Volcano and Hot Springs Trip
This is the most popular boat trip organized in Santorini and refers to visit of the small volcanic islands of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni. All boats depart from the port of Fira but you can buy tickets from any travel agency on the island which also provide bus transport to the capital in the day of the trip. There are various kinds of trips offered and they can be only to the volcano and the springs or they can include also a visit to Thirasia and Oia.
The boat departs from Fira in the morning and the first stop is Nea Kameni. There is a guide who will tell you interesting facts about the caldera and the volcano and will take you to the top of it to see the craters. The hike on the volcano will take about one hour and a half.
The next stop is the island of Palea Kameni. The springs are not hot as their name suggests. As a result of the volcanic activity, the water on one side of Palea Kameni is warm and rich in sulfur which makes the water color orange and muddy. The boat stops about 50 meters away from the island and you have to swim to the springs (if you can`t swim, you have to stay on the boat). The closer you go, the warmer the water gets but it never gets hot. The sea floor around the shore is shallow but it is very rocky and slippery, making it hard to walk on it. You will have about 30-40 min to swim to the springs and go back to the boat.
If the route includes Thirasia and Oia as well, you will be back to Fira in the afternoon or in the evening.
Tips:
- Bring yourself comfortable shoes and hat for the volcano hike as you will spend a lot of time walking on a rough terrain under the sun
- Although not poisonous, the water of the hot springs has a very bad metallic taste - try not to swallow it
- The sulfur in the springs may color your swimming suit if it is light colored, as well as your towel
Photos
Address and contacts
highlights: organized boat trip with a guide, entertainment in Santorini, Cyclades Islands, Greece