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Spinalonga

Spinalonga: Our most recommended tours and activities

Agios Nikolaos: Boat Trip to Spinalonga with Swim Stop

1. Agios Nikolaos: Boat Trip to Spinalonga with Swim Stop

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.

Crete: Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Island

2. Crete: Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Island

Embark on a full-day guided trip to northeastern Crete and take a boat trip to Spinalonga Island. Visit Agios Nikolaos with its famous lake, and explore the picturesque village of Elounda. 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.

Agios Nikolaos: Morning Catamaran Cruise with Lunch

3. Agios Nikolaos: Morning Catamaran Cruise with Lunch

Sailing trip is designed for half a day - just enough time to enjoy sea and swimming activities. The yacht cruise starts in the morning at the port of Agios Nikolaos. Guests will have the opportunity to see famous island Spinalonga from the water. Our catamaran Lagoon 450F will comfortably accommodate up to 20 guests. For adults, we have snorkel equipment, SUPs, tackle and fishing bait. For children - a box with toys, colouring books, board games. And inflatable flamingos and unicorns for the entire family. Food on a cruise is our pride. For our guests, we have compiled a Mediterranean-style menu. We prepare all dishes only from fresh local products.

Cruise to Spinalonga & BBQ at Kolokytha From Agios Nikolaos

4. Cruise to Spinalonga & BBQ at Kolokytha From Agios Nikolaos

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, cabbage salad, bread, wine and seasonal fruits. 

Heraklion: Spinalonga Guided Tour, Agios Nikolaos, and BBQ

5. Heraklion: Spinalonga Guided Tour, Agios Nikolaos, and BBQ

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. 

From Agios Nikolaos: Mirabello Bay Afternoon Cruise & Meal

6. From Agios Nikolaos: Mirabello Bay Afternoon Cruise & Meal

Afternoon sailing trip is suitable for those who prefer waking up late and avoid the hottest hours. The boat trip starts at the port of Agios Nikolaos. We sail in Mirabello bay. You can enjoy the view of the well-known island Spinalonga from the water. At stopover, our guests usually go snorkelling, exploring the area on sup boards and taking pictures on the seascapes background. White wine and Mediterranean dinner are served on board. Our groups are up to 20 guests. Sailing trips from Crete - an unforgettable experience of your vacation.

Malia: Booze Cruise with Live DJ Music and Light Lunch

7. Malia: Booze Cruise with Live DJ Music and Light Lunch

Join The Malia's Number 1 Boat Party! From champagne diving to the wildest drinking games in the Mediterranean, the Malia Booze Cruise has it all! All this topped off with the craziest rave you will ever see at sea! Make your holiday one to remember and don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime experience!!! 400 people, two decks! Four hours of boat party On-board bar Swim stops Free wristbands One hour free Captain’s Cocktail Bar Cameraman catching the action Malia’s finest DJs and MCs Drinking games Lunch, transportation and more! Every Thursday and Sunday through out the season .Available transportation from Malia at 15:00 to Agios Nicolaos port duration about 40 min drive. We start from the port at 16:00 and we are back at 20:00 The boat party is for 4 hours The boat will take us in a lovely bay suitable for swimming, boat jumping and playing music. Get ready for some competition such us champagne dive and belly flops and warm up for the best rave you have ever seen on board. Light lunch is included sandwich hot dog or vegetarian sandwich upon request. There are 2 bars on board than u can get any drinks you like ,the prices start from 5 euros for an alcoholic drink such as vodka coke . Djs and host will be all 4 hours playing the finest tunes for everyone to dance and enjoy the lovely sunset in the Mediterranean sea . On the last hour u can get inclusive in the price as many glasses of the Captains Cocktails Arriving to the port at 20:00 and get on the buses for your transport buck to Malia . So to make sure these memories wont be forgotten, and trust us is not always easy to remember, we have professional photographer on board, how will post all the pictures on our FB page and Instagram for free. We start this party 10 years ago ..is hard for me to describe the best day of your holidays. Join us you will love it promise you! PS There is 3 Malia booze cruise offices in Malia beach road so for any info you can always visit us in our opening hours from 10 morning till 10 night daily from May till end September.

From Heraklion: Elounda, Kolokitha, and Spinalonga Boat Trip

8. From Heraklion: Elounda, Kolokitha, and Spinalonga Boat Trip

Relax and enjoy a 4-hour long boat trip to some of Crete's most famous sites. Explore the lagoon of Elounda, see Kolokitha's beautiful sandy beach, and see Spinalonga, a former leper colony and Venetian fortress. Begin the tour at Elounda Port at 2 p.m. where you get on board the boat. Set sail towards Spinalonga Island, a picturesque islet known for its stunning scenery and rich history. Approach the island, where you will get to see the Venetian fortress, which was once used as a leper colony. Head towards the Barbarossa cave, a natural wonder that will take your breath away. Learn more about the cave, named after the famous pirate Barbarossa, who used it as a hideout in the past. Enjoy a chance to take photos and explore the cave before you move on to the next stop. Move on to the next destination, Skistra Beach, where you will get to swim in crystal-clear waters and soak up the sun. Admire the beach, known for its stunning scenery and tranquil atmosphere, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. Take a refreshing swim before will heading towards Kolokytha Beach, where you'll get to enjoy the pristine sand and turquoise waters of the beach, surrounded by lush vegetation, providing a stunning backdrop for your photos. Indulge in a salad and fruit bar on board, where you can enjoy healthy snacks and refreshments. Order cocktails at an additional cost and sip on delicious drinks as you take in the stunning views.

Elounda: Spinalonga Guided Boat Tour with BBQ and Swimming

9. Elounda: Spinalonga Guided Boat Tour with BBQ and Swimming

Discover Spinalonga on a guided boat tour from Elounda. Learn about this place's rich history, swim in the refreshing water, and enjoy a delicious BBQ meal onboard. Board your ship and head to Kolokytha Bay. Stop at the secluded beach and enjoy the calm. Go for a swim and relax in the sun before eating a BBQ meal onboard. Next, cross Mirabello Bay to reach Spinalonga Archaeological Site. As you cruise around the site, learn about the area's history as a natural barrier for Olous in Ancient Greek times, a Saracen pirate refuge, a Venetian fortification, and a Turkish settlement. After seeing the ruins, head back to Elounda.

Agios Nikolaos: Fun Cruise Around Elounda Bay

10. Agios Nikolaos: Fun Cruise Around Elounda Bay

Experience a boat trip on the bright blue Mirabello Bay with this unforgettable cruise from Agios Nikolaos. Begin your cruise from Agios Nikolaos harbor. 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.

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What people are saying about Spinalonga

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 2,389 reviews

This tour was an absolute dream! We were picked up by bus, since we were one of the first, we had quite the longest ride. After everyone was on the bus, our tour guide told us a bit about the area where we were. Very interesting. Our first stop was in Agios Nikolaos, a great town especially the small streets. The time of about 1.5 hours was enough for us. Then it was on to Elounda. Here, too, we had about 1.5 hours to eat. So it was a bit tight, but it was enough to see a little bit of the place beforehand. Then I took the boat to the island of Spinalonga. Again, our tour guide informed us about the islands. We were able to explore the island ourselves (entrance was the only thing not included). On the way back we stopped by the sea and were able to jump into the sea. That was one of the best things I've done in my life! Absolute heartfelt recommendation!

Great day out! Michael, our tour guide, was brilliant and knew a lot about the local areas. As it was the national Independence Day of Greece , we had our schedule moved around a little so we were able to experience the parades that were happening - a really lovely consideration for the team to have made! Our pick up was very smooth and the bus journey was a beautiful route that allowed us to see the Cretan scenery. Elounda and Agios Nikolaos are stunning places and definitely worth a visit!! We had a good amount of free time in each place - the best part, jumping off our boat into the sea on our way back from Spinalonga Island! Bucket list check! Highly recommend this day out to everyone!

Great day. Very well organised by Altino travel. Very efficient with booking, pick up etc. Elena was friendly and efficient, a good guide throughout the day. Even drove us personally back to our hotel as we were travelling from Cretan Village. Loved Spinalonga…. So much history there( especially if you’ve read The Island!). Only thing to improve… maybe give the history and info of Spinalonga on the coach before boat trip as we couldn’t hear what Elena was saying above the wind and the noise of the boat. But overall, a great day and would highly recommend this company!!!

Very nice trip. They picked me up in a van very close to my hotel because the streets were very narrow. Recommended!

Brilliant day out, lots to see and enough of time to explore each stop.