Agios Nikolaos

Spinalonga is a magnificent island with fortresses dating from the Venetian period. It is an island of legends, a triumph to survival in the early 20th century from the scourge of leprosy, now a place of great archaeological and historical significance. On Spinalonga island, enjoy the opportunity to visit the Interpretive Centre there and discover the settlements of the victims and survivors of this former illness. Explore the Venetian fortifications and learn all about the long and fascinating history of the island. Take time to walk around the island and see the views of the bay and the fortifications. Later the cruise continues, passing along other points of interest in the Bay of Mirabello such as the cave of the legendary Pirate Barbarosa, the sunken ancient city of Olous, and the island where the endemic and hardy Cretan Kri Kri goats live. Have time to relax and swim in the exquisite turquoise waters of Kolokitha Bay. The 40 m boat features two bars, a lounge, and a restaurant serving Greek and international cuisine at reasonable prices with high-quality service from the crew.

Board a comfortable air-conditioned semi-submarine vessel at the port of Agios Nikolaos. Discover marine life which inhabits the coastal waters of Agioi Pantes Island. Learn more about the flora and fauna you will see from the onboard audio guide. See many different species of colorful fish as the boat crew feeds them. If you are lucky, you may spot curious sea turtles, dolphins, and seals who sometimes choose to investigate the vessel. In the second part of the tour, take a seat on the main deck of the boat in order to admire the spectacular views of Agios Nikolaos Bay. Feel the sea breeze as you cruise through the bay before heading back to the port.

Board one of the traditional wooden boats from Elounda port and let the experienced local crew take you to Spinalonga island. The boat trip begins at approximately 9:30 AM every day from the main port of Elounda village. Stay on the island for an hour and 10 to 20 minutes. In case you stay longer due to the covid situation you might not get on the next one because the capacity of the boats has been reduced and have to wait an extra hour. The last boat trip from Spinalonga usually departs at 6:30 PM. If you want to learn more about the island, you can find local licensed guides on the pier who will bring the island's history to life. Originally, Spinalonga was not an island – it was part of the island of Crete. During Venetian occupation, the island was carved out of the coast for defensive purposes and a fort was built there. During Venetian rule, salt was harvested from salt pans around the island. The island has also been used as a leper colony. Spinalonga has appeared in novels, television series, and a short film.

Start your boat cruise from the port of Ierapetra and head to the exotic Chrissi. Sail in the emerald waters of the Libyan Sea, accompanied by seagulls and dolphins. The self-service bar of the ship remains open during the cruise, offering light meals, with salads, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and ice cream available to purchase. Jump off the boat and swim in the refreshing water off the coast of Chrissi Island. After a relaxing swim, dry off on board and enjoy views of the island's blue and green waters, golden beaches, and protected cedar forest. The cedar forest extends to the center of Chrissi, covering an area of 350,000 square meters. The colors of the rocks are spectacular, while almost the entire island is covered by golden sand. 

Enjoy a fun cruise in the Greek sun with a barbecue by the sea. Explore  Kolokytha Bay and the historical island of Spinalonga. Start your day boarding the boat at the pretty harbour of Agios Nikolaos. Cruise across the beautiful Bay of Mirabello before arriving at the legendary island of Spinalonga.  On Spinalonga island you will have an hour and a half to tour around and explore the Venetian fortifications and old homes of the victims of leprosy. Learn about the history and people who lived on the island during the first half of the 20th century from the printed guide that will be given to you free of charge. Later the boat takes you on the other side of the Kolokytha island and moors at the beach of the same name. Kolokytha is a beautiful bay with crystal-clear turquoise waters. Relax, swim and sunbathe while the boat crew prepares a hearty barbecue for you. Enjoy grilled pork chops, Greek salad, feta cheese, bread, wine and seasonal fruits. 

Travel to northeastern Crete, visit Agios Nikolaos and see its beautiful scenery, and take a boat trip to Spinalonga Island on this exciting day tour of some of Crete's most interesting sites. Begin the day with the visit to Agios Nikolaos, and see the shore of Mirabello Bay. Explore the town, famous for the lake at its center and its shopping and cafes. Take your time for a walk to enjoy the views, enjoy some shopping or have a drink in one of the numerous cafes around the lake. Explore an open-air market on Wednesdays. Move on to see Elounda village, a former fishing village on the northern coast of the island. Depart from Elounda for the cruise to Spinalonga Island. Learn about the island's vibrant history, from a home for the Venetians and Turks to a place of isolation for those suffering from leprosy. Experience the island, more popular after the 2005 historical novel “The Island” about how lepers lived in Spinalonga. Join the hundreds of people who come to the island every day to visit and learn its history.

Explore the many natural wonders Crete has to offer on a multiple-destination boat tour departing from Heraklion with lunch included. Visit the coastal town of Agios Nikolaos, cruise through the scenic Mirabello Bay, stop for a swim in Kolokytha Bay, and admire the sights of Spinalonga Island. Enjoy a pickup from your Heraklion hotel and drive to the beautiful town of Agios Nikolaos with its picturesque lake. Take a leisurely morning walk and have a coffee while gazing at the beautiful port and the local lake, before setting sail. Later on, you'll board your boat. Have a light lunch on board before starting the cruise and then take in the views while crossing the unique Mirabello Bay and the Agios Nikolaos and Elounda coast.  Stop at Kolokytha Bay, where you can swim and dive from the boat into the crystal clear waters, then make your way over to Spinalonga Island. Join a Guided Tour of the island and enjoy some free time to wander around and snap amazing photos. Sail back to Agios Nikolaos and get dropped off back at your Heraklion accommodation. The regular meal consists of grilled chicken, mixed salad with tomatoes and cucumber, feta cheese, and a slice of bread. For a vegetarian option, the grilled chicken will be replaced with a tortilla with vegetables.

Take a bus and boat tour from Heraklion, step back in time on a guided tour of Spinalonga, chill out on the beach in Kolokytha Bay, savor a delicious BBQ lunch, and have free time in Agios Nikolaos. Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation in selected locations on Crete in the morning. Hop aboard a spacious and comfortable bus and sit back and relax on the drive to the cosmopolitan town of Agios Nikolaos and board a ship.  Feel the sea breeze as you cruise through Mirabello bay towards the island of Spinalonga. Take a guided tour Spinalonga which has a rich history from defending the area from sea raids to housing a leper colony. Have some free time to capture photos of the island.  Continue to Kolokytha Bay where you can unwind on the beach, go for a dip, and dig into a lunch of grilled pork steak or chicken, bread, and a salad of tomatoes, cucumber, and feta. Vegetarians and vegans can enjoy a tortilla with vegetables, bread and salad. End your meal with fresh fruit and compliment it with a glass of wine or juice. Cruise to Agios Nikolaos and spend some free time exploring at your own pace. Sit at a cafe with lake or port views, do some shopping, or wander around this small Cretan town. Return to your accommodation in at the end of your tour. 

Experience a boat trip on the bright blue Mirabello Bay with this unforgettable cruise from Agios Nikolaos. Begin your cruise from Agios Nikolaos harbor at 11:00 AM every Thursday and Saturday and at 4:00 PM every Tuesday. It takes about an hour of a slow cruise along Mirabello gulf to arrive at Kolokytha beach. The boat will anchor there and you will be able to enjoy the turquoise, crystal clear waters for about one hour and fifteen minutes. Relax on the boat, and explore these isolated beaches. Then, head to Spinalonga, the famous lepers’ island. Take a cruise around the waters of the Island and then head to the second hidden paradise, the Skistra gulf. Revel in a perfect place for snorkeling and relaxing. Stop there for approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. Enjoy a variety of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and more. Access many “sea toys” to enjoy your time there. The romantic atmosphere of the island along with the extraordinary landscapes makes the cruise ideal for unforgettable memories surrounded by your family and closest friends.

This cruise is specially designed for fishing enthusiasts and offers a unique perspective of Mirabello Bay and the Gulf of Elounda. All you need is your passion for your favorite hobby and we take care of everything else: equipment, bait, routes and the best fishing spots. We depart from the harbour of Agios Nikolaos, cruise across Mirabello Bay to the turquoise waters around Kolokytha and to the wider blue waters of Elounda. Our experienced crew will take you to the richest fishing grounds and will also guide you to places of historical interest. Your fishing trip includes breaks to relax, swim and sunbathe on this memorable theme cruise.