Sail Away Catamaran: Private 5-Hour Charter for Up to 4 Guests
Quick answer
The Sail Away catamaran costs $943 per group of up to four (about €838) for five hours with a captain, crew, meal, local wine and snorkeling gear.
It starts at Vlychada Marina, works out at $235.75 per person for four, and GetYourGuide rates it 5.0/5 from 212 reviews.
Sail Away - Santorini Catamaran Sailing
Private Catamaran Cruise with Food & Drinks
5.0 (212) · from $943
The Sail Away catamaran is a private five-hour charter from Vlychada Marina for up to four guests, priced at $943 per group (about €838) with a captain, a crew member, a seafood meal, local wine and beer, and snorkeling gear. It is rated 5.0/5 from 212 reviews on GetYourGuide.
The detail that changes the decision is the unit of the price. The $943 is per boat, not per person: two guests pay $471.50 each, three pay $314.33 and four pay $235.75. That makes the Sail Away boat a bargain for four and an expensive date for two.
See where it sits among the boat tours in Santorini, read my private boat tour page for the other charters, or return to the home page.
| Operator | Sail Away - Santorini Catamaran Sailing (activity provider on GetYourGuide) |
|---|---|
| Boat and crew | Private catamaran run by a captain and one deckhand-hostess; up to 4 guests |
| Price | $943 per group of up to 4, shown as reduced from $1,347 (about €838 at 1 USD = 0.88865 EUR) |
| Duration | 5 hours, morning or afternoon departure |
| Departure time | Pickup 9:00 to 10:30 AM or 2:00 to 3:30 PM depending on the month (table below) |
| Start point | Vlychada Marina (shared minivan pickup also listed) |
| Route | Red Beach, White Beach, Akrotiri lighthouse, Aspronisi, Palea Kameni, Nea Kameni hot springs, Mesa Pigadia |
| Food and drink | Seafood, butter beans, dolmades and salad; fruit or dessert; wine from island wineries, beer, soft drinks |
| Languages | English and Greek |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before the start, full refund |
| Rating | 5.0/5 from 212 reviews on GetYourGuide |
What is the Sail Away catamaran charter and what do you see?
It is a private catamaran day on the south coast and caldera, where a captain and a hostess run the boat and you decide how long to swim at each stop.
The Sail Away catamaran covers the usual stops: Red Beach, White Beach, the Akrotiri lighthouse, Aspronisi, the Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni hot springs and Mesa Pigadia. The listing marks the beach stops as short photo stops and puts the real swimming at the hot springs and Mesa Pigadia, but it also says the crew can adjust the itinerary.
- Red Beach and White Beach - photo stops under the cliffs on Google Maps on Google Maps
- Akrotiri lighthouse and Aspronisi - the Venetian lighthouse and the white islet on Google Maps
- Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni hot springs - warm-water swim by the volcano on Google Maps
- Mesa Pigadia - swim, snorkel and lunch aboard on Google Maps
Indian Rock and the 18th-century Venetian lighthouse are named in the description, and the sunset option swaps lunch for the evening light. Choose the sunset option when you book the date.
Where does the Sail Away catamaran leave from?
It leaves from Vlychada Marina on the south coast, with an optional shared minivan pickup from your accommodation.
The description says pickup carries an extra charge, while the includes list names shared pickup and drop-off by minivan, so the listing contradicts itself. Ask Sail Away before booking, and note that Vlychada Marina on Google Maps is about 9 km from the Old Port of Fira and 15 km from Ammoudi in a straight line.
| Month | Morning pickup | Afternoon pickup |
|---|---|---|
| April | 10:00 | 15:00 |
| May | 10:15 | 15:15 |
| June and July | 10:30 | 15:30 |
| August | 10:00 | 15:00 |
| September | 9:30 | 14:30 |
| October | 9:00 | 14:00 |
The listing says departure and duration change through the season because of the sunset hour, and the crew can reschedule for the weather. These are pickup times, not departure times from the marina.
How long is the Sail Away catamaran trip and when does it sail?
It lasts five hours and runs once in the morning and once in the afternoon, with the afternoon slot used for the sunset cruise.
Because the booking is private, the boat is yours for the full slot, and you choose the date and the half of the day. Sunset is at 19:25 on 15 September and 18:41 on 15 October, and the pickup times above move earlier to fit.
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Afternoon pickup | Gap to sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 20:37 | 15:30 | about 5 h 7 min |
| August | 20:08 | 15:00 | about 5 h 8 min |
| September | 19:25 | 14:30 | about 4 h 55 min |
| October | 18:41 | 14:00 | about 4 h 41 min |
The last column is my arithmetic. It shows the afternoon slot is built to end near sunset after the transfer and the sail, not to start at it.
What is on board and what is included?
The price covers the boat, fuel, taxes, port fees, insurance, a captain, a deckhand-hostess, a meal, drinks, snorkeling gear and towels.
- Meal - seafood, Greek butter beans in red sauce, dolmades and salad, followed by seasonal fruit or dessert and snacks
- Drinks - wines from island producers, beer and soft drinks
- Crew - a captain plus a hostess, and free Wi-Fi on board
- Costs rolled in - fuel, taxes, port fees, guest insurance and tips
- Diet - vegetarian or vegan meals on request
How does the Sail Away boat compare with the other private boats?
It is the best value per person for a group of four among the crewed private catamarans, and the only one with the whole price stated per boat.
| Trip | Price basis | Cost for 2 | Cost for 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sail Away boat (this page) | $943 per boat of up to 4 | $943 | $943 |
| SantoriniYachtingClub catamaran | $129 per person | $258 | $516 |
| Caldera Yachting all-inclusive | $1,122 per boat of up to 4 | $1,122 | $1,122 |
| Vista Yachting gold (shared) | $95 per person | $190 | $380 |
So the cheapest private option for a couple is the SantoriniYachtingClub boat, and for four the Sail Away catamaran wins against the $1,122 all-inclusive charter. If privacy is not essential, a shared boat is far cheaper. See the private boat tour page for the full comparison.
Is the Sail Away boat worth it?
Yes for a group of four who want a private boat with a meal and wine, and probably not for two guests on a budget.
At $235.75 per head for four, the Sail Away boat costs about 2.5 times the shared Vista Yachting price of $95, and for that you get privacy, flexible swim time and a hostess. For two, the $471.50 per person is hard to justify unless the occasion calls for it.
The reduced-from figure of $1,347 on the listing is only a reference, so judge the $943 on its own merits and compare it against what four people would pay on shared boats.
- Book it if you are four friends or a family and want a flexible day
- Book it if you want tips, fuel and port fees rolled into one price
- Skip it if you are two people watching the budget
3,600 yearsago the Minoan eruption emptied the island's centre and left the sea-filled caldera that every boat in this guide sails into.
When is the best time to take the Sail Away catamaran?
June to September gives the warmest water and almost no rain, with morning pickups at 9:30 to 10:30. October has five rain days and a 9:00 first pickup.
| Month | Average high | Rain days | Days with wind 30 km/h+ | Sunset (15th) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°C | 8 | 0 | 18:26 |
| Feb | 13°C | 7 | 12 | 18:59 |
| Mar | 18°C | 4 | 12 | 19:25 |
| Apr | 19°C | 9 | 5 | 19:52 |
| May | 24°C | 3 | 6 | 20:17 |
| Jun | 28°C | 0 | 7 | 20:37 |
| Jul | 30°C | 0 | 5 | 20:35 |
| Aug | 30°C | 2 | 10 | 20:08 |
| Sep | 27°C | 1 | 6 | 19:25 |
| Oct | 23°C | 5 | 7 | 18:41 |
| Nov | 21°C | 4 | 3 | 18:09 |
| Dec | 17°C | 9 | 11 | 18:04 |
Wind decides whether a plan holds. The Open-Meteo archive shows wind of 30 km/h or more on 7 days in June, 5 in July, 10 in August and 6 in September 2025. Live forecasts come from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, and the Greek National Tourism Organisation shows current island conditions.
What do passengers say about the Sail Away boat?
The 5.0 rating covers 212 reviews, and all the snippets I saw were positive, so the sample is one-sided.
- Crew (4 of 8) - friendly, attentive and informative about the route
- Food (1 of 8) - lunch described as amazing
- Sights (2 of 8) - the different beaches around the island stand out
No complaint appeared, so the realistic risks are the unclear pickup charge and the weather.
Who should skip the Sail Away boat?
Skip it if you are more than four people, want a nightlife party boat, or are traveling as a couple on a budget.
- Groups of five or more - the price covers up to four
- Budget couples - see the SantoriniYachtingClub boat or a shared catamaran
- Anyone who needs a set pickup price - the listing is unclear on the extra charge
Back to the whole field on boat tours in Santorini.
How do you book the Sail Away catamaran?
The Sail Away boat costs $943 per boat for up to four guests and includes a captain, crew, meal, drinks, snorkeling gear, fuel and port fees, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check availabilityI earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best boat tour in Santorini?
For a private day for four I would book the Sail Away boat at $943 per boat. For a shared trip, the Vista Yachting gold catamaran at $95 per person is the better value.
How much does the Sail Away boat cost?
It costs $943 per group of up to four on GetYourGuide, about €838 at today's rate. That is $235.75 per person for four or $471.50 for two.
Is the Sail Away catamaran really private?
Yes. The listing is a private group booking for up to four, with a captain and a hostess.
Where does the Sail Away boat start?
It starts at Vlychada Marina. A shared minivan pickup from your hotel is listed, but the description mentions an extra charge, so confirm it before you pay.
What time is the pickup?
Pickup times depend on the month, from 9:00 and 14:00 in October to 10:30 and 15:30 in June and July.
Is food included?
Yes. A cooked-on-board meal comes with the ticket: seafood, butter beans, dolmades and salad, then fruit or dessert, plus wine, beer and soft drinks.
Are tips included?
The includes list says tips are included. Carry a few euros anyway if you want to reward the crew further.
Can I take more than four people?
The price covers up to four. Ask Sail Away about larger groups before you book.
Do I need a passport?
The listing asks you to bring a passport, and a copy is accepted.
Can I cancel?
Yes, up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing 211935 (checked 2026-10-16); Greek National Tourism Organisation, Santorini; Hellenic National Meteorological Service; Open-Meteo archive, Nager.Date and Frankfurter APIs; Wikipedia (history only).
