Full Day Rental in Santorini with Saxdor Luxury Boat

Santorini looks different from the water: you can set your own pace, swim when you find a spot you like, and spend the day as a private group rather than following a fixed itinerary. I like the freedom to discuss a route with the local team, and the useful extras, including snorkel gear, snacks, bottled water, and ice.

The boat has a 115-hp Mercury engine and the rental lasts about 10 hours, starting at 10 a.m. That gives you a full day to explore, but there is an important cost to plan around: fuel and a skipper are not included in the $578.80 group price.

Quick takeaways

• You set the pace: There is no fixed route, and the team can offer ideas for nearby islands and beaches.
• A private group of up to five: The $578.80 price is for the boat, not each person. Split five ways, it comes to about $115.76 per person before fuel.
• Snorkel gear is supplied: You can leave your own mask and snorkel at home.
• Cooler provisions are included: Expect snacks, bottled water, an ice box, and ice cubes. You can bring drinks to chill.
• Plan for two extra costs: Fuel and a skipper are excluded, so confirm the arrangements and likely total before you go.

Starting at Vlichada for a full day at sea

The boat leaves from Blue Waves Cruises Santoriniport in Vlichada at 10 a.m. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you will need to arrange your own transport there and back. Transportation is not included.

A 10-hour rental is a different kind of outing from a short cruise. You have time to ask about route options, make stops, swim, and take a proper break without trying to squeeze everything into a couple of hours. The trade-off is that a long day needs a little more planning: decide what you want from it, bring any drinks you would like, and settle the fuel and skipper details before setting out.

The boat is private for your group, with a stated maximum of five. That is a comfortable arrangement for a family or a small circle of friends who want to share the day, choose when to stop, and avoid coordinating with a larger group. It is less suited to someone looking for a scheduled sightseeing tour with a set list of stops and a guide narrating the route.

Planning a route instead of following one

The main appeal here is choice. You are not signing up for a prescribed circuit. The rental team shares local route suggestions, and you can shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, a beach visit, or simply taking in the island from the water.

Nearby-island and beach options have been part of the conversations around this rental, but there is no named destination guaranteed in the details. Ask the team what is practical for your day and make sure you understand how the route affects fuel. A flexible itinerary is valuable only if you know what it will cost and how much time you want to spend moving between stops.

I would decide on a loose plan rather than a minute-by-minute schedule. Pick one or two priorities, then leave room to linger if a swimming stop suits you. The freedom to change your mind is the point, but an agreed plan helps you make good use of a 10-hour rental.

No exact swim stops, beaches, or island visits are specified in advance. That means you should not book expecting one particular cove or landmark. If a specific destination matters to your group, ask before confirming that the boat can go there and whether the route fits your time and fuel budget.

What the Saxdor adds to the day

The rental uses a Saxdor boat powered by a 115-hp Mercury engine. The engine gives the boat the power for a lively ride, while the experience is also meant to be comfortable and relaxed. The available details do not specify the boat’s layout or onboard facilities, so ask about seating and space if those matter to your group.

A private boat makes the day feel personal in a way a shared excursion cannot. You can choose when to swim, how long to pause, and when to head on. That freedom is especially useful when your group has mixed priorities: one person may want to snorkel, another to sunbathe, and someone else may be happiest taking in the views.

Still, the boat’s power does not mean the day has to be all speed. The route and pace are yours to discuss, and the trip can be as active or as easygoing as your group prefers. Keep your expectations grounded: this is a boat rental, not a guided sightseeing itinerary with fixed commentary and guaranteed stops.

Snorkeling, swimming, and time to unwind

Snorkel equipment is included, which saves you from packing your own. The supplied details do not promise a particular underwater site or the kind of marine life you will see, so treat snorkeling as an option for a stop you choose, not as a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

The day is also built for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing between rides. The cooler helps with the simple practicalities: snacks, bottled water, ice cubes, and an ice box are included, and you can bring drinks to chill. If your group has particular snacks or drinks in mind, bring them rather than assuming they will be supplied.

A little preparation makes a long day easier. Bring sun protection and anything else your group needs for time outdoors; the included provisions are a helpful start, not a full meal plan. Check with the operator about what is available aboard if you have specific needs. The trip’s open format gives you flexibility, but it also puts more of the planning in your hands.

The people and service at the dock

The local team is an important part of making an open-ended rental work. Names associated with the operation include Ledio, Luis (also referred to as Loui), and Mario. The team has been described as friendly and helpful, with practical assistance in getting the day organized and the boat equipped. You should not assume a particular staff member will be assigned to your departure.

That personal help matters because a flexible route still needs local advice. If you are choosing between a beach stop, a nearby island, or more time close to Santorini, talk through the options before leaving. Ask direct questions about fuel, route planning, and the skipper arrangement rather than trying to solve them once you are already on the water.

The boat has also been described as clean and suitable for families. That is encouraging if you are considering the rental with children or parents, though you should still check any specific comfort or safety requirements with the operator. The available information does not spell out age limits, boat facilities, or the exact safety equipment.

The real price: boat rental plus fuel and skipper

The listed price is $578.80 per group of up to five. If all five places are used and the amount is split evenly, that works out to about $115.76 each before additional costs. For a private 10-hour outing, that can be a good value for a group that will make full use of the time.

But the headline price is not the whole budget. Fuel is excluded, and so is a skipper. The information provided does not give fuel rates or a skipper fee, so ask the operator for the likely total before booking. Also clarify who is expected to operate the boat and whether a skipper can be arranged if your group does not plan to drive.

This is the key value question: you are paying for privacy and control, not an all-inclusive cruise. If your group wants to choose stops and spend a long day at sea together, the base price has a clear purpose. If you would rather have a captain, transport, and a fixed route bundled into one fee, compare the complete cost with other options before deciding.

Weather, timing, and the practical details

The start time is 10 a.m., and the rental lasts about 10 hours. You return to the same Vlichada meeting point. Since transport is not included, plan how you will get there and back, and leave enough time for the full day rather than treating it like a quick outing.

Weather matters. If poor conditions cancel the activity, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, according to the activity details, but ask the operator directly if you have a particular access or mobility concern.

Who should book this boat rental?

I would consider this for a small group that values independence, wants a full day on the water, and is comfortable making choices as the day unfolds. Families and friends can share the cost, bring preferred drinks, and decide how much time to spend swimming, snorkeling, or cruising.

It is a weaker match if you want a narrated tour, a guaranteed list of sights, or a single price covering fuel, transport, and a skipper. The experience offers freedom, but that freedom comes with responsibilities: route discussion, cost checks, and clarity about who will operate the boat.

Book it if your group wants privacy and flexibility, and you have confirmed the skipper and fuel arrangements. If you want a simpler, fully planned day, choose a tour with those details included in its price.

FAQ

How much does the rental cost?

The price is $578.80 per group, with a maximum of five people. Fuel and a skipper are not included.

How long is the boat rental?

The rental lasts about 10 hours and starts at 10 a.m.

Where does the boat depart from?

The meeting point is Blue Waves Cruises Santoriniport in Vlichada, Santorini.

Does the activity return to the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Vlichada.

Is there a set itinerary?

No. The rental does not follow a fixed itinerary. You can discuss route ideas with the team and choose where to stop.

Is a skipper included?

No. A skipper is not included in the price. Ask the operator about the arrangements before booking.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is not included, and no fuel price is specified in the activity details.

What is included with the boat?

Snacks, bottled water, an ice box with ice cubes, and snorkeling equipment are included. You can bring drinks to put in the cooler.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.