Are you planning a trip to Santorini, Greece? One of the famous activities at Santorini is to visit the Santorini Volcano Island, Nea Kameni.
The Santorini Volcano Tour
It is a must do at Santorini. Swimming in the natural hot water of the volcano between the lava rocks then watch the sunset on a boat.
I was at Fira Santorini for a seminar (yes your read it right a seminar, don’t worry I had my share of fun after the seminar ended) and took the Volcano tour. I am sharing with you my experience and some alternatives to enjoy that warm water and the famous sunset of Santorini on the boat.
You will need a boat for this short trip; you will find one at the port of Santorini. If you were a large group of 15. I advise you to take a private boat, it costs 450 euros for the whole trip or if you decide to join others in public tours, it will cost around 25 euros per person. Prices may vary based on the tour you pick.
How to Reach the Port of Santorini?
Now your preferences play a big role here. You can take the cable car (telepherique) the donkeys or the stairs.
1. The cable car station is located in the center of Fira you can buy a one way ticket for 5 Euros, there are no round trip tickets. You will have to buy the return ticket in the station on your way up. Taking the cable car is a great experience, you will be seeing the city and the beach from the top of the cliff and down, it is a very quick trip that will take less than 5 minutes. Here are some photos I took on my way down in the cable car.
2. If you prefer to try the donkeys, you will have to rent a donkey near the cable car station, or near the stairs that will lead you to the port. The stairs start at the center of Fira and end at the port. Make sure that you are ok with going down the stairs on a donkey because the ride is not a short one, and that the sound of the bells on their necks won’t get you annoyed or the smell. It can take up to 10 min on a steep mountain and the donkey might stop for some food, or try to race with another donkey.
3. The other alternative is walking down the stairs. This is the most traditional way, where you can stop at your pace, take photos, etc… You will run by donkeys passing by, or some donkey poop, so watch it. But the best thing about it, is the great exercise and the scenery.
The Boat Trip
The boat will be waiting at the port, and the tour to Santorini Volcano will take around 2 to 3 hours.
The Santorini port is a great place, you can enjoy the beautiful sun and will also run by some locals fishing.
It happened I arrived early and while I was waiting for my friends to join me, a kid and his father were fishing. And check it out, the kid caught a fish!
He was bragging about catching the biggest fish while his dad caught the small one 🙂
The boat will stop near the island and you can swim in the hot springs of the volcano lava. First thing you will notice when you get closer is the smell of sulfate, the water will get warmer the closer you get to the island. Don’t worry, the water is warm, but not much, it is said that the water can reach 30 degrees. Don’t expect to find hot water everywhere, at the bottom the water is colder, and there are some spots of cold water.
View this post on Instagram
I loved swimming there. The water is clean, yet not very clear, you can feel the sulfate and the salt, you will also smell the same. The best part of it is when you leave the water, you will feel your skin softer, your nails color lighter (if you do not have nail polish on it).
Then you head to watch the sunset….
I must admit, it is a beautiful Sunset, but not as beautiful as Lebanese Sunsets.
Some Tips
Don’t forget to take wine or other drinks with you in case you took a private boat, the sunset experience will be a more romantic one.
In case the weather gets a little chilly keep a jacket with you, it happened I went early June and it was pretty cold after the sunset.
You will definitely smell the sulfate after the shower, so don’t panic, it will go away the second day.
If you are looking for a place to stay, check out this 300 year old restored guesthouse that used to be the village’s oven, check it out on airbnb here.
