Reviewed · FULL-DAY
Full Day Rental in Santorini with Saxdor Luxury Boat
Santorini looks different from the water, and this rental gives you a full day to enjoy that change of view at your own speed. You can stop to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or simply sit back while your group chooses the route. The freedom is the main attraction. There is no fixed list of stops to rush through.
I like the practical extras, especially the snorkel gear, ice box, snacks, and bottled water. I also like the small-group setup: up to five people can share the boat and split the group price. The main thing to check before booking is the skipper arrangement, since fuel and a skipper are not included.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- A full day on Santorini’s south coast
- Getting started at Vlichada
- Taking the Saxdor out on the water
- How to shape your own route
- Snorkeling, snacks, and time between stops
- What the freedom is worth at $578.80
- The people who make the rental easier
- Who should book this experience
- Booking details worth checking
- Should you book the Saxdor rental?
- FAQ
- How long does the boat rental last?
- What time does the experience start?
- Where does the boat rental begin?
- Where does the experience end?
- How many people can use the boat?
- Is a skipper included?
- Is fuel included?
- What equipment and refreshments are provided?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
- What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?
Key points to know before booking

- Private boat for up to five: You get the boat for your own group rather than sharing a set excursion.
- A full 10-hour day: The 10:00 am start leaves plenty of time for swimming, stops, and a relaxed return.
- Self-planned route: Staff can suggest beaches and nearby islands, but you decide how to use the day.
- 115 Hp Mercury engine: The Saxdor is built for a lively ride as well as quiet time on the water.
- Useful supplies included: Snorkeling equipment, snacks, bottled water, ice, and a cooler are provided.
- Fuel and skipper cost extra: Treat these as part of your real budget, and confirm the operating details before you go.
A full day on Santorini’s south coast
This is not a sightseeing cruise with a guide calling out landmarks on a loudspeaker. It is a private boat rental from Blue Waves Cruises Santoriniport in Vlichada, starting at 10:00 am and returning to the same meeting point.
That distinction matters. You are paying for space, time, and control. Your group can set a pace that suits you instead of following a timetable built for strangers. If one person wants to swim and another wants to stay aboard with a snack, you have room to make that work.
The boat has room for up to five people. That makes the $578.80 group price easier to assess. Split five ways, the base cost works out to about $116 per person, before fuel and any skipper charge. For a couple, the same price feels much steeper, so this experience offers its best value to a full small group.
The day is approximately 10 hours, which is long enough to make the ride feel like the main event rather than a short add-on. You should still remember that weather and sea conditions can affect the plan. The operator requires good weather, and a cancellation for poor conditions brings either another date or a full refund.
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Getting started at Vlichada

Your day begins at Santorini Blue Waves Cruises Santoriniport, Vlichada 847 03. Transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point.
The staff can help you shape the route before you leave. This is one of the most useful parts of the rental, since the best plan depends on your group. You might want a quiet day with several swims, or you might prefer to use the boat to reach a nearby island and its beaches. The company can offer options, but the final shape of the day belongs to you.
Names connected with the service include Ledio, Luis, Loui, and Mario. Feedback about the team repeatedly points to friendly, helpful service, with particular praise for Loui and Luis. That matters more here than it might on a standard cruise. You are handling a boat rental, supplies, timing, and route choices, so clear assistance at the start can make the whole day easier.
Because a skipper is not included, ask exactly how the rental will operate when you book. The supplied information identifies the boat as a rental and lists skipper as an extra, but it does not state the licensing requirements or the price for adding one. Do not leave that question until the morning of departure.
Taking the Saxdor out on the water

The Saxdor is powered by a 115 Hp Mercury engine. That gives you more than a slow floating platform. You can expect a boat suited to moving between different parts of the coast while still giving you a place to rest, eat, and enjoy the view.
The engine is part of the appeal for anyone who likes the feeling of being on a proper motorboat. At the same time, the boat is described as clean, new, safe, and well equipped. The combination should suit a group that wants both a little speed and plenty of time to sit still.
Do not read the 115 Hp figure as a promise of a particular speed. Actual performance depends on conditions, boat use, and the person operating it. The practical point is that you are not limited to a short trip close to the port. Your route can be broader, as long as it fits the operating rules and weather.
The boat has also been described as suitable for families. That is useful if you want a private day without the noise and fixed schedule of a larger excursion. Still, a boat day asks everyone to follow basic safety instructions and stay attentive around the water. A private rental gives you more freedom, but it also gives you more responsibility than a standard cruise.
How to shape your own route

There is no fixed itinerary here, so you need to think about the day before leaving. Staff can suggest nearby islands and beaches, then your group can choose where to spend time.
A sensible plan is to avoid trying to collect too many stops. The value of this rental is not a race to see every possible piece of coast. Pick a few priorities, then leave room for an extra swim or a longer break when the water and view are good.
Here are the main ways you might use the boat:
- A swimming day: Spend most of the time stopping for swims and using the included snorkeling equipment.
- A beach-focused outing: Ask the team about nearby beaches and plan the route around the places your group most wants to see.
- A nearby-island trip: A previous booking used the boat to visit another island for the day, with the staff helping choose among options.
- A relaxed coastal ride: Keep the route simple, enjoy the boat, and use the ice box for drinks and snacks.
The supplied information does not name specific beaches or islands, so I would not book this expecting a guaranteed stop at a particular place. Instead, think of the advice at the port as part of the experience. Conditions, distance, and your group’s interests will guide the final plan.
This flexibility is especially helpful for families and mixed-age groups. You can change the pace without asking a guide or a bus driver. It is less useful if you want a detailed historical tour, since the focus is on time at sea rather than formal commentary.
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Snorkeling, snacks, and time between stops

The rental includes snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own mask and gear. That is a small but important convenience. It saves luggage space and means your group can make spontaneous swim stops instead of treating snorkeling as a separate activity.
The included supplies also cover bottled water, snacks, ice cubes, and an ice box. You can bring drinks to chill in the provided cooler. This setup suits a long day because you are not forced to return to shore whenever someone needs water or a quick bite.
The wording indicates that snacks are provided, while you can add the drinks and other items your group prefers. You should plan your own food needs around that distinction. If you have allergies, special diets, or children who need familiar snacks, bring what you require rather than relying only on the standard provision.
There is no promise of a meal, restaurant stop, or catered lunch. Pack with that in mind. A full day on a boat can feel much easier when you have enough water and food, especially if your group chooses to stay out for the full duration.
Snorkeling conditions are never guaranteed by the equipment alone. Water conditions and weather affect visibility and comfort. The gear is included, but the activity remains dependent on where you stop and what the sea is doing that day.
What the freedom is worth at $578.80

The listed price is $578.80 per group of up to five people. On paper, that is a significant day-trip cost, but private boat pricing needs to be judged by the group size and what is included.
For five people, the base price is about $116 each. You receive the boat for roughly 10 hours, along with snorkeling equipment, snacks, water, ice, and the cooler. A group that values privacy and control may find that fair, particularly for a special day.
For two people, the calculation changes sharply. The same $578.80 is about $289 each before fuel or a skipper. That does not make the experience poor value, but it means you should want the private-boat format rather than simply looking for the cheapest way to get on the water.
Fuel is not included. A skipper is also not included, and transportation to and from Vlichada is separate. These are not minor details. Ask for the current fuel arrangement and skipper price so you can compare the true total with other private cruises or rentals.
The strongest value comes from sharing with a full group of five and using the boat for most of the day. If your group plans only a short ride or expects a guided sightseeing service, you may not use what you are paying for.
The people who make the rental easier

A private rental depends heavily on the staff at the start and end of the day. The strongest feedback focuses on the team’s friendly, professional, and helpful manner.
Ledio was praised for making sure a family group had what it needed. That detail is worth noting if you are bringing parents or children, since group needs can vary widely. Luis and Loui also received specific praise for kindness and good spirits, while Luis and Mario were associated with a professional, family-friendly experience.
You should see this as a practical advantage, not a guarantee that every detail will be handled for you. The team can offer route ideas and help with the boat, but your group still needs to communicate clearly about food, fuel, timing, and skipper arrangements.
The personal service also fits a special occasion. One booking used the company for an important personal day and valued the newer Saxdor, its equipment, and the sense of safety. If you are marking a birthday, anniversary, or family milestone, the private format gives the day a clear sense of occasion without requiring a large event.
Who should book this experience

I would point this rental toward a group that wants the sea to set the pace. It suits people who enjoy choosing their own stops, families who need flexibility, and friends who want a full day together without sharing a boat with strangers.
It is also a good match for anyone who wants a more active day. You can use the snorkeling gear, swim, and move between coastal stops rather than spending the entire time in a fixed seat.
You may want a different product if you need a guide to explain Santorini’s geology, history, or landmarks. You may also prefer a standard cruise if you do not want to think about fuel, driving, route planning, or skipper arrangements.
The experience is listed as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, but transportation itself is not part of the price. The available information does not provide detailed mobility information for boarding the boat, so ask the operator directly if anyone in your group has specific access needs.
Booking details worth checking
You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the activity uses a mobile ticket. The start time is 10:00 am, and the boat returns to the original meeting point at the end of the day.
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours before departure is not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.
Good weather is required. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is reassuring, but Santorini plans can be tight, so avoid placing this rental on the final day of a short trip if you need a guaranteed activity.
Should you book the Saxdor rental?
Book it if you have up to five people, want a full day at sea, and like making your own plan. The private setting, strong engine, snorkeling equipment, cooler, and personal help from staff such as Luis, Loui, Ledio, and Mario give you the tools for a memorable day without a fixed schedule.
Before paying, confirm the fuel cost, skipper option, and operating requirements. Those extras affect the real price and determine how hands-on the rental will be.
I would skip it if you want a guided history tour, a guaranteed list of named beaches, or a low-cost outing for just one or two people. For the right group, though, this is a flexible way to see Santorini from the water and make the day your own.
FAQ
How long does the boat rental last?
The rental lasts approximately 10 hours.
What time does the experience start?
The listed start time is 10:00 am.
Where does the boat rental begin?
It begins at Boat Rental in Santorini, Blue Waves Cruises Santoriniport, Vlichada 847 03, Greece.
Where does the experience end?
The activity ends back at the original meeting point.
How many people can use the boat?
The price covers one group of up to five people.
Is a skipper included?
No. A skipper is not included in the listed price.
Is fuel included?
No. Fuel is not included.
What equipment and refreshments are provided?
The rental includes snorkeling equipment, snacks, bottled water, an ice box, and ice cubes.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.
What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?
You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.
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