Santorini Caldera by Day on a Kaïki, Vlychada to Ammoudi

A kaïki is a traditional wooden boat of the Aegean and the Ionian, a small trading and fishing vessel, brightly painted and rigged for sail. That is what this cruise runs on, and it goes in the morning rather than at sunset. The route starts at Vlychada and works north. Red Beach first, near the village of Akrotiri, where the colour comes from the iron in the soil, with time to swim and take photographs. Then White Beach, which no road reaches, all white rock and clear water. Past the Venetian lighthouse at Akrotiri, nineteenth century, standing on the cliff edge and among the oldest in Greece. Past the Black Mountain and the Indian Rock. Around the volcano, then across to Thirassia, the fishermen's island opposite Oia, for swimming and snorkelling while the crew prepares lunch on board. The cruise ends at Ammoudi Bay, below Oia.