A day on the water in Santorini can be life-changing. This private Saxdor luxury boat gives you the key thing the island is famous for: the sea view, on your schedule for about 10 hours. You plan the route with help from the Blue Waves team, then you go where the day takes you—swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing without cramming into a fixed itinerary.

What I like most is the combination of comfort and capability. You get a 115Hp Mercury engine, so the ride feels powerful without turning the day into a white-knuckle experience. I also love the practical setup: snorkeling equipment is provided, and you’ll have snacks, bottled water, ice cubes, and an ice box ready to keep things cold.

One thing to watch: fuel isn’t included, and a skipper isn’t included. So this is best if your group is ready to handle those details (or you’re booking with a plan), and you’ll want good weather. The good news is the experience is weather-dependent in the sense that you’ll be offered another date or a full refund if conditions force a change.

Key Things That Matter Before You Go

• 115Hp Mercury engine performance: helps you move between swim stops without turning travel time into the whole vacation
• Snorkel gear is included: you don’t need to pack your own mask and snorkel
• Snacks, ice, and an ice box: easy to bring your own drinks and keep them cold
• Route is up to you: you choose where to stop, with guidance from the boat crew
• Family-friendly feel: the boat and team are described as clean, safe, and well suited for families
• A team that actually helps: names like Ledio, Luis, Loui, and Mario show up in feedback for being kind and hands-on

How This Private Boat Rental Works in Real Life

This is a private, full-day rental out of Santorini, run by Santorini Blue Waves Cruises at the Blue Waves Cruises Santoriniport in Vlichada. Your start time is 10:00 am, and the day ends back at the meeting point. In plain terms: you’re hiring the boat for the day, then making the day yours.

The big shift versus most Santorini tours is flexibility. You’re not trapped on a strict timetable. Instead, you’ll get insider guidance from the rental folks about where to go and what to consider—then you build your route. That matters a lot on Santorini because the coastline and sea conditions can change fast, and the “best” plan is often the one that matches the mood of your group.

You’ll also want to think like a sea-day planner. You’re going to spend hours on the water, so it helps to decide in advance what kind of day you want:

• Lots of swimming and snorkeling
• Mostly relaxing and scenic cruising
• A mix, with one or two longer stops
• Time for nearby islands, if that’s what you’re after

The feedback you’re given hints at options for visiting a nearby island for the day, including help selecting an island and beaches there. Even if you don’t choose that, the structure is the same: ask, listen, then steer the route.

The Boat Setup: What Makes Saxdor Feel Like a Step Up

This Saxdor rental is described as luxurious and brand new in the feedback, and that comes through in the kind of details people notice—clean boat, family-suitable layout, and a safety-first vibe. For a sea day, those basics matter more than fancy marketing.

Here’s what’s clearly set up for you:

• Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you don’t need to bring gear
• Snacks and bottled water are included
• Ice cubes and an ice box are included, so you can keep drinks cold
• The boat is powered by a 115Hp Mercury engine, which is the “moving part” of the day

Why the engine matters: when you’re renting for a full day, you’ll probably make multiple stops. A good engine means you spend less time throttling around and more time where you actually want to be—on a beachy cove, in calmer water, or at a spot worth anchoring for swimming.

And why the ice box matters: Santorini weather can be hot, and a sea day can get hungry fast. If you bring drinks, the included cooler/ice setup makes it easy to keep everything more pleasant without hunting for anything once you’re out on the water.

Morning Start at Blue Waves Cruises (Vlichada): Get Your Day Off Smoothly

Your day begins at Boat Rental in Santorini – Blue Waves Cruises Santoriniport, in Vlichada, 847 03, Greece. The start time is 10:00 am, and the experience returns back to the same meeting point.

In my book, the morning is when you set yourself up for a good sea day. Here’s how to think about it:

• Be ready to act early on route choices. If the crew gives suggestions, consider them seriously—you’re renting the boat for hours, not minutes.
• Decide how you want to use the snorkeling gear. If your group plans to snorkel, it helps to get one strong swim stop earlier rather than saving it for later when people are tired.
• Pack smart for a full day. Even though you’ll have snacks and water, you’ll still want your own essentials (sunscreen, hats, maybe a light layer for later wind).

The feedback also praises the team’s helpfulness. Names like Ledio and Luis come up in different reviews as people who ensure you have what you asked for. That’s exactly what you want at the start: clear guidance so you don’t waste the first hour of your rental second-guessing decisions.

Building Your Route: Your Stops, Your Pace

This is the heart of the experience. The rental is designed for you to go at your own pace and stop wherever you like. You’ll use insider tips from the team, then steer the day.

So what does that look like once you’re out there?

1. Choose your first water stop

Usually this is where you’ll want easy swimming conditions and a chance to settle in. If your group includes non-swimmers, plan a stop that still has good viewing and a place to relax.

1. Plan at least one snorkeling window

The highlights and included items make snorkel time central. Since equipment is provided, it’s easy to do without overpacking. If conditions aren’t ideal somewhere, you can adjust on the fly and move.

1. Add a longer scenic break

One of the most enjoyable parts of a flexible boat day is the ability to slow down. Anchor or linger somewhere calm enough to relax—bring your snacks, cool drinks, and let the day breathe.

1. Consider a nearby island or beach option

Feedback includes people booking a full-day excursion so they could visit another island during their Santorini stay. You’ll get options about which nearby island and which beaches there. Even if you don’t do it, asking early gives you more time to shape the route.

1. Time your final hours intentionally

Your rental runs about 10 hours, so you’ll likely be on the water for a long stretch. If you want a prettier light later in the day, keep that in mind when you decide where to spend your last major stop.

The practical advantage here is simple: you’re not paying to follow someone else’s checklist. You’re paying for a private boat and the freedom to spend your limited vacation time exactly how your group wants—swim-heavy, beach-focused, island-hop-style, or mostly “float and enjoy.”

Snacks, Water, and the Ice Box: Small Things That Save the Day

Included refreshment is one of those travel details that makes a boat day feel easy instead of stressful. You get:

• Snacks
• Bottled water
• Ice cubes and an ice box

And the overview adds a key tip: bring drinks and put them in the provided coolers. That’s smart. It keeps your day from turning into an on-the-fly food hunt.

Here’s why this matters on Santorini specifically. The island is popular, so prices and lines can get annoying on land. A boat day is often the easiest way to avoid that. Having ice and snacks already handled lets you focus on the actual reason you booked: time on the sea.

Also, ice boxes are one of the few ways to keep food safe and drinks cold for long daylight hours. If you’re going with kids, extra snacks are a sanity saver—especially since the feedback notes the setup is suitable for families.

Snorkeling Gear Included: How to Use It Without Turning It Into Work

You won’t need to bring your own snorkeling equipment. The rental includes it, and that’s a big deal because it removes a hassle from the packing list.

When snorkeling gear is included, I think about two things:

• Comfort and fit: If the mask fits poorly, the whole experience turns annoying. When you get the gear, take a minute to adjust before you jump in.
• Timing: Snorkeling is best when you’re rested and still excited. If your group is hungry or sunburned later, everyone’s motivation drops.

Since your route is flexible, you can also adjust your snorkeling plans based on water conditions. If one stop doesn’t work out the way you hoped, you can move. That’s a real advantage of the private format.

The Big Trade-Offs: Fuel and Skipper Are Not Included

This part is important for planning. The listing says:

• Fuel isn’t included
• A skipper isn’t included
• Transportation to the meeting point isn’t included

So the value math depends on how you’re handling those items. If you already have a plan for fueling and navigation (or you’re booking in a way that covers the skipper requirement), this can be a smooth, high-value private day.

But if you’re assuming everything is included, you could be surprised. I’d treat the published price as the boat rental baseline and budget separately for the parts explicitly not included.

Then there’s the other practical factor: good weather is required. If conditions are poor, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s the risk with any sea day—especially on a place like Santorini where winds can change quickly.

What You’ll Likely Do Each Hour (A Sensible Sea-Day Rhythm)

Even without a fixed checklist, most great boat days follow a predictable pattern. Here’s a realistic flow you can copy.

10:00 am to late morning:

Get settled on board, take your first swim, and use the early hours for snorkeling if your group wants it. This is when people usually have the most energy.

Late morning to early afternoon:

Shift into relaxation mode. This is where the ice box helps—snacks and cold drinks keep the mood easy. If your group wants a scenic cruise segment, this is a good time for it.

Mid-afternoon:

Plan a longer stop, or add a nearby island/beach option if you want variety. The feedback points to people having options for another island during the day, so ask the team and build it into your timeline if that’s your style.

Evening into the last hours:

If you want a more golden, dramatic look, plan your final stops around the light rather than around convenience. Your day is about 10 hours, so it’s often possible to catch late-day beauty if you pace yourself.

None of this is a promise of specific stops. The point is: with flexibility, you’re the one who decides how the day flows.

Who This Boat Day Is Best For (and Who Should Think Twice)

This rental makes a lot of sense if you want freedom. It’s especially strong for:

• Families: feedback specifically notes it’s suitable for families, and the team is described as professional and helpful
• Groups who hate rigid schedules: you can choose stops based on your mood and water conditions
• People who want snorkeling without packing gear: equipment is included
• Small celebrations and special days: the feedback frames it as a value-for-money choice with no compromises

Who should think twice? If your group doesn’t want to handle fuel planning or the skipper requirement, you may end up doing extra work on a day that’s supposed to feel carefree. Also, if you hate unpredictability, remember this is weather-dependent.

Value Check: Is $578.80 Per Group a Good Deal?

At $578.80 per group (up to 5), this can be good value—especially compared to rigid group tours—because you’re paying for privacy and full-day flexibility.

Here’s how I’d judge the cost fairly:

• If you would’ve paid for a full-day tour plus boat-based snorkeling plus spending time on the sea, this often makes sense as a bundle.
• If your group is large enough to max out the 5-person limit, the per-person cost drops.
• If you’re coming as a family or a tight group that wants multiple swim stops, the “time on water” becomes your main purchase.

The only way it feels less valuable is if you end up not using the flexibility—spending most of the day somewhere that doesn’t match your expectations—or if fuel/skipper details change your budget.

So my advice: treat this as a private “day on your terms” deal. If that’s what you want, it’s compelling.

Should You Book Saxdor Full-Day Rental With Saxdor Luxury Boat?

I’d book it if your ideal Santorini day is about the sea: snorkeling, swimming, and choosing your own stops with a helpful team behind you. The best part is how little you need to bring: snorkeling gear, snacks, water, and ice are included, and names like Ledio and Luis show up in feedback for being kind and ensuring you have what you asked for.

Skip it (or at least plan carefully) if you’d rather not think about fuel or skipper arrangements, or if your schedule is tight and weather risk would stress you out. Also, if you’re the type who wants a set itinerary with no decisions, the flexibility here might feel like more freedom than you asked for.

If you’re somewhere in the middle—open to planning a route, but not open to rigid tours—this is a strong fit.

FAQ

What time does the full-day boat rental start?

The boat rental starts at 10:00 am.

How long is the experience?

The duration is about 10 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Included items are snacks, bottled water, an ice box with ice cubes, and snorkeling equipment.

What’s not included?

Fuel, transportation, and a skipper are not included.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Boat Rental in Santorini – Blue Waves Cruises Santoriniport, Vlichada 847 03, Greece.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you don’t need to bring your own.