Santorini Sunset Fishing Trip: My Review of Dinner & Drinks

Santorini. Just the name conjures up images of whitewashed buildings clinging to cliffs, stunning sunsets viewed over a vast caldera, and the sense that you’ve stepped into a postcard. So, when I had the chance to spend a week on this volcanic island, I pretty much knew a sunset cruise was pretty much a must-do. But there were tons to pick from! After quite a bit of browsing, I chose the Santorini Sunset Fishing Boat trip with dinner and drinks. I’m going to walk you through pretty much everything I experienced, talking about if it lived up to the hype, and whether or not it might be the right choice for you, too.

Booking and Getting Ready

The booking procedure for the fishing boat trip was, in a way, fairly smooth. I used one of the major online travel agencies; I believe it was GetYourGuide. So, their interface was relatively easy to work with. The main decision, very, very similar to other boat tours, was deciding what part of the island I wanted to depart from. Several tours leave from the port of Vlychada, located pretty near Perissa and Perivolos beaches. A couple others leave from Athinios port, that tends to handle bigger ferries. I ended up selecting a tour that left from Ammoudi Bay, just below the town of Oia. The upside was that Ammoudi is an incredibly beautiful, picturesque place. The downside, at least maybe just a little, was that it meant I had to make my way down a very, very steep winding road from Oia, and find parking!

The tour promised to start at 3 PM, which, honestly, seemed fairly early for a “sunset” tour, but it all worked out. Transportation wasn’t included in the price, so I needed to make sure I got there on my own time. Give yourself plenty of buffer to get to Ammoudi, since traffic around Oia can be, as a matter of fact, pretty tough during peak season. Once there, I found the boat without too much hassle and checked in with the crew. Everyone on board was, literally, pretty friendly and welcoming. At the beginning, I noticed a blend of couples, families, and a few solo travelers, which kind of contributed to a nice, relaxed atmosphere.

Setting Sail: The Fishing Experience

Once everyone boarded, that is, once we pushed off from Ammoudi Bay, the excitement really began. The boat itself was, in a way, reasonably traditional-looking fishing vessel, that had been adapted for tourists. So, while it wasn’t particularly luxurious, it had plenty of space to sit and relax, plus there were shaded areas to get away from the sunshine, too. I quickly grabbed a spot on the deck to fully soak in the sights as we motored away from shore.

One of the initial parts of the excursion, which the trip emphasizes, is the fishing element. Now, let’s be honest, this is not a hardcore fishing expedition, right. The gear was rather basic – hand lines with hooks – and the crew gave a super brief demo to start. We dropped anchor in a few spots fairly close to the coastline, that they claimed were known for some fishing, and gave it a go. The waters around Santorini are incredibly blue and clear, and the scenery, honestly, pretty unbeatable. But, catching fish turned out to be, at least for the vast majority of us, kinda difficult. Over the course of a little less than a few hours, only a handful of small fish were caught, mostly by the crew themselves, I must say. Still, it was really enjoyable trying, and sharing laughs with the other folks on board. Plus, even if you didn’t catch anything, that view! Absolutely gorgeous.

Around the Caldera: Sights and Scenery

Whether or not you’re able to snag some fish, the journey around the caldera really stands out, right. As we sailed, we had pretty good views of some notable landmarks, I reckon. Oia looked almost unreal from the water, a cascade of houses spilling down the cliffs. We got fairly close to some of the smaller volcanic islands in the center of the caldera. The crew told us some history of the islands and their volcanic formation, though the specifics were a bit sketchy, if you get me. We also sailed past the old Venetian lighthouse, providing great photo opportunities.

What really amazed me were, kind of, the colors. The volcanic rock had just a little different layers of red, brown, and black, contrasting dramatically with the deep blue sea and the whitewashed buildings on the skyline. It was picturesque everywhere, really. I spent most of this period shooting hundreds of photos, that you, I reckon, still couldn’t completely capture the beauty, though. It’s something you genuinely must experience in person.

Dinner and Drinks: Aboard the Fishing Boat

As the sun began sinking toward the horizon, that’s when, pretty much, the dinner segment of the trip kicked off. The crew had been cooking, grilling, and preparing food down below, and now they set up a buffet-style spread. The selection included grilled chicken and pork skewers, Santorini’s fava bean dip, a Greek salad, grilled bread, and some other appetizers. Honestly, the food wasn’t spectacular, but everything was pretty fresh and flavorful, just about perfect for a casual meal on a boat.

Drinks were, in fact, pretty plentiful, too. Local wine, beer, and some soft drinks were offered, and the crew kept glasses topped up throughout the sunset. I was sipping a glass of crisp white wine as the sun approached the horizon, that had this incredible view surrounding me – it was simply perfect. It felt so relaxed and festive, a great way to spend the evening. I got talking with some other travelers from the UK and Australia, and that, combined with the food, booze, and environment, made it super enjoyable. So, this time, I was traveling all by myself, so this was excellent, if you ask me!

The Santorini Sunset: Main Event Time

And then, here’s why everyone books these kinds of tours: the sunset itself. Santorini sunsets are very hyped, but, in this case, the hype might just be earned. As the sun lowered toward the sea, the whole caldera was flooded in warm colors. The buildings of Oia turned gold and orange, and the sea mirrored the glowing sky. Honestly, the views were breathtaking. Being out on the water, far from the crowds jostling for space on land, made the experience especially beautiful. Of course, pretty much everyone was taking photos like crazy, but still, there was also something awesome about putting the phones away and basically soaking it all in.

The fishing boat maneuvered to get the pretty best viewing angles, that was certainly appreciated. The sunset probably lasted nearly half an hour, each minute offering just a little bit something new. Once the sun dropped into the sea, pretty much the whole boat applauded, kind of celebrating the show that nature had provided. A fantastic event that is rather difficult to explain unless you see it!

Value for Money: Is It Worth It?

So, does the Santorini Sunset Fishing Boat with Dinner and Drinks actually provide pretty good value? It depends. If your number one goal is to reel in lots of big fish, well, you might probably be a little disappointed. So, the fishing part of the excursion feels almost a little more like a side activity rather than a real focus. However, if you’re mainly looking for a relaxing way to see the caldera, catch an unbeatable sunset view, enjoy a simple meal and some drinks, and mingle with people, I suppose, this trip delivers.

Pricing varies relying upon season and the vendor you use to book, but expect it is around 100-150 euros per person. For Santorini, where everything, in effect, is pricey, that, perhaps, feels almost a bit reasonable for a four or five-hour outing, with food and drinks thrown in. The views alone are worth something! I came away from the experience feeling like it was pretty much money well spent, I reckon, so I would do it all again.

Tips for the Ideal Trip

Alright, a couple suggestions, just maybe, for making the most of your own Santorini Sunset Fishing Boat experience. If you tend to get seasick, taking some motion sickness medicine before you go could be, I suppose, a great idea. While the waters in the caldera are usually pretty calm, you wouldn’t want to risk feeling bad during your cruise. If possible, get there early and nab a seat at the edge of the boat, in order to allow yourself, very much like me, for pretty much unrestricted views. Bring a light jacket, because the evenings out on the water can actually get rather cool, even during the summer months. Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses, because the sun in Santorini may well be quite intense, that’s for sure.

While the tour often gives towels, so you can just pack one, it really doesn’t hurt, at least, to have a tiny travel towel available just in case you wanted to go in the sea. I also highly recommend bringing a decent camera or, I believe, a smartphone with a good camera, that can capture those incredible views. And last but not least: make the most of it and mingle. Meeting fellow travelers from around could be, after all, one of the unexpected highlights of this type of experience, it has happened to me and a bunch of other people I have met in the boats!

Final Verdict: Should You Book It?

Alright, should you book this tour? So, the Santorini Sunset Fishing Boat with Dinner and Drinks offers just a little blend of sightseeing, activity, and relaxation, so if that is something you are very much after, well, give it a go. It isn’t an amazing luxury experience, but it also provides pretty solid value for Santorini. The fishing part might be more for show, and the food is all okay, but what stands out is the opportunity to soak up the caldera views and experience, finally, one of the most renowned sunsets across the globe, very different to what you will experience on land.

I went there solo, but this might actually make an exceptional option, at least I assume, for couples searching for a romantic evening or for families hoping to experience a memorable moment on their vacation. As long as your standards are generally set on experiencing a relaxed and scenic boat trip rather than a dedicated fishing excursion, you ought to find this a great pick, that you’ll treasure for years to come. Cheers to remarkable memories on Santorini! Make memories, so to speak!

Key Takeaways:

• Enjoy Santorini’s spectacular sunset from a unique water view.
• Savor a laid-back dining experience with native Greek dishes and refreshments.
• Interact with fellow travelers in the warm and inviting environment.
• Capture stunning pictures of Oia and the Santorini caldera.
• Just know that the fishing might be more of a side activity, yet the overall experience is worthwhile.

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