Cruise from Heraklion to Santorini for a sightseeing adventure

Highlights

• Volcanic black sand beaches for the perfect swimming adventure
• Boat cruise on the crystal clear water to Santorini
• Guided tour with a knowledgeable and experienced guide

All about the trip

Imagine an island defying all odds in the Aegean Sea, ravaged by volcanic eruptions and pummeled by giant tsunamis; it’s Santorini! One of the most resilient yet beautiful islands in the world thought to be the source for the legend of Atlantis. This island is filled with ancient and modern history that local villagers are eager to share. The modern island of Santorini has a beautiful atmosphere, capturing the perfect amalgamation of Byzantine, Ottoman, and Grecian influence. Join us for a lovely cruise to Santorini and witness the wonders firsthand.

On this tour, we will begin with an early morning departure by bus from your checkpoint. It will take an hour’s drive to the coastal city of Rethymno. Here we will board the speed boat for Santorini: please have your ID cards and passports ready, ensuring a smooth departure. The boat ride takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes and you will soar through the turquoise waters to your destination. Once you’ve arrived in Santorini the tours have the following language options: English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Polish with the possibility of Czech and Hungarian depending on demand. Our organized and well-equipped guides will lead you to the appropriate tour bus.

Let the fun begin! After you are seated comfortably on the bus, the guide will begin the tour providing you with a detailed history of the sites for the day. The first stop will be Oia, the famous village well known for its blindingly white buildings. The warm reflection of the sun accompanied by accented roofs of gold and cornflower blue is a lovely sight to behold. The narrow rustic streets are filled with the island’s ancient reminders of the bygone era. The second stop Fira, or “Thíra.” The cities modern name derives from the ancient “Thíra” the island's original name. Fira is now the capital, making it the cultural and commercial center of Santorini. With your guide you will pass by the two main museums which are “the Archaeological Museum of Thera” and the “Museum of Prehistoric Thera” both are a must-see when visiting.

As you pass by these beautiful buildings you will see the incredible “Orthodox Metropolitan Church of Santorini.” The church itself dates to 1827, the exterior is decorated with a mesmerizing mosaic accompanied by a tall bell tower. The interior of the church is adorned with lovely frescoes made by a local artist. In the “big city” of Fira, you truly feel a sense of community.

After touring these two lovely towns you will be given 2 hours of free time to explore the island. You can choose to stay in Fira, visit the beaches of Perissa and Perivolos or take a volcano tour. The beaches of Perissa and Perivolos are unique because of their black volcanic sand and turquoise water offering a striking contrast. For those who prefer adventure, the volcano tour takes place by boarding a traditional Aegean style boat (additional 15€) and sailing to the volcano site. However, if you prefer to wine and dine, we have selected several local restaurants that will offer you a 10% discount on food and drinks.

Once you’ve finished the excursions for the day, it’s time to head back to the speed boat. After boarding, you will journey back to the island of Crete and dropped off at your pickup location. As you sit on the boat, leaving Santorini you can think of all the beautiful memories you’ve made on this captivating island.

The island of Santorini has options for every type of traveler! Join us for a fun day on this beautiful island.

What is included in the price

• Bus drive round trip
• Speed boat ticket
• Tour guide in Santorini

What is not included in the price

• Entrance fees for museums
• Meals

Instructions

Covid-19 health and safety measures:

Any passenger should not attend the excursions if they have the following symptoms: fever, cough, breathing difficulties, sore throat, loss of taste or smell.

Before entering the bus please use the provided hand sanitizer and keep social distancing. We will also take instantly your temperature which has to be below 37,5 C according to the Department of Health to enter the bus. Any other temperature is not allowed.

Kindly bring your own mask and wear it during the bus ride and inside the closed areas of the boat.

Each passenger will need to fill in a declaration of health form that will be provided by us inside the bus.

In case you feel unwell during the tour or have any symptoms please contact our staff to help you out.

All our staff have completed the Covid-19 seminar at the University of Crete and have certification of approval.

All our staff are doing regular cleaning and disinfecting on all our buses according to the regulations of the Department of Health. The airconditioning system is also cleaned with products from the well known certified company WURTH.

This activity is organised by Elafonissos Travel, Irinis 219, Kato Galatas, Chania, Crete, 73100, Greece, +30 28210 33500, elafonissostours@gmail.com.