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

Volcanic scenery comes with a little grit. This three-hour boat trip from Fira’s Old Port gives you two very different Santorini experiences: a walk across the black volcanic slopes of Nea Kameni and a swim beside the warm waters of Palea Kameni. I especially like the clear split between active geology and a short sea bath, plus the excellent views from the boat as you move through the caldera.

The Nea Kameni hike is the real prize for me. You get about 90 minutes to walk toward the craters, take photos, and look across Santorini’s steep cliffs from the water. The boat ride itself is also a pleasure, and the two main stops feel worthwhile for the basic $35 fare.

The main catch is the extra cost and the swimming conditions. You need to add the €5 volcano entrance fee and usually €20 for the cable car return trip. The hot springs are warm rather than reliably hot, and reaching the shore requires a long swim, so you must be a strong, confident swimmer.

Key points at a glance

• A 15-minute boat ride from Fira’s Old Port quickly carries you into the volcanic caldera.
• Nea Kameni gets 1 hour and 30 minutes, enough time for the uphill trail and crater views without a rushed stop.
• Palea Kameni’s bathing stop lasts about 30 minutes, but the water may feel only mildly warm, especially outside the warmer months.
• The full practical cost is higher than $35, once you add the €5 volcano fee and cable car fares.
• The Old Port requires effort, with either a €10 cable car ride each way or a steep descent and climb of 587 steps.
• This trip suits active sightseers and strong swimmers, not anyone looking for a long, gentle cruise or a guaranteed hot bath.

Reaching the Old Port below Fira

The trip begins at Santorini’s Old Harbor, also called Gialos, directly below Fira. You collect your ticket and final instructions at the Santo Star travel office near the port before boarding.

Getting there is part of the experience, but it is not a minor detail. The cable car takes about three minutes and costs €10 per person each way. Walking means using 587 steps, and the route is steep. The descent gives you fine views of the caldera and Fira’s cliffside cave houses, but the climb back can be demanding.

One important practical point: do not assume the stairs will always be available for the return. A recent booking account described the stairs as closed, leaving the cable car as the only practical choice. For most people, I would budget for the cable car both ways and treat the €20 as part of the trip cost.

At the bottom, the port sits under tall volcanic cliffs. You will find the guide near the office, where you receive boarding information. The tour is offered in English, with departures at 11:00 in the morning and 14:15 in the afternoon.

The boat ride into Santorini’s volcanic caldera

The first boat crossing takes about 15 minutes. That is short, but it gives you an immediate change of scene. Fira’s white buildings and cliff edge begin to recede, while the dark volcanic islands come into view.

I like this part because the transport is also sightseeing. You are not simply being moved from one stop to another. The boat places you in the middle of the caldera, where Santorini’s shape makes more sense: steep cliffs around a water-filled volcanic basin, with Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni near the center.

The boat ride has received some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. It is a pleasant way to see the island from below, especially if you have already spent time walking Fira’s upper streets. Bring a hat and sunscreen, since the volcanic islands offer little shade on land and the open water can make the sun feel stronger.

The exact boat size and group capacity are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a small private sailing. It is a shared excursion with a set schedule.

Nea Kameni: 90 minutes among active craters

Nea Kameni is the main sightseeing stop. The boat remains here for about an hour and a half, giving you time to follow the trail toward the summit and view the active craters at close range.

This is not a polished park with paved paths and comfortable facilities. It is a rough volcanic island, and the walk includes an uphill trail over dark ground. Wear sturdy shoes with a good grip. Sandals may be fine for the boat, but they are a poor choice for uneven volcanic paths.

The word active can sound dramatic, but the appeal here is geological rather than theatrical. You will not find a mountain erupting in front of you. Instead, you see the crater area, volcanic earth, and the evidence of eruptions that shaped the islands. The setting feels stark and exposed, with wide views across the caldera and back toward Santorini.

The 90-minute stop is generous enough for different walking speeds. You can push toward the higher viewpoint, take photos, and return to the boat without having to sprint. If you prefer not to walk all the way up, you can remain closer to the landing area, but the best views come from following the trail.

The volcanic island itself may not impress everyone equally. One recent French visitor felt that the volcano was less remarkable than expected, describing the walk and the final view as more rewarding than the crater itself. That is fair. The value lies in the setting and the chance to walk on a young volcanic island, not in a dramatic spectacle.

This stop works best if you enjoy natural sights that need a little interpretation. The guide provides information in English, but the supplied details do not name the guide or explain how long the commentary lasts. Pay attention before setting out, and ask questions if you want more context about the craters.

Palea Kameni and the hot spring swim

After Nea Kameni, the boat heads to Palea Kameni and the small bay of Agios Nikolaos. The boat stays for about 30 minutes, allowing time for a swim in the thermal waters.

This is the relaxing part of the trip in theory, though it requires more effort than the word relaxing suggests. You must swim a long distance to reach the shore, and the tour’s own safety advice says only strong and skilled swimmers should attempt it.

The water temperature changes with the season and is generally warmer than the surrounding sea. It is not guaranteed to feel hot. In late October, one recent participant found the water disappointing because it was not actually hot. That does not mean the stop has no value, but you should set your expectations correctly: think warm volcanic seawater, not a steaming spa pool.

The 30-minute limit is enough for a swim and a quick rinse in the sea, but not for a long soak. If you are not a confident swimmer, you can remain on the boat and enjoy the view. Towels are not provided, so bring your own. A small waterproof bag for wet swimwear would also be sensible, though it is not listed as a required item.

The mud baths associated with the area are part of the volcanic setting, but the supplied details do not promise a separate mud treatment or a dedicated mud-bath session. Do not book this expecting a full spa visit. It is a short outdoor swim beside the volcanic shore.

What the $35 price really covers

The advertised price is $35 per person. At first glance, that is a fair rate for three hours of boat transport, a 90-minute volcano visit, and a 30-minute thermal-water stop.

The important phrase is advertised price. The volcano charges a €5 entrance fee, and the cable car costs €10 each way. If you use the cable car both ways, you are looking at $35 plus €25 in additional charges, before considering towels or other personal costs.

That makes the trip feel closer to a €55-or-equivalent outing in practical terms, depending on the booking price and exchange rate. One French participant specifically felt frustrated that the added costs were not clear enough at the start. I understand the complaint. The tour is not necessarily poor value, but you should calculate the complete cost before booking.

For that total, you receive three distinct pieces:

• A boat ride through the caldera
• A substantial volcanic-island walk
• A short swim near the thermal waters

The boat ride and Nea Kameni stop provide the most dependable value. The hot spring stop depends heavily on the season, your swimming ability, and your definition of hot. In October, fewer people may want to enter the water, and the temperature may feel less impressive.

Choosing the morning or afternoon departure

The tour runs at 11:00 and 14:15. The morning departure gives you more of the day afterward, while the afternoon option can fit better around a morning in Fira.

Neither departure is automatically better from the information available. The weather and season will affect how pleasant the swim feels. In cooler months, the later departure may not make the water more appealing, while a bright afternoon can provide attractive light for photographs from the boat.

Build in time to reach the Old Port. If you take the cable car, queues may affect your schedule, although no specific wait time is provided. If you walk, allow extra energy for the climb down and back up. Do not arrive at the last minute, especially for the 14:15 departure.

The entire activity lasts about three hours once the boat leaves. The description does not include time spent waiting for the cable car, collecting your ticket, or boarding, so keep those separate from the advertised duration.

Who will enjoy this excursion most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a compact introduction to Santorini’s volcanic core. It gives you a clear sense of place in a half day, without requiring a full-day cruise.

It is particularly suitable for:

• People who enjoy short hikes and natural geology
• Visitors who want caldera views from the water
• Strong swimmers interested in a brief thermal-water stop
• Anyone staying in Fira who wants a trip from the Old Port
• Visitors comfortable with extra transport and entrance fees

I would hesitate if you want a quiet luxury cruise, a fully heated bath, or an easy shore excursion with no steep walking. The hike is manageable for many people, but the terrain is volcanic and exposed. The swim is not suitable for weak swimmers, and there is no promise that the water will feel hot.

Families should think about the children’s walking ability and swimming skills. Pets are not allowed.

Small details that improve the day

Bring a towel, water, sun protection, and shoes suitable for rough walking. The only officially required item listed is a towel, but the volcanic trail makes practical footwear a smart choice.

Keep your expectations focused. Nea Kameni is interesting because you are walking through a volcanic area with active craters, not because it looks like a landscaped park. Palea Kameni is appealing because of the unusual setting and warmer water, not because it guarantees a hot bath.

If you want to swim, stay aware of the long distance to shore. The boat remains there for around 30 minutes, and that time passes quickly once you enter the water. If the conditions feel uncomfortable, staying aboard is the sensible choice.

The English-speaking guide will provide instructions before boarding. Listen carefully, since the guide’s briefing is especially useful for understanding where to walk and how to return to the boat on time.

Should you book the Santorini volcano and hot springs trip?

Book it if you want the best-value short outing to Santorini’s volcanic islands and you are happy with a basic shared boat trip. The Nea Kameni walk and caldera views are the most reliable reasons to go. The thermal-water stop adds variety, but treat it as a bonus rather than the central event.

Before paying, add €5 for the volcano and up to €20 for the cable car. If that full cost still feels fair, this is a worthwhile three-hour addition to a Fira stay.

Skip it if your main goal is a truly hot spring, a long swim, or a polished cruise. For confident walkers and swimmers, though, it offers a good look at the volcanic side of Santorini in a compact package.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

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

How do I reach the Old Port from Fira?

You can take the cable car, which takes about three minutes and costs €10 per person each way. You can also walk down 587 steps, although the route is steep.

What departure times are available?

Departures are scheduled daily at 11:00 and 14:15.

How long is the experience?

The boat trip lasts about three hours. The Nea Kameni visit takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the hot spring stop takes about 30 minutes.

Is the volcano entrance fee included?

No. The volcano entrance fee is €5 per person.

Is the cable car included in the tour price?

No. The cable car costs €10 per person each way.

Is the hot spring water always hot?

No. The temperature varies by season and is generally warmer than the surrounding sea. It may feel only mildly warm rather than hot.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

Yes, if you plan to swim at the hot springs. You must swim a long distance to reach the shore, and the safety information recommends the swim only for strong and skilled swimmers.