15 Santorini Boat Rentals, Compared

1.Explore Santorini’s volcano with Alex Private Boat Rental

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 298 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) Our pick

From Fira’s Old Port, captain Panos and first mate Alex take your private group of up to six around Santorini’s caldera. Expect volcanic scenery, swims and snorkelling stops, five local dishes, Santorini wine, and the option to finish with sunset near Oia. The route can be adjusted to your interests and the weather.

“This is a must do experience. Santorini from the water is a different island and Panos takes the time to explain the volcanic history while being a great skipper and host. I would highly recommend you book this tour well before you arrive. You bypass the hordes of tourists and and get a 100% locals experience.”

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2.Rent a Boat in Santorini without a License

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · 10 hours (approx.)

From Vlichada, you’ll get a boat briefing, GPS and a map of suggested stops before setting out on a private, self-drive trip for up to six people. No boating license or prior experience is required. Snacks, water, safety gear and snorkeling equipment are provided. Fuel is extra, and the €200 security deposit can be paid by cash or card.

“We had so much fun driving our own boat and visiting all the recommended swimming sites by the awesome staff who oriented us! The boat was easy to drive and the views were amazing. It was nice to have a private experience, just my husband and me. We got to catch the sunset in the end too! Highly recommend!”

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3.Self-Drive License-Free Boat Rental in Santorini from Vlichada

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 174 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Take a private, license-free boat from Vlichada for five hours, either by day or around sunset. The team gives you a safety briefing, GPS guidance and route suggestions, then you set your own pace around Santorini and Thirasia. Snacks, water and an ice-filled cooler are included. Fuel, transport and an optional skipper cost extra.

“Great service. The water was a bit rough, but thankfully, my husband is experienced at being a skipper. Overall a pleasant excursion.”

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4.5 Hours Boat Rental in Santorini

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Take the Nikita, an 18-foot boat, out on Santorini’s waters for about five hours. The rental is priced for up to seven people and includes water, snacks, an ice box and snorkeling gear. You need a watercraft driving licence, and neither fuel nor a skipper is included. Staff members named Leo, Louis, Alex and Mario have helped with bookings and outings.

“We had a superb afternoon stopping off around the beautiful coast of Santorini”

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5.Santorini Boat Rental: License Free and Full or Half Day Options

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 132 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Take the helm of a small, license-free boat from Vlychada and plan your own coastal route. A safety briefing and GPS map help you find places such as Red Beach, the hot springs and Thirasia. Soda and water are included; fuel is extra. Dimitris and his team handle the briefing, and a skipper is available for an additional charge.

“This experience was amazing and Dimitri made everything simple and easy, I highly recommend renting this boat and cruising the caldera, it was absolutely beautiful stunning seeing the island.”

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6.Rent a Boat in Santorini with Free License

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 121 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

From Vlichada, rent a boat for up to five people and shape a Santorini outing around your interests. A 20-minute lesson, GPS, snorkel gear, a cooler and soft drinks are included. Fuel is extra. If weather is poor, you may need a paid skipper; one renter hired Karolos for help.

“The boat was easy to navigate but since the weather was not great during our trip, so we hired Karolos as skipper to help navigate the boat for us with extra charges, plus charges for the fuel. We started at 10.30am and reach the dock at 2.30pm. That is only 4 hours and not 5.50hours as advertised. Nevertheless, we still had great time.”

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7.Boat Rental in Santorini License Free

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · 10 hours (approx.)

Take a private motorboat from Vlichada for an approximately 10-hour, self-guided day at sea. The team gives you a safety briefing and route tips for Santorini and Thirasia. Snacks, bottled water and an ice-filled cooler are included; fuel, transport and a skipper cost extra. Snorkeling and fishing gear are available on request.

“We had a good time with Santorini blue waves amazing experience the boat was clean and fast the staff was friendly and helpful I recommend!!!”

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8.Full Day Boat Rental Without a License in Santorini

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · 10 hours (approx.)

Take the helm of a 17-foot, six-person boat from Vlichada, no boating license required. After a safety briefing, you set your own pace around Santorini and Thirasia, with a GPS plotter, lifejackets, water, snacks, and an ice-filled cooler on board. The rental runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; fuel, transport, and an optional skipper cost extra.

“Safe and thorough safety instructions, easy to understand. Very nice and helpful people that run the business. They even called us a taxi when we were done. I recommend renting a boat if you wanna roam free and not have to follow whatever routine activities the catamaran-tours offer and want to get away from other tourists:)”

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9.License-Free Boat Rental with Ice, Water, & Fruit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 37 reviews

Meet Sasha at the pier in front of Notos Hotel for a private, five-hour boat outing with no boating license required. After a briefing, you steer your own vessel around Santorini, with time for the hot springs, nearby islands, and swimming stops. Snorkel gear, towels, water, fruit, ice, and a sunshade are included. Fuel is extra.

“It was awesome, this is the best bang for your buck if you want to get out on the water without being in a group setting. It costs just as much as getting Jet Skies and you get much longer time frame than Jet skies. This is a great choice!!”

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10.Rent a boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Set out from Vlichada on a five-hour private boat rental for up to six people. The Blue Waves Cruises team gives you a safety briefing and route tips for Santorini and Thirasia. Choose a daytime or sunset slot, and request snorkeling or fishing gear. Fuel, transport, and a skipper cost extra.

“We had an amazing time renting a boat in Santorini! The staff were great, the boat was perfect, and the views were unreal. Swimming, music, and a sunset to remember — highly recommend!”

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11.Boat Rental in Santorini

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

SeaGold Boat Rental gives you up to four hours on the water around Santorini, with room for four people and help planning your route. Set your own pace, perhaps stopping at Kampia beach, the hot springs, or Thirassia if conditions and your plan allow. Snacks and bottled water are included; gas is extra. The listed meeting point is Ammoudi Bay.

“Alex waited for us as parking is not an easy task- if you come with a car, park at the top and walk down to the boat slip. The boat was clean and in good condition- all that was promised was there and was a terrific way to see the spots without the crowds.”

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12.Rent a SpeedBoat in Santorini with License or Skippered

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews

Set out from Vlichada for an approximately 10-hour private boat day around Santorini. Drive yourself if you hold the required license, or arrange a skipper. The planned route includes Red Beach, Mesa Pigadia, Nea Kameni, Oia and Thirassia, with time to swim, snorkel and take in the coast. Fuel is extra, and the stated group and boat capacities need confirming.

“This was one of the best boat rental experiences I have ever had, and I have rented boats across the Mediterranean many times. We got a transfer from Oia to Port Vlychada in the morning. The port is large, so it is helpful to know that SeaBreeze is on the front end at the end Read more”

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13.Full Day Boat Rental with License in Santorini

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 10 hours (approx.)

Take a 10-hour, self-drive boat rental from Vlychada marina, with a safety briefing and suggestions for exploring Santorini and Thirasia. The boat has adult and child life jackets, GPS, a shower and an ice cooler stocked with water and snacks. Snorkeling gear, fishing gear, a skipper and transport can be arranged or added at extra cost.

“C’était un moment exceptionnel, nous avons pu se balader et voir le volcan et Thirassia pour manger, c’était une expérience incroyable !”

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14.Half Day Saxdor Boat Rental in Santorini

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Take the wheel of a 115-horsepower Saxdor around Santorini’s coast and nearby islets on a private rental for up to five people. The five-hour outing starts and ends at Vlichada Marina. You’ll need a boating license, and fuel is extra. Snorkeling gear, snacks, bottled water and an ice box are provided.

“We rented a boat from Santorini blue waves cruises and was amazing very friendly people very clean and fast boats I recommend!!!!”

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15.license free boat in Santorini

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 8 reviews

Take a private boat from Vlichada for a five-hour coastal outing, with no sailing license required. Santorini Blue Waves Cruises gives you a boat-use briefing, then you choose where to go, from Red or White Beach to quieter stretches of shore. A bottle of water, snack, and ice-filled cooler are included. You need ID and a driver’s license, and fuel costs extra.

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