Agios Nikolaos: Boat Trip to Spinalonga with Swim Stop
This boat trip leaves Agios Nikolaos harbour at 12:30 and spends 4.5 hours in the Mirabello gulf, crossing to Spinalonga and stopping to swim at Kolokytha bay on the way. Spinalonga carries Venetian fortifications and the buildings of the leper colony that operated there until 1957, and the route also passes the sunken city of Olous and Barbarossa’s cave. NOSTOS CRUISES runs it from €25, with a 4.41 rating across 3,526 reviews, ranking 37th among all GetYourGuide experiences in Greece.
What this boat trip actually does
The boat makes a circuit of the gulf with one landing and one swim. Four things fill the 4.5 hours.
First is the cruise across Mirabello bay from the main harbour, with live commentary and views back at the coast. Second are the sights passed en route: the cave associated with the corsair Barbarossa, the submerged remains of the ancient city of Olous, and the island where the kri-kri goats live. Third is Spinalonga itself, with a guided walk covering the Venetian period and the colony years. Fourth is the swim stop at Kolokytha bay, entered straight off the boat by ladder and platform.
Live guiding runs in English and Dutch; French, German, Polish and Greek are provided by audio guide only.
Places this tour visits
The route stays within the Mirabello gulf on the north-east coast.
- Spinalonga, the landing is at Spinalonga, where the guided walk covers the fortress and the colony.
- Agios Nikolaos, the boat leaves from the main harbour at Agios Nikolaos, a short walk from the lake and the town centre.
What’s included and what isn’t
The €25 covers the boat and the guiding; the island fee and everything you consume are separate.
Included:
- Boat cruise and Spinalonga tour
- Live guide in English and Dutch
- Audio guide in French, German, Polish and Greek
- Swimming stop at Kolokytha bay
- Pets are allowed on board
Not included:
- Spinalonga island entrance fee, around €20
- Snack bar on board, priced separately
- Hotel transfer
- Towels
Why we recommend this experience
We recommend this as the efficient way to do Spinalonga: half a day, from a town harbour you can walk to, at €25. It leaves your morning and evening free, which the full-day coach trips do not.
The swim stop is what reviewers rate highest, and it is better than it sounds. A New Zealand guest called it the highlight of the trip, jumping into the sea straight from the boat using the ladder and platform, far more convenient than wading off a beach. French and Polish reviewers describe the same thing, and one noted the swimming time is exactly right.
Guiding on the island earns specific praise. A Dutch reviewer named Dimitri for the history he gave on Spinalonga; a British reviewer described the island guide as very informative and happy to answer questions. A Greek guest said the guides were warm and attentive from the first minute to the last.
The boat itself gets good marks, clean, with a bar and restaurant, food and drink at reasonable prices, and plenty of facilities.
Two honest caveats, and one of them is the dominant complaint in this record.
The €20 island fee is not clear enough at booking. GetYourGuide’s own review summary says travellers want clearer information on the additional entry fee, and two separate German reviewers raised it directly, one saying the price should be more clearly indicated, the other spelling out that an add-on ticket of €20 each is needed for the roughly 90 minutes on the island. At €25 for the boat, the fee nearly doubles your cost.
Language coverage is uneven. Only English and Dutch get a live guide; French, German, Polish and Greek passengers listen to a recording. Guiding scores 4.3 out of 5, the weakest dimension, and this is the likeliest reason.
If you would rather have the towns of Agios Nikolaos and Elounda included with a coach and a guide for the whole day, the full-day Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga trip covers all three.
CreteLocals insider tips
Budget €45 not €25, bring a towel, and take the ladder rather than the beach.
- Bring around €20 per person for the island entry, which is the single most common surprise in the reviews.
- Pack a towel, since none is provided and the swim stop is part of the trip.
- Jump in from the platform at Kolokytha, which reviewers rate as the best part and which needs no wading.
- Check the language before booking, because only English and Dutch get a live guide on board.
- Walk beyond the main street on Spinalonga, as the 90 minutes ashore is enough to reach the quieter far side.
- Arrive early at Akti Koundourou, given the 12:30 departure leaves from the main harbour and boarding is on the quay.
What to know before you go
The boat departs from Nostos Cruises at Akti Koundourou 6, Agios Nikolaos 721 00, at 12:30. No hotel transfer is included.
French, German, Polish and Greek commentary is by audio guide rather than a live guide. Pets are allowed on board, towels are not provided, and the Spinalonga entry fee is paid separately.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Spinalonga boat trip?
The trip runs 4.5 hours, departing Agios Nikolaos harbour at 12:30.
Is the Spinalonga entry fee included?
No, the island entry fee of around €20 is separate, and it is the most common complaint in the review record.
Where is the swim stop?
The swim stop is at Kolokytha bay, entered directly from the boat by ladder and platform rather than from a beach.
Is there a live guide?
A live guide covers English and Dutch. French, German, Polish and Greek are provided by audio guide only.
Is hotel transfer included?
No transfer is included. The boat leaves from the main harbour in Agios Nikolaos, walkable from the town centre.
Can you bring pets?
Pets are allowed on board, which is unusual among the Spinalonga boats.
Check dates and prices for the Agios Nikolaos boat trip to Spinalonga.
Location
Agios Nikolaos is located at Mirabello Bay. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
