Santorini Volcano Cruise: Nea Kameni, Hot Springs & Thirassia

★★★★★★★★★★ 3.42 (19 reviews)

Free cancellation

1/13

Duration7h

GroupUp to 50

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

A full day on the water: three islands, one active volcano, and the cliffs of Oia at sunset

You board a boat at Athinios Port and spend the day moving between three islands: hiking the crater of an active volcano on Nea Kameni, swimming in the mineral-rich hot springs of Palea Kameni, and having two hours free on Thirassia to swim, eat, or explore the village. Hotel pickup and return are included, along with a tour escort for the full day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Santorini Caldera cruise and sightseeing

Bus transfer to Athinios Port
Boat to Nea Kameni volcano
Hike to volcanic crater
Return to boat
Boat to Palea Kameni hot springs
Swim or relax at hot springs
Boat to Thirassia Island
Two hours at Thirassia: swim, lunch, or explore Manolas
Cruise past Oia cliffs
Bus transfer back to hotel

The Experience

The boat leaves Athinios Port in the morning, and within an hour you're standing on Nea Kameni—the raw, dark lava island that rose from the sea less than 400 years ago. The soil path to the crater is steep but short, and the air changes as you climb: sulfur, heat, the smell of something still alive beneath your feet. Your escort stays with the group the whole way. Once you're back on the boat, there's time to catch your breath before the next stop.

Palea Kameni comes next, and this is where the Santorini volcano cruise shifts from geology to sensation. The boat anchors about 50 meters from the hot springs, and you can swim in water that's warm and green from minerals, or just wade in and feel it—some people dip their feet, others float. Fifteen to thirty minutes, depending on how long you want to stay in. After that, the boat heads to Thirassia Island, where you get two full hours. This is the part that doesn't feel rushed. You can swim at the beach, sit down for lunch at one of the seaside tavernas, or climb the winding steps into the village of Manolas and walk between the white houses. Most people do a mix of all three.

On the way back to port, the boat passes beneath Oia—the famous cliffs with the blue domes and the light that photographers wait for. You'll see it from the water, which is its own angle. A bus then takes you back to your hotel. The whole day is about seven to eight hours from pickup to drop-off, and the escort is with you throughout. Drinks and snacks are available on board at the bar, though they're not included in the ticket price.

What’s included

Hotel pickup and return by bus.
boat transport from Athinios Port to Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, and Thirassia Island.
access to the volcanic crater on Nea Kameni.
time to swim in the hot springs at Palea Kameni.
two hours on Thirassia Island to swim, dine, or explore the village of Manolas.
return cruise past Oia's cliffs.
tour escort for the full day.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cretan Holidays

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Santorini's volcano and islands without arranging your own boat, timing the stops, or navigating between them—the fixed itinerary and included pickup mean you show up and spend the day on the water instead of organizing logistics.