15 VIP Experiences in Santorini to Build a Day Around

1.Santorini Sunset Luxury Sailing Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, drinks, transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,170 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $133Our pick

Sail Santorini’s coast on a spacious catamaran for about five hours, with stops at Red Beach, White Beach, the hot springs, and Palea Kameni. Enjoy a fresh Greek barbecue, unlimited drinks, snorkeling gear, hotel transfers, and an optional sunset viewed from the sea. Groups are limited to 20.

“Easy, kind, beautiful despite the weather! The drivers were great, staff was excellent, stops were lovely! Recommend!!”

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2.Luxury Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open bar & Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,047 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $169

Spend about five hours aboard a catamaran with Captain Leo, Heleni, Louis, or another Spiridakos crew member. Swim at Palea Kameni and Mesa Pigadia, snorkel near White Beach, enjoy a Greek BBQ with wine and cocktails, and see Santorini’s volcanoes from the water.

“We had a wonderful experience so much that we recommended someone to do same trip when they come to Santorini the next week!”

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3.Santorini Luxury Custom Private Tour with Local guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 623 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Explore Santorini by private vehicle with an English-speaking local guide. You’ll visit Oia, Firostefani, Megalochori, Red Beach, and Perivolos, with time for photos, village walks, beach views, and a meal by the Aegean. Guides such as George, Elias, Louis, Fani, and Chris have led past tours.

“a really fun afternoon/evening on a catamaran sailing around Santorini. Wonderful very upbeat and helpful crew. 3 swim stops including the springs (volcanic spring but the water was not hot) and a snorkeling stop. the dinner was freshly cooked and absolutely delicious. soft drinks and plentiful white wine. the crew took many sunset pictures of the guests. and the sunset was spectacular. highly recommend!”

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4.Santorini Luxury Sailing Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Drinks and Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 422 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $133

Set out from Amoudi Port on a catamaran limited to 20 people. Swim near Palea Kameni’s hot springs, White Beach, and Red Beach, then enjoy a Greek barbecue, wine, beer, and soft drinks. Hotel transfers, towels, snorkeling gear, and a restroom are included.

“The captain & crew were great!!! The food was excellent!!!! We had a great time !!!! We would definitely recommend this company! Thank you :)”

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5.Santorini Luxury Catamaran Sunset Cruise with BBQ, Drink and Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 310 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $157

Spend about five hours aboard the Ipanema 58, Santorini’s only catamaran of its kind. Swim near the volcanic hot springs, snorkel by Red and White Beaches, enjoy a Greek barbecue with drinks, and watch the sun set over the caldera. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“Absolutely recommend this adventure. we were in Santorini for the day (off a cruise ship) and decided to see it by water and what a fantastic choice this was- one of our favorite days on vacation by far! we were a group of 24 friends and family. The Captain and Crew were spectacular! WOW! Spectacular in their attitudes, making us feel safe and welcomed as well as attentive ensuring we enjoyed ourselves. Everything was amazing: the food- yummy, the pasta, salad, meats, delicious and made fresh on site, the scenery, the music, the company, the water and of course the sunset. YES- do this tour! the more the marrier.”

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6.Santorini Luxury Catamaran Day Cruise with BBQ,drinks,transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 201 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $157

Start at Ammoudi Port and sail past the Volcano, Palea Kameni, the Ancient Lighthouse, White Beach, and Red Beach. You’ll swim, snorkel, enjoy a Greek BBQ, and have beer, wine, soft drinks, and water included. Pickup and drop-off cover Santorini hotels, villas, and Airbnb stays.

“The Santorini Luxury Catamaran Day Cruise was an unforgettable experience, combining breathtaking views, relaxation, and indulgence. This 5-hour cruise took us on a journey through Santorini’s stunning coastline, stopping at iconic locations like the Red Beach, White Beach and the Hot Springs. We highly recommend it to potential tourists desirous of exploring Santorini.”

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7.Luxury Santorini Catamaran Cruise: Lunch, BBQ, Drinks, Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $133

Spend about five hours aboard a comfortable catamaran from Vlychada Port, stopping at Mesa Pigadia, the hot springs, and Thirasia. You’ll swim, snorkel, enjoy a generous Greek lunch with drinks, and hear local information from the crew, including the entertaining Eduard.

“Great brunch of people they really went out of there way to look after my friend , made us feel welcome and was fun to be with”

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8.Luxury Santorini Sunset Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $145

Set out from Vlychada Port for a five-hour Santorini sunset cruise with swimming at Mesa Pigadia, the sulfur waters near the volcano, Thirasia Island, BBQ food, an open bar, and round-trip hotel transfers. The boat carries up to 20 people and returns after sunset.

“The cruise and staff were wonderful. The food and views amazing! Maybe a little more people then I’d like on a boat but that’s ok!”

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9.Santorini Half-Day Luxury Private Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 104 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $435

Spend five hours on a private Santorini cruise from Vlichada with captain-led stops at Red Beach, White Beach, the lighthouse, volcano hot springs, and Mesa Pigadia. Hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, local food, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included. Captains George, Thomas, and Ele may host your trip.

“Had the best day with Thomas and Ellie. So informative, beautiful boat, gorgeous scenery, beautiful home cooked food. It's a must when visiting Santorini”

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10.Santorini Oia: Luxury Sunset Cruise with Fresh Fish BBQ & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 99 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $174

Spend about six hours aboard a small-group catamaran with a crew that may include George, Georgia, and Isidora. Swim at Thirassia, Nea Kameni, Mesa Pigadia, and Red Beach, enjoy fresh fish or chicken souvlaki with drinks, then watch the Santorini sunset from the sea.

“Beautiful, relaxing and delicious sunset tour. Our group had the best time! The crew was fantastic and the swimming and food were top notch!”

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11.Santorini, Private Transfer with Luxury Airconditioned Vehicle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 10 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $22Best value

You get a private Santorini transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi and bottled water. Pickup and drop-off are confirmed after booking, with rides taking about 10 minutes to 1 hour. Thanos may handle your transfer, and service is offered in English.

“Thanos was great! Very easy to understand and very helpful! Nice vehicle. He was also easy to communicate with.”

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12.Santorini Full Day Trip by Santo Luxury Escape

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $271

Spend about six hours touring Santorini in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi and bottled water. Your English-speaking driver takes you from Oia and Firostefani to Akrotiri, the lighthouse, Pyrgos, and Perissa Black Beach, with time for photos, history, and a swim.

“Excellent driver, kind and courteous. Flexible when we asked for more time or changes in itinerary. Highly recommend”

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13.Private Luxury Santorini Catamaran Cruise with Port Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $1,025

Spend about five hours on a private catamaran around Santorini, with hotel or airport pickup, Red Beach, Palea Kameni hot springs, a freshly prepared Greek meal, and wine, beer, or soft drinks. Choose a daytime or sunset departure, with crew members such as Isidoro, Corina, Pablo, and Hassan helping onboard.

“Wonderful crew, views, and the food was awesome! 9 of us on the boat, lots of room to roam.”

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14.Luxury Sunset Cruise with Swim Stops, BBQ meals and Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 53 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $133

Spend about five hours sailing Santorini’s Caldera, volcanic islands, hot springs, and beaches. Swim and snorkel along the way, then enjoy a BBQ with Greek salad, pasta, bread, dessert, wine, and soft drinks before watching sunset from the water. Hotel pickup is included.

“You get to sail around to different beaches and hear some history about the island. Along the way you stop for swimming and snorkeling. You also get a bbq meal with delicious Greek salad, pasta, bread, and yummy fruit and yogurt dessert. You r d the trip with a gorgeous view of the sunset on the water.”

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15.Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Fresh Fish BBQ & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $151

Spend about five hours aboard a catamaran with a maximum of 16 people. Swim at Red Beach and Mesa Pigadia, see the White Beach and lighthouse, visit volcanic waters, and enjoy fresh seabream or chicken, salads, drinks, and snorkeling gear.

“Amazing experience. The service and the food were AMAZING! The boat was new and beautiful. Highly recommend!!”

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