Greece › Santorini › Jet Ski Safari
By Santorini Dave
See Also
- Best Santorini Boat Tours
- Best Things to Do in Santorini
- Santorini Photography Tours
- Santorini Winery Tours
- Where to Stay in Santorini
A Jet Ski Tour is one of the highlights of a Santorini visit. The views are amazing!
Update: As of July 2024 there are two jet ski tours offered along the south coast of Santorini: Jet Ski Safari from Perivolos Beach and Jet Ski Safari to Santorini Lighthouse from Perivolos Beach; both should be booked as early as possible. For 2024 the port authority of Santorini has not approved jet ski tours to the volcano, so these are the only ones available. They are not quite as awe-inspiring as the old volcano tour but they’re still pretty great. (And it’s much cheaper too.)
Santorini Jet Ski Tours
- Jet Ski Safari from Perivolos Beach – the best jet ski safari in Santorini. Absolutely awesome! (Book early, they sell out for many days from June to September.)
- This isn’t one of those obnoxious jet ski tours where you’re buzzing past onlookers and being loud and annoying. Pretty much the opposite. You rarely go close to anywhere with lots of people and there are few others nearby as you’re driving up the coast and into the caldera (except the motorboat that is always with you). You’ll be stopping at quiet beaches and gazing up at incredible scenery that few others get very close to. The boat tours cover a similar area but you don’t get quite as close to cliffs and scenery.
- Tours are small and exclusive, with three jet skis offered in total, so there’s a good chance it’s just your party on the tour. Price is per jet ski and each jet ski can be shared between two people.
- A motorboat accompanies the tour the whole way just in case there’s some difficulty or if someone gets tired and needs a break in the boat (then one of the staff will ride the jet ski).
- The main landmarks seen on the tour include Vlychada Beach, Red Beach, White Beach, Mesa Pigadia, and Black Mountain.
- The duration of the tour is around 1 hour to 90 minutes, depending on the wishes of the participants; you can specify the speed you’re comfortable with, and more or less time for swimming. The guide is flexible and adjusts the tour to the needs of the group.
- This is a super photo opportunity, and the guide can take pictures of you while on the tour (with his phone or your phone).
- Getting There: Buses go directly from Fira to Perivolos, take about 25 or 30 minutes, and cost 1.20€. From the bus stop to the tour location is about a 5-minute walk. (If coming from Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, or Kamari you’ll need to switch buses in Fira.) Taxis can take you right to the shop door and cost about 20€ from Fira. If you have a rental car there’s lots of parking along the beach road, steps from the tour location.
- This is one of the most insanely fun things I’ve done in my life. Really awesome. And the views looking up at the caldera cliffs are just utterly stunning.
- Book jet ski tours early if you’re visiting between June and September.
Santorini Jet Ski Tour
The photos below are from a Volcano Jet Ski Tour, which is no longer offered. Even though there are only jet ski tours along the South Coast and to the Lighthouse in 2024, they still have some awesome and impressive scenery, and the experience will be similar.
All jet ski tours depart from Perivolos Beach in Santorini. There’s a direct bus from Fira and lots of nearby parking and restaurants.
I’ve done the tour twice. These are photos from our first tour (when my son was 14).
A boat accompanies the tour and is always nearby should riders need any assistance or a break from jet skiing.
The water is relatively calm as you start the tour (along the south coast of the island). It makes for an easy and relaxed way to get comfortable on the jet ski.
As you enter the caldera the water gets a little rougher (and more fun). But if you want to keep it low-key you just slow down. There’s no pressure to ride fast.
It’s easy to stop for breaks along the ride and go for a swim or relax. There’s snorkel gear on the boat if you’re inclined.
The guides pay a lot of attention to safety. Riders are instructed to ride in a well-spaced line behind the boat.
Your guide can take photos of you and your group from your phone or theirs.
The scenery on the entire ride is incredible. Staring up at the huge cliffs is amazing.
You can share a sea jet if that makes you feel more comfortable, or if you have more than 3 people in your group (there are 3 jet-skis on offer). Prices quoted are per jet ski.
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