Thirassia: The Island Across the Caldera from Oia

What is on Thirassia

The main village is Manolas, on the cliff top facing Santorini, with 140 residents in Wikipedia's village figures. Potamos and Agrilia are smaller villages inland. The island has two harbours: Riva, also called Agia Irini, on the north coast, which is the main port, and Korfos, a small harbour at the foot of the cliff below Manolas. Korfos has no road. From the quay a stepped path climbs to Manolas; sources count the steps differently, from about 180 to 270, so expect a steady climb of a few hundred steps.

How do you get to Thirassia from Santorini?

Three ways. The shortest is the small boat from Ammoudi, the harbour below Oia, which runs daily to both Riva and Korfos; Ferryhopper puts the crossing at 10 to 45 minutes depending on the boat. Larger ferries call from Athinios port weekly and are the only way to bring a vehicle. The third way is a cruise that stops there, which is what most visitors do, because it combines the island with the volcano and the hot springs in one ticket.

Which cruises stop at Thirassia

Only one of them gives you real time ashore. The rest stop in the bay for a swim or sail past Manolas.

• Volcano, Thirassia and Oia full day, from $64 — Free time on Thirassia to swim, eat or walk up to Manolas, after the volcano and the hot springs. Twelve hours in all, with the sunset in Oia from land. Meals are not included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
• Volcano and hot springs cruise, from $34 — The morning 6-hour cruise from Athinios adds a swim stop in a Thirassia bay, weather permitting. The shorter options skip it. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
• Traditional wooden boat, from $112 — A swim and snorkel stop at Thirassia after the hot springs, on a boat of up to 10 guests. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
• Private catamaran, from $129 per person — Starts at Ammoudi and visits Thirassia for a swim with the view of Manolas, then the hot springs. Up to 15 people, your group only. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
• Self-drive boat rental, from $291 per boat — Thirassia is among the places the listing suggests for a swim. Up to 5 people, no licence needed. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Is Thirassia worth visiting?

It depends on what you want from it. With 249 residents, Thirassia is a working village island, not a resort, and that is the reason to go: a cliff-top village, a swim, a taverna lunch. Reviews of the full-day trip single out the swim between the volcanic islands and the restaurant tips for Thirassia. If you only have one day for boats, take the island as part of a cruise. If you have a spare afternoon in Oia, the boat from Ammoudi is the independent way across.

Ferry or cruise?

The local boat gets you to Thirassia and nothing else, on its own timetable, and you have to get down to Ammoudi first: the steps from Oia, or a taxi, which Santorini Dave lists at a fixed €10. A cruise collects you near your hotel, adds the volcano and the hot springs, and brings you back. If all three are on your list, the full-day trip at $64 covers them in one ticket.