The volcano of Santorini consists of two small islands situated near the main island. Both of them, along with Therasia and Aspronisi, are parts of Santorini. Thus, there is a complex of 5 islands all of which are considered to be one island together with Thera.
These two islands (volcanoes) where born from eruptions that happened during the past years. The largest one, named Nea Kameni, was formed after a small eruption in 1950, while the latter is named Palaia Kameni , an outcome of an earlier explosion about 2000 years ago. Before the eruptions the island of Santorini had a completely different shape; it was much larger and rounded. Also the name of the island was Strogili, which means circular.
The answer is yes, the volcano of Santorini is still active but dormant. The active part lies underneath the water and is named Koloumbos. Only scientists go there to monitor its activity. As a result, when somebody visits the two volcanoes nearby Santorini, they will not see any smoke or lava. What is mainly there, is black rocks and a nice hiking trail that many travellers follow to reach the top. The biggest explosion of Santorini’s volcano occurred during the prehistoric times at 1613 B.C. After this enormous eruption the island’s shape changed dramatically.
One of the most popular activities when you visit Santorini, is swimming in the hot springs around the two volcanoes, closer to Palaia Kameni island. The water is blur and it has a blue tint color. The temperature is approximately 7 degrees warmer than the sea.
A very useful tip to remember is that the hot springs are warm only during the summertime, as the water in Greece is generally warmer.
The only way to visit the volcano and the hot springs is by boat. There are many different options and companies on the island that organize daily cruises with traditional boats or catamarans. If the weather is fine (sunny and not windy,) taking a cruise and visiting the volcano will be a very enjoyable activity! It is recommended for travellers who easily get seasick to avoid taking a cruise when the wind is strong.
For those seeking a leisurely cruise around the Volcano and the Hot Springs, Catamaran cruises are considered to be the perfect choice. These cruises typically offer a comprehensive package, including freshly cooked meal, beverages and complimentary transfers to and from your hotel.
