Around 3,500 years ago Santorini had a massive volcanic eruption, the remains are filled with sea forming a beautiful bay today, the striking sunsets and creative restaurants shoulder over the beautiful gaps along with remarkable white domed houses which has continuously made travelers come back and enjoy the exceptional beauty this island offers. Santorini is also known for its wide variety of archaeological sites such as the museum of Prehistoric Thira which permit to understand the history of the island. Santorini wine tours are also very popular since the island is famed in the agricultural sector for having an important and large production of wine. The tiny villages including Assyrtiko and Gaia offer some of the best wines and they all have close proximity to the beaches as well. The local specialties of the island are often accompanied by wine, the famous ‘fava’ and the white eggplant, the ‘sfougato’ which is an omelet with potatoes or zucchini are also local dishes that are worth trying during your family vacation in Santorini. 

Charter a yacht in Santorini instead of booking with a hotel, this will give you the chance to explore the beaches of Perissa, Perivolos and Eros which have high quality waters. Here, you can swim in the sandy beaches of red, white and black beach that are the perfect representation of the volcanic landscape, these beaches are only accessible by boat.

You can also hire a boat in Santorini and explore the southern side of the island and dock into the harbor of Akrotiri which was claimed to have foundlings of Minoan ruins, museums and monuments and apart from dedicating a day to archaeological sites you can even partake in photography tours on board a yacht, pass by the the lovely port of Oia in Armeni bay, go for a swim in Ammoudi bay which has red rocks and plenty of fishing boats that overlooks the vast caldera within its protected port.

If you are fond of island hopping you can sail to the nearby islands of Folegandros which is less frequented by visitors, visit stunning beaches or explore Anafi and Ios which have their own mix of history, beaches and vivid nightlife. Another interesting spot is to cruise by Aspronisi island or Korfos in Thirassia where many boat charterers tend to go as well, since they are also parts of interest since the volcanic eruption. One of the highlights of cruising Santorini is not only the magnificent views but the energy brings everyone back to life and it is no coincidence that the island of lava is a place where everyone has a burning desire to come.

The Caldera of Santorini, the village of Oia with its gorgeous sunsets, the full-moon nights at Firostefani and the cobblestone pathways that are a walking beauty in the island are just a few of the reasons why one must add Santorini in their bucket list if they are ever planning a Cyclades sailing route itinerary.

Some of the great marinas where you can anchor your vessel with comfort, security and enjoy a relaxing sailing holiday include:

Vlychada Marina: a beautiful, spacious marina that can accommodate vessels up to 15m long and up to 2.5 in depth. Located 10km from the capital Fira and operates 24 hours a day during the summer months. The marina is connected to public transportation all year round and has excellent provisions such as water, WIFI and other services including lifting, launching and hard standing storage.

Exo Gialos Thira Harbor: A picturesque lagoon that allows mooring of small boats. The harbour has two large beaches on the left and right. Gialos is an organized beach on the left side and the other side has an unorganized beach with calm and relaxing waters. The harbour has impressive Theraic formations rising behind the bay and there are some spots with cave openings too.

Ammoudi: A picturesque port in Santorini that is worth visiting, it is 214 steps away from the village of Oia. The commercial port of the 19th century welcomes many sailors today who wish to enjoy fresh fish and seafood.

Boat rentals in Santorini also operate from the main harbor of Skala. We recommend you depart from Vlychada Marina because during the months of July and August there are often large cruise ships creating naval traffic. Nea Kameni is a small island between Santorini and Thirassia and has some anchorages south east at the coves, although no facilities are available, there is fair shelter. On the east coast you will generally find quiet spots for families and great beaches so do not miss the chance to rent a boat in Santorini, prices are roughly the same per day for catamarans and sailboats but discounts are available for those who book as early as November or December before the year closes since the fleet is usually booked by early May.