Santorini Catamaran Cruise: Premium, Exclusive or Classic

For a catamaran cruise in Santorini, three 5-hour options are listed on WizardTrip, all leaving from the southern port of Vlychada. They have 8,144, 4,561 and 4,255 reviews, rated 4.9, 4.9 and 4.8 out of 5 (as of 18 October 2026).

All three include a meal on board, white wine, towels and snorkeling gear. They differ by menu, bar, group size, transfer and price. This article compares the premium cruise, the exclusive cruise and the classic cruise, then says which to choose.

Santorini catamaran cruise: what to know

All three cruises pass Red Beach, White Beach and the Venetian lighthouse of Akrotiri, then go near the volcano. They make several swim stops. On the premium and classic listings, no landing is possible. You swim from the boat, including to the Palea Kameni hot springs.

According to the premium listing, these springs require a swim of about 100 meters in open water. Their warmth varies by season. A September 2026 review of the classic cruise reports jellyfish on this route and stings among a few passengers.

Premium cruise: the most reviewed, open bar and transfer included

The premium cruise has the most reviews and the best rating of the three. It takes 20 people at most, with a guide who speaks Greek and English. The air-conditioned minibus is included, both ways.

You can also reach the marina on your own, next to the vending machine, at least 30 minutes before departure.

The barbecue on board includes shrimp, chicken fillet and beef sausage. It comes with pasta, Greek salad, stuffed vine leaves, tzatziki, bread and a dessert. The open bar serves white wine, beer and soft drinks.

Three swim stops mark the outing: 30 minutes at Mesa Pigadia, 30 minutes at the hot springs, then 1 hour in a secluded cove. During this last stop, the crew prepares the buffet. The catamaran also passes the Nea Kameni volcano, where the crew tells the story of the eruption.

Two reviews qualify the organization. One, from August 2026, laments the lack of communication about the pickup time. The other, from September 2026, describes nearly 2 hours in the van because the driver waited for a couple who were 50 minutes late.

Premium Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open Bar, Transfer4.9(8,144 reviews)From €120From€120View activity

Exclusive cruise: 18 passengers at most, mussels and Prosecco

The exclusive cruise limits the group to 18 people, with an English-speaking guide. Two options exist, with pickup: the Diamond Day Tour in the daytime and the Scarlet Sunset Tour at sunset.

The open bar serves local white wine, beers and drinks, with a glass of Prosecco. The meal brings together shrimp, mussels, barbecue on board, tzatziki, Greek salad with feta and pasta. Appetizers, fresh fruit and a homemade dessert are added.

The stops are shorter: 20 minutes at Red Beach, 20 minutes at the volcano’s hot springs, then 30 minutes at Thirassia. The crew prepares the meal there during the swim. A September 2026 review finds the pace a little rushed.

Reviews diverge on the meal. Four of the six excerpts noted are five-star reviews that praise the crew and the cooking. David writes in September 2026: “This experience was absolutely worth its price.”

Nancilee gives 2 out of 5 in October 2026: “the food ran out for the last 4 of us.” The group had 14 people. The bar seemed less well stocked to her than advertised.

For pickup, the listing asks for the hotel’s name and address at booking. A September 2026 review tells of a walk of about 25 minutes, the hotel being outside the pickup zone.

Half-Day Exclusive Catamaran Cruise in Santorini with Meal and Open Bar4.9(4,561 reviews)From €99From€99View activity

Classic cruise: the cheapest, with or without transfer

The classic cruise accepts 22 passengers at most, with a guide who speaks Greek and English. It has four options: daytime or sunset, each with or without transfer. The listing places the daytime cruise in the morning and the sunset one in the afternoon.

Without transfer, you reach the port of Vlychada at least 30 minutes before the start. With transfer, an air-conditioned minibus picks you up at the hotel. The listing also offers a private transfer, for an extra charge.

The barbecue includes chicken fillet, pasta with tomato sauce, Greek salad, tzatziki, bread and vine leaf rolls. Non-alcoholic drinks and white wine are included; the listing does not mention beer.

The three swims last 30 minutes, 30 minutes and 1 hour, as on the premium cruise. The crew prepares the meal during the last one. It is the only listing that provides for cancellation for lack of participants.

Two reviews from September 2026 note constraints on board. One regrets the background music being too loud and a group of about 20 people, far from a small party. The other explains that wet passengers cannot access some areas of the boat.

Santorini Classic Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Drinks and Transfers4.8(4,255 reviews)From €80From€80View activity

The three catamaran cruises compared

How do you get to Vlychada, and what happens in bad weather?

The premium and exclusive cruises include the minibus transfer. After booking, a message or an email gives the exact place and time. Pickup begins about an hour before departure.

The journey takes more or less time depending on the hotel. A September 2026 review of the premium cruise mentions a bus transfer of an hour and a half.

All three listings provide for cancellation in bad weather. According to the premium listing, the organizer then offers another date or a full refund. If you cancel yourself, the refund is full up to 24 hours before departure, on all three listings.

The premium and classic listings warn cruise ship passengers: there is no pickup at the old port of Fira, for lack of road access. You need to take the cable car to the Fira office, at least an hour before the cruise, and give the times of your disembarkation boat.

Which one to choose?

• You want the most reviewed option, with beef sausage and beer at the open bar: the premium cruise.
• You prefer a group of 18 people at most, mussels and a glass of Prosecco: the exclusive cruise, with an English-speaking guide.
• You are watching your budget: the classic cruise, the cheapest of the three.
• You travel as a family: the exclusive and classic listings cite families among their audience.
• You arrive by cruise ship: the premium and classic listings detail the route by the Fira cable car.

For the rest of your stay, the island’s tours, excursions and activities are gathered on the Things to do in Santorini page. The country’s other destinations are on the Greece page.