Vlihada

Our cruises start from Vlihada Port, which is located on the south part of Santorini. Accessible only by car or taxi, it takes 15 minutes to get there from Fira. Vlihada port and marina is full with yachts sailing and fishing boats.
It is also a Beach. The beach follows a smooth descent. You will notice as you approach two large chimneys. One is directly behind the beach and one nearby, but don’t worry as this factory is no longer in use and the brick structures are actually quite pleasant to look at.
This beach of Santorini itself is quite long covered with dark grey sand that one finds all over the island. There are a number of sun loungers here. It is worth having a look at the rock formations behind the beach Locations near Vlychada include the Settlement of Exomytis and the Settlement of Agios Georgios.

Red Beach

This is a wait of ferrous rock approx 125 meters high which has eroded and left red sand.
The red beach is arguably one of the most famous and beautiful beaches of Santorini. It is located only some steps away from the ancient site of Akrotiri. The small size of the beach creates a much crowded atmosphere and there are many days where most of the visitors choose not to make it all the way down to the beach and instead admire this unique landscape of red and black volcanic rocks from the headland.
Many sunbeds and umbrellas cover the dark sand and right on the seashore are some nice pebbles you can use for your collection.
Snorkeling is highly recommended due to the interesting rocks. You are on a boat so no limitation for you. We will take you to the best photographic location so that you can capture the majesty from the best possible vantage point.

White Beach

The cove right next to the Red beach, on the southern side of Santorini, is known as the White beach. It is very similar to the Red beach, with black pebbles on the shore, only that the surrounding cliffs are white. It has crystalline waters: this small beach makes a sharp contrast to the nearby beach of Kokkini (Red) beach. This beach is accessible by boat or with small water taxes by Red beach.
It is less popular than the neighbouring cove and therefore more quiet. It doesn’t have facilities, except for some umbrellas and sunbeds along the coast, although the surrounding rocks provide some shade too.

Venetian Lighthouse (Faros)

The “Faros” or the lighthouse (as it is translated in English), was manufactured in 1892 from the French company of Lighthouses. The square tower stands 10m high above the lighthouse keepers house. It first worked, on 1892 with petroleum and its luminosity was 23 n.m.
During the 2nd World War, the light stayed dead, until 1945. when Hellinic Navy decided to reconstruct the lighthouse network. On 1983. the Light supplied with electric power and operated as warded until 1988. when it completely automated. It is now flashing a white light every 10 seconds and luminosity 24 n.m.
Faros is the most southwesterly area of the island with a magical panoramic view. While you are there, try to spot the Indian head rock on the south shore.

Aspronisi

The island Aspronisi (meaning: the “white island”) or Strogili is a small rocky and uninhabited island. The island lies just west of Santorini and the Kameni islands and south of Thirassia. Is part of the Santorini caldera that has emerged following the volcanic eruption in 1450 BC.
The dry island of Aspronisi has an area of 0.14 km2 and is 650 meters long and 200 meters wide. The island steeply rises out from the sea, is relatively flat (about 50% of the island is really flat) and has a height of 70 meters. Like the island of Santorini you can well see the layers here from which the island consists. The lower part of Aspronisi consists of dark lava and the white upper part of Aspronisi from pumice that descended after the volcano eruption.
The island Aspronisi has one small harbor and two pebble beaches. Is privately owned by the same family for the last 7 generations. There is no electricity or water supply on Aspronisi.

Thirassia

Thirassia is a small satelite island of Santorini with a population of about 270 people and lies very close to Santorini. In fact, both formed the same island until the huge volcanic eruption which is estimated to have taken place in 1628 BCE, when it detached Thirasia from main island of Santorini.
There are five villages on the island, the largest one—which has a population of 150—sharing the same name with the island itself.
Thirassia is what Santorini used to be many years ago. It is mostly visited by day trippers from Santorini, but if you go there for a few days you will be quickly part of the family. Be aware that hardly anyone on Thirassia speaks anything else than Greek.

Oia (Ammoudi/St.Nikolas & Ag. Eftapedes)

Oia is a traditional settlement in the north of Santorini. It is also known as ‘Apano Meria’ or ‘Anomeria’ and the inhabitants are called ‘Apanomerites’. The village is approximately 150 meters above sea level. Oia was severely damaged in the 1956 earthquake and much work has been involved to implement its restoration.
The Community of Oia consists of following settlements: Oia village, Finikia, Kolumbo, Baxedes and Paradisos to the east and Tholos to the west. Tholos is the second farming village of Apano Meria (Oia). Also included are the bays of Ammoudi and Armeni. The island of Thirassia comes under the jurisdiction of the Community of Oia.
The beauty of Oia is unsurpassed. In fact, it is almost impossible to describe in words. Small white houses tier the hillside, interspersed by splashes of rich okra, deep fuchsia, cobalt blue, oyster pink and earthy red. Smooth winding paths interconnect, interrupted now and then by a small church, and at every corner there is something new to discover.
Oia is one of the most photographed places in Greece, if not the world. It has inspired artists, poets and every visitor who visits Santorini. Oia is best known for breathtaking sunsets; if truth be told, sunrise in Oia is also magical.

Oia (Ammoudi/St.Nikolas & Ag. Eftapedes)

Immerovigli is a picturesque village situated at the north of Santorini, only 2 km away from the capital of Fira. It is a continuation of Fira and one of the most beautiful balconies of the island. The name of Imerovigli comes from the word vigla which means view spot. The position of the village provides a clear view of the caldera, and during the old times it allowed villagers to see the pirate ships approaching. Today, Immerovigli is one of the recognized traditional settlements

Firostefani is an old village just north of Fira which has merged with Fira, becoming one of its suburbs. The name Firostefani means ‘Crown of Fira’ stefani = crown. Predominant characteristics are traditional houses, narrow paths and views to the volcano.

Santorini has two ports. Athinios port that is for ferry and commercial boats and the Gialos commonly known as the Old Port of Fira that is only for cruise ship travelers. Gialos is just below the town of Fira, the capital of Santorini. Till few decades ago, this was the main commercial port of the island. When Santorini started to develop in tourism, this port became a tourist port and the main commercial port was transfer to the lcoation Athinios, where it is found till today.
Presently, the port of Gialos does not receive commercial ferries. It works mostly in summer and serves only the many cruise ships that arrive on the island, the excursion boats to volcano and Thirassia and few fishing boats.

Volacanos – Palia (Old) & Nea (New) Kameni

Santorini is gifted with a unique natural beauty and a wild scenery created by the volcanic eruptions. Santorini’s volcanic activity during the past 3600 years has been dominated by very large explosive eruptions. The most recent of this type occurred at around 1613 BC and is known as the so-called Minoan eruption.
Since its last major explosive numerous minor and medium-sized, mainly effusive eruptions have occurred. This activity built the dark-colored islands of Nea and Palea Kameni inside the caldera. Their first appearance was witnessed and reported by Greek and Roman writers. The last eruption on Nea Kameni occurred in 1950. At present, Santorini is dormant, and volcanism manifests as fumarolic activity and hot springs around the islands.
Palia Kameni, one of the two volcanic islands in the middle of the Santorini Caldera, is home to therapeutic sulfuric mud that is said to help treat skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis

Hot Springs

Hot Springs is called a location at Palia Kameni (old burnt), one of the two volcanic islands in the middle of Santorini Caldera. The difference between the sea temperature and the Hot Springs temperature is around 5 degree Celsius. The water contains sulfur that is good for the skin.

Black Rock – Mesa Pigadia – Indian Rock

This beach is situated in the southwest of the island of Santorini off the main road to Akrotiri close to the lighthouse. This beach, that looks like Vlyhada, used to be very popular to visitors searching for alternative destinations.
On Black Rock it is a little bit more quiet than on some of the other beaches because it is more out of the route. The beach is not very large and in consists of sand with (mostly) pebbles and also with larger stones on it. Black Rock Beach is surrounded by high white cliffs. There are a couple of cave-houses that are sometimes used to house fishing boats (during the winter time) and “syrmata”, houses that are built into the rocks. In our point of view a very picturesque and secluded, lovely quiet beach, one of our favorites.

While you are there, try to spot the Indian head rock on the south shore.