Santorini by speedboat feels like cheating. This license-free rental lets you be the captain on a new 30hp boat built in 2023, and it stays private for up to 5 people. You set your own stop order and pacing, instead of being stuck on a fixed cruise schedule.

I really like the practical comfort touches: towels, towels, welcome drinks, waterproof phone cases, and snorkeling gear available on request. The one drawback to factor in is that fuel isn’t included, so the final cost can creep up if you go long or make lots of extra runs.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Be your own captain: license-free setup, minimum captain age 21
• 30hp 2023 speedboat: built for a smooth, modern day on the water
• Volcanic coast swims: Red Beach, White Beach, and the volcanic shoreline cruising
• Hot springs at Palea Kameni: time to visit, sightsee, and swim
• Thirassia hop-on stop: you get free time and a lunch window while staying private
• Oia sunset by boat: photo stops plus sunset time without the full cruise crowd vibe

License-Free Captain Mode: What That Really Means in Santorini

This is the kind of Santorini trip where the day feels flexible from minute one. You’re not watching a guide drive while you hold your phone up. Instead, you handle the boat yourself with the license-free setup, and you can build the route around your energy level—slow and swim-heavy, or faster with more “see it all” momentum.

The boat itself matters. This is a newer model (built in 2023) with a bimini top for shade, plus a Bluetooth MP3 player if you want music in the background. There’s also a GPS plotter and GPS tracker, which adds a bit of reassurance when you’re responsible for the captain duties.

And because it’s private for up to 5 people, you actually stay comfortable. No squeezing past strangers on deck, no timed herding from stop to stop. It’s just your group, your pace, and your order of stops.

One quick reality check: you’re still responsible for driving as the captain. The minimum captain age is 21, and the rules include no alcohol and drugs on board, no pets, and no making fire.

Price and Value: $282 for Up to 5 People (How to Think About It)

The headline number is $282 per group up to 5 passengers, and the duration can be anywhere from 3.5 to 9 hours depending on availability and your plan. On a full boat, that works out to roughly $57 per person—pretty reasonable for a private speedboat day with swims, snacks, and a lot of transportation value built in.

Where the math can change: fuel isn’t included. That’s not unusual for boat rentals, but it’s the one line item you should budget for mentally. If you keep the ride tight and don’t wander too far past the core route, you’re likely to feel great about the value. If you stretch the hours and add extra cruising time, you may end up paying more than you expected.

Also, note what you get without paying extra: towels, bottled water, welcome drinks, a special snack, waterproof phone cases, snorkeling and fishing equipment available on request, and even a shower on board. Those extras add up quickly if you’re otherwise paying for them on a typical day tour.

Meeting at Vlychada Marina: The 30-Min Safety Briefing

Your start point is Vlychada Marina, at the Meltemi Blue Boat Rental parking area next to their office. You should arrive 30 minutes before your renting time so you have time for the 30-minute safety briefing. This matters more than people expect. If you’re late, the whole day shifts.

The safety briefing isn’t just paperwork. It sets the tone for how your captain day will feel—clear rules, clear expectations, and you’ll get the basics on operating the boat. Since you’re in charge, that instruction step is a big part of why the experience works well for groups.

They also set up a welcoming atmosphere right inside the boats’ parking area. Translation: it’s not a frantic scramble at the dock. It’s more like check-in, briefing, then out onto the water.

Your Self-Run Itinerary: 3.5 to 9 Hours With Real Freedom

Here’s the heart of the experience: you get a proven route, then you bring your own pace to it.

The planned flow goes like this:

• Safety briefing first
• Coastal photo and swim stops along Santorini’s volcano shoreline
• Hot springs visit at Palea Kameni
• Thirassia hop-on/free time with a lunch window
• Oia photo stop and sunset by boat

Even though there’s a structure, the value is that you’re not forced to stop exactly when someone else wants to stop. You’re deciding when to swim, when to cruise, and how long you want at each location within the day’s timing.

If you’ve done big boat tours before, you’ll recognize the difference: those trips often feel like a checklist. This one can feel like a day—more breathable, more personal, and with fewer people onboard.

Red Beach to White Beach: Swimming on Santorini’s Volcanic Side

Red Beach is your first major color hit. From the boat, it’s a different viewpoint than the quick onshore photo everyone takes. You get to cruise past the volcanic shoreline, snap pictures, then choose when to hop in for swimming and snorkeling.

What I like about this kind of stop is control. You’re not battling a queue on land, and you don’t have to time your swim around a crowded departure. If your group wants to snorkel, you can take the time. If you just want a quick swim, you can do that too.

Then you move to White Beach, which gives you a totally different look along the same volcanic theme. The swap from red to white is striking, and the scenery feels more dramatic when you’re moving by water at speed. You get another round of photo stops and another swim/snorkel opportunity.

Practical tip: the boat includes waterproof phone cases, so you’ll actually use them. Don’t be the person who keeps checking your phone like it’s a rare artifact. Put it in the case, then just enjoy the day.

Possible drawback: these are active swim stops. If you’re not comfortable with the idea of hopping back on board and continuing quickly, you’ll want to set expectations with your group early—this is a water-based itinerary, not a “sit in a lounge all day” style outing.

Cape Lighthouse (Fάρος Ακρωτηρίου) and the Cruise-By Photo Time

Between beach stops, you’ll have scenic cruise time plus a photo stop at Φάρος Ακρωτηρίου (Cape lighthouse area). This is one of those moments that works best when you stop thinking like it’s just a photo run.

From the water, the coastline geometry becomes clearer. You’re getting angles on cliffs and coves that you don’t see from the road. It also breaks up the swim rhythm. You get swimming time, then you cool down and reset while the boat glides along.

If your group enjoys taking photos and getting the “boat perspective,” this stop pays off. If your group is more into relaxing than photographing, you can keep it short and treat it as a moving scenic moment.

Palea Kameni Hot Springs: When “Swim Time” Turns Into Soak Time

The star-water moment is the visit to Hot Springs Palea Kameni. This is where the day shifts from color-coast swimming to something more restorative-feeling. You’ll get a photo stop, then time to visit and see the hot springs area, with free time built in and swimming allowed.

Even if you’ve heard about hot springs in general, this one hits different when you’re there by boat—because you’re arriving from open water. You see the volcanic setting around you, and the change in water experience is immediate.

From a comfort standpoint, this stop is why I appreciate that there’s a shower on board. After swimming, you won’t have that “salt + sand + sunscreen” feeling lingering for the whole rest of the evening. You can rinse off before you’re back on land.

One more practical note: bring your sunscreen and reapply as needed. The experience includes sunscreen in the “bring” list, and the sun on open water can sneak up on you, especially if you’re busy taking photos between swims.

Thirassia Hop-On Stop: Lunch, Free Time, and a Different Pace

After Palea Kameni, you head toward Thirassia, with a hop-on hop-off style stop. The plan includes visiting, free time, and a lunch window.

This is a good part of the day if you want a change from pure boat time. You get a break on land, which can feel like a reset—snack, walk around, and regroup. Since it’s private, you’re also not timing everything around a huge group stampede.

What you should watch for: you don’t want to burn all your free time in one quick loop. Thirassia can feel small in theory but more interesting when you slow down. Give yourself room to wander, then return to the boat when you’re ready.

Between Thirassia and Oia, there’s also another segment listed simply as sightseeing/boat cruise time. Think of it as the “connective tissue” of the route—another chance to enjoy the ride and keep momentum going without turning every minute into a stop.

Oia Sunset by Boat: Photo Stops Without the Dock Chaos

The final big moment is Oia. You’ll have a photo stop, plus sunset on board with scenic views during the run in.

If you’re doing Santorini for sunsets, you already know how intense the onshore viewing can get. From the boat, you get your own viewpoint and the ability to watch the light change without having to wedge your group into the tightest corner in town.

The format here is simple and effective:

• arrive with time for photos
• enjoy the scenic cruising leading in
• stay with the sunset moment

This is also where the included comforts make the experience feel like a proper day: towels for the swim-to-sunset transition, water to keep hydrated, and the bimini top earlier in the day so you’re not baking the entire time.

If your group tends to get restless at the end of long trips, decide early how you want to handle sunset time. Some people want to linger. Others want quick photos and a clean exit.

What’s Included on Board (and Why It Matters)

This isn’t a bare-bones rental. The included items are the ones that make a boat day actually comfortable.

Included highlights:

• Towels
• Snacks plus welcome drinks
• Bottled water
• Cooler box / ice box setup
• Waterproof phone cases
• Towels and shower on board
• Snorkeling and fishing equipment available on request
• GPS plotter and GPS tracker
• USB charger and Bluetooth MP3 player
• Bimini top
• Third-party insurance

And yes—there’s also a practical electronics vibe. With a USB charger onboard, you won’t be stuck with a dead phone right when you want to capture sunset colors.

What’s not included:

• Fuel
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• A skipper (skipper is available upon request for an extra charge)

That “no pickup” piece is mostly about planning. You’ll need to get yourself to the marina on your own. If you’re staying in the Santorini area, that’s usually manageable, and it helps keep the trip private and flexible.

Boat Rules You Should Know (Before You Pack)

The rules are clear, so plan your packing list accordingly. You’ll need:

• Passport or ID card
• Sunglasses and hat
• Swimwear and change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Charged smartphone
• Beachwear
• Credit card and cash
• Deposit

Not allowed:

• Shoes
• Pets
• Weapons or sharp objects
• Oversize luggage
• Alcohol and drugs
• Unaccompanied minors
• Making fire

Not suitable for:

• Pregnant women
• Children under 5
• People with mobility impairments

Also, the captain must be at least 21. That’s important if your group includes younger adults who want to drive. Make sure the right person is ready to be the captain.

Who This Private Boat Rental Fits Best

This is ideal if you want Santorini from the water without turning the day into a crowded ship shuffle.

You’ll likely love it if:

• you’re traveling with up to 5 people (friends, couples, or a small family group)
• you enjoy swimming and want control over when you jump in
• you care about privacy and not sharing the experience with strangers
• you want a smooth, modern boat day with included comforts

You might choose something else if:

• your group has mobility challenges
• someone in your party is pregnant
• you need hotel pickup and drop-off included
• you don’t want to plan around a captain-led experience and safety briefing

On the language front, the team communicates in Greek and English, so you should be able to get answers comfortably.

Should You Book? The Decision Guide

Book this if you’re excited by the idea of steering your own route, swimming Santorini’s volcano beaches, and ending with Oia sunset from the water. The included extras—waterproof phone cases, shower on board, towels, snacks, and snorkeling gear on request—make it feel like a complete day, not just a transport service.

Skip or rethink it if fuel cost could stress your budget, or if your group needs accommodations for mobility or pregnancy needs. Also be honest about expectations: this is active—photos, cruising, swimming, and heat from the sun—so plan your group accordingly.

If your dates are flexible, you can keep options open with reserve & pay later and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. That’s handy when you’re juggling weather and sunset timing.

If you’re ready for a small-group, captain-style Santorini day with real water time, this rental is the kind of plan you’ll be happy you made.

FAQ

Do I need a boating license to rent this speedboat?

No. It’s a license-free boat rental where you can be your own captain.

How many people can ride on the boat?

The maximum crew is 5 passengers.

Where is the meeting point, and how early should I arrive?

You meet at Vlychada Marina – Meltemi Blue Boat Rental Parking. Arrive 30 minutes before the renting time starts for the safety briefing.

What happens at the start of the trip?

There is a 30-minute safety briefing before you head out.

What snorkeling equipment is available?

Snorkeling equipment is available upon request.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is not included.

Is this trip suitable for children or for people with mobility issues?

It’s not suitable for children under 5, pregnant women, and people with mobility impairments. Unaccompanied minors are also not allowed.