Palea Kameni
Palea Kameni also known as Palia Kameni, is a volcanic island within the Santorini Caldera. The tiny islet was formed in 1570 after volcanic eruptions devasted the originally much larger island, called Strogili, where tiny shards of isles took their place. The total area of Palea Kameni is 60 hectares (148 acres), and has a maximum elevation of 98.5 meters. Palia Kameni is the smallest of the two volcanic islands, Palia Kameni and Nea Kameni.
The landscape of the island is wild, with black rocks. Along the coast, there are many thermal waters that guests must visit when visiting Santorini. Among them, the hot sulphide springs of Saint Nikolaos. The waters are mixed with mud and full of sulfur, iron and other metals coming from the volcano. They have healing properties for the skin, rheumatism, arthritis and other physical pains. The water is not necessarily hot but still warmer than the rest of the sea. Due to a lack of a harbor, you are invited to jump off the boat into the sea. A short swim of less than 100 metres away is the hot spring - adjacent to the islet rocky coast. While swimming, you can watch as the water goes from blue to green to yellow. Don't wear any jewelry, real or not, it will turn it black. Have also in mind to wear a dark bathing suit because the water contains a lot of sulfur so it can stain your bathing suit. Though its sulfur, it doesn't smell bad.
Though the island is for the most part uninhabited, several structures, including a small church, are located on the island. There are several daily boat tours that you can join in order to visit Palia Kameni usually combined with Nea Kameni volcanic crater and hot springs. The boats leave from Gialos (old port), Athinio (new port) and Amoudi at Oia.