Sailing through the caldera of Santorini at golden hour is the kind of Greek Island experience that feels dreamlike even as it’s happening. On my first full day in Santorini, I joined a sunset cruise that began with a hike up Tholos Naftilos volcano, followed by a swim in the mineral-rich waters of Palea Kameni’s hot springs.
As the sun descended, we drifted toward Amoudi Bay, where Oia and the cliffs glowed in fiery hues, and the sun dropped into the Aegean Sea. The five-hour sightseeing tour was a budget-friendly blend of adventure and relaxation. Based on my experience, here’s what you can expect from a typical sunset cruise in Santorini.
Cruise Itinerary
Departing the Old Harbor
On my first morning in Santorini, I bought a ticket for a sunset cruise aboard the Thalassa yacht, which departs daily from Fira ($63 or €58). Thalassa is a replica of a brigantine, a two-masted vessel that dates back centuries.
I took the Santorini Cable Car ($11 or €10 one way) to reach the 89-foot-long wooden sailboat in the Old Harbor at the base of the cliffs. The alternative is a 30-minute walk down a zigzagging trail covered in donkey dung. The donkeys ferry tourists up and down the trail for a similar fee, but I suggest waiting in line for the cable car instead.
At 3:30 p.m., our ship set sail with 90 passengers aboard. Looking back at Fira from the water puts the town’s precarious position in perspective. We spent the first 10 to 15 minutes of our Santorini sunset cruise motoring west to Nea Kameni Island.
Santorini’s History
Santorini emerged dramatically around 1600 B.C. after one of history’s most powerful volcanic eruptions reshaped the landscape.
The massive explosion caused the island’s center to collapse, forming its crescent shape and cliffs. Volcanic activity has continued to shape the region, creating geological features like the caldera and hot springs.
Archaeological evidence reveals human presence as early as the 4th millennium B.C., with advanced Minoan settlements like Akrotiri flourishing around 2000–1600 B.C.
Despite earthquakes and volcanic eruptions throughout history, Santorini’s residents adapted, building whitewashed villages along the volcanic cliffs and creating the captivating landscape visitors admire today.
Related: Go Island-Hopping in Greece
Hiking Tholos Naftilos Volcano
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