Spinalonga Boat Trip with Guided Tour & Swim Stop from Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos and its harbour

Agios Nikolaos is the main town of the Lasithi region, built on hills around the western shore of Mirabello Bay. At its centre is Lake Voulismeni, a deep, round lake ringed by cliffs and cafés and linked to the harbour by a short canal dug in the nineteenth century. The town takes its name from the small Byzantine church of Saint Nicholas on its northern edge, and its waterfront promenade and pedestrian streets make it one of the most pleasant towns in eastern Crete.

The excursion boats moor at the small harbour right in the centre, a short walk from the lake. If you are planning a Spinalonga day trip from Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos is about 65 kilometres east, roughly an hour by car or a little longer on the regional bus from Heraklion's main bus station, so a morning departure leaves time for lunch by the lake before the 12:30 sailing.

Mirabello Bay, the kri-kri island and sunken Olous

Mirabello Bay is the wide stretch of sea that opens north of Agios Nikolaos, named after a Venetian fortress whose name meant beautiful view. Just off the town lies the small island of Agioi Pantes, a protected reserve for the kri-kri, the wild goat of Crete with its long curved horns, and you may spot them on the rocks as the boat passes. The guide also points out a sea cave long linked with pirate legends.

Further north, near the narrow strip of land that joins the Spinalonga peninsula to Elounda, lie the remains of ancient Olous, a city that slowly sank into the sea as the coast subsided. On calm days walls and foundations can be seen under the surface. The commentary on board brings these places to life, so the crossing is part of the tour rather than just the ride out.

Kolokytha beach

Kolokytha is a small cove on the eastern side of the Spinalonga peninsula, sometimes called Kalydon, facing the open water of Mirabello Bay. It is reachable on foot only by a rough path, so most visitors arrive by boat. The beach is a mix of sand and pebbles, and the water is famous for its turquoise and deep blue tones, very clear and usually calm, which makes it one of the best swimming spots in the area.

The boat stops here for about 30 minutes, long enough for a swim and a few photos from the water. Wear your swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, as towels are not provided, and water shoes are helpful on the pebbles. If you prefer not to swim, you can simply relax on deck and enjoy the view of the peninsula's bare hills.

Spinalonga Island and the Venetian fortress

Spinalonga is a small rocky island guarding the entrance to the lagoon of Elounda. The Venetians built a powerful sea fortress here in 1579 on the site of the ancient acropolis of Olous, and it was so strong that they held it until 1715, decades after the rest of Crete had passed to the Ottomans. Afterwards Muslim families settled within the walls, building the houses and shops that still line its main street.

The guided Spinalonga tour, about 1.5 hours long, follows the walls, bastions and that main street while the guide explains the island's military history and daily life. Is Spinalonga worth visiting? For the views from the ramparts over the lagoon and the strength of its story, it is one of the most memorable places in Crete. The entrance fee is paid on arrival and is not included.

The former leper colony and your free time

From 1903 until 1957 Spinalonga served as a colony for people with leprosy from Crete and later from all of Greece. Residents arrived through a narrow tunnel in the walls, and over the decades they built a real community with a church, a hospital, a disinfection building, shops and a small cemetery. Restored houses and information panels now tell their story with great respect, and it is the part of the visit that stays with most travellers.

After the guided walk you have one hour of free time to explore on your own, climb to the upper bastions or take photos of the lagoon. Paths are of stone and gravel, with little shade, so bring a hat and water. The best time to visit Spinalonga is spring or early autumn, and this afternoon trip avoids the busiest morning crowds; you are back in Agios Nikolaos at about 17:00.