Most visitors book a catamaran. Fewer know that the traditional boat from the old port does six hours for around €25–30 a person — and takes you places the catamarans don't stop. If you want a full day on the water without the €70+ price tag, this is the one.
Volcano & Hot Springs
Santorini Volcano & Hot Springs Tour
Six hours on the water for around €25–30 — the crater, the warm springs, Thirassia and the sunset from sea level.
Last updated: July 2026
Hour by Hour
What the day looks like
You leave from the old port below Fira, on a traditional wooden boat rather than a catamaran. First stop is Nea Kameni, the volcanic islet sitting in the middle of the caldera. You walk up to the crater with a guide — the ground is black volcanic rock, still warm in places, and the view from the top takes in the whole caldera and the villages strung along the cliff edge above.
Back on the boat, you anchor off the hot springs and swim in. The water is sulfur-rich and noticeably warmer than the sea around it, and it turns a rusty orange where the thermal water meets the cold. Wear something you don't mind staining — the sulfur marks light swimwear.
Then across to Thirassia, the small island opposite that almost nobody visits. You get free time to explore and eat lunch at one of the tavernas by the water. It's quiet, unpolished, and feels like Santorini did decades ago.
The day finishes with the sunset from sea level, watched from the boat, with the caldera cliffs glowing above you.
What You Get
What's included
A live guide in English throughout, the volcano hike, the hot springs swim, free time on Thirassia and the sunset from the water. Lunch is usually paid separately at a Thirassia taverna — which is part of the appeal, since you're eating in a village, not on a boat.
Volcano Hike
Nea Kameni crater with a guide
Hot Springs
Swim in the warm sulfur water
Thirassia
Free time and lunch on the quiet island
Sunset
From sea level, from the boat
Book It
Book the volcano and hot springs tour
Which to Book
Volcano tour or catamaran?
Different days, both worth doing. The catamaran is €70+ and built around swimming, hidden beaches, lunch on board and an open bar. The volcano tour is €25–30 and built around actually seeing things — the crater, the hot springs, another island.
If you want to lie on a deck with a drink, take the catamaran. If you want the caldera explained to you by someone who knows it, and the cheapest proper full day on the water, take this one.
Before You Book
Worth knowing
Proper shoes
Loose volcanic rock, not a path. Skip the sandals.
Water & a hat
No shade on Nea Kameni and the black rock holds heat.
Confident swimmer
The hot springs mean getting into open water off the boat.
Bring cash
For lunch at the Thirassia taverna.
Six hours, around €25–30, and you come back having actually stood on a volcano. Best value day on the island.
Good To Know
Frequently asked questions
The traditional volcano and hot springs boat tour from the old port costs around €25–30 per person for roughly six hours, making it the best-value full day on the water. Lunch on Thirassia is usually paid separately.
A guided hike up the Nea Kameni volcano crater, a swim in the sulfur hot springs, free time and lunch on Thirassia island, an English-speaking guide, and the sunset watched from the boat at sea level.
Yes. The boat anchors off the hot springs and you swim in from the sea. The water is warm and sulfur-rich and turns a rusty orange colour, so avoid light swimwear as the sulfur can stain it. You should be a confident swimmer as you enter from open water.
They are different days. The catamaran, from around €70, is built around swimming, beaches, lunch and an open bar. The volcano tour, at €25–30, is built around seeing the crater, the hot springs and Thirassia island, and is the cheaper option.
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