Five-hour cruise around the caldera, with a swim in the hot springs

What it involves

The Santorini caldera is the sunken crater of the volcano, now flooded by the sea, with the cliffs of Fira and Oia on one side and the volcanic islets in the centre. Seeing it from the water is different from seeing it from above. On a five-hour cruise you skirt the cliffs, swim in the hot springs next to the islets and stop at two beaches in the south that are best reached by boat: White Beach and Red Beach.

It is run, among other companies, by Sunset Oia Sailing Santorini, based in the port of Ammoudi, below Oia. It has two formats: a small catamaran for up to 20 people or a large, open catamaran for up to 55.

The route

On both boats the stops are the same, in a different order depending on the hour:

1. Hot springs, next to the volcanic islets: you jump into the water and swim towards the area where the water comes out warm and stained with rust. Don't expect a hot pool: it is a slightly less cold sea.
2. Red Beach, below the reddish cliffs of Akrotiri, with swimming and snorkelling.
3. White Beach, with pale pumice cliffs, swimming and a barbecue on board.

On the way you pass Aspronisi, the Akrotiri lighthouse and the India rock. The afternoon departure ends by sailing below Oia as the sun sets.

The two departures

Santorini Gems (small catamaran, up to 20 people)

• Morning: boarding at Ammoudi between 9:30 and 10:00 and disembarking at Vlychada around 14:30–15:00.
• Sunset: boarding at Vlychada around 15:00 and return to Ammoudi after sunset.
• Price per person: €110 from 15 March to 15 May and from 1 October to 15 November; from 16 May to 30 September, €125 in the morning and €140 at sunset.
• Includes a barbecue (meat, seafood and vegetarian option), soft drinks, local white wine, beer and water, snorkelling equipment, towels and blankets, and in the morning a short cooking lesson.

Red Cruise (large catamaran, up to 55 people)

• Morning: departure at 9:30 from Ammoudi or Athinios and return around 14:30. Sunset: departure at 14:30 and return after sunset.
• Price per person: from €79 in the morning and €99 at sunset in the mid and low season; €89 and €109 from 16 May to 30 September.
• Includes a Greek meal on board, soft drinks, white wine and water, snorkelling equipment and blankets. Does not include beer or towels.

On both, pick-up and return to the hotel by minibus is included across the island; they confirm it the day before. The afternoon departure lasts about 6 hours in June and about 4 h 30 in October, because it follows the time of sunset.

Season, booking and cancellation

Both departures run from 15 March to 15 November. They are booked on the company's website or by phone. If you cancel or change with 24 hours' notice or more you get a refund; with less, the full amount is charged. If the sea doesn't allow leaving the caldera, the crew changes stops without prior notice.

Morning or sunset

The morning departure is cheaper in summer and less in demand. The afternoon one offers the sunset from the sea, in front of Oia, and is the one that fills up most: book it days ahead in July and August. If you get seasick, choose the morning and take a tablet before boarding.

With children

It is an outing for all ages. The company has life jackets and flotation aids on board; ask the crew for them. Children must be able to cope with five hours on the boat and the jumps into the water at the hot springs are in open sea, with no bottom nearby: they shouldn't swim alone. The website doesn't publish a child price; ask when you book.

What to bring

Swimwear on already, sun cream, hat, sunglasses, a layer for the return and, on the Red Cruise, a towel. An old swimsuit for the hot springs: the iron-rich water can stain light clothes. When you get off at Ammoudi you have the Ammoudi Fish Tavern nearby for dinner.