White Beach Santorini: The Cove You Reach by Boat

How do you get to White Beach Santorini?

By boat. There is no road. Some guides describe a water taxi from the small pier at Akrotiri and a coastal path from Red Beach, but the walk-in to Red Beach was closed after rockfall in the February 2025 earthquakes, so the path is not a plan. The catamarans that stop here anchor off the cove and you swim in; the listings say boats cannot moor on the beaches, and two of them name beach landings as not included. The nearest you get by bus is Akrotiri, about €2.20 and 20 minutes from Fira.

Swimming and snorkelling

The cove is a swim and snorkel stop. The sunset catamaran describes swimming in the shadow of the white cliffs, and the luxury catamaran describes snorkelling in the sea caves of White Beach. On the small-group catamaran this is where the crew cooks the BBQ while you swim. Snorkel gear is included on the catamarans that stop here.

Mesa Pigadia, next door

Mesa Pigadia is the neighbouring cove, and some boats use it instead of or as well as White Beach. The day catamaran makes it its third stop and serves the BBQ lunch there. The sailing catamaran's listing describes it as known for a black rock pillar and caves, and gives it one of its three swim stops.

Which cruises stop at White Beach

Shared catamarans cover it as part of a run along the south coast with Red Beach and the hot springs. The two volcano boats stay inside the caldera and do not come here.

• Sunset catamaran, from $88 — The third swim stop, after the hot springs and Red Beach. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
• Small-group catamaran, from $145 — The second stop, with the BBQ prepared on board while you swim. Up to 14 guests. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
• Luxury catamaran, from $123 — Snorkelling at White Beach's sea caves, up to 20 guests. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
• Day catamaran (Gold), from $95 — Passes White Beach and the Venetian lighthouse with commentary from the guide, then swims at Mesa Pigadia next door. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
• Sailing catamaran, private catamaran and wooden boat — The sailing catamaran ($85) and wooden boat ($112) sail past White Beach; the private catamaran ($129 per person) goes by arrangement with the captain. All have free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
• Self-drive boat rental, from $291 per boat — White Beach is on the listing's list of swim spots. Up to 5 people from Vlychada, the closest marina. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Does Santorini have good beaches?

It has unusual ones rather than soft ones. The beaches are volcanic: dark sand and pebbles, and cliffs in red, white or black. A guest on the luxury catamaran made the practical point that a boat lets you swim without walking on the pebbly volcanic beaches. White Beach and Red Beach are the two most visitors want to see, and for both of them a boat is the access, not an extra.