Greece: Santorini - Islands Boat Trip: Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, Thirasia; Red Beach, White Beach, Black Beach

Nea Kameni

We went on a three island boat trip which started from the new port of Fira, picking up more passengers at the old port below the town before heading to the island of Nea Kameni. The boat was a beautiful timber construction but the sails weren't in use. The views were fabulous throughout the trip.

Approaching Fira.

The Derenda Tower at the north end of Fira's old port.

Approaching the grim-looking island of Nea Kameni.

At Nea Kameni we climbed the volcanic cone, quite a strenuous walk to the top. The island didn't exist before the volcanic eruption in the early 18th century,¹ though volcanic activity had been shaping the other islands for millennia since the Minoan Eruption, around mid 17th century BC.

The shattered lava landscape of Nea Kameni with the cliff top town of Manolas on Thirasia behind.

The zig-zag in the cliff face of Thera is the road down to the new port.

The crate of the volcano.

The only sign of volcanic activity was one hot vent. The volcano is classed as active, though dormant.

Palea Kameni with the uninhabited island of Aspronisi behind.
On the left the south west end of Thera. The two islands in the distance are Askania and Christiana.

The tour boat at Nea Kameni.

Palea Kameni

The bay on Palea Kameni where people swim, seen from Nea Kameni. The small island behind is Aspronisi.

The next stop was a short hop to Palea Kameni, a much older island, formed during eruptions in the first century AD and reformed by subsequent eruptions.¹

Hot springs heat the sea in a small bay, though we didn't go in ourselves.

Thirasia

Thirasia seen from Palea Kameni.

We made only a short stop at Thirasia, enough time to get a light lunch at one of the harbourside restaurants. We chose one that was smaller and looked family-run and had beers and pork souvlaki.

The zig-zag path from the port to Manolas.

Lunch with a fine view.

Oia with the small harbour of Ammoudi below.

On the return the boat was taken closer to Oia before working back along the coast to dock at the old and new ports of Fira.

Oia's small port below the town.

Oia

Coloured Beaches

The ferry coming into the small harbour at Akrotiri.

After we'd visited the wonderful site of prehistoric Akrotiri we had lunch at one of the tavernas on the shore then caught the small ferry which takes people to the coloured beaches along the coast to the west.

The church of Agios Nikolaos at the west end of Akrotiri shore with red volcanic cliffs behind.
The cars belong to people walking around the coast to Red Beach.

We weren't interested in actually visiting any of the beaches, but this is a good way to see them and the intervening coastal cliffs.

Red Beach

First is Red Beach, the cliffs a dull red. At the east end of the beach there had been quite a substantial rock fall from the cliff above.

Red Beach, Santorini

West of Red Beach.

West of Red Beach there are some stunning cliffs, alternating dazzling white and grey, probably my favourite part of this stretch of coast.

West of Red Beach.

White beach is backed by white cliffs shot through with pastel shades of yellow, pink and green. The beach is white, shading into black pebbles at the water's edge.