The caldera by boat
Nea Kameni volcano, the hot springs and Thirassia, seen from the water.
Duration
5 hrs – 8 hrs
Difficulty
●●○○○
Best time
Late afternoon departure
Open
Every day
Entry price
To confirm
The caldera is what is left of the island after the Minoan eruption: a crater twelve kilometres by seven, flooded by the sea, with cliffs up to three hundred metres. You only grasp its scale from inside it.
The standard trip strings together three stops: the climb to the crater of Nea Kameni, a cone of black lava still steaming in places; the hot springs of Palea Kameni, swum to from the boat in iron-rich water; and the island of Thirassia, severed by the eruption and still rural.
Getting there
Departures from Athinios port or Fira's old port, at the foot of the cable car. Getting down to the old port is by cable car, on foot or by donkey.
What the price covers
paid trip from Athinios or Ammoudi harbour; rates vary by operator
What to bring
- Walking shoes
- Swimsuit
- Cap
Rules on site
The hot springs are iron-laden and stain light swimwear permanently: wear an old one. The Nea Kameni climb is over sharp scoria in full sun — closed shoes are required.
Other places in Santorini
- Oia and its sunsetWhitewashed houses stepping down the cliff, blue domes above the caldera.
- Akrotiri archaeological siteA Minoan town buried by the eruption, its streets and multi-storey houses intact.
- Fira to Oia trailTen kilometres of ridge above the caldera, linking the two villages.
- Red BeachDark red sand and cliffs at the foot of old volcanic flows.