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

Volcanic rock, warm water, big views. This three-hour trip gives you two clear reasons to go: I like the close look at Nea Kameni’s rough craters, and I like the chance to swim near Palea Kameni’s thermal waters. The main drawback is cost transparency. The advertised $35 price does not include the €5 volcano fee or the cable car needed by many people to reach the port.

The trip is simple and well paced, with about 90 minutes at the volcano and 30 minutes at the hot springs. I also like that the boat ride begins at Fira’s old harbor, below the cliffs, although reaching that harbor can add €20 for a cable car round trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Nea Kameni gets the most time: You have about 1 hour and 30 minutes for the volcanic island, including the walk toward the craters and time for views.
• The hot spring water is only warmer than the sea: Seasonal conditions matter, and it may feel lukewarm rather than hot.
• The swim requires real ability: You must swim a long distance from the boat to reach the shore area, so strong swimming skills are essential.
• The old port costs extra to reach: The cable car is €10 per person each way, or you can use the 587 steps on foot.
• The $35 fare is not the final price: Add €5 for the volcano entrance, plus the port transfer if you use the cable car.
• English guidance is provided: Guides meet you at the old port near the Santo Star travel office before boarding.

Starting Below Fira at the Old Harbor

The trip begins at Santorini Old Harbor, also called Gialos, directly beneath Fira. This is a scenic starting point, but getting there is part of the planning. You can take the cable car, which takes about three minutes and costs €10 each way, or walk down 587 steps.

The walk offers fine views of the caldera and the white cave houses clinging to the cliffs. Still, the route is steep, and returning uphill can be a hard finish after a boat trip and volcanic hike. The cable car is the practical choice for many people, especially if you are carrying swimming gear or do not want to depend on the condition of the steps.

The meeting point is near the Santo Star travel office at the port. You collect your ticket there and receive final instructions before boarding. Departures are scheduled at 11:00 in the morning and 14:15 in the afternoon, so check the time carefully when you book.

The old port can be crowded with boats and people moving between shore and Fira. Give yourself enough time to get down, find the office, and avoid turning the start of the excursion into a race. Your guide will be waiting at the harbor to help with boarding and explain the day.

The 15-Minute Crossing to Nea Kameni

The boat ride to the volcano takes about 15 minutes. That short crossing gives you a useful change of scene. Fira’s white buildings begin to feel distant, and the dark volcanic islands take over the view.

The trip is not mainly about luxury boating or a long cruise. It is a practical transfer to the two stops. That is part of the appeal for me. You spend most of the three-hour schedule on the islands rather than sitting on the water for half the day.

The caldera cliffs around Santorini show the scale of the volcanic setting. From the boat, you can see how the islands and bays were shaped by eruptions over time. The scenery does much of the work here, so keep your camera ready during the crossing and while approaching Nea Kameni.

Hiking Nea Kameni for 90 Minutes

Nea Kameni is the main stop, and the tour allows about 1 hour and 30 minutes there. You can follow the trail toward the top and see the volcanic craters at close range. This is not a polished park walk. Expect exposed volcanic ground, open views, and a setting that feels bare and otherworldly.

I like the amount of time given here. Ninety minutes is long enough to walk the trail, pause for photographs, and look closely at the crater area without turning the stop into an all-day hike. It also gives you some freedom to set your own pace within the group’s schedule.

The hike is the most active part of the outing. You should bring sturdy footwear rather than treating this like a quick stroll from the boat. The supplied information does not give a trail length or elevation figure, so do not plan around a precise hiking distance. Instead, expect a volcanic walk with uneven ground and sun exposure.

The craters are called active, but this is not a dramatic eruption show. The attraction is the physical evidence of volcanic activity: dark earth, crater shapes, and the sight of an island still marked by its geological forces. One recent comment described the walk and the final view as attractive but found the volcano itself less impressive than expected. That is a fair warning. If you want a major museum-style attraction or a spectacular crater event, this may feel modest. If you enjoy seeing unusual natural places up close, it earns its place in a Santorini day.

Bring water, a hat, and sun protection, even though only a towel is specifically listed as required gear. A towel is useful for the later swim, but it does not help much on the volcanic trail. You will get more from this stop if you focus on the setting rather than expecting a long guided lecture.

Palea Kameni and the Agios Nikolaos Hot Springs

After Nea Kameni, the boat heads to Palea Kameni, where the hot springs are located in the small bay of Agios Nikolaos. The boat stays for about 30 minutes.

This stop is best understood as a short swim near volcanic water, not a long spa visit. The water is generally warmer than the surrounding sea currents, but the temperature changes with the season. In October, one person found the water not actually hot, and that is an important expectation to set. The name hot springs can suggest a warm bath. The reality may be closer to a mild natural swimming area.

There is also a physical catch. If you choose to swim, you must be a strong and capable swimmer because you need to cover a long distance to reach the shore. The boat does not simply place you beside a shallow pool where everyone can step in. If you are not confident in open-water swimming, it is sensible to remain on the boat and enjoy the view.

The mud baths are associated with the volcanic waters, but the time available is limited. Thirty minutes passes quickly once people enter the water, swim, and return to the boat. Bring a towel, as none is included. Pets are not allowed.

For me, the hot spring stop works best as a pleasant contrast to the hike. You move from dry volcanic ground to a short swim in a small bay. It is not the reason I would book the entire tour on its own, especially if you expect very warm water. It is a bonus that becomes more appealing in hot weather and less tempting in cooler conditions.

What You Actually Pay for This Santorini Trip

The stated tour price is $35 per person. That is a reasonable starting price for a three-hour boat outing with two stops, but it is not the full budget.

The volcano entrance fee is €5. The cable car is €10 per person in each direction, adding €20 for a return trip. If you use the cable car and pay the entrance fee, your additional costs can approach the tour price itself, depending on the exchange rate.

You can walk the 587 steps instead of paying for the cable car. That saves money, but it adds effort and uncertainty. The supplied information says the steps may be closed at times, and one couple found that the return route was not available when they hoped to use it. That means the cable car can become more than a convenience. It may be the only practical option at the end.

This is where the tour could be clearer. I would budget for the activity as a $35 boat trip plus €5 for the volcano and up to €20 for the cable car. Think of it as a roughly half-day outing with a final cost that may be much higher than the headline price.

The value is still fair if you want to see both islands without arranging your own boat. You get a guided departure, transport across the caldera, time for the volcano trail, and a swim stop. The value is weaker if you only want a brief boat ride or if you plan to skip the swim and feel the volcano entrance should be included.

Timing, Pace, and the Two Departure Choices

The 11:00 departure is useful if you want to start after breakfast and still have much of the day left afterward. The 14:15 departure may suit you if you prefer a slower morning or have other plans before lunch.

The total duration is three hours, but allow extra time for getting to and from the old port. The cable car ride itself is only about three minutes, yet queues and port movement can add time. If you walk, the descent and ascent require much more energy.

The schedule gives Nea Kameni three times as much time as Palea Kameni. That tells you what the trip considers its main event. You are booking a volcano visit with a short thermal-water stop, not a bathing excursion with a quick photo stop at the volcano.

The English-speaking guide should help with instructions and timing. The trip does not list several language options, so English is the language to expect. No guide names are provided, so I would not plan around a particular guide.

Who Will Enjoy This and Who Might Not

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a compact introduction to Santorini’s volcanic center. It suits people who like scenic boat rides, short hikes, geological sights, and a quick swim. It is also useful if you have only a few hours and do not want to arrange separate transport to the islands.

You will probably enjoy it most if you are comfortable with a simple, active format. Walk on rough volcanic ground, return to the boat, then decide if you want an open-water swim. The trip does not try to disguise those basics as a luxury spa day.

I would think twice if you have difficulty with steep steps, uneven paths, or swimming a long distance in open water. The port access alone can be demanding, and the hot spring swim is not suitable for weak swimmers.

The overview refers to Thirassia village, but the detailed schedule provided for this trip lists Santorini Old Harbor, the boat transfer, Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, and the return to Fira. I would not book this outing expecting a separate village visit to Thirassia unless the operator confirms that directly.

Small Details That Make the Day Easier

Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably and pack a towel. Swimwear under your clothes will save time at the hot spring stop, though changing facilities are not specified.

Bring water and sun protection for the volcanic trail. The open setting offers little reason to expect shade. A small bag is easier than bulky luggage when you are moving between the harbor, boat, trail, and water.

Keep some cash or a payment method ready for the €5 volcano fee and the cable car. The biggest practical annoyance is not the amount itself, but discovering these costs after you have already chosen the excursion.

Do not assume the spring will feel hot. Seasonal water conditions can make it only somewhat warmer than the sea. If warm water is your main goal, you may come away disappointed. If you see it as a short swim in a volcanic bay, your expectations will be more realistic.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are useful if your Santorini schedule depends on weather or changing port plans.

Should You Book This Boat Trip?

I would book it if you want the easiest short visit to Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni, and you are comfortable adding the entrance and cable car fees to the advertised price. The boat ride is enjoyable, the volcano receives enough time to feel worthwhile, and the two stops give the outing a good mix of walking and swimming.

I would skip it if you want a hot, relaxing bath, dislike open-water swimming, or are trying to keep the total cost strictly to $35. The water may be only mildly warm, and the port transfer can add a noticeable amount.

The best way to judge this tour is to think of it as a compact volcanic excursion, not a full spa day. Budget honestly, wear good shoes, bring a towel, and treat the swim as optional. With those expectations, it offers a practical and memorable way to see the volcanic islands below Santorini.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip begin?

It begins at Santorini Old Harbor, also called Gialos, below Fira. The ticket and final instructions are collected at the Santo Star travel office at the port.

How do I reach the old harbor?

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

How long does the tour last?

The complete activity lasts about three hours, including the boat transfers, the 1 hour and 30 minute stop at Nea Kameni, the 30 minute hot spring stop, and the return to the old harbor.

Is the volcano entrance included?

No. The volcano entrance fee is €5 per person and is not included in the tour price.

Is the hot spring water very hot?

Not always. The water temperature changes by season, but it 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 enter the water. You must swim a long distance to reach the shore area, so the activity is intended for strong and skilled swimmers.