Agios Nikolaos: Private Boat Cruise with Soft Drinks
This private boat cruise charters a motorboat and skipper from Agios Nikolaos harbour for 4 hours, taking you along the Mirabello coast to Spinalonga, Kolokytha and the hidden bays in between. The charter is priced per boat rather than per person, starting at €400 for groups of up to 9 depending on which of the five boats you take. Mirabello Boats runs it from 1 April to 31 October.
What this private cruise actually does
The skipper sets the route on the day, working from the wind and what you want to see, and the standard run covers three stops between Agios Nikolaos and the Elounda lagoon.
First comes Agioi Pantes, the small island off the harbour mouth with a chapel on its high point, where Cretan wild goats, the kri-kri, live freely. Second is Spinalonga, 800 metres off the coast, where the 16th-century Venetian fortress is viewed from the water rather than landed on. Third is a swim stop at Kolokytha, and often a second one at Agriomantra, a quiet cove backed by tamarisk trees.
Snorkelling gear comes with the boat, and the Elounda lagoon is the best of the water for it. Boats carry Bluetooth speakers, so the soundtrack is yours.
Places this tour visits
The cruise works the Mirabello bay between Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, and three of its stops have their own page here.
- Spinalonga, the boat holds off Spinalonga for the fortress views, which is a different experience from the ferry landings and gets you the whole island silhouette in one frame.
- Kolokytha, the main swim stop is Kolokytha beach, reachable by boat far more easily than by the rough track that leads to it overland.
- Agios Nikolaos, the charter starts and ends in the harbour, so the rest of the beaches around Agios Nikolaos stay within reach on the same day.
What’s included and what isn’t
The charter covers the boat, the skipper, drinks and snorkelling kit, and it leaves out fuel, food and transport to the harbour.
Included:
- Private motorboat for up to 9 guests
- Skipper for the full 4 hours
- Water and soft drinks
- Snorkelling equipment
Not included:
- Fuel, metered and settled at the end of the trip
- Food
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
The fuel arrangement is the one to read twice. Consumption is measured at the end and billed then, so the headline charter price is not the final price.
Why we recommend this experience
We recommend this charter to people who have already seen Spinalonga from a ferry and want the coast on their own terms. We rate the Mirabello bay as the most interesting stretch of water in eastern Crete, and the difference between a scheduled boat and a private one here is not luxury, it is the ability to stop where the water is empty rather than where the timetable says.
The review record is small, at 8 ratings and a 4.75 average, so we are reading it as indicative rather than settled. Within that sample the same points repeat. The skippers are named personally and praised by name, which in our experience is the clearest signal a small operator is running things properly. Several guests describe abandoning the listed itinerary to stay longer at a bay they liked, and the skipper simply agreeing, that flexibility is what you are paying for. One group had their date rearranged free of charge when the weather made the open-water crossing unwise, which tells you how the operator handles a bad forecast.
Two things we would raise before you book.
The fuel is billed separately and metered at the end of the trip, so the price you see is a floor rather than a total. A 300-horsepower nine-metre boat burns considerably more than a 30-horsepower five-metre one over the same four hours, and that gap lands on your bill, not the charter fee.
The second point is the sample size. Eight reviews is not enough to detect a recurring problem, and we would treat a 4.75 across 8 bookings with more caution than a 4.4 across 3,000. Nothing negative recurs in what is published, but there is not much published.
CreteLocals insider tips
Match the boat to your group, book the morning slot, and settle how fuel is charged before you leave the pontoon.
- Choose the smallest boat that fits your group, since fuel is metered and horsepower you do not need is money you burn.
- Book a morning departure, because the Mirabello bay picks up afternoon wind through July and August.
- Ask the skipper for the fuel estimate at check-in, so the final bill holds no surprises.
- Bring cash for lunch at Elounda, as going ashore for food is an option rather than an inclusion.
- Pack your passport or ID card, which the operator asks for at the harbour check-in.
- Put the snorkel on at Kolokytha rather than Spinalonga, given the lagoon water is clearer and shallower there.
What to know before you go
The meeting point depends on which boat you book, so check the voucher rather than assuming the main harbour. The season runs 1 April to 31 October, and the fleet covers 1 to 9 guests across five boats, from a 5.3-metre 30-horsepower motorboat to a 9-metre 300-horsepower one.
Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat and sunscreen. Food is not provided, so either eat before you board or plan the Elounda stop around lunch.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Agios Nikolaos private boat cruise?
The charter runs 4 hours, which covers Agioi Pantes, the Spinalonga viewpoint and one or two swim stops.
Is the price per person or per boat?
The price is per boat, from €400, and it covers up to 9 guests depending on which vessel you choose.
Is fuel included in the price?
No, fuel is metered and charged at the end. Consumption is measured after the trip, so a larger engine raises the final bill even over the same four hours.
Can you land on Spinalonga?
The cruise views Spinalonga from the water rather than landing. For a landing you need the scheduled boats from Elounda or Plaka instead.
Is snorkelling equipment provided?
Snorkelling equipment comes with the boat, and the Elounda lagoon and Kolokytha are the two stops where it is worth using.
When does the season run?
The boats operate from 1 April to 31 October, with morning departures the more reliable choice in midsummer.
Check dates and prices for the Agios Nikolaos private boat cruise with skipper.
Location
Agios Nikolaos is located at Kolokytha Beach. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
