Sunset views start while you’re still afloat. This full-day rental from Santorini Blue Waves Cruises pairs a safety briefing and emergency gear with plenty of hours on the water around Santorini and Thirasia.

I especially like the onboard comfort setup: a shower, USB/MP3, and an ice cooler for food and drinks. One catch to plan for: fuel isn’t included, and a skipper or transport is optional (extra charge), so you’ll need to budget for the style of day you want.

The day runs long—10:00am to about 8:00pm, after sunset—so it works well if you want to slow down and actually enjoy the sea, not just do a quick loop. You meet at the Vlyxada marina (south side of the island), and you end back there.

Key Highlights I’d Prioritize

• Safety briefing + full emergency kit: life jackets, first aid, smoke signal, flares, and a fire extinguisher
• Comfort touches onboard: shower, bimini top, USB charger/MP3 player, and a stocked ice cooler
• Time for Santorini + Thirasia: the team shares where to go for calmer, scenic cruising
• Optional add-ons on request: snorkeling gear or fishing equipment can be supplied
• GPS plotter + fish finder: useful tools if you’re planning your own pace

A Licensed Full-Day Boat Rental From Vlyxada

This is a full-day boat rental based out of Vlyxada marina in southern Santorini (Vlichada address, 847 03). You’re out for about 10 hours, starting at 10:00am and running until around 8:00pm, after sunset. For me, that long window is the real appeal: you can enjoy daytime views and then stay out for the darker, calmer stretch when the sea feels totally different.

The rental is sold as a licensed boat experience, and it comes with a safety briefing and the basic marine must-haves you hope are already handled. You’ll get a mobile ticket and confirmation at booking, and the experience is offered in English.

One more practical point: the tour info says pickup isn’t offered, so you should plan to get to the marina yourself. If you’d rather not deal with transfers, the operator can arrange transportation from/to your accommodation for an extra charge, and that same idea can apply to adding a skipper.

Safety Kit First: What You’re Actually Given

On a boat day in Santorini, safety isn’t a poster on the wall—it’s what’s onboard. This rental includes a structured safety briefing, plus a real emergency setup. Here’s what you should expect to find with the boat:

• Life jackets for adults and kids
• A first aid kit
• Third party insurance
• Emergency smoke signal and signal flares
• Fire extinguisher
• Bimini top (for sun shade)
• GPS plotter and fish finder (helpful for wayfinding and planning)

This matters because you’re spending a big chunk of time on open water, and the day is long enough that conditions can change. A briefing plus emergency gear means you’re not scrambling later or relying on luck.

Also, the boat has a shower, which sounds like a small luxury until you realize how nice it is to rinse off sand, salt, or snorkeling gear after a swim.

The 10am–8pm Plan: How the Day Flows

Even without a fixed, stop-by-stop shore itinerary, the day is built around cruising time. At the start, your team provides a safety briefing and then points you toward where to go across Santorini and Thirasia. Think of it as: you’re not stuck doing one pre-set track. You’re given direction, then you set your rhythm.

Here’s what you can reasonably plan for during a full 10-hour rental window:

Morning: Get oriented and start with the best light

At 10:00am, the sea is usually clearer and the lighting is better for sightseeing. You’ll have time to cruise around and take in the famous Santorini coastlines without feeling rushed. The onboard GPS plotter helps you keep bearings quickly.

Midday: Snorkel or fish if you want to slow down

You can ask for snorkeling equipment or fishing equipment. The boat also includes tools like a fish finder, which can be handy if fishing is on your mind.

If you’re snorkeling, the shower after is a big quality-of-life win. Nobody wants to spend the next hours salty and gritty.

Afternoon into evening: Plan your pace, then stay out after sunset

This rental keeps you on the water until about 8:00pm (after sunset). That’s not just marketing. A lot of boat days end right when the sky starts changing. Here, you have time to watch that shift and enjoy the water when the crowds have moved on.

Thirasia time: built into the cruise concept

The experience is designed around reaching both Santorini and Thirasia. One review specifically mentioned seeing the volcano area and Thirasia for eating, which matches what you’ll likely want to plan if you’re the type who likes doing something with your time beyond just taking photos.

Since docking and eating details aren’t specified, keep it simple: bring what you need (snacks and water are provided), and treat Thirasia as a place to explore by sea and plan meals based on what you can do on the day.

Gear and Comfort Details That Matter On a Long Day

A lot of boat rentals list equipment. This one also makes sure you get the practical stuff that changes your comfort level.

Drink and snack setup

Included:

• Cooler with ice cubes
• Bottled water
• Snacks

For a day that stretches past sunset, this is more useful than it looks. Ice helps keep drinks cold, and water plus snacks keeps everyone happy between swims, sightseeing, and any meal plans.

Tech that makes the boat feel livable

The boat includes:

• USB charger/MP3 player
• Shower
• GPS plotter and fish finder

If you like having music or charging your phone for photos, this is the kind of detail that makes your day feel less like a rental and more like a personal setup.

Shade and rinse-off

• Bimini top for sun shade
• Shower to rinse off afterward

In Santorini, sun exposure adds up. Shade helps you stay out longer without turning the afternoon into survival.

Optional snorkeling and fishing equipment

If you want it, you can request:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Fishing equipment

This is a smart option because you can choose how active you want to be rather than paying for gear you won’t use.

Price and Value: $480.10 for Up to Six People

The price is $480.10 per group, up to 6 people, for about 10 hours. That sounds like a big number, but it becomes far more reasonable when you split it across a group.

If you fill all six spots, the rough per-person cost is about $80 for the day. That’s the kind of math that makes sense for Santorini, where the most scenic experiences tend to get expensive fast when you’re paying per head.

Now the honest part: fuel isn’t included, and a skipper isn’t included. So your total cost can rise depending on how you plan to handle the boat and what level of support you want.

That said, this setup gives you lots of onboard inclusions—ice cooler, bottled water, snacks, and the safety and comfort gear. You’re not just paying for the boat’s hull; you’re paying for a full day experience that’s reasonably thought through.

Skipper or DIY: Choosing the Right Upgrade

The experience lists upgrades you can add:

• Transportation from/to your accommodation (extra charge)
• A skipper (extra charge)

If you want an easy day—someone else handling navigation and boat operation—adding a skipper is the most direct way to reduce stress. If you’re comfortable managing the boat, you can skip that cost and put the money toward fuel, snacks, or extra drinks.

Since fuel isn’t included, it’s worth planning ahead. Even if you don’t add a skipper, you’ll want to know how the rental handles fuel so the end of the day doesn’t turn into an unexpected surprise.

Getting There: Vlyxada Marina and Transfer Reality

Meet at Boat Rental in Santorini – Blue Waves Cruises Santoriniport, Vlichada 847 03 and use Vlyxada marina as your key reference point. This is the south side of the island.

Your options, based on the info provided:

• No pickup is offered in the standard way.
• You can arrange transportation from/to your accommodation for an extra charge.

If you’re booking with friends and you’re staying in the main areas of Santorini, plan your group transport so you’re not racing the clock. A 10:00am start means arriving earlier than you think you need to is smart.

Who This Boat Day Fits Best

This rental makes the most sense for:

• Small groups up to six who want one shared boat day without paying per person
• People who care about safety gear and a structured briefing, not just the “fun part”
• Couples or friend groups who want time for swimming, snorkeling, or fishing gear upon request
• Travelers who want a day that runs past sunset, not one that ends as soon as the morning crowds fade

It’s also listed as near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. “Most travelers can participate,” which tells me the overall activity is designed to be open to a wide range of guests—as long as you’re comfortable with spending a long day on the water.

If you want a fully guided, step-by-step shore tour with frequent stops and set landmarks, you might feel happier with something more itinerary-driven. This experience is more about having time and guidance to explore.

Final Call: Should You Book This Santorini Boat Rental?

If you’re aiming for a long, flexible boat day with safety handled, comfort onboard, and time to cruise around Santorini and Thirasia, this is an easy yes. The value gets better when you fill up to six people, and the onboard inclusions—ice cooler, bottled water, snacks, shower, and emergency gear—help it feel like a real day out, not a barebones rental.

I’d book it if you’re comfortable handling the day’s logistics (or you add a skipper) and you can plan for fuel costs. If you’re hoping for pickup by default, double-check transportation options before you get too excited.

FAQ

How long is the boat rental?

The rental runs for about 10 hours, starting at 10:00am and ending back at the meeting point around 8:00pm (after sunset).

How many people can fit in the group?

The price is per group for up to 6 people.

What does the price include?

It includes a cooler stocked with ice cubes, bottled water, and snacks, plus the boat’s onboard safety and comfort equipment.

Is a skipper included?

No, a skipper is not included. You can arrange a skipper as an upgrade for an extra charge.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Pickup is not offered in the standard way. Transportation from/to your accommodation can be arranged for an extra charge.

Where do we meet?

You meet at Boat Rental in Santorini – Blue Waves Cruises Santoriniport, Vlichada (Vlyxada marina) on the south part of the island.

What safety equipment is provided?

The boat includes life jackets for adults and kids, a first aid kit, emergency smoke signal, signal flares, and a fire extinguisher, along with a safety briefing.

Can I get snorkeling or fishing equipment?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and fishing equipment can be supplied on request.

Is fuel included in the rental price?

No. Fuel is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes—free cancellation is offered. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.