of Palea and Nea Kameni.
Stop for a barbecue dinner, prepared and served by the crew. Sip some local white wine and listen to the sound of the waves as the sun sets into the sea.
11. The Santorini Catamaran Red Cruise with Meal & Drinks
Climb aboard the 74-foot Ocean Voyager or the 80-foot Tahiti catamaran for a 5-hour sunset cruise around Santorini in the Aegean Sea. Set off on a journey of discovery that will first take you to the hot springs, then the Red Beach, and finally the White Beach. You will start at the Ammoudi Port of Oia (with round-trip transfers from island hotels for a surcharge), from where you’ll set sail for beautiful Red Beach to swim and snorkel for 30 minutes.
Continue to a secluded White Beach, only accessible from the sea, for more swimming and snorkeling in the shadow of the towering white cliffs. Free snorkeling equipment is available on board the catamaran, where you’ll also be served a barbecue supper of salads and grilled pork.
Continue sailing inside the crescent-shaped Caldera, close to the volcano, and enjoy a final dip in the Hot Springs, before sailing back to Oia as the day ends its spectacular transformation to night.
12. Luxurious Catamaran Cruise with Meal
A minibus will take you from your hotel to Ammoudi port, where you will board one of the newest vessels of the fleet. Sail to Santorini’s famous hot springs and swim for half an hour. Continue beyond Aspronisi Island, Akrotiri, the Indian rock, and the Ancient lighthouse to reach the next stop at the Red Beach, where you can swim and snorkel for another half an hour.
Sail to the White Beach area in a 1.5-hour cruise and enjoy a barbecue feast before another round of swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing on board the catamaran. Return to Ammoudi and, if enjoying the sunset tour, experience the sunset from the sea.
CONCLUSION
Getting on a Sunset Cruise in Santorini is one of the best things you can do while on the island. Depending on how much money you want to spend and also how much time you have, there are plenty of options to choose from, as you can see from the handy list above.
The best and safest website to book your boat tour in Santorini is GetYourGuide.com, and all of the operators that work through that are certified and experienced.
One thing is for sure, though: the sunset volcano cruise will be the highlight of your trip to Santorini!
FAQs
How much does a Santorini sunset cruise cost?
A semi-private luxury catamaran cruise with a barbecue dinner and open bar typically costs between €150 and €200 per person. Budget-friendly options on larger, traditional wooden boats (kaikis) range from €50 to €80 per person, though these usually have much larger groups of up to 50 people.
Where do sunset cruises depart from in Santorini?
Most sunset cruises depart from either the Vlychada Marina on the southern coast or the Ammoudi Bay port directly below Oia. Regardless of the departure point, almost all reputable cruise companies include complimentary round-trip minibus transfers from your hotel to the port.
Do sunset cruises actually go to the volcano?
Catamaran sunset cruises sail past the volcano and anchor in the nearby hot springs for swimming, but they do not dock for you to hike up the active crater. If you want to hike the volcano, you must book a daytime traditional boat tour, as hiking the crater is not permitted during the evening.
Are sunset cruises in Santorini worth it?
Yes. Because the island is built on the rim of a steep caldera, viewing the cliffs, the whitewashed villages, and the sunset from the water provides the best perspective of Santorini’s unique geography. It also allows you to avoid the massive crowds that gather in Oia’s narrow streets every evening.
