To be fair, we did the volcano tour, paid around 32 Euros per person (using a coupon code) in the GetYourGuide tour - and we were picked up and dropped off close to our hotel. The only downside was that we had to call the tour organizers about our pick-up location and time because the promised email with this info never arrived. In the end all worked out fine. As for the 3 beaches, we used water taxis that go from the Akrotiri Port to the Red Beach, then the White Beach, the Black Beach and then back to Akrotiri Port. You pay a small fee once, you get a wristband and then you can take any water taxi for the rest of the day. Great value and you actually get on the beaches themselves.
@@jamiestarpsh I don't think you'll find the water taxis on Google maps. But as I said, they leave from Akrotiri port and then from each of the beaches.
Hey Sebastian.... We just came back from our 10 day trip to Greece... Let me honestly tell you that your channel helped us out a lot... To the point where people thought I was the santorini expert! All thanks to you... And for this boat tour option though, please also make a video on how there’s half day and full day boat rentals for like 150 euros for 6 people... It’s way cheaper than catamaran tours and you get to bring your own food and drinks and have your own music... And the best part is that you can decide your routes! I did it during our trip and can not recommend it enough to everyone... Keep up the good work my dear sir....
Sebastian, thank you very much for your suggestions! I used the link you left under the video to buy the catamaran tour. We went there on may 1st wich also was my birthday. I couldn't wish anything else! It was the best time in my life!
Also, there’s a huge difference between private tours and shared ones. I booked a private catamaran tour for my family and we loved it. I’m not sure how we’d feel if we did a shared tour. It was a luxury we opted into that is not necessary but wanted.
@@alliehunter9989 I booked ours through Tui but you want the wooden ship tour as that's the one that lets you off at the volcano. Be warned though it's a lot hotter on the volcano than you might expect. I'd caught some serious sunburn
Are those tours you recommended toddler friendly? Specifically between the volcano and catamaran tours. Thank you for making the best Greece videos out there. You have helped me tremendously!!
You simply rock on the boat tour information. All your videos are great. Can anyone doesn't know swimming well, do a bath in hot springs? Can boat provide some sort of floats?
Hi Sebastian We would like to do the catamaran one. We are visiting Santorini on a cruise ship. Is there a way to do the catamaran tour without going up on the cable car ? We would like to visit Oia and do the catamaran. Please advise on a plan avoiding long lines.
You cannot do a catamaran tour from the old port, but you can do a VOLCANO tour instead. This one : www.getyourguide.com/santorini-l753/caldera-morning-cruise-t116755/?partner_id=OMW3ALO&placement=%22other%22&mkt_cmp=true
Hi Sebastian, we will be visiting Santorini in early May 2024. Is there a link to your personal tours? Also, how do we find out about the cooking classes?
I'm in Athens now ! You can DM me on instagram @sebi_the_guide for more info. Links to all the best tours in Santorini under this video : ua-cam.com/video/_AsY-fK7S4s/v-deo.html
Hi Sebastian amazing videos! We're going to Santorini in July what do you advise is the best way to walk around on the volcano and also see the red beach? I think I read in the comments that's lots of overlap if you go on both types of boat tours... Thank you :)
Sabastian-- heading to Santorini in Sept and definitely want to do the morning cat tour -- we are coming in on a cruise ship and thats when I get nervous -- dock at 8AM - back to boat at 10AM -- would you be willing to give us your guidance and links to your suggestions on booking a catamaran from a cruise ship - how to get off the boat - where to catch the cat, how to get back on the boat --- I would be forever grateful and any residuals you get for hooking us up makes sense. Want a SMALL group - good food - wine and beer .
Do this one : bit.ly/3JE9zQF And ask to be picked up in front of Mcdonalds. That's a 3min walk from the cable car station in Fira. So, once you've been dropped off at the old port, take the cable car, then walk for 3min, and wait there for the catamaran company to pick you up.
Great video! How rough are the waters in July? Especially for the Catamaran. Particularly worried about seasickness possibilities. Also, do you need to worry about sharks? Thank you!
No sharks :-) Regarding the waves, every day is different, it all depends how windy it is. Up to 15knots, no worries at all. 15-25 knots, some parts are rough. Above 25 knots, the tours are usually canceled.
Do the hotels allow you to take their towels on the catamaran tours? Or should we pack towels? I think we're pretty fit but we want to see the red beach, too. I'm not a great kayaker.
Kaliméra! I've already booked a sunset Catamaran tour but now I think I'd like to see the volcano as well! Do you have a link to a basic tour of the volcano?
Volcano tour : bit.ly/3OU0dls (includes Thirassia island and hotel pickup) or www.dakoutrostravel.gr/sea-excursions/scheduled-sea-excursion/volcano-and-hot-springs (without Thirassia, and no hotel pickup)
Liked & Subscribed! We just booked a tour and fully paid for it even it says you can pay later, and a day after booking they are asking us for our passport numbers and date of births my question is, is it really that necessary?
Hey ! Yes thats standard practice. The idea behind it is that the port authority of Santorini needs to know who is on these boats, so that if a boat suddenly leaves the country to go somewhere illegally, we can track back who was on the boat.
if i drive to red/black beach myself and bring snorkel equipment, will i have the same experience as when snorkeling off the catamaran? do any of the volcano hiking tours also have a snorkel component to them?
Hi, Sabastian. We'll visit Santorini in late July on a cruise. Is there a boat ride from old port to Oia including a bus trip to the top? My plan is to avoid the line up at the cable car.
Hi Sebastian! Thanks so much for the videos, they are so helpful! We are traveling to Santorini in May, and my question to you is, is it worth booking a catamaran cruise when it might not be that warm for swimming? Would you suggest skipping swimming activities in May? Will be there around the 13th of May! Thanks!
do you recommend doing both tours ? and if we will do the catamaran do you still recommend doing the kayaking ? we will have full five days in santorini and we dont sure how to manage the time
I dont think its interesting to do both boat tours, no, because the overlap is pretty big ... But Catamaran + Kayak, yes it's a nice combo. You will see the South Coast twice, but in very different ways.
Hi :) I booked already a Catamaran , but i would like to still do the 1.5 hr walk in the volcano area, is there any other way I could get there without a tour boat? Thanks :) awesome content!
Hi Sebastian, I'd like to book the overall best catamaran cruise you recommend because I like the itinerary plan and I like that it starts in Vlychada and finishes in Oia. That way we could spend the rest of the day or evening in Oia exploring the town. However when I clicked the link you attched in the description of your video, I read the full description and it doesn't say it ends in Oia. Did you mean this cruise instead: Santorini: Premium Catamaran Cruise with fresh BBQ & Drinks?
Hi Tina ! The SUNSET tour ends in Oia (the morning one finishes in Vlychada indeed) The "Santorini: Premium Catamaran Cruise with fresh BBQ & Drinks" ends in Oia too, but this is a very large catamaran with 50 people. Great if you wanna party with strangers, not great if you're looking for something quiet and relaxing.
Hi Sebastian! I am really doubting about daytime or sunset cruise! We are going to Santorini in May. Which one would you prefer? Your videos are the best! There should me more people like you for other countries!! Btw… we made a reservation at the Good Heart tavern 😍
Hey Emma ! If its the first half of May, go in the morning so that you dont get cold. If its the second half, definitely sunset. Enjoy your meal at the Good Heart !!
@@GreeceExplained thank you! May I ask if the volcano tour you recommended, do they provide life jackets? Because I read online and some say they had to stay in boat because there’s no life jacket
@@GreeceExplained oh that’s too bad :( Do you mind to share if there are any ferries that goes direct to Thirassia island? I checked seajets and they are fully booked online.
@@angelvonne There's a boat shuttle going back and forth between Amoudi Bay (in Oia) and Thirassia. It runs 3-4 times per day. Timetables keep changing, so I recommend you go down to Amoudi Bay in person and ask !
To be fair, we did the volcano tour, paid around 32 Euros per person (using a coupon code) in the GetYourGuide tour - and we were picked up and dropped off close to our hotel. The only downside was that we had to call the tour organizers about our pick-up location and time because the promised email with this info never arrived. In the end all worked out fine. As for the 3 beaches, we used water taxis that go from the Akrotiri Port to the Red Beach, then the White Beach, the Black Beach and then back to Akrotiri Port. You pay a small fee once, you get a wristband and then you can take any water taxi for the rest of the day. Great value and you actually get on the beaches themselves.
Hi! Whats the name of the port in google maps to take water taxis? I wanted to visit white and black beach, thanks!
@@jamiestarpsh I don't think you'll find the water taxis on Google maps. But as I said, they leave from Akrotiri port and then from each of the beaches.
By any chances, you can share the fare of these water taxis?
@@laielven591 Two years ago when we used them, I believe they cost EUR 10 per person. Things may have changed since.
Hey Sebastian.... We just came back from our 10 day trip to Greece... Let me honestly tell you that your channel helped us out a lot... To the point where people thought I was the santorini expert! All thanks to you... And for this boat tour option though, please also make a video on how there’s half day and full day boat rentals for like 150 euros for 6 people... It’s way cheaper than catamaran tours and you get to bring your own food and drinks and have your own music... And the best part is that you can decide your routes! I did it during our trip and can not recommend it enough to everyone... Keep up the good work my dear sir....
Hi @Karanshah7309, for the boat rentals, did someone in your party have to drive the boat or does it come with the captain?
Hi! I Would like To know de contact, please!
Sebastian, thank you very much for your suggestions! I used the link you left under the video to buy the catamaran tour. We went there on may 1st wich also was my birthday. I couldn't wish anything else! It was the best time in my life!
That's great ! Glad you liked it !
Perfect! Heading out on a catamaran tour around the island today! See you soon for the walking tour. Your videos are the best!
The BEST videos about Greece. TY!
Perfect as usual. Thank you sooo much for sharing your deep and practical knowledge of Santorini
Also, there’s a huge difference between private tours and shared ones. I booked a private catamaran tour for my family and we loved it. I’m not sure how we’d feel if we did a shared tour. It was a luxury we opted into that is not necessary but wanted.
Thx for the interesting feedback !
How much
45 euro wooden boat tour is amazing. They also do pick and drop service!
I think this is the one we're doing.. looking forward to it 👍
@@nigelbailey72 don't miss fish 🐠 Thirassia!
Can you provide the link to the tour you did? Thanks!
@@alliehunter9989 I booked ours through Tui but you want the wooden ship tour as that's the one that lets you off at the volcano. Be warned though it's a lot hotter on the volcano than you might expect. I'd caught some serious sunburn
Hi Alice you can book the tour from your hotel or nearby shop. Almost all tour agency offer this. Just walk and ask!
Thank you so much for sharing your insight! Your videos are awesome!
Are those tours you recommended toddler friendly? Specifically between the volcano and catamaran tours. Thank you for making the best Greece videos out there. You have helped me tremendously!!
Catamaran Tour much more toddler friendly than the Volcano Tour, since you're mainly just chilling on the catamaran for the whole day ;-)
Thank you so much ☺️
You simply rock on the boat tour information. All your videos are great. Can anyone doesn't know swimming well, do a bath in hot springs? Can boat provide some sort of floats?
The majority of companies do, yes ! If you want to be 100% sure, better ask them directly before booking.
Hi Sebastian
We would like to do the catamaran one. We are visiting Santorini on a cruise ship. Is there a way to do the catamaran tour without going up on the cable car ? We would like to visit Oia and do the catamaran. Please advise on a plan avoiding long lines.
You cannot do a catamaran tour from the old port, but you can do a VOLCANO tour instead. This one : www.getyourguide.com/santorini-l753/caldera-morning-cruise-t116755/?partner_id=OMW3ALO&placement=%22other%22&mkt_cmp=true
Hi Sebastian, we will be visiting Santorini in early May 2024. Is there a link to your personal tours? Also, how do we find out about the cooking classes?
I'm in Athens now ! You can DM me on instagram @sebi_the_guide for more info.
Links to all the best tours in Santorini under this video : ua-cam.com/video/_AsY-fK7S4s/v-deo.html
Helped a lot
Hi Sebastian amazing videos! We're going to Santorini in July what do you advise is the best way to walk around on the volcano and also see the red beach? I think I read in the comments that's lots of overlap if you go on both types of boat tours... Thank you :)
You could book the Volcano tour in order to walk on the volcano, and then take the bus (or the car) to go and see the Red Beach.
Sabastian-- heading to Santorini in Sept and definitely want to do the morning cat tour -- we are coming in on a cruise ship and thats when I get nervous -- dock at 8AM - back to boat at 10AM -- would you be willing to give us your guidance and links to your suggestions on booking a catamaran from a cruise ship - how to get off the boat - where to catch the cat, how to get back on the boat --- I would be forever grateful and any residuals you get for hooking us up makes sense. Want a SMALL group - good food - wine and beer .
Do this one : bit.ly/3JE9zQF
And ask to be picked up in front of Mcdonalds. That's a 3min walk from the cable car station in Fira.
So, once you've been dropped off at the old port, take the cable car, then walk for 3min, and wait there for the catamaran company to pick you up.
Great video! How rough are the waters in July? Especially for the Catamaran. Particularly worried about seasickness possibilities. Also, do you need to worry about sharks? Thank you!
No sharks :-)
Regarding the waves, every day is different, it all depends how windy it is.
Up to 15knots, no worries at all.
15-25 knots, some parts are rough.
Above 25 knots, the tours are usually canceled.
Hello Sebastian.. I am planning to book catamaran cruise .. but I am going with my 1.5 years old baby .. will they play too loud music ?
No they won't ;-)
Do the hotels allow you to take their towels on the catamaran tours? Or should we pack towels? I think we're pretty fit but we want to see the red beach, too. I'm not a great kayaker.
Yes hotels usually allow you to take their towels :-)
Kaliméra! I've already booked a sunset Catamaran tour but now I think I'd like to see the volcano as well! Do you have a link to a basic tour of the volcano?
Volcano tour :
bit.ly/3OU0dls (includes Thirassia island and hotel pickup)
or www.dakoutrostravel.gr/sea-excursions/scheduled-sea-excursion/volcano-and-hot-springs (without Thirassia, and no hotel pickup)
Liked & Subscribed! We just booked a tour and fully paid for it even it says you can pay later, and a day after booking they are asking us for our passport numbers and date of births my question is, is it really that necessary?
Hey ! Yes thats standard practice. The idea behind it is that the port authority of Santorini needs to know who is on these boats, so that if a boat suddenly leaves the country to go somewhere illegally, we can track back who was on the boat.
Hello! I am going to spend my birthday and this best cruise is already booked. Do you know any other cruise, even cheaper, from this type?
Perfect !
No I dont know of cheaper tours, they're all roughly the same price.
if i drive to red/black beach myself and bring snorkel equipment, will i have the same experience as when snorkeling off the catamaran? do any of the volcano hiking tours also have a snorkel component to them?
Yes and yes (some volcano tours make a stop at Thirassia island where you can snorkel)
Hi, Sabastian. We'll visit Santorini in late July on a cruise.
Is there a boat ride from old port to Oia including a bus trip to the top?
My plan is to avoid the line up at the cable car.
Hi John ! I explain everything in this video : ua-cam.com/video/IcU3n3Efmew/v-deo.html
Hi Sebastian, we are coming to Santorini for one day on a cruise in July and want to find out about a snorkeling tour, what would you recommend? TIA
There are no tours specifically for snorkeling but all catamaran cruises have multiple snorkeling breaks. I recommend this one : bit.ly/3JE9zQF
@@GreeceExplained thank you!
Hi Sebastian! Thanks so much for the videos, they are so helpful! We are traveling to Santorini in May, and my question to you is, is it worth booking a catamaran cruise when it might not be that warm for swimming? Would you suggest skipping swimming activities in May? Will be there around the 13th of May! Thanks!
Oh I'd definitely do it !! The highlight of the tour is SEEING stuff, not too much swimming in it ...
@@GreeceExplained Great! Thank you for the help!
What are your thoughts on jet ski tours, where do they visit? Thanks in advance.
Jet Ski tours roughly go to the same spots as the kayak tours. They're around 300€ per jet ski for 90 minutes, which I find a bit expensive.
do you recommend doing both tours ? and if we will do the catamaran do you still recommend doing the kayaking ? we will have full five days in santorini and we dont sure how to manage the time
I dont think its interesting to do both boat tours, no, because the overlap is pretty big ... But Catamaran + Kayak, yes it's a nice combo. You will see the South Coast twice, but in very different ways.
Hi :) I booked already a Catamaran , but i would like to still do the 1.5 hr walk in the volcano area, is there any other way I could get there without a tour boat? Thanks :) awesome content!
Hi Stephanie ! No there isnt :-)
Hi Sebastian, I'd like to book the overall best catamaran cruise you recommend because I like the itinerary plan and I like that it starts in Vlychada and finishes in Oia. That way we could spend the rest of the day or evening in Oia exploring the town. However when I clicked the link you attched in the description of your video, I read the full description and it doesn't say it ends in Oia. Did you mean this cruise instead: Santorini: Premium Catamaran Cruise with fresh BBQ & Drinks?
Hi Tina ! The SUNSET tour ends in Oia (the morning one finishes in Vlychada indeed)
The "Santorini: Premium Catamaran Cruise with fresh BBQ & Drinks" ends in Oia too, but this is a very large catamaran with 50 people. Great if you wanna party with strangers, not great if you're looking for something quiet and relaxing.
@@GreeceExplained Ok thank you for clarifying for me!
What do you suggest In May, Catamaran or Kayaking?
First half of May : Catamaran (coz water still a little cold)
Second half of May : Kayaking
Hi!! Is it easy to get a catamaran? Or is better get a reservation online? Thanks
You should book online. They sell out quickly.
Nice
Not able to book online Catamaran trips for November...Do they operate during November?
Hi Sonia. 95% of the island shuts down end of October, including boat tours.
Some issue with this video only add plays and not the actual video
What time catamaran start at? How long
Everything is explained when you click on the links below the video
Which company would you recommend for a sunset catamaran cruise ?
You'll find them in the links ! Its "Spiridakos" and "Sunset Oia".
How can we go to black, white and red beaches without cataraman cruise?
Red and Black Beach are reachable by car (not White beach). And there s a little shuttle boat going between those beaches all day long.
Would a catamaran tour be worth it if you cannot swim?
Yes totally !! The catamaran tour is not really about swimming, but rather to SEE many many places.
Do people get sea sick on these boats at all?
People who usually get sea sick should take a pill, yes.
@@GreeceExplained Thanks. And thank you for all your videos. They are extremely helpful
What I want to know is if these boats have a bathroom on board.
Yes they do
Hi Sebastian! I am really doubting about daytime or sunset cruise! We are going to Santorini in May. Which one would you prefer?
Your videos are the best! There should me more people like you for other countries!! Btw… we made a reservation at the Good Heart tavern 😍
Hey Emma ! If its the first half of May, go in the morning so that you dont get cold. If its the second half, definitely sunset.
Enjoy your meal at the Good Heart !!
Thanks for the valuable input. I don’t know how to swim, I assumed I can’t join any of the tour then :(
Many companies have buoys or lifejackets for people who dont know how to swim :-)
@@GreeceExplained thank you! May I ask if the volcano tour you recommended, do they provide life jackets? Because I read online and some say they had to stay in boat because there’s no life jacket
No they dont have life jackets.
@@GreeceExplained oh that’s too bad :(
Do you mind to share if there are any ferries that goes direct to Thirassia island? I checked seajets and they are fully booked online.
@@angelvonne There's a boat shuttle going back and forth between Amoudi Bay (in Oia) and Thirassia. It runs 3-4 times per day. Timetables keep changing, so I recommend you go down to Amoudi Bay in person and ask !