Heraklion, Malia, Hersonissos: Elounda Bus and Boat Trip
This trip combines a coach transfer from the Heraklion coast with a boat cruise around the Mirabello gulf, sailing past Spinalonga, stopping at the pirate Barbarossa’s cave and swimming at Kolokytha and Skistra beaches. A BBQ souvlaki lunch, fruit, raki and a glass of wine or juice come with the boat. Orange Travel runs it over 7 hours from €48.36, with a 4.12 rating across 60 reviews.
What this bus and boat trip actually does
The coach carries you east to the Mirabello gulf and the boat does the rest. Four stages make up the day on the water.
First, the boat circles Spinalonga, the fortified islet that served as a leper colony until 1957, seen from the water rather than landed on. Second is a short stop at Barbarossa’s cave, where the Ottoman corsair sheltered before taking the island. Third is Kolokytha beach, where the crew grills the souvlaki and serves it with bread on the sand, with music playing. Fourth is Skistra, a quieter beach that few boats call at, for a last swim.
The captain can change the destinations and timings at any point for weather or safety, which is standard for this coast and worth knowing before you book around one particular stop.
Places this tour visits
The route runs east from the Heraklion coast into the Mirabello gulf.
- Spinalonga, the boat circles Spinalonga, giving you the fortress walls from the sea instead of the crowded ferry landing.
- Kolokytha, the main swim and lunch stop is Kolokytha beach, which is far easier to reach by boat than by the rough overland track.
- Hersonissos, pick-up covers Hersonissos and its hotel strip.
- Malia, the coach also serves Malia, at the eastern end of the pick-up route.
What’s included and what isn’t
The fare covers the boat, the food and the drinks named below, and it excludes equipment and towels.
Included:
- Boat cruise around Spinalonga island
- Stop at the pirate Barbarossa’s cave
- Swimming stops at Kolokytha and Skistra beaches
- BBQ lunch, two pieces of pork souvlaki with grilled bread
- Vegetarian Greek salad, on request only
- Unlimited seasonal fresh fruit
- Water and locally produced raki
- One glass of orange juice or local wine
- Life jackets, experienced crew and captain
Not included:
- Fishing and snorkelling equipment
- Towels
- Extra food or drinks
- Tips and personal expenses
Why we recommend this experience
We recommend this trip for the two beaches rather than for Spinalonga. Kolokytha and Skistra are both awkward to reach any other way, Kolokytha needs a rough track and a walk, Skistra barely sees visitors at all, and a boat that stops at both, feeds you on the sand and puts music on is a genuinely good day.
The reviews consistently praise the crew over everything else. Guides are named individually, Marissia, Nektaria, Nandia, Nadia, and one German reviewer singled out the history of the area being told in a lively and charming way. The atmosphere gets mentioned repeatedly: music on the boat, people jumping off it, dancing at the beach stop. One British reviewer noted the boat was spacious and not overcrowded, which is not something you can say about every Spinalonga cruise.
The extras land well. Watermelon and the complimentary raki both come up by name, and one reviewer called the bar drinks reasonably priced and properly cold.
Three things to weigh, since this scores 4.12 out of 5.
The lunch is a snack served late. Value for money scores 4.1, the weakest dimension, and the reason is in the reviews: one guest described the light lunch arriving at 16:00, and two pieces of souvlaki with bread is a modest meal for a 7-hour day. Bring your own snacks.
Vegetarians must arrange it in advance. The vegetarian option is a Greek salad and is available on request only, which one reviewer discovered had not been arranged. Confirm it at booking.
The coach ride is longer than people expect. One British reviewer said they had not realised how long the bus ride from Heraklion would be. The boat is in the Mirabello gulf, which is the far side of the Heraklion regional unit.
CreteLocals insider tips
Bring your own snorkel, pack snacks, and confirm any dietary request in writing before the day.
- Bring your own snorkelling gear, since it is explicitly not included and both swim stops reward it.
- Pack extra food, because the included souvlaki arrives mid-afternoon and is not a full lunch.
- Request the vegetarian salad when booking, as it is provided only on advance request.
- Bring a towel, which is not supplied despite two swimming stops.
- Take a motion sickness tablet before boarding, given the operator lists it among what to bring.
- Carry cash for the on-board bar, where reviewers report fair prices but no card facility.
What to know before you go
Pick-up covers the Heraklion, Malia and Hersonissos coastal strip, and the day runs about 7 hours in total. The captain may change destinations or timings at any point for safety or weather.
Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, snacks, cash, snorkelling gear and motion sickness prevention. Pets, unaccompanied minors and non-folding strollers are not permitted on board.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Elounda boat trip?
The day runs about 7 hours, combining the coach transfer from the Heraklion coast with the boat cruise in the Mirabello gulf.
Do you land on Spinalonga?
The boat circles Spinalonga rather than landing. You see the fortress walls from the water, which is a different view from the ferry landings.
Is lunch included?
Two pieces of pork souvlaki with grilled bread are included, plus fruit, water, raki and one glass of wine or juice. Reviewers report it served mid-afternoon, so bring snacks.
Is there a vegetarian option?
A Greek salad is available on request only, so it must be arranged when you book rather than on the day.
Is snorkelling equipment provided?
Snorkelling and fishing equipment are not included. Reviewers who brought their own were glad they did.
What is Barbarossa’s cave?
The cave is where the Ottoman corsair Barbarossa sheltered before taking the island, and the boat makes a short stop there between Spinalonga and Kolokytha.
Check dates and prices for the Elounda bus and boat trip.
Location
Heraklion, Malia, Hersonissos is located at Spinalonga. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
