Volcano Yachting Sunset: 5-Hour Sailboat Dinner Cruise from Vlychada
Quick answer
The Volcano Yachting sunset cruise costs $118 per person (about €105) for five hours by sailboat with a BBQ dinner, an open bar and snorkeling gear.
It starts and ends at Vlychada with hotel transfers, and GetYourGuide rates it 4.8/5 from 555 reviews.
VOLCANO YACHTING
Sunset Cruise with Swim Stops, Dinner, and Drinks
4.8 (555) · from $118
The Volcano Yachting sunset sailboat cruise is a five-hour evening trip from Vlychada beach on Santorini's south coast, priced at $118 (about €105) with dinner, an open bar of local drinks and snorkeling gear. It is rated 4.8/5 from 555 reviews on GetYourGuide.
The detail that changes the decision is what "sailboat" means on a windy day. One reviewer wrote that no sails could be set because of the weather, and the skipper was not to blame. So the Volcano Yachting is a sailboat trip in name and a motor trip in practice whenever the wind is wrong.
See how it fits among the boat tours in Santorini and on my sunset cruise page, or go back to the Harbour Advisor home page.
| Operator | Volcano Yachting (activity provider on GetYourGuide) |
|---|---|
| Boat | Sailboat; length and guest cap are not stated |
| Price | $118 per person, shown as reduced from $168 (about €105 at 1 USD = 0.88865 EUR) |
| Duration | 5 hours |
| Departure time | Chosen in the booking calendar; no clock time in the listing |
| Start and end point | Vlychada beach and marina (hotel pickup also included) |
| Route | Hot springs, Red Beach, White Beach, Black Mountain beach, the Venetian lighthouse, back to Vlychada at sunset |
| Food and drink | BBQ dinner with Greek mezze and vegetarian choices, dessert, open bar with local drinks |
| Languages | English |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before the start, full refund |
| Rating | 4.8/5 from 555 reviews on GetYourGuide |
What is the Volcano Yachting sunset cruise and what do you see?
It is a sailboat trip along the southern and western edge of Santorini that swims at the hot springs and the colored beaches, then serves dinner as the sun goes down.
The name Volcano Yachting is the operator, not a volcano landing: you swim in the hot springs and sail past the lunar-looking cliffs rather than walking on the crater. The Volcano Yachting trip starts at Vlychada and comes back to it, so every beach is on the south coast.
- Volcanic hot springs - a swim in warm sulfur water on Google Maps
- Red Beach - swimming and snorkeling in clear water over a rich seabed on Google Maps
- White Beach - views of the pale cliffs on Google Maps
- Black Mountain beach - the dark volcanic shore on the south coast on Google Maps
- Venetian lighthouse - the landmark at Akrotiri on Google Maps
- Sunset dinner - mezze, barbecue and dessert while sailing back to Vlychada
How far is each stop on the Volcano Yachting sunset route?
The beaches and the lighthouse sit between 3 and 8 km from Vlychada in a straight line, so most of the five hours goes on swimming, dinner and the sail back, not on long legs.
| Place | Distance | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Akrotiri village | 3.3 km | Red Beach lies beside it, so the first swim comes early |
| White Beach | 4.9 km | Reachable only from the sea, which is why boats stop offshore |
| Akrotiri lighthouse | 7.4 km | The far end of the southern run |
| Old Port of Fira | 9.0 km | The caldera cliffs begin here, beyond the hot springs |
These are not sailing distances: the boat follows the coastline and the caldera edge. The numbers show that the Volcano Yachting sunset stays inside the southern third of the island, unlike the Ammoudi trips that sail in the northern caldera.
Where does the Volcano Yachting sunset leave from?
It starts and ends at Vlychada beach on the south coast, and the ticket includes hotel pickup and drop-off.
Vlychada Marina on Google Maps is about 15 km south of Ammoudi, where the Sunset Oia boats start, and 9 km from the Old Port of Fira in a straight line.
| Option | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel pickup | Included; reviewers ask for a clearer pickup window and quicker news of delays | Included in $118 |
| Public bus | KTEL Santorini serves Vlychada from Fira; see the price list | Check the price list |
| Taxi or car | Not covered by the listing | Not stated |
How long is the Volcano Yachting and when does it sail?
The cruise lasts five hours, and the booking calendar sets the start so the dinner lands at sunset.
Sunset is at 20:37 on 15 June, 19:25 on 15 September and 18:41 on 15 October in the Open-Meteo archive. The listing gives no clock time, so subtract the five hours to see roughly when you would sail.
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Start if the trip ends at sunset |
|---|---|---|
| June | 20:37 | about 15:35 |
| July | 20:35 | about 15:35 |
| August | 20:08 | about 15:10 |
| September | 19:25 | about 14:25 |
| October | 18:41 | about 13:40 |
Those times are my arithmetic, not the operator's schedule. The title says sunset cruise, so I would aim for the last slot in the calendar and check the confirmation.
What is on board and what is included?
The ticket includes the sailboat, hotel transfers, a barbecue dinner, an open bar of local drinks, snorkeling gear, jackets, towels, an island map and Wi-Fi.
- Dinner - Greek mezze, barbecue and dessert, with plenty of vegetarian choices
- Bar - local wines and other local drinks; reviewers mention unlimited Greek wine
- Gear - snorkeling kit, jackets and towels
- Extras - a map of the island and Wi-Fi on board
The listing names no exclusions, so I cannot tell you about tips or premium spirits. Ask the operator if either matters to you. The $168 crossed-out figure on the listing is a reference price, so I use the $118 you actually pay as the real one.
How does the Volcano Yachting compare with the other Santorini sunset trips?
At $118 it is $34 more than the MTM dinner cruise and $22 less than the Barca Sailing sunset, with a 4.8 rating.
| Trip | Price | Rating (reviews) | Boat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volcano Yachting (this page) | $118 | 4.8 (555) | Sailboat |
| Barca Sailing sunset cruise | $140 | 4.8 (91) | Sailboat |
| MTM sunset dinner | $84 | 4.3 (1,302) | Cruise boat |
| Sunset Oia catamaran | $67 | 4.6 (7,367) | Catamaran |
| Blue Lagoon deluxe sailing | $180 | 4.8 (176) | Sailboat |
If you want a larger boat and a lower price, the Sunset Oia catamaran is the pick. If you want a true sail on a small boat, compare it with the Blue Lagoon deluxe sailing tour on my sailing page.
Is the Volcano Yachting sunset worth it?
Yes for couples and small groups who want a south-coast sunset dinner with an open bar, no for anyone who needs guaranteed sailing.
At about $24 an hour the Volcano Yachting is almost exactly the $24.70 median of my 16 trips, so you pay a fair rate rather than a bargain. The 4.8 rating from 555 reviews and the honeymoon-style reviews suggest it suits quieter evenings.
- Book it if you want fewer people than on a catamaran
- Book it if you want a dinner, local wine and a south-coast route
- Skip it if a motor-only day would disappoint you
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 Volcano Yachting?
June to September gives the warmest evenings and almost no rain. October has five rain days and sunset at 18:41; a reviewer who sailed on a partly cloudy, windy day still rated it incredible.
| 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 Volcano Yachting sunset?
The platform summary of 63 recent verified reviews says travelers praise the crew, the meal and the sunset with relaxed swim stops.
- Crew - the skipper and crew are named and described as chatty and accommodating
- Food and wine - reviewers mention the food and unlimited Greek wine
- Wind - a honeymoon couple sailed on a windy, partly cloudy day and still loved it
- Pickup - the summary says a clearer pickup window would help
The snippets I saw were positive, so I treat the wind and pickup notes as the real risks.
Who should skip the Volcano Yachting?
Skip it if you want a big social party, a fixed pickup time or a private boat.
- Party seekers - the music-led Sunset Oia catamaran is livelier
- Travelers who need a fixed pickup - reviewers wanted clearer windows
- Privacy seekers - see the private catamaran at $129
Back to the whole field on boat tours in Santorini.
How do you book the Volcano Yachting?
The Volcano Yachting sunset cruise costs $118 per person and includes a BBQ dinner, an open bar, snorkeling gear and hotel transfers, 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 sunset dinner on a sailboat I would book the Volcano Yachting at $118: 4.8/5 from 555 reviews, an open bar and snorkeling gear. For a lower price, the $67 Sunset Oia catamaran has more reviews.
How much does the Volcano Yachting cost?
It costs $118 per person on GetYourGuide, shown as reduced from $168, about €105 at today's rate. Dinner, an open bar, snorkeling gear and hotel transfers are included.
Where does the Volcano Yachting start?
It starts and ends at Vlychada beach on the south coast, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.
Is the Volcano Yachting sunset a real sailing trip?
It is sold as a sailboat cruise, but a reviewer says sails could not be set in the weather on their day. Expect motor power if the wind is wrong.
What time does the Volcano Yachting leave?
The listing gives no clock time. Choose the latest slot in the calendar for the sunset and read your confirmation.
Is dinner included?
Yes. The listing includes a barbecue dinner with Greek mezze, vegetarian choices and a sweet dessert, plus an open bar with local drinks.
Can I snorkel?
Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and the route swims at Red Beach and the hot springs.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Yes. The listing includes Wi-Fi on board.
What should I bring?
Bring swimwear, sunscreen and a warm layer for the evening. Jackets and towels are provided, per the listing.
Can I cancel?
Yes, up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing 185997 (checked 2026-10-16); Greek National Tourism Organisation, Santorini; Hellenic National Meteorological Service; Open-Meteo archive, Nager.Date and Frankfurter APIs; KTEL Santorini price list; Wikipedia (history only).
