Santorini is Europe’s most popular destination, and for a good reason. Its beauty is unparalleled, its beaches perfect for soaking up the sun, and its history is fascinating. Join this 8-day kayaking tour that circles around the entire island, allowing you to witness it from every corner. Breakfasts and dinners are included in the tour as well as accommodation and all island transport. Having an experienced, knowledgeable guide by your side means that you’ll be taken to Santorini’s best spots, tavernas, and wineries. Ready for a Greek summer vacation?
Your Santorini kayaking adventure officially begins at 5 pm at the Port of Santorini. Meet your guide there and the rest of the team over welcome dinner and drinks. Guests who arrive early in the day may choose to hike the scenic and historic footpath overlooking the caldera from Firostefani to the famous town of Oia.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Family-owned inn or hotel
Following a delicious breakfast, start the circumnavigation of Santorini! You’ll begin at the beautiful Caldera Beach on the southwest coast and then paddle west towards the point of Faros. Enjoy a breathtaking caldera view with the cliffs of Santorini on your left and the smaller islands of Thisaria and Nea Kameni on your right. Spot colorful doors of traditional Greek boat houses carved right into the seaside cliff walls.
Turn back east along the coast to your cappuccino stop at Pigadia Beach. Your lunch stop is at the historic Akrotiri Beach, where you’ll take some time to visit the ruins of Akrotiri. The destination for the night is near the southernmost tip of the island of Fira, where your friendly hosts await you in their beautiful villas. After a swim and a shower, visit a fine Santorini winery, beautifully perched atop cliffs, for some wine tasting and one of many caldera sunset. Head back to a seaside taverna for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Family-owned inn or hotel
After a hearty breakfast by the pool at your hotel, get into your kayaks and start paddling north to the world-famous black volcanic sand beach of Kamares! Here is where you’ll enjoy a cappuccino stop prior to ascending by van to the ancient Roman site of Thira. Explore this fascinating and well-preserved ruin.
You’ll spend the next two nights in the outskirts of Oia. In this famous cliff-dwelling town, you will have the opportunity to have the quintessential Santorini experience: sunset viewing, jewelry and art shopping, fine food, and sipping on some delicious cocktails. The recognizable white-washed houses and blue church domes that you’ll see here are on all Santorini postcards.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Family-owned inn or hotel
Enjoy your breakfast and return to the boats to round the northern tip of Santorini. Your destination is the charming Ammoudi Bay, which sits just below your beautiful cliffside hotel in Oia. Walk or ride up to your room for yet another amazing sunset. Tonight you have an evening on your own, granting you the opportunity to explore the town at your own pace, maybe visit the castle, try out traditional products from artisan shops, or have dinner at one of the numerous restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Family-owned inn or hotel
Walk down to Ammoudi Bay and begin your day’s journey into the spectacular Santorini caldera. First stop of the day is the historic Armeni Bay for a morning cappuccino. Admire contrasting colors of cliffs that show different layers or volcanic materials. The impossibly warm, luminescent sea against the caldera’s sheer cliffs creates an inviting stage for photographs and swimming.
Paddle along the interior of the caldera to the Port of Thira for your lunch stop, which is also a great opportunity for some shopping and people watching. After lunch you will cross the caldera to the island of Thirassia, a time-capsule of the Greek islands from decades ago. Tonight you’ll stay at the only inn on the island, where your charming host will extend his heartfelt Greek hospitality. Enjoy the glimmering lights of Oia and Thira on the “big” island and relish the delicious dinner at a local taverna.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Today you’ll circumnavigate Thirassia and have a picnic lunch along the shore. As the day draws to a close, you’ll go on a sunset hike that takes you to a historic monastery with one of the most spectacular views in the Greek islands.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Family-owned inn or hotel
Say goodbye to Thirassia and make your final crossing back to Santorini. On the way back, you’ll explore “new” volcanic islands which have recently arisen in the caldera. The youngest one of those, Nea Kameni (the New Burnt Island), is only 300 years old and it’s surrounded by hot springs.
After a swim in the volcanic springs that empty directly into the sea, hike to the core of the volcanic crater and have a hearty picnic lunch overlooking the sea. Finally, cross back to your departure spot at Santorini’s caldera beach and enjoy a well-deserved celebratory dinner!
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Family-owned inn or hotel
Breakfast officially marks the end of your Santorini kayaking adventure! Feel free to stay longer and explore on your own—your guides would give you recommendations. If not, head to your flight or a ferry and leave the beautiful Santorini.
After a swim in the volcanic springs that empty directly into the sea, hike to the core of the volcanic crater and have a hearty picnic lunch overlooking the sea. Finally, cross back to your departure spot at Santorini’s caldera beach and enjoy a well-deserved celebratory dinner!
Meals: Breakfast
As with all adventure travel, some activities are dependent on appropriate wind and water conditions. But fear not, your guides have many alternative activities available in case the weather is not cooperating.
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
Some basic kayaking experience is required to join this kayaking adventure in Santorini. You will be able to try out new skills, learn new techniques and stretch your comfort zone. You’ll have expert guides by your side to help you expand your skills and take on new challenges.
You may encounter short open water crossings. Your heart rate goes up, but no special conditioning is necessary! Daily distances are achievable as long as you’re reasonably fit.
If you’re looking for a Greek kayaking adventure that’s a bit easier than this one, check out this sea kayaking tour in Crete.
All kayaking equipment for the sea kayaking Santorini tour will be provided to you by your guides. Here’s a list of personal equipment and clothing you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Group sizes and prices:
Sea kayaking in Santorini can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Santorini, you can either fly into Santorini Airport (JTR) or take a ferry from mainland Greece. Your adventure begins at the Port of Santorini on Day 1.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.