Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs: boat tour from Fira port

The active craters still smoke and smell of brimstone; the thermal bay is 30 to 35 degrees Celsius year-round.

A three-hour boat tour from Fira port in Santorini visits the active volcano and natural hot springs, with a local guide, time to climb to the craters, and a swim in the thermal waters of Palaia Kameni. The tour departs daily at 11am and returns by 2pm, designed for cruise passengers with limited time. A guide in English or Greek leads both stops; swimming noodles are provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Santorini volcano and hot springs tour

• Depart from Fira old port at 11:00
• Arrive at Erinia bay near active volcano
• Hike to volcano craters and take photos
• Return to boat
• Depart for Palaia Kameni island hot springs
• Swim in thermal waters at St. Nickolas bay
• Return to port at 14:00

The Experience

The boat leaves the old port of Fira at 11am each morning and reaches the volcano's bay—Erinia—in ten minutes. You have an hour and fifteen minutes there: the path to the active craters is short, and at the top you can photograph the smoking rocks and feel the sulfur in the air. The rocks themselves are still hot from the volcanic activity. After climbing back down, the boat heads to Palaia Kameni, where the hot springs sit in a small bay named after St. Nicholas.

The thermal water stays between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius because it mixes constantly with the seawater. You swim about thirty meters from the boat into the interior of the bay—there's no beach, so you climb down the boat's stairs and enter the water directly. The boat waits thirty minutes for swimming, then departs for the return journey to Fira, arriving by 2pm. Swimming noodles are on board if you want them.

A local guide who speaks English or Greek is with you for the full tour. Children from age one can come along; infants can ride in a stroller, and specialized infant seats are available on board. Restrooms are on the boat. The entire three-hour duration includes travel time between the two stops.

What’s included

• Local guide in English or Greek.
• restroom on board.
• swimming noodles for the thermal bay swim.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot for heart conditions

Operated by Dakoutros Bros J.V.

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Greek, so book this tour if you're comfortable following commentary in one of those languages. The fixed 11am departure and 2pm return make it ideal for cruise passengers; if you're staying on the island and need flexibility, a later or private departure might suit you better.

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Top questions

Can I climb to the volcano craters, or do I just see them from the boat?

You can follow the path to the active craters at the top of the volcano during the hour and fifteen minutes the boat stays at Erinia. The climb is short and the craters are accessible; you'll see the smoking rocks and smell the sulfur up close.

How long do I actually get to swim in the hot springs?

The boat stays in the thermal bay for about thirty minutes, and you can swim during that time. You'll swim roughly thirty meters from the boat into the interior of the bay where the warmest water is.

What's the water temperature like in the hot springs?

The thermal water ranges from 30 to 35 degrees Celsius because it mixes with the regular seawater. It's warm year-round, heated by the volcanic activity beneath the bay.

Is this tour suitable for cruise passengers with only a few hours in port?

Yes—the tour is designed specifically for cruise travelers. It departs at 11am from Fira port and returns by 2pm, giving you three hours total including the boat ride, both stops, and swimming time.

Do I need to bring my own swimsuit and towel?

Bring your own swimsuit. Swimming noodles are provided on board. A towel is not listed as included, so pack one if you'll need it after swimming.