Photo: Lewis Hully via Google
The verdict
- Best forActive travellers who want jet skis, diving and an organised beach over a quiet swim
- Top pickPerissa for the widest spread of watersports and the easiest base for diving and jet ski hire
- One thing to knowSantorini's standout watersport is diving over volcanic reefs and walls, so the long southeast beaches with dive centres are your base rather than any one classic surf spot
Published 21 April 2026. Last reviewed 8 May 2026
Santorini is not a surf or kitesurf island, so set those expectations aside, but it does have a lively spread of watersports along its big organised southeast beaches, and a genuinely special diving scene shaped by the volcano. The long black sand strips at Perissa, Perivolos and Kamari are where the action gathers, with operators offering jet skis, towed rides and dive trips out over the dark volcanic seabed.
We have ranked the beaches below for what they actually offer on the water. The range of operators and rentals, the dive access, how the conditions suit beginners or the more confident, and whether the beach has the depth of services to make an active day easy. The southeast coast leads on every count, with the quieter beaches better suited to a calm swim than a busy watersports session.
If you take one line from this page, take this one. Make Perissa or Perivolos your base for jet skis and rentals, book a dive through one of the Kamari or Perissa centres to see the volcanic underwater landscape, and remember the afternoon wind, which can shut the water toys down, so go in the morning.
Where to get on the water
Range of activities and easy access first.
Perissa
The most active beach on the island. A huge organised black sand strip below the Mesa Vouno rock with the widest spread of watersports, from jet skis and towed rides to a base for diving over the volcanic reefs offshore. The depth of operators, sunbeds and tavernas makes it the easiest place to build a full active day.
Perivolos
The smart continuation of Perissa, with beach bars, watersports operators and plenty of room to spread out. It pairs jet skis and towed rides with a more polished beach club feel, so it suits travellers who want some action on the water and a stylish base to come back to between sessions.
Kamari
The island's diving hub, with established dive centres on the promenade running trips out to the volcanic walls, caves and reefs that make Santorini diving distinctive. The long organised black sand beach also offers rentals, and the depth of services and the easy bus link make it a comfortable base for an underwater day.
Agios Georgios
The long, relaxed stretch beyond Perivolos, quieter than the main beaches but still organised, with watersports operators appearing in season alongside the sunbeds and beach bars. It suits those who want some action on the water without the density of the busier strips just up the coast, with more room to breathe.
Monolithos
The calm, shallow family beach near the airport, included here as the gentle option for beginners and children. It is not a watersports hub, but the sheltered, even water makes it a reassuring place to try paddling and simple gear away from the busier southeast operators, with sunbeds and tavernas close by.
The honest read on watersports
Diving is the real headline here, not the jet skis. Santorini sits on an active volcano, and the underwater landscape of dark reefs, walls and the occasional wreck is genuinely distinctive, with bubbling volcanic vents in places. The dive centres at Kamari and Perissa are the way to see it, and a guided dive or a try dive is the standout watersport experience on the island for most visitors.
Be honest about what Santorini is not. It is not a surf, windsurf or kitesurf destination, and there is no classic beach break to chase, so come for diving, jet skis and towed rides rather than board sports. The black sand also heats up fiercely, so water shoes help, and the open beaches offer little natural shade for the gear and the waiting around.
The wind sets the schedule. The summer breeze that builds through the afternoon on the southeast coast can stop the powered watersports and stir up the sea, so the calm mornings are when the operators run and the water is best. Conditions are typical rather than guaranteed, there are no lifeguards as a rule, so book early in the day, check the operator's safety briefing, and respect the sea state.
A base between sessions
An organised beach or a beach club gives you somewhere to leave your things, find shade and eat between watersports sessions, and the southeast coast is where they cluster. Perissa and Perivolos pair the widest spread of operators with sunbeds, bars and tavernas, while Kamari adds the dive centres and a long promenade. Some clubs lean toward the scene rather than the active crowd, so it is worth checking. We never invent a venue, a minimum spend or an opening status, so anything unconfirmed is marked to be confirmed. Browse the directory and send one enquiry to check your date.
Book a beach club in Santorini
Before you go
Which beach is best for watersports in Santorini?
Perissa on the southeast coast offers the widest spread of watersports, from jet skis and towed rides to a base for diving over the volcanic reefs. Perivolos next door is the smarter alternative, and Kamari is the island's diving hub. All three are long, organised black sand beaches with operators, sunbeds and tavernas.
Is Santorini good for diving?
Yes, diving is the island's standout watersport. The volcanic seabed of dark reefs, walls, caves and the occasional wreck is genuinely distinctive, with bubbling vents in places. The dive centres at Kamari and Perissa run guided dives and try dives, and seeing the underwater volcanic landscape is the best on the water experience for many visitors.
Can you surf or kitesurf in Santorini?
Not really. Santorini is not a surf, windsurf or kitesurf destination, and there is no reliable beach break to chase. The watersports on offer are jet skis, towed rides and diving along the organised southeast beaches. If board sports are your priority, you would be better looking at a windier, wave exposed coast elsewhere.
When is the best time of day for watersports in Santorini?
Mornings are best. The summer breeze builds through the afternoon on the southeast coast and can stop the powered watersports and stir up the sea, so the operators tend to run earliest in the day when the water is calmest. Book a morning slot, and always check the conditions and the safety briefing before you go out.
Are there gentle watersports for beginners in Santorini?
Yes. The calm, shallow water at Monolithos near the airport is a reassuring place for beginners and children to try paddling and simple gear away from the busier operators. For guided activity, a try dive with a Kamari or Perissa dive centre is a well supported introduction to the water in safe, supervised conditions.