Santorini Yacht Charter

Chartering to Santorini is a once in a lifetime experience, be sure to take enough pictures!

The white-blue panorama of Santorini is a highlight of every charter in the Cycladic Islands

Santorini is the ideal location for a yacht charter in Greece from the “what to see” perspective. The close distance to the islands of Mykonos and Delos makes for a packed itinerary. Spectacular views, blue water, history of volcanic eruption on the ancient Thira island (Santorini) that provide unique terroir for the distinctive Assyrtiko grown here.

Nevertheless, the island in Southern Cyclades is a bit distant from Athens (over 130 nautical miles), where majority of yachts are based. Not an issue on a 23 knots charter yacht, but quite an inconvenience on a 8kn sailboat. It is recommended to either deliver a yacht or charter from Mykonos. Note that both Mykonos and Santorini have an airport.

Ideally, inquire about a yacht (form or chat) and suggest where you’d like to start your charter. Our brokers will be able to recommend yachts that will be in the Cyclades area at the time or arrange a delivery of the charter yachts.

Aerial view of Santorini — It is possible to start your luxury yacht charter in Santorini - you'll be picked up by a tender in the left part of the image.

The old dock on Santorini. Outside of the main season, it's possible to dock right onto it and visit cafes/restaurants just off the dock.

Availability of luxury yachts in Santorini

Chartering from Santorini

The marina in Santorini is, as of 2023, not fully developed and the pickups are possible via kiss and go. Since provisioning on Santorini can also be more difficult, compared to Athens, the whole charter operation requires advance planing. There Santorini airport is quite international, including direct flights from London, Paris or Madrid.

Mykonos is a windy island, docking your yacht in high season is an exciting event. You better hold on to your hats!

Chartering to Santorini from Mykonos

Apart from taking a flight from Athens and starting/ending the charter on Santorini, the next best option is starting on Mykonos – better marina and infrastructure. There are some luxury yachts, especially catamarans and smaller motor yachts, permanently available on Mykonos.

Chartering to Santorini from Athens

Athens – the most convenient location to start a charter destined for Santorini. Athens are easy to get to, provision, refuel and there are no delivery fees involved in case the yacht does return to Athens, re-delivery fees are often waived if the charter ends in Mykonos or Santorini – especially in high season.

There are many charming spots in Athens, a Cycladic neighborhood of Anafiotika neighborhood is a great example.

Santorini is a synonym for a casual luxury charter - a more private place compared to South of France like Monaco or Saint Tropez

Charter season in Santorini

The best time to charter is definitely the shoulder season – May or September.

The high season overlaps with Summer holidays and is different for different luxury yacht companies as well. Often, the high season is expanded by the more popular yachts or shortened by their counterpart to better respond to demand.

Chartering in Santorini is pleasant as early as March (crewed yacht availability needs to be confirmed, most yachts start April/May) and as late as October/November. In recent years, the charter season has been extending due to increased demand for charter in the Cyclades as well as the generally warmer climate.

The Red Beach on Santorini - wake up early and have the beach for yourself. Or just anchor close and have spectacular breakfast with sun reflecting off the cliffs.

Anchor off the Red Beach and we'll arrange a view of the Akrotiri prehistoric site in the morning - before the crowds arrive. Inquire about private viewings.

Entering from the Old Port to town, you'll have to choose how to beat the tall volcanic rocks - Cable Car, donkeys or walk.

Top 7 things to see on a charter in Santorini

Karavolades Stairs – ride the cable car/donkey

Santorini is a hilly islands, most of the panoramic views are from the top, where you need to get one way or another. You could walk it up, you can take the cable car or a donkey.

The cable car is a unique experience, the expansive view of the blue waters of the Aegean sea opens as the car gets closer to the town of Fira on top. Your yacht charter captain will be able to assess the best time to go, as especially in high season, the “attraction” can be crowded.

The donkeys are a controversial topic. The animal conscious groups have been trying to shut them down for years, due to concerns over animal labor. Helpful measures have been set in place, mainly a weight limit on the weight limit of the person carried – 100kg/22lb. It is awesome to see families where the parents walk and let the kids enjoy the donkey ride. Whatever you choose, the donkeys carry washing machines, fridges and construction materials so the limit on humans not as meaningful in the bigger picture.

Walking – especially walking down the hill is a great experience, as the curvy steps offer a unique view from every angle. If you decide to walk the 586 steps of the Karavolades stairs, you have our respect!

The Cable Car is a relaxing sightseeing experience that takes tou from the Old Port of Santorini to the town of Fira above

Donkeys are the way products have been shipped from the Old port via the Karavolades Stairs to the Town of Fira. Notice that most of them are mules - cross of a donkey and a horse

Order a wine tasting/visit a winery

The volcanic wine is one of a kind – few places on earth can produce vulcanic wine – from the lighter Assyrtiko, where the iron and potassium contained in sand and pumice deliver a salty sweetness matching the on- water experience to fuller red, where the full bodied wine can provide hints of pepper or tobacco.

have us arrange a tasting with your crew
have us arrange a sommelier who boards your yacht and sets up a tasting on the yacht
have us arrange a trip to one of the local wineries with focus on the view, process or history

Santorini wines have a unique quality and taste - try the local Assyrtiko, don't hesitate to try the rose or bubbly variations.

Santo Winery - a popular spot for our concierge to select for a sunset in Santorini

Akrotiri – is it the ancient Atlantis?

We do know that there was a thriving civilization in Santorini when the Minoan eruption, originated on Santorini, devastated the Aegean islands including Crete – where it lead to the end of Minoan Civilization. It is not hard to imagine that the island became deserted in the following years, giving rise to myths such as that of the Atlantis. Whether you choose to accept this version or not – the Akrotiri is an excavated bronze age settlement going back to 5th millenium BC, covered by volcanic ash in time corresponding to the Minoan eruption.

What to see in Akrotiri – Frescoes of animistic and naturalistic motives as well as depictions of the civilization at the time, well preserved houses, objects of worship, furniture and architecture of this civilization that has vanished 3,600 years ago.

Ruins of the ancient buildings from the Minoan Bronze Age at the archaeological site in Akrotiri, Greece.

Greece Yacht Charters Explained - ALL You Want to Know: Overview, Areas, Seasons

Anchor at hot springs and take a bath

Having a charter on a luxury yacht has it’s advantages. In multiple places in the caldera, the sea water is heated with iron and sulfur rich geothermal springs. It’s a great experience and your captain will know just the right spot to match the water temperature to your expectation.

There are things to know – the sulfuric water will ruin your swimsuit (we usually sacrifice underwear or go commando), some hot spring can be too hot so you’ll want to test the water before jumping in.

Apart from that, the views from a hot spring – floating in the warm water with a drink in your hand, taking it the views of the cliffs of Santorini – priceless.

There is a number of hot springs sprinkled around the volcanic Nea Kameni. Your captain will know the less visited ones.

Hike Nea Kameni Volcano

There are only a few places in the world where you can see volcanic activity. If the renewed lava flow on Big Island, Hawaii is too much for you, Nea Kameni on Santorini is just the place. There is no lava visible, but you do come to the realization that you’re standing in the caldera (inner rim) of a sleeping volcano. After seeing random steam vents and hissing, there always is a “memento mori” moment of – what if this thing goes off now…

If you’re taking the trip to strengthen relationships and introduce the element of introspection, do the ca 90 minute hike. Get back on your yacht, have a short refreshment before you relocate to one of the hot springs.

View of Nea Kameni (island) from the Town of Fira. We recommend visitin after the crew ships have left and continuing with hot springs.

Approach to Nea Kameni via the bay on North-East. Gets crowded from 10am to 4pm. Off main season, we do stay for the night.

Visiting Nea Kameni feels like visiting another planet- craters, hissing, spectacular views. A huge contrast to the very Greek town of Fira

Explore the blue domed churches of the doric city of Fira

Most of the images of Santorini feature the blue domed churches and a view of the caldera. There are famous for many reasons, lately because a network of grocery stores Lidl decided to photoshop out the crosses on top of the Three Bells of Fira church, causing outrage in the deeply religious Greek community. Funnily enough, there is a Lidl in Thira less than a mile from the city center.

Walking on the street outlining the edge of the cliff is a pleasant experience, don’t forget to stop by in one of the cafes or restaurants to stop and fully take in the majestic view. Go to the Three Bells of Fira to take some pictures!

One does not forget arriving to Santorini (Thira) for the first time. What a better way to do it than a crewed yacht charter! Your captain will know the best time to arrive and best place to see given the season, trust her! Santorini can be a crowded place and you don't know what you don't know.

The Three Bells of Fira. One of the most recognized places in the world and an absolute bucket list material.

A trick image - the Blue Domed Church is in Oia, not far from Fira. The steep cliffs deserve your constant attention, especially with kids or doing selfies. — A trick image - this church is in Oia, not far from Fira. The steep cliffs deserve your constant attention, especially with kids or doing selfies.

Watch the sunset from your yacht

To fully appreciate Santorini – hurry less, not more. Ideally, just find a vantage point and appreciate where you are. Appreciate the 15,000+ years of history of this place from early fisherman to the fight of Greek Independence. Imagine how ancient boats from Egypt and Crete sailed into the old harbor to stock up on their way to today’s Istanbul (we recommend calling it Constantinopolis in Greece). Imagine the Venetian captains taking over the islands, imagine how pristine it must have been at the beginning of 20th century, when tourism was not a thing.

Also, imagine how Santorini will look like when your children take their families here the next time you’re here. Panta Rhei – it will not be the same island.

We’ve prepared a selection of crewed charter yachts below. We encourage you to not pick the boat, but pick the broker. Our brokers have access to more than 8 databases, including Yachtfolio and local Greek databases. Check our Trustpilot reviews. This is exactly a type of charter we do best!