Santorini: Oia speedboat and timing things.

DH and I will be in Santorini aboard the Silver Whisper in September. Our ship comes into port later than the others, making our first available tender after 9:00am. We are planning to spend the day wondering on our own, no tours. My tentative plan is to take the speedboat over to Oia in the morning and then slowly explore the town, enjoy lunch, and then head to Thera in the evening. We have a dinner reservation in Thera. Our ship does not leave port until 11:00pm. After sunset, we will take the cable car down and tender back to the ship, around 8:30ish. All other ships will have left by this time, based on the port schedule.

Does this sound like a good plan? Are we missing out on anything important that is outside of these towns or on the route? (We are not beach people, and not interested in doing the ruins on this visit.)

When you catch the speedboat to Oia, you’ll transfer to a bus at Ammoundi Bay that will then take you into Oia. The bus driver will then tell you what times to catch the bus back to Thira. When we were there last month, the latest times I remember were 2 or 3pm. You may want to double check the return times, otherwise you’ll have to find your own transportation back to Thira.

Ferry boat to Oia (it is NOT a speed boat - more like Huson river ferry) is a convenient way to avoid long lines at Canle Car when there are more ships in the port at the same time.

HOWEVER - Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware

(based on personal recent experience and dozens of post ove rhere, TA and RS forums)

1) Dakoutros that sells the tickets at the tender port lies for living.

"Boat leaving soon" can translate into 30-45 minute wait. So verify how full the boat is before buying tickets.

2) It is not a 10 minute boat ride. Close to 20 and if bay is rough, can make you sea-sick (though 95% of pax will NOT encounter it - so this is a minor issue)

3) There is a short but STEEP gradient on disembarking to reach their bus. Potential issue for those with challenges with such situation

4) Their boat can carry more people than their bus. So if boat is near capacity or full then at least some passengers will have to stand during this short but curvey ride to Oia. (minor issue but better be prepared or get off boat quickly and walk fast)

5) This one is big problem. When they sell you tickets at tender port, thery wil tell you that bus leaves hourly until evening. But once at Oia, they tell you that last bus will be at 1 pm (they redeploy bus for other purposes). So be prepared for a short stay at Oia or arrange for your own transport back or find their local office and crib and they wil accomodate you on later bus.

Also, we walked down for fun (even when cable car lines were short) and it was NOT fun. Sharing road with donkeys or sidestepping donkey poop or hot sun were minor issues. Major issue was slippery black stones and saw many people slipping on them.

Have read on this forum that some pax in past have sprained and/or broken bones on this walk down.