Santorini Sailing Tour Review: Is it Worth It?
Santorini, very much this jewel of the Aegean, almost calls out to be explored, like, not just by land, yet by sea, too it’s almost obvious. A sailing tour does seem to be the perfect way, basically, to take in the volcanic landscapes, these unbelievable sunsets, and the, kind of, famously clear waters that Greece offers. So, I recently hopped on a Santorini private sailing tour, and I have to tell you about my adventure. So, I’m going to go through pretty much everything, so you can figure out, in a way, if this, sort of, experience is actually up your alley, you know?
Setting Sail: What to Expect From a Private Santorini Tour
Opting for a private sailing tour in Santorini, so, is rather different from a group excursion, in a way. With a private tour, it’s like you get the entire yacht, like your own private, sort of, floating palace, and that includes, of course, a crew, right? That also generally means that you can, kind of, customize the itinerary a bit, alright? Do you, very, very, much want to linger, really, at the Red Beach? You can. Just feel like an extra swim in a secluded cove? That’s also not too difficult, right?
Most tours usually set off from either the Ammoudi port, you know, located beneath Oia, or maybe from Vlychada, which is a harbor, seemingly, on the southern coast. Generally, the boats are typically catamarans or maybe some other sailboat, promising plenty of space for you to, like, stretch out and soak in the Aegean sun, too it’s almost great, you know?
The Itinerary: Caldera Views, Hot Springs, and Hidden Gems
A common highlight of basically any Santorini sailing tour, is arguably the caldera. Sailing inside, so, that volcanic crater, is very, very, just magical, you know? The cliffs tower above you, in that case, displaying layers, just slightly colored layers of volcanic rock, yet, of course, there’s the, like, almost unbelievably iconic white-washed villages clinging to the top. That is definitely pretty impressive, right?
Often, so, tours include a stop, alright?, at the Santorini hot springs, too it’s almost something that everyone does. The water is, pretty, notably warmer there, in a way, you know?, due to geothermal activity. Now, be warned though, arguably, the water is a bit, like, murky, and that yellow tint? It could very easily stain your swimwear, alright? So maybe don’t bring the really nice suit. That is almost too bad, right?
And after that, many private tours actually take you to less crowded spots, usually secluded bays and untouched beaches that you, very, very, much won’t typically find crammed with, really, lots of tourists. Those locations are often the perfect place for, kind of, snorkeling, like enjoying the peace, or, well, very, very, easily just going for another swim in absolutely stunning waters, too it’s almost awesome, right?
Food and Drinks: A Taste of Santorini
The sailing tour that I opted for, generally, featured, obviously, a meal along with free-flowing drinks, too it’s almost like paradise, you know? Most operators almost really do supply an abundance of local treats. We’re talking, for example, classic Greek salad, spreads, barbeque chicken or pork, and fresh seafood, like? Typically the meal’s served onboard, which makes for a dining experience with a breathtaking backdrop, you know?
The drink selection could potentially include Santorini, well, you know, a unique Assyrtiko , alongside beer and soft drinks. To sip some wine when watching the sunset, in a way, it’s just like pure Santorini bliss, alright?
Sunset Views: An Unforgettable Finale
Seeing the sunset from the water could be one of the very best experiences I’ve actually ever had. As the sun seemingly sinks below the horizon, the sky simply ignites with like a rainbow of color, like oranges, like pinks, like purples… really the cliffs of Santorini gradually morph into a dark silhouette, in fact. It is an absolutely magical view, honestly, and something I’m certain you absolutely have to try, right?
Now, most tours time themselves to arrive in, obviously, a prime sunset viewing location, actually near Oia. However, being on a private boat means your captain, you know, might potentially adjust depending upon your preferences to fully get, you know, an optimum sunset experience. Anyway, don’t forget a sweater, as it might possibly get very chilly quickly right after sundown, actually.
Making the Most of Your Santorini Sailing Adventure
Now, before booking anything, obviously read carefully, okay?, what any given tour includes, right? A lot of operators, specifically, may supply snorkeling gear, you know, and/or beach towels, alright? But of course not every operator will do it, so packing accordingly is still necessary, in fact. And, arguably, remember to lather yourself, well, literally just plaster yourself with sunscreen liberally and grab shades; that Greek sun basically does not mess around, really!
What to Bring On Board
- Swimsuit, really
- Towel, okay?
- Sunscreen and shades
- A hat
- Camera or phone
- Sweater, basically
Choosing the Right Tour Operator
Read reviews; check testimonials and compare pricing from various operators, right?, like before locking anything in. In general, think carefully about factors that basically matter most to you; is the most important thing for you to get is great cuisine?, or probably you just desire, right?, a small group, or more flexible itinerary. Shop around to try and get the ideal package, right?
Furthermore, confirm that you’ve seemingly got some clarity on their cancellation policy just if weather takes, seemingly, an unexpected turn, too it’s almost a great idea, right? Some operators could very well present you with a complete refund, while many will definitely supply rescheduling, you know.
Is a Private Sailing Tour Worth the Cost?
Alright, private sailing tours arguably are just a little, okay, or might be really even rather expensive, okay?, very much when, well, it’s almost stacked up against your regular group trips, honestly. But in the event you really value exclusivity, well, and are able to splurge some money on, just, you know, an awesome occasion, really, or commemorate any kind of specific occasion, arguably they could, you know, literally absolutely well, and really perhaps even absolutely definitely be worth it. We were definitely equipped, as an example, to customize everything in order to best suit, really, our priorities that day, instead, and avoid people.
However, obviously, assuming you’re travelling a bit, you know?, on a tight budget or truly aren’t particularly bothered, you know?, about space or more customizable itineraries, maybe you would possibly very, very, well almost do just fine, okay?, and might probably love a less costly group tour for which costs will be divided out, basically. So it really all sort of comes down to, actually, what sort of experience specifically matches up just slightly better together with your individual budget plus preferences, well, obviously, right?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the best time of year to go on a sailing tour in Santorini?
To me it appears just like the most sought-after months absolutely are usually ranging from approximately May until nearly about October. The weather tends, of course, to be amazing – which means, for example, warm enough -, in which means seas are obviously just incredibly typically often frequently consistently wonderfully greatly calmer, which is in fact precisely simply clearly apparently just typically typically seemingly best just in general, actually, you see?
Are private sailing tours appropriate for children?
Absolutely yes; although checking together is a decent move for anyone whom can provide correct security apparatus. In essence just inquire regarding boat security aspects regarding littler vacationers, anyway. Generally the relaxed moving of private sailboat cruise visits can frequently possibly be pretty cool to youthful family travelers!
What happens if the weather is bad?
Most tour firms truly are watching climate conditions thoroughly; Assuming things literally literally honestly seem harmful frequently probably probably it literally almost definitely is not hard to frequently potentially fairly seemingly readily fairly often rapidly consistently routinely fairly honestly effortlessly and rapidly change or absolutely maybe possibly probably have literally incredibly commonly simply completely basically virtually generally simply effortlessly obtain refunded too; Always check regarding what an extremely seriously absolutely utterly and utterly thoroughly absolutely literally obviously great extremely incredible trip’s weather program will potentially literally be as much too in short.
In Short: My Overall Experience
In reality this day-long private boat travel in Santorini had actually nearly possibly often arguably already seriously possibly possibly completely arguably completely utterly truly just perhaps also possibly been almost very seriously already actually almost very great actually literally at pretty much only truly the finish too honestly literally I’m extremely highly literally extremely honest simply just exactly kind actually incredibly somewhat definitely pretty commonly also too somewhat generally really sure just actually! Really honestly generally definitely basically obviously actually you know really like maybe just simply obviously being extremely commonly at virtually about the calm clear absolutely completely pretty actually absolutely utterly thoroughly just virtually almost very beautiful clear extremely seriously utterly very commonly mostly clear Aegean with basically merely you pretty basically simply only often just absolutely simply simply extremely honestly you know the beautiful views can easily really almost also really be fairly okay! So seriously think regarding literally just trying it actually only though okay!