Vlychada Marina: Where Santorini Catamarans Leave From
Updated October 27, 2026
Vlychada Marina is the harbour on Santorini's south coast where most catamarans start. It is 10 km from Fira according to the island's Municipal Port Fund, which runs it, and it sits next to Vlychada beach and its wind-carved pale cliffs. Of the 149 Santorini boat listings we read on GetYourGuide, 54 name Vlychada, more than any other port. Five of the ten trips on this site leave from it on some or all departures. Most include hotel pickup, so many guests see the marina only from the minibus window and the gangway.
Where do catamarans leave from in Santorini?
From two marinas, plus two ports for the bigger boats. The port depends on the boat type and often on the time of day.
- Vlychada Marina (south coast) — Most shared catamarans and the boat rentals. Named in 54 of the 149 listings we read.
- Ammoudi Bay (below Oia, north) — Private catamarans and some morning or sunset departures. Named in 26 listings.
- Fira old port (below Fira) — Volcano and caldera boats, and the tender landing for cruise ships. Named in 30 listings.
- Athinios port (main ferry port) — The big volcano boats. Named in 21 listings.
Which of our cruises leave from Vlychada
Five trips use Vlychada. Two more, the sunset and luxury catamarans, name only the port in their listings and send the details by email after booking.
- Day catamaran (Gold), from $95 — Starts and ends at Vlychada Marina, with a welcome drink and a safety briefing before you sail to Red Beach. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Sailing catamaran, from $85 — Leaves from Vlychada. Without transfers, you meet the crew next to the ATM at the marina 30 minutes before the start. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Small-group catamaran, from $145 — Sunset tours leave from Vlychada; morning tours leave from Ammoudi. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Traditional wooden boat, from $112 — The morning trip starts at Vlychada and ends at Ammoudi; the sunset trip runs the other way. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Self-drive boat rental, from $291 per boat — Meet at Vlychada Marina in front of the Notos Hotel; the guide wears a blue T-shirt. No hotel pickup. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
How far is Vlychada from Fira?
10 km by the Port Fund's figure. There is a public bus from Fira, about €2.70 one way, but it runs much less often than the Perissa bus, so check the day's timetable. Most cruises make the question moot: hotel pickup is included on the day, sunset, luxury, small-group and wooden-boat trips, and on the sailing catamaran's transfer options. Expect to be collected early. The sunset and small-group listings say pickup starts almost 1.5 hours before departure, and the sailing catamaran says at least 1 hour.
Coming from a cruise ship
Tenders from cruise ships land at Fira's old port, below the cliff, and that is a long way from Vlychada. The sailing catamaran's listing is direct about it: there is no road access to the old port, so the crew cannot collect you there. You take the cable car up, €10 one way, and meet them at their office in Fira at least an hour before the cruise. Check the time of the last tender back before you book any cruise that ends at Vlychada.
The beach and the museum next door
Vlychada beach runs west from the marina: dark volcanic sand and pebbles under pale, wind-carved cliffs. In Vlychada itself, the Tomato Industrial Museum fills the former D. Nomikos tomato-paste factory, opened in 1945 and turned into a museum in 2014, with machines from 1890 and an audio tour in five languages. It is a reasonable way to use the hour if your pickup gets you to the marina early.
Vlychada shelter (Santorini Port Fund)Tomato Industrial Museum
Frequently asked questions
Where do catamarans leave from in Santorini?
Mostly from Vlychada Marina on the south coast. Some leave from Ammoudi Bay below Oia, and the big volcano boats use Athinios and Fira's old port.
How far is Vlychada from Fira?
10 km. The public bus costs about €2.70 one way but runs less often than other routes. Most cruises include hotel pickup.
Can cruise ship passengers get to Vlychada?
Yes, but not from the old port directly. Take the cable car up to Fira (€10 one way) and meet the operator there, at least an hour before the cruise on the sailing catamaran.
Is there anything to do at Vlychada?
The beach next to the marina has pale wind-carved cliffs, and the Tomato Industrial Museum is in the old tomato factory in the village.
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