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The sight of Santorini from the sea is stunning. Hop on a boat trip across the caldera to take in the awe-inspiring volcanic island.
A clutch of nearby islands are also worth exploring. There is Thirassia island with the whitewashed village of Horio perched at the top of 250 stairs. And don't miss the volcanically active Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni with their smouldering sulphur craters, natural hot springs and bubbling mud pools.
Sail in style with Captain Ted on board one of his gleaming white catamarans. Trips include daytime or sunset tours with seafood and steak barbecue in a private bay, from £88 per person (00 30 694 424 1162; www.santorinisailing.com).

Charter a sail with Captain Ted. A Bergen County transplant, the sailor and his first mate will take you out on the 41-foot catamaran Blue Lagoon for a sail around the island. Highlights include swimming in the hot springs and the crew's barbecue dinner-a fantastic spread of Greek salad, grilled calamari and shrimp, fresh eggplant salad, and steak.

A trip around Santorini on Greek American Ted Stathis’s 43-foot speedboat catamaran. Full day, from $1,275, limited to ten people.

FOR A PERFECT BOAT Ted Stathis is an American expat of Greek descent, who spent summers crewing for his cousin's yachting business in Greece and finally moved over to skipper one himself. Now he's the captain of a 41-foot lagoon catamaran perfect for an afternoon day sail, fishing trip, or overnight charter. He also does an extraordinary lunch of salads and pastas to go with the fish, prawns, or chicken that he grills to perfection on deck.

Featuring a fleet of three catamarans more than 40 feet long, Santorini Sailing offers private and semi-private cruises to the Santorini Caldera. Limited to 10 passengers, the tours include gourmet lunch or dinner with linen table service, featuring local fare such as fresh seafood, prime steaks, pasta and premium wines. Featured on the Discovery Channel, the Travel Channel and the Food Network, the tour departs from Vlihada Marina, passing along the ancient city of Akrotiri en route to the Red and White beaches. When the Venetian lighthouse comes into view, the five-hour cruise journeys into the caldera, where passengers visit private bays for a swim and snorkel. After a barbecue lunch in the bay, the cruise sets sail past the Aspronisi back to Vlihada Marina. Each catamaran offers numerous amenities, such as expansive deck space, private suites and a panoramic bridge deck.

For an unforgettable way to experience Santorini's Blue Lagoon and fantastic island views, charter a catamaran with Blue Lagoon Cruises. Each of the 3 luxury boats is equipped with swimming platforms, a trampoline, plenty of deck space and a fully equipped galley and bar where the crew whips up a feast of grilled fish, Greek salad and steak. Set sail to secluded bays, and swim in the hot springs before returning to shore.