We are arriving on a cruise in August and just want to hang out at a beach. Which beaches are the best for a relaxing day and how do you get there from the port?
Santorini is a very pretty Greek Island, worth having a little tour I would think. You can hang out around the ship’s pool later in the day. It is your trip, of course, but maybe a beach is just a beach while seeing Santorini is a chance of a lifetime. Sorry not to be more helpful.
Santorini is considered by many to be the most beautiful Greek Island. The view from the top of the island down to the sunken caldera of the sea below is the supreme sight. That’s the reason people go to Santorini. Please don’t miss it.
After you take in the view it’s easy to get a bus or taxi to the beach. Many are black sand which is unusual. But Santorini is not noted for great beaches.
The beaches, Kamari and Perissa, will be scorchingly hot in August since they're black sand/grit/pebbles. You'll be tendered ashore to the old port below Fira called Skala. Take the cable car up the cliff and walk to the bus terminal or taxi office. They're next door to each other. Look at this map: https://tinyurl.com/y4qvm5n2 (The Zafora Restaurant is next to the cable car building.)
we were in Santorini for a week last August. We visited the black beach Kamari where you can walk a mile into the sea and it will be knee high. It was not scorching hot as others have said, the water was nice and warm and the weather - we couldn't ask for anything better, and we are from California. but I do suggest that you should go to Oia to watch the sunset and the caldera view is breathtaking.