Santorini Volcanic Islands with Hot Springs Cruise

Santorini Volcanic Islands with Hot Springs Cruise provides a stress-free overview of Santorini’s natural and historic beauty, making it ideal for first-time visitors and travelers with limited time. Cruise to the volcanic islands of the Santorini caldera region. Swim in hot springs, admire views from an active volcano, and explore the typical villages of Thirassia and Oia.

Highlights of Santorini Volcanic Islands with Hot Springs Cruise
  • Travel between dispersed Santorini attractions by boat
  • Peer into the crater of an active volcano
  • Swim in volcanic sulfur waters
  • Free time to explore the city of Thirassia on your own
  • Experience a spectacular sunset in Oia
  • Stress-free overview of Santorini highlights
  • A convenient choice for first-time visitors or travelers with limited time

Start this tour from Athinios Port and board your traditional Greek Caique boat, enjoy some free time on each island, and enjoy the fantastic views and charming atmospheres of the typical Greek countryside.

Venture out to the volcano of Santorini. Climb to the top and take in the views before sailing to the warm, sulfuric waters where you can have a dip. Visit Thirassia and enjoy free time to explore before heading back to Santorini, Stress-free overview of Santorini highlights.

A convenient choice for first-time visitors or travelers with limited time Travel between dispersed Santorini attractions by boat. Enjoy free time to explore the island of Thirassia.

Volcano

Your first destination will be the famous volcano of Santorini! After sailing for 20 minutes, we will reach Nea Kameni’s jetty. If you wish to be guided to the volcano, there is an extra cost of 5 euros per person as an entrance fee. Then, walk to the volcano’s ridge with your guide to give you the history and the geology of the volcano. Stay at the volcanic island for approx 1.5 hours and then, you will embark on to the next stop.

Hot Springs


The next stop will be the island of Palaia Kameni, with its famous hot springs located on the west side, popular for their thermal waters. Stop there for approx 30 minutes, just 30 meters from the shallow waters of Agios Nicholaos Beach. Take a dive off the boat and feel the warmth of these extraordinary waters. The waters are also full of sulfur, iron, and other metals coming from the volcano which is very good for the skin, rheumatism, arthritis, and other physical pains.
Important Note: In order to reach Agios Nicholaos Beach, it is essential to have very good swimming skills.

Therasia or Thirassia


After our visit to the hot springs, we will visit the island of Therasia. Therasia is a small part of what Santorini used to be several years ago. Today it is a virgin island, still untouched by tourism and modern lifestyle. The island of Therasia is only 9 sq. km in size and has approximately 300 permanent inhabitants. We will stay there for approx 2 hours, in order to explore this picturesque and traditional village as well as to taste the authentic Santorinian cuisine. Here you will have the chance to walk around the main village of Manolas, which is the capital of Therasia. Enjoy the spectacular view of Santorini from there!

Return


After departing from our last stop, the tour finishes at the old port of Fira. After your disembarkation, if you have already booked a transfer service you will be guided to our bus in order to drive you back to your destination. However, if you have not booked a transfer with us you are free to take your own transport.

Meeting info

If you wish to book your transfers with us, there are pre-defined pick-up/drop-off locations, at convenient central spots in most villages. After the booking, you will be advised of a pick-up location that is closest to your hotel or most convenient for you!

Departure point: Old Port or Athinios port
Departure time: Departure at 10:30, Arrival at 16:30

Departure


The excursion starts from the picturesque old port of Santorini. This port is only accessible by cable car, which is the most common way as it takes only 3 minutes to go down, or you have to descend 587 steps on foot.

Important note:

You have to pay 6€ more per way for the cable car ticket. Gialos, the Old Port, lies below Fira, nestled at the foot of a rocky cliff. You will be surprised by the steep slopes of the Caldera and, finally, the tiny port will appear under these huge rocks and the cave houses that seem to dangle on the cliff. There, the guides of your excursion will be waiting for you, to give you all the important information and to orientate you on the boat. For more information or clarifications, please don’t hesitate to contact our travel agency.

Cancelation Policy for Santorini Volcanic Islands with Hot Springs Cruise
  • For cancelation made at least 3 full days prior to the scheduled day, the whole amount is returned and there will be no additional costs.
  • For cancelation made 3 full days or less prior to the scheduled day, the full payment is not refunded in, the same thing will happen in case of a no-show.

General Information

  • Summer is the driest time but storms can occur year-round. April to October is the best season period to visit. July and August is the best time for partying.
  • Most people visit Santorini during the popular summer high season, but you’ll enjoy the island no matter when you go. From May till August, everything’s open and heaving with holidaymakers. Special events like concerts and exhibitions appeal to the masses. However the months before and after are also rewarding as beaches and tavernas are less thronged yet everything is open and the weather and water temps are lovely.
  • The best time to relax, and visit Santorini is from September to October and April to May when the weather is warm and the crowds are scarce. April and late in October, some businesses may be closed. Like all of the Cyclades, Santorini welcomes the most visitors during the summer, so you’ll need to make your reservations months in advance if you plan on visiting anytime from June through August.
  • Try winter, when room rates tend to plummet. Keep in mind that this season’s average highs only reach the 50s (not good for sunbathing) and the region sees plenty of precipitation. However, all that rain does make for a very flowery (and warm) spring season. Crowds will be at a low in the spring as well, though tourists will begin invading the islands come May.
  • Away from the touristy months from May to October, religious feast days dominate island life with families enjoying day-long outings and festivities.

Below find the key events to pick the perfect time to visit Santorini.

  • January: Feast of Agios Vasilios, Epiphany.
  • February: Carnival is celebrated in Kathara Deftera (the date varies according to when Orthodox Easter Sunday falls).
  • March: Independence Day.
  • April: Greek Orthodox Easter.
  • May: May Day, the Feast day of Agia Theodosia.
  • June: Feast of St John the Baptist.
  • July: Santorini Jazz Festival, Feast day of Agioi Anargyroi.
  • August: Megaron Gyzi Festival, Ifestia Festival, Feast of the Assumption.
  • September: International Music Festival.
  • October: Feast day of Agios Averkios.
  • November: Feast day of Agios Minas.
  • December: Christmas
  • Transfer offered; Travelers pick up/drop off is offered.
  • Pick up from; We will pick you up from any Villa, hotel, suite, or apartment in Santorini island, Santorini’s port, and the yacht marina at the pier!
  • Info needed; When booking, make sure to include the name and address of your accommodation or the name of the cruise line and the cruise ship!
  • Pick-up time; We propose to pick you up at 08:00 am in order to avoid traffic and crowds! (but as it is a private tour, you can start any time you want)!
  • Drop off; We will drop you off at the same place we have picked you up or at any hotel, address of your accommodation, or yacht and cruise ship.

Information Specially For Cruise Passengers

Bring comfortable and suitable footwear, a camera as there is plenty of photo opportunities, Euro for souvenirs, sunscreen, water, and a printout of your voucher.

Let’s see where the cruise ships dock. Most of the cruise ships are not able to dock at the port because Santorini has no deep water dock. Cruise ships float around using their thrusters to remain in place, close to the center of the extinct volcano.

The cruise port of Santorini is also known as the port of Skala, or old port. It was the first port of the island, before the construction of the ferry port. The cruise port is located beneath Fira, one of the largest villages of Thira and the capital of the island.

Where cruise ships usually dock at the same time.

Passengers have tendered ashore via local boats. Passengers who have signed up for the organized ship excursions are tendered ashore to the new ferry port of Athinios, where the large tourist buses are parked. Independent cruise travelers are tendered to the old port below Fira.

However, on the return way to the cruise ship, everyone leaves from the old port at Fira by the same tenders. (All cruise ship’s shore excursions drop everyone off in Fira.)

Options to reach Fira (the capital) from the port.

From the old port, where the boats shuttle the passengers, you can either use the cable car to reach the town of Fira, which will take no more than 5 minutes, or you can ride a donkey, which climbs up a small path on the cliff to Fira.

However, the last option will last longer, and we recommend you take the cable car as there is a great concern for the welfare of the donkeys which are mainly used by tourists.

If you are spending extra time in the town of Fira after the shore excursion, it will be your responsibility to get to your tender on time, please be aware the cable cars can get very busy and there could potentially be a long queue especially if there is more than one cruise ship docking

How to recognize your driver/guide.

At the exit of the cable, your driver/guide will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name written on it, in order to escort you to your vehicle as there is no car access for a few meters.

Departure Time
  • Tour time is based on arrival.
  • Your tour timing and details are based on when your ship arrives in port and may differ from other cruise itineraries times. Upon booking, details of tour timing and representative pick-up or meeting locations will be provided.

So, bring your camera with you … We’ll bring a good mood!

What is Included

  • A professional driver with good knowledge of Santorini island
  • Transport by air-conditioned vehicle appropriate for the size of your group
  • Flexible pick-up time on request
  • Fira town (outside cable car station) for cruise travelers
  • Free Pick-up & drop-off as close as possible to your accommodation in Santorini
  • First-class transport: By Mercedes E-Class or similar; Mercedes minivan or Mercedes minibus according to the size of your party. All new models come with a full leather interior and A/C.
  • The private tour is 100% exclusive for your party

What is Excluded

  • Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museum
  • Wine tasting fee (wine tours)
  • Cable car tickets (€6 per person) for cruise ship travelers per person per way, and it is payable on the day in cash.
  • Gratuities/Tips are not included and are not compulsory, however, if you had an exceptional experience this is your way of saying thank you, you did a fantastic job.
  • Food and beverage
  • Official licensed tour guide for guiding inside the archeological sites. Available on request with a surcharge
  • A travel escort to walk you through the alleys of Fira and Oia. Available on request with a surcharge
  • Your private chauffeur/escort will discuss a program best suited to your interest and mobile abilities.
Tour Type
  • Private tour – Shore Excursion
  • Duration: 5-hours
  • Activity level: Moderate
  • Departures: Daily
Restrictions
  • Due to the high complexity and uncertainty of contemporary transportation, as well as unexpected situations, the planned itinerary can change at any moment and our choices may be affected by any social, economic, or environmental phenomena!
  • Although there is minimal walking on this tour, guests must be able to get in and out of the vehicle. This tour is not wheelchair accessible but can accept walkers and canes.
  • Fira Town, as well as most of the island’s villages, is a hilltop town that consists of mostly pedestrian streets. Many of these “streets” are nothing more than wide sidewalks of smooth stones pushed into cement which makes for a bumpy surface. There are considerable steps involved as well. Tour is not wheelchair accessible. Return to the ship’s tender pier is via cable car. (Not included).
  • Depending on traffic on the day of your tour, the order you see the sites may vary from the tour description order.
  • The tour duration does not include the time required to tender ashore from your ship.
  • Children under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent who assumes full responsibility during the tour.



Guaranteed Departures

Santorini Tours Greece is proud to be the first in the industry to offer Guaranteed Departures. A guaranteed departure means; There is no minimum number of bookings required for a trip to run and that the tour will definitely operate on the day it is scheduled and will not be canceled. All guaranteed departures will run except in the event of a natural disaster or another similarly disruptive event that is beyond our control. Our current collection of tours can take you to exciting places in Athens and around the world.
How will we use the information you will give us about yourself?

Passenger Detail; We need basic contact details so we can send appropriate booking information to you as well as make sure the supplier can contact you should they need to.
Flight Details; We will need to know your exact travel details so they can track flight time as well as make sure they get you to and from your destination with no delay.
Accommodation Details; We need to know your pick-up and drop-off address to ensure the right price and that we know exactly where to meet you or take you.
Payment Details; We will pass your payment details to our secure payment provider, but we do not see or store any of these details on our website payment details.

Importantant information!
  • Dress: religious and memorial sites: shoulders and knee must be covered.
  • Terms & Conditions, Privacy policy & Cookies
  • Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
  • A voucher will be emailed to you with our contact numbers and all the necessary information for your tour.
    This is your ticket and proof of purchase. On the day of the tour please present a paper voucher in order to redeem your tour/activity.
Persons with Disabilities
  • Due to uneven surfaces, certain sites are not recommended for persons with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair. Most of Santorini Town’s (Chora) commercial center is either flat or has cobblestone, flagstone-paved streets, and lanes with slight inclines, though there are some lanes that have steps. Note though, the center is surrounded by hills, some of which are steep, but you could easily avoid those and still have plenty to see on flatter terrain.
  • In all cases, we recommend comfortable flat-soled walking shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
  • For guests who are full-time wheelchair users, a ramp vehicle will be needed. Guests may remain in their wheelchairs or scooters for the duration of the excursion. Wheelchair or scooter dimensions are required in order to confirm the correct vehicle!
  • Wheelchair or small scooter folding type only. (Please note that disabled passengers must be able to board the vehicle independently or with the assistance of those in their party.)
Holidays in Greece
  • January 1: closed
  • January 6: 08:30 AM – 03:00 PM
  • Shrove Monday: 08:30 AM – 03:00 PM
  • March 25: closed
  • Good Friday: 12:00 PM – 03:00 PM
  • Holy Saturday: 08:30 AM – 03:00 PM
  • Easter Sunday: closed
  • Easter Monday: 08:30 AM – 03:00 PM
  • May 1: closed
  • Holy Spirit Day: 08:30 AM – 03:00 PM
  • 15 August 15: 08:30 AM – 03:00 PM
  • October 28: 08:30 AM- 03:00 PM
  • December 25 & 26: closed
  • Sedans; Within 24 hrs of travel 100% fee will apply. Outside of 24 hrs, a €2 per person cancellation charge will apply.
  • Minivan; Within 48 hrs of travel 100% fee will apply. Outside of 36 hrs, a €2 per person cancellation charge will apply.
  • Minibus 10-20 seats; Within 96 hrs of travel 100% fee will apply. Outside of 96 hrs, a €2 per person cancellation charge will apply.
  • Excursions canceled by us or because of FORCE MAJEURE will be fully refunded
  • For all vehicles; No show means, no refund
  • If you have any further questions please contact us!
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