Caldera Catamaran Cruise

If the volcano tour is the classic Santorini boat trip, the catamaran cruise is the indulgent one, and for many visitors it is the highlight of their stay. Instead of a big cruise boat with dozens of passengers, you board a sailing catamaran with a small group, usually around twenty people on the trips sold through Tiqets, and spend about five hours exploring the caldera and the south coast at a slow, sunlit pace. Routes vary with the wind, but a typical cruise leaves from Vlychada marina or Ammoudi and heads along the dramatic southern cliffs to anchor beneath the Red Beach, where iron-red rock walls drop into the sea, and the White Beach, a cove of pale cliffs reachable mostly by boat, for swimming and snorkelling in clear water. Many trips continue past the Akrotiri lighthouse into the caldera to stop at the volcanic hot springs, then cruise along the foot of the great cliffs beneath the villages, a perspective you cannot get from land. A crew prepares a barbecue meal on board, with grilled meat or fish, Greek salads and dips, and drinks are included, from soft drinks and beer to local wine or, on premium versions, an open bar. Transfers from your hotel to the marina and back are part of most packages, which makes the logistics easy. Tiqets lists several levels: a classic catamaran cruise with barbecue and drinks, a premium version with an open bar and a smaller group, and a luxury catamaran with more space and a more elaborate menu. Morning cruises are calmer and better for swimming; sunset cruises are the romantic choice, timed so you watch the sun go down from the water below Oia or near the lighthouse, with the cliffs glowing behind you.

Morning or sunset: the morning cruise usually has calmer seas, clearer water for snorkelling and better light for the swim stops, and it leaves your evening free. The sunset cruise sails in the afternoon and returns after dark; the swimming is still good, the mood is livelier and the moment the sun touches the horizon is unforgettable, but in high season sunset sailings sell out first, so book them early in your trip, which also gives you a back-up day if the wind cancels a departure.

Weather and comfort: the Aegean in summer is famous for the meltemi, a strong northerly wind that can blow for days, especially in July and August. Operators adjust routes to sheltered water or cancel when it is too rough, usually with a full refund or rebooking. If you are prone to seasickness, take precautions and sit toward the middle and back of the boat. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat and a light layer for the evening breeze; shoes come off on board. Life jackets and snorkelling gear are supplied.

Who it suits: couples, groups of friends and families with children who are confident in the water all enjoy it. Honeymooners and those celebrating can book semi-private or private catamarans for a premium. The season runs from roughly April to October, with fewer departures in early spring and late autumn and almost none in winter, so check availability if you are travelling outside the main season. Combined with a volcano tour on another day, a catamaran cruise shows you the caldera from every angle.