Nisyros boat trip: Volcano walk and Mandraki village

Walk inside a volcanic crater and swim in the Aegean on the same morning

A full-day boat trip from Kardamena to Nisyros includes swimming and a BBQ lunch at Agios Antonios, entry to the island's 4 km-wide caldera where you walk down to see yellow sulfur crystals from steaming vents, and free time to explore Mandraki village. The tour runs six hours with air-conditioned transfer and a live guide in English or German. Volcano entrance is paid on the spot (€5).

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat trip with swimming and volcano visit

• Swim in crystal-clear waters
• Enjoy BBQ on board
• Visit Nisyros volcano crater
• Walk down to see sulfur crystals
• Free time in Mandraki village

The experience

If you're based in Kardamena with a free morning or afternoon, this boat trip solves the logistics of reaching Nisyros on your own. The boat leaves from Kardamena and stops first at Agios Antonios, a smaller island where you swim in clear water and eat a BBQ lunch on board (pork, with chicken and vegetarian options available). The meal and the swimming break take up the first part of the day, so you arrive at Nisyros already fed and relaxed.

Nisyros itself is built around a volcanic caldera roughly 4 km wide: one of Europe's largest. You walk down into the crater to see bright yellow sulfur crystals formed by steaming vents, a detail that makes the geology tangible instead of just a name on a map. The volcano entrance fee (€5) is paid when you arrive, not included in the tour price. After the crater, you have an hour of free time in Mandraki, the harbor village, to walk the streets, visit the Monastery, have coffee or shop before the boat returns to Kardamena.

The guide speaks English or German and travels with the group throughout. The air-conditioned transfer to and from the boat is included, and the whole day runs about six hours. On the boat itself, drinks are cash-only, so bring euros if you want anything beyond the included meal. The tour suits all fitness levels, though climbing into the crater is not recommended if you have asthma.

What’s included

• Lunch (pork, chicken or vegetarian).
• air-conditioned transfer to and from Kardamena.
• live guide in English or German.
• swimming at Agios Antonios.
• one hour free time in Mandraki village.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 5 May 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 5

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cretan Holidays

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or German live throughout the day, so you follow the commentary comfortably if you speak either language. If you need a different language, this tour is not the right fit.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I swim during the Nisyros boat trip?

Yes, you swim at Agios Antonios, the first stop, where the boat serves a BBQ lunch on board. That is the main swimming opportunity. Mandraki is a village stop with an hour of free time to explore, not a swimming beach.

What is the Nisyros volcano actually like when you get there?

Nisyros has a caldera roughly 4 km wide formed by volcanic eruptions that began around 160,000 years ago. You walk down into the crater itself and see bright yellow sulfur crystals created by steaming vents. The sulfur is visible and the vents are active, so it is a working volcano, not a historical site.

Is the volcano entrance fee included in the tour price?

No, the volcano entrance costs €5 and is paid on the spot when you arrive at Nisyros. It is not part of the tour price.

What is included in the lunch on the boat?

Lunch is a BBQ served on board at Agios Antonios and includes pork. Chicken and vegetarian options are available if you request them when booking. Drinks on the boat are cash-only and not included.

How long is the whole tour from start to finish?

The tour runs about six hours total, including the air-conditioned transfer to and from Kardamena, the boat ride, swimming and lunch at Agios Antonios, the volcano visit, and free time in Mandraki.