Santorini Volcano & Hot Springs Cruise with Thirassia Island

You'll Walk the Rim of an Active Volcano, Then Jump Into Water Still Warm From It

You climb an active volcanic crater on foot, swim in naturally heated sulfur waters with a foam noodle, and explore the village of Manolas on Thirassia island with free time to wander. The tour includes hotel pickup, a multilingual guide, and all entry fees, and wraps up by early afternoon so you have the rest of your day open.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Santorini Volcano1h 30m
2. Nea Kameni1h 30m
3. Thirasia1h 30m

Volcano hike, swim, and Thirassia visit

• Walk ascending path to volcano crater
• Guided tour to Nea Kameni lava islet
• Dive into warm thermal waters
• Visit Manolas village in Thirassia

The experience

The boat leaves early enough that you're on the water while Santorini's caldera is still quiet. You climb Nea Kameni (the volcanic islet that rose from the sea only a few centuries ago) on a path that gets steeper as you go up, and the ground under your feet is actual lava, dark and crumbly and still warm in places. At the top, the crater opens in front of you. Your guide points out the sulfur vents, the yellow deposits, the way the rock is still being shaped by what's underneath. You can walk the rim, take photos, stand in a place that most people only see in documentaries.

Then you get back on the boat and head to the thermal springs. The water is cloudy and warm, around 37 degrees Celsius, and smells like sulfur in a way that's not unpleasant once you're in it. They give you foam noodles to float on, and you drift in water that the volcano itself is heating. It's the kind of thing that sounds strange until you're actually doing it, and then it makes complete sense. After you've had enough, the boat takes you to Thirassia, the quieter island across the water, where you get free time to walk around the village of Manolas. There are stairs (a lot of them) or you can ride a donkey if you'd rather not climb.

The whole thing is a half-day cruise with a multilingual guide, so you're not spending your entire day on the water. You get picked up from a point near your hotel, dropped back when it's done, and the boat itself is a traditional Greek caique, which means it moves at a pace that lets you actually see what you're looking at instead of rushing through it. The audio commentary plays while you're traveling between stops, so the waiting time is when you're learning about what you're about to see.

What’s included

• Stop at Santorini's active volcano with guided crater walk.
• swim in naturally heated thermal sulfur waters with foam noodles provided.
• free time to explore Thirassia island and the village of Manolas.
• multilingual guide throughout.
• audio commentary on the boat.
• roundtrip hotel pickup (if option selected).
• all entry fees and boat transport.

Options for this experience

5 options

VHT English09:45Pickup is included

VHT French09:45Pickup is included

VHT Spanish09:45Pickup is included

See 2 more options

VHT Italian09:45Pickup is included

VHT German09:45Pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:45Last departure this season: 7 Nov

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by NST Santorini Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the volcano and thermal springs without arranging separate boat tickets and timing. The fixed schedule handles the logistics, and the morning timing gets you back with the afternoon free.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): 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.

How long is the cruise?

It's a half-day morning tour. The exact duration depends on your hotel location and pickup time, but the boat portion itself covers three main stops: the volcano, the thermal springs, and Thirassia.

Is swimming in the sulfur water safe?

Yes. The thermal springs are a natural feature of the volcano and are visited regularly. You'll be given foam noodles to help you float, and the water temperature is warm but not dangerous.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

No. The noodles keep you afloat, and you're in a designated swimming area. The boat stays nearby, and staff are present during the swim.

What's the walk up the volcano like?

It's an ascending path with moderate walking involved. The ground is uneven lava, and it gets steeper as you climb, but it's not a technical hike. Most people manage it at a steady pace.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, if you select that option. Roundtrip bus transfer from a pickup point nearest your hotel is available.

What should I bring?

Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water. The sulfur smell washes off, but you may want to bring a change of clothes or rinse off at your hotel afterward.

Is this tour suitable if I have mobility issues?

The tour involves climbing uneven volcanic terrain and swimming, so it's not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair. There are stairs on Thirassia as well, though a donkey ride is an alternative.