Photo: Raimond Klavins / Unsplash
Greece
Catamaran charter in Santorini
Three catamarans for a private caldera sail — the classic Lagoon, its flybridge sibling and the Saona with a lounge at the bow.
Catamaran charter in Santorini is close to a rite of passage for visitors. Swimming, grilled food and sundown beside Oia have turned the five-hour caldera loop into a tradition, and two hulls suit it perfectly: no rolling at anchor, room for everybody, and netting at the bow where you lie a hand's breadth above the sea. Book privately and no strangers share your deck.
Twelve metres long, the Lagoon 400 S2 is what most sunset sails run on — trampoline forward, shade over the cockpit table, four cabins each with a head, and island wine at dinner. Step up to the 14-metre Lagoon 450 F and you gain a flybridge, unbeatable for photographing the crater wall and the villages perched along it. The Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 is different again: a sunken lounge right at the bow, a glass-walled saloon and lunch made from local tomatoes, fava and cheeses.
All three take a dozen passengers and sail with a crew of two. If you fancy a lazy full day out by Thirassia and Palea Kameni, the Saona is the obvious match; for a Cycladic week pick the 450 F or the Saona, either of which sleeps eight. Anyone anxious about seasickness will usually find a catamaran the softest ride available.
Catamarans in Santorini
Photo: Raimond Klavins / Unsplash
CatamaranLagoon 400 S2
12 m · up to 12 guests · 4 cabins
Photo: Danny Piper / Unsplash
CatamaranLagoon 450 F
14 m · up to 12 guests · 4 cabins
Photo: Loren Gu / Unsplash
CatamaranFountaine Pajot Saona 47
13.9 m · up to 12 guests · 4 cabins
What it costs
The lowest indicative prices among the yachts of this type on this page.
- Full day
- from €1,400 / day
- Week-long charter
- from €7,000 / week
Indicative "from" market prices for this destination. The exact price depends on dates, duration and the specific yacht, and comes in your personal quote.
Usually included
- Skipper and a deckhand-cum-host
- A barbecue lunch or dinner grilled aboard
- Santorini wine, juices and sodas
- Masks and snorkels, plus a paddleboard on the 450 F
- Hotel pick-up where your offer includes it
Usually extra
- The Nea Kameni entrance ticket
- Champagne, a cake or decorations for an occasion
- A premium menu in place of the standard grill
- APA and harbour dues for a week aboard
Exact inclusions depend on the yacht and are always listed in your written offer.
Where you go
Departures are mostly from the marina at Vlychada, with a few boats collecting in Ammoudi Bay at the foot of Oia. The standard five hours trace the southern coastline to the two famous coloured beaches, pause at the springs and then run north under the crater walls. Stretch it to a whole day and Thirassia plus a hike on Nea Kameni join the plan; a week sets course for Ios, Folegandros and Milos.
Marinas
- Vlychada Marina
- Ammoudi Bay (Oia)
- Athinios Port
When to go
Cats sail from April until the season closes at the end of October, and the gentlest breezes tend to arrive in late spring and September. Evening departures are snapped up earliest; the morning version is generally calmer and kinder to families with toddlers. When the meltemi howls in high summer, the skipper shelters behind the island's southern flank.
Catamaran charter in Santorini: FAQ
Which catamaran suits us?
For a straightforward sunset outing the Lagoon 400 S2 does the job. If you want a raised viewpoint and extra space, choose the Lagoon 450 F. The Saona 47 justifies itself when comfort comes first — its bow lounge and panoramic saloon feel a class apart.
What should we pack for the hot springs?
A dark swimsuit: iron-rich minerals colour the water at Palea Kameni and can stain pale fabric. Bring a sweater as well, since it turns chilly afloat once the sun is down.
Is a week aboard possible?
Yes — the 450 F and the Saona both sleep eight across four cabins. A usual loop calls at Ios, Folegandros, Milos and Sifnos, the order chosen to keep out of the meltemi's way.
Can just two of us book?
Of course. A private charter means the whole boat regardless of head count, so a couple can have a catamaran to themselves; a dozen is the ceiling.