Nea Kameni Boat Tour: Hike on an Active Volcano (2024)

Did you know that Santorini has a fiery secret? Have you ever hiked on an active volcano? Hiking on an active volcano or even visiting one is one of the rarest things to do worldwide. Nea Kameni boat tour ensures that you have those unique experiences in Santorini. In this post, you will find information on the Nea Kameni boat tour and how you can hike up an active volcano.

While wandering in the town of Fira, I accidentally stumbled upon a board that displayed information about a volcano tour. Instantly drawn, I went inside and inquired about this tour. It turned out that there was a Nea Kameni boat tour that took visitors to a nearby volcanic island where they could hike on an active volcano.

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Greece Travel Resources

Peloponnese region: Travel Guide to Trikala Korinthias
Second largest city: One Day in Thessaloniki
Greek Islands: Places to see on Heraklion Hop On and Hop Off Bus, Nea Kameni Boat Tour: Hike on an Active Volcano, Mykonos Solo Travel Guide
Bucket List Stays: Pera Alonia Guest House in Trikala Korinthias
7-night Idyllic Aegean Cruise: 5+ reasons to take Idyllic Aegean by Celestyal Cruises
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About Nea Kameni

Formed recently during the 16th and 18th centuries, Nea Kameni is one of the volcanic islands within the Santorini caldera. Nea Kameni, meaning the Young Burnt Island, is said to be an active volcano even though it last erupted in the 1950s. The volcanic island’s highest point is 127 metres and is surrounded by hot springs.

Nea Kameni Boat Tour

Nea Kameni is accessible only by boat, and it is a short 20- to 30-minute ride from the old port of Fira on the main island of Santorini. The other ports where the boats depart are Oia and Athinios. The boat tour that I took departed from the old port of Fira.

Nea Kameni boat tour agencies, departing from the ports in Santorini, take tourists to explore Nea Kameni’s volcanic landscapes, hike its trails on an active volcano to see craters, and soak in the thermal hot springs. The entire tour lasts for around 3 to 3.5 hours and has set departure times.

Tour agencies run these boats twice daily, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. The boat ride offers spectacular views of the caldera, clear waters of the Aegean Sea, and the villages of Santorini.

During the tour, the boat’s guides provide historical and interesting information, such as information about the volcano, how the islands were formed, and the mythological stories associated with them.

Hike on an Active Volcano

With rugged terrain, rocky and volcanic landscapes, and red and dark-coloured stones and rocks, Nea Kameni is perfect for seeing the volcano’s rough, gravelly surface and craters.

The hike to the top of the mountain is around 1.2 kilometres one-way and is well-marked. Perfect for beginner hikers, this trail is not very strenuous despite a few steep sections. But be sure to wear comfortable shoes during the hike.

The trail starts at the entrance gate, a short distance from where the boat leaves you ashore. During the hike, you will see two dormant craters and one active crater. The active crater still has sulphur and other minerals fumes from the ground. This is an awesome sight!

Similar experiences of hiking on a volcano or going inside the magma chamber can be done in:
Mount Batur Sunrise Trek in Indonesia
Thrihnukagigur Volcano Adventure in Iceland

Swimming in Hot Springs

Situated close to Nea Kameni, there are natural thermal hot springs rich in sulphur and other minerals. These minerals are very good for the skin, and you can swim in them. The Nea Kameni boat tour includes a visit to these hot springs. Be sure to take your swimmers and make a change for the hike.

Usually, the boat stops at this spot for 30 minutes, during which time you can jump in the water, swim to the shore, and return to the boat just in time.

Booking and Cost

Depending on the duration and the number of stops included on the tour, there are three different types of Nea Kameni boat tours:

• Old Port: Volcano and Hot Springs (3 hours), departing from the old port of Fira.
• Old Port: Volcano, Hot Springs and Thirassia (6 hours), departing from the old port of Fira.
• Athinios or Oia: Volcano, Hot Springs and Thirassia (6 hours), departing from the ports of Athinios or Oia.

I went on the first three-hour tour to the volcano and hot springs. The tour agency that I went with was Dakoutros Travel Central Agency, which has offices in two places: the old port of Fira and the main street of Fira.

The prices vary depending on which tour you choose. It is best to book the tour online (so you have a slot during the peak season) or at the port.

To hike on the volcano, you need to take an entrance ticket of Euros 5 per person at the base of the Nea Kameni volcano. It is best to carry the exact cash.

Safety for Solo Female Travelers

Absolutely! There were no concerns about safety at all. I took the Nea Kameni Boat Tour alone and hiked up the volcano with a complete stranger on the boat, and I did not have any issues. The place is monitored and is very safe for solo female travelers.

Closing Notes

In conclusion, I would like to say that Nea Kameni is an unforgettable and offbeat experience when visiting the Greek Island of Santorini. It allows you to explore geological wonders. During the hike and this tour, you will be treated to spectacular views of the Aegean Sea.

The Nea Kameni Boat Tour, especially the hike on an active volcano, was one of the best and most unique experiences I had during my cruise travel. If you are an adventure seeker like me, then this experience is a must-do in Santorini.

Note: The 7-night Idyllic Aegean cruise travel was courtesy of Celestyal Cruises.
Thanks to Celestyal Cruises for providing me with this opportunity to work and collaborate with them. And special thanks to Irene from Celestyal Cruises for arranging and coordinating everything on behalf of the cruise company.
Note: I explored each of the cities and towns, and they were not a collaboration with anyone.

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