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Landing on it is the island’s classic boat excursion, and it is worth knowing what the trip actually is before you book, because the photographs oversell the summit and undersell the heat.
What the visit involves
You cross the caldera by boat from the old port below Fira or from other harbours, land at a jetty on bare black rock, and walk up a graded path to the crater rim. The walk is not technical, but it is:
- Uphill on loose volcanic gravel, with a steady gradient rather than steps.
- Completely shadeless, on dark rock that holds heat.
- Around half an hour up for most people, plus time at the top and the same back down.
At the top there are craters that still vent, with the smell of sulphur and warm ground in places. It is a volcanic landscape rather than a viewpoint, and the interest is in standing on something so obviously unfinished.
The hot springs, and the honest version
Most trips continue to anchor off Palea Kameni, the older islet, where a warm sulphurous spring stains the sea rust-orange. Boats stop offshore and you swim in.
Two things people are rarely told in advance: the water is warm rather than hot, and the iron in it stains light-coloured swimwear permanently. Wear something dark and old.
Which boat trip to take
The excursions vary more than the brochures suggest:
- Volcano only: a half-day, the cheapest, and enough if you mainly want the walk.
- Volcano plus hot springs plus Thirassia: a longer day that adds a lunch stop on the quiet island across the caldera.
- Sunset versions that end with the boat sitting off Oia while the sun goes down, which is the alternative to fighting for a spot in the village.
Traditional wooden boats are slower and more atmospheric; modern catamarans are faster and more comfortable. Neither is better; they are different days.
Practical notes
- Take more water than you think. There is none on the islet.
- Proper shoes. The path is sharp volcanic gravel and sandals are a mistake.
- Sun cover. Hat, sunscreen, and a plan to avoid the middle of the day in July and August.
- There is a site fee for landing, sometimes included in the trip price and sometimes collected separately. Check when booking.
- The sea decides. Trips are cancelled in strong wind, so book early in your stay and keep a spare day behind it.
Last checked August 2026. Trip formats, fees and schedules change every season - see our editorial policy.
Common questions
What is Nea Kameni?
The black volcanic islet in the middle of Santorini’s caldera, the youngest land in the Aegean, formed by eruptions long after the one that created the modern island.
How long is the walk up Nea Kameni?
About half an hour up a graded gravel path to the crater rim, with no shade anywhere on the route, plus time at the top and the walk back down.
Is the Santorini volcano still active?
It is an active volcanic system that is monitored, and the craters on Nea Kameni still vent. Take any current status from the official monitoring bodies rather than from a travel page.
Can you swim in the Santorini hot springs?
Yes, at Palea Kameni, where boats anchor offshore and you swim in. The water is warm rather than hot, and the iron in it stains light swimwear.
Is the volcano boat trip worth it?
If you want to see Santorini from inside its own caldera, yes. If a hot, shadeless uphill walk on gravel does not appeal, the caldera views from land give you the shape of the place without it.
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Read day trips from Santorini, things to do in Santorini, or Oia.