Santorini Volcano Tour: Crater Hike and Hot Springs

The crater hike on Nea Kameni

The first stop is Nea Kameni, the young volcanic island in the middle of the caldera, and the walk to the crater is the reason most people book. The hike is unguided: you get free time and climb at your own pace on a path of sand, gravel and loose volcanic rock. Three of the 10 recent reviewers call the climb tough or challenging; one calls it easy. All of them say the view from the top is worth it. Wear closed-toe walking shoes, not sandals, and carry water. The listing asks you to bring hiking shoes, a sun hat and a towel. More on the island: Nea Kameni volcano.

• Guiding — None on the trail; the guide gives live commentary on the boat
• Surface — Sand, gravel and loose rock
• Shoes — Closed-toe walking or hiking shoes
• Entrance fee — €5 per person, cash, paid on the island

The €5 volcano entrance fee

Landing on Nea Kameni costs €5 per person, and this ticket does not include it. You pay it in cash on the island, so carry euro coins or small notes. Both the volcano listings this site sells state the same €5. If you stay on the boat and skip the hike, you do not pay it. Budget it alongside the $34 ticket: the real minimum for the crater walk is the ticket plus €5, plus the €2 bus to the port if you take the sunset option without a transfer.

The hot springs swim at Palea Kameni

The springs are a patch of sea off Palea Kameni where volcanic heat warms the water. The listing is clear about what that means. The water is up to 4°C warmer than the open sea, not a heated pool, and the boat stops about 50 m away, so you swim in. The mineral-rich water can stain light swimwear, so wear something dark. The stop lasts about 30 minutes. One recent reviewer swam in October and found the water cold. The operator says not to swim if you have heart disease, a sulfur allergy, are pregnant or are not a confident swimmer; foam noodles are on board. See Santorini hot springs.

Morning cruise, sunset cruise or Oia extension

The listing sells three versions of the same trip. The morning cruise is the full one: Nea Kameni with free time for the crater, the springs, then a swim at Thirassia, back in Athinios at about 16:30. The afternoon sunset cruise leaves Athinios at 16:30 for 4 hours, with no transfer; its volcano stop is about 30 minutes, which is short if you want time at the crater rim. The Oia extension adds a bus from the port to Oia after the morning cruise, with 2 to 3 hours of free time and the sunset, but no guide in Oia.

• Morning cruise — Volcano, springs and Thirassia, back about 16:30; transfer option
• Afternoon sunset cruise — 16:30 departure, 4 hours, about 30 minutes at the volcano, no transfer
• Oia sunset extension — Bus to Oia after the morning cruise, 2 to 3 hours of free time

Thirassia stop and lunch

On the morning cruise the boat stops at Thirassia, the island across the caldera from Oia, for a swim and lunch. Lunch is not included. Four of the 10 recent reviews mention eating at a taverna there and say it was good and fairly priced. You can stay on the beach or walk up to the village on the cliff top, which one reviewer calls worth the climb. The bar on board also sells snacks, drinks and coffee. More on the island: Thirassia.

A big boat, and how the return bus works

This is a large boat: up to 150 guests, with a seat for each. One reviewer guesses about 100 on board and says there was still room to spread out. The guide speaks several languages and repeats key points in each, which 2 reviewers mention. After the cruise, the transfer buses are numbered by area: No. 1 for Imerovigli, Firostefani and Fira; No. 2 for Kamari, Monolithos and Messaria; No. 3 for Megalochori, Akrotiri, Emporio and Perissa; No. 5 for Oia and the Oia extension. Know your number before you step off.