From Old Port:Volcanic Islands Boat Trip & Hot Spring Visit

Santorini’s volcanic heart is only 15 minutes away. This three-hour boat trip from Fira’s Old Port combines a walk across Nea Kameni with a swim near Palea Kameni, giving you a quick look at the forces that shaped Santorini. I like the clear mix of outdoor activity and sea time, and I like that the main volcano visit lasts about 90 minutes rather than feeling rushed.

The main drawback is the extra cost. The advertised $35 price does not include the €5 volcano entrance fee or the cable car, which costs €10 each way. I also like the boat ride and the views, but you should not expect a truly hot bath at every time of year. The water can be only slightly warmer than the sea.

The tour leaves daily at 11:00 or 14:15 from the Old Port of Fira, also called Gialos. You will need to reach the port by cable car or by walking down 587 steps. Bring a towel, sturdy shoes, water, and realistic expectations about the swimming stop.

Key points to know before you book

• Nea Kameni gets the most time: You have around 1 hour and 30 minutes to follow the trail toward the volcanic craters.
• The hot springs are warm, not guaranteed hot: Water temperature changes with the season and can disappoint if you expect a steaming soak.
• The cable car changes the real price: Add €20 for a return ride unless you walk the steep route.
• A €5 volcano fee is separate: Keep cash or payment ready for this extra charge.
• Swimming requires strength: The boat does not take you directly to the shore, so reaching the thermal water involves a long swim.
• The boat ride is part of the reward: The short crossing gives you fine views of the caldera cliffs and volcanic islands.

Reaching Fira’s Old Port below the cliffs

The meeting point is at the Santo Star travel office beside the Old Port. You collect your ticket there and receive final instructions before boarding. The port sits far below Fira, so allow time for the descent, especially if you are traveling during a busy part of the day.

The cable car takes about three minutes and costs €10 per person each way. That means a return ride adds €20 to the cost of the outing. You can also walk down 587 steps, but the route is steep and can be hard on the knees. The condition of the steps and access can vary, so do not assume that walking back up will always be available or comfortable.

The descent itself is part of the Santorini experience. You get broad views over the caldera, white cave houses clinging to the cliffs, and the small harbor tucked under the volcanic wall. Still, you should treat the cable car as a real part of the budget, not a minor detail.

The boat leaves at either 11:00 in the morning or 14:15 in the afternoon. Check the timing carefully against your plans in Fira, since the cable car queue can affect how long the trip to the port takes.

The 15-minute crossing through the caldera

Once aboard, the boat heads across the water toward the volcanic islands. The ride to the volcano bay takes about 15 minutes, so this is not a long cruise. Its value comes from the setting: you are moving through the caldera toward dark volcanic islands formed by eruptions over many years.

The boat ride received especially positive comments for its scenery and general feel. I can see why. It gives you a different angle on Santorini than the usual cliffside viewpoints, with Fira above you and the rough volcanic slopes close to the water.

Do not expect a luxury cruise or a long open-sea voyage. This is transportation to the walking and swimming stops. That is perfectly fine for the price, as long as you think of the boat as a practical part of a volcano excursion.

Walking Nea Kameni’s volcanic craters

The main stop is Nea Kameni, where you have approximately 90 minutes. You can follow the trail toward the top and see the active craters at close range. The route brings you across bare volcanic ground rather than through shaded paths or green countryside.

The appeal is geological. Santorini is not only a pretty collection of white buildings over blue water. Its identity comes from a huge volcanic eruption and the caldera left behind. On Nea Kameni, you get a direct look at that story through the dark rock, dry slopes, crater formations, and signs of continuing volcanic activity.

You should wear proper shoes. Even though the walk is not described as a technical hike, loose volcanic ground and uneven footing can make sandals awkward. Bring water, since the stop lasts long enough for a proper walk and the exposed setting offers little shelter from the sun.

The walk ends with scenic views back across the caldera. This is likely to be the strongest part of the outing for anyone who enjoys geology, photography, or the feeling of walking on unusual ground. It is less impressive if you expect a dramatic eruption or a mountain covered in steaming vents. The volcano is quiet during the visit, and the attraction is the setting and crater trail.

The volcano entrance fee is €5 and is not included in the tour price. That extra charge is small, but it should be part of your calculation. With the boat trip, cable car, and entrance fee, the experience costs noticeably more than the initial $35 figure suggests.

Swimming at Palea Kameni’s Agios Nikolaos bay

After Nea Kameni, the boat continues to Palea Kameni, where the hot springs are located. The stop lasts about 30 minutes at the small bay of Agios Nikolaos. The water temperature varies by season, but it is generally warmer than the surrounding sea.

The key phrase is warmer than the sea, not hot like a spa. A late autumn visit may produce water that feels only mildly warm, and one recent October experience found the springs disappointing for exactly that reason. The volcanic water is still an unusual part of the trip, but you should not book this solely for a guaranteed hot bath.

You also need to be a strong and capable swimmer. The boat remains offshore, and reaching the shore requires a long swim. That makes the stop unsuitable for anyone who is not confident in open water. It also means the swimming portion may not appeal to every person in your group.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not supplied, and the boat returns to Fira after the swim. A small dry bag could also help protect valuables, although one is not listed as required. The provided information specifically says pets are not allowed.

The short swimming stop works best for people who enjoy a quick, unusual sea experience and do not need a long time in the water. If you prefer a calm beach visit with easy access from the boat, this is not that kind of stop.

What the schedule really gives you

The total duration is about three hours. In practical terms, the day breaks down like this:

• About 15 minutes by boat to the volcano bay
• Around 1 hour and 30 minutes on Nea Kameni
• About 30 minutes at the Palea Kameni thermal waters
• The remaining time for boarding, moving between stops, and returning to Fira

That is a good amount of time for a compact introduction to Santorini’s volcanic side. You get enough time to walk the crater trail without giving up an entire day.

The broad description may suggest a visit to Thirassia village, but the practical schedule centers on Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni. Do not plan on a separate village visit to Thirassia during this three-hour outing unless the operator confirms a change.

The morning departure gives you more of the day afterward. The afternoon departure may suit you if you want a slower start, but it leaves less daylight for other plans. Both options use the same basic route.

What $35 really buys you

At $35 per person, the base price is appealing for a three-hour boat trip with two distinctive stops. It is especially reasonable if you already plan to reach the Old Port and you are comfortable with the included walking and swimming format.

The real cost needs a closer look:

• Tour price: $35 per person
• Volcano entrance: €5 per person
• Return cable car: €20 per person
• Towel: bring your own

That makes the cable car the biggest extra. You could walk the 587 steps instead, but the route is steep and not an easy substitute for everyone. One practical warning is important: do not count on being able to walk back up if access is closed or conditions make the route unsuitable.

The cost feels fair if you value the boat ride, the caldera views, and the chance to walk on Nea Kameni. It feels less attractive if you mainly want a hot swim, since the water may not be very warm and the swimming period lasts only 30 minutes.

The trip has a 4.4 rating from 195 reviews, which fits the experience well: generally enjoyable, scenic, and worthwhile, but with clear limits around extra fees and water temperature.

The best fit for this Santorini outing

I would suggest this trip to you if you want a short active excursion that gets you away from Fira’s streets. It suits people who enjoy geology, exposed walking trails, boat views, and a quick swim.

It is also a good choice for a first visit when you want to understand why Santorini looks the way it does. The caldera is not just a backdrop for photographs. Nea Kameni lets you see the volcanic material at close range, while Palea Kameni connects the island’s geology with warm mineral water.

You may want to skip it if you dislike steep paths, strong sun, uneven ground, or open-water swimming. The hot springs are not a conventional spa, and the boat cannot carry you directly to a shallow beach for an easy paddle.

Families and mixed groups should discuss the swimming stop in advance. The volcano walk and the thermal swim are separate parts of the trip, but the swimming requirement is significant. A person who does not swim strongly may need to remain on the boat.

Practical tips for a smoother trip

Wear shoes that can handle uneven volcanic ground. Flip-flops may be fine on the boat, but they are not the best choice for the crater trail.

Carry water, sunscreen, a hat, and a towel. The trail is exposed, and the swimming stop leaves you wet for the return journey.

Budget in euros for the €5 entrance fee and the €20 return cable car. The initial $35 price is only one part of the outing’s cost.

Arrive at the Santo Star office at the Old Port with enough time to collect your ticket and hear the boarding instructions. The port is below Fira, and getting there takes planning.

If you are choosing between the two departure times, pick 11:00 if you want the afternoon free. Pick 14:15 if your morning is busy and you prefer a later start. The tour is conducted in English with a live guide.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. Those terms are useful if your Santorini plans may shift, but they do not change the extra transport and entrance costs.

Should you book this volcano boat trip?

Book it if you want a compact, scenic look at Santorini’s volcanic islands and you are happy with a real walk plus a demanding swim. The boat ride and Nea Kameni trail are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if your main goal is a guaranteed hot spring or an easy beach day. The water may be only mildly warm, and reaching the thermal bay requires strong swimming.

For most active visitors, this is a good-value half-day outing once you budget honestly for the cable car and €5 entrance fee. Treat it as a volcano walk with a short thermal-water stop, not as a spa cruise, and the experience is more likely to meet your expectations.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Santorini Old Harbor, also called Gialos, below Fira. Meet at the Santo Star travel office beside the port to collect your ticket and receive instructions.

How long is the boat trip?

The complete experience lasts about three hours. The boat ride to the volcano bay takes approximately 15 minutes.

What departure times are available?

Daily departures are listed at 11:00 and 14:15.

How do I get to the Old Port?

You can take the cable car from Fira, which takes about three minutes, or walk down 587 steps.

How much does the cable car cost?

The cable car costs €10 per person each way. A return trip costs €20 per person and is not included in the tour price.

Is the volcano entrance included?

No. The volcano entrance fee is €5 per person and must be paid separately.

How much time do I have on Nea Kameni?

You have approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes at the volcano, including time to follow the trail toward the craters.

How long is the hot spring stop?

The boat stays at Palea Kameni for about 30 minutes.

Are the hot springs very hot?

The water temperature changes with the season. It is generally warmer than the surrounding sea, but it may not feel truly hot.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

Yes. Anyone who swims at the hot springs must be a strong and skilled swimmer because you need to swim a long distance to reach the shore.