Agios Nikolaos: Fun Cruise Around Elounda Bay

This is a low-cost boat day built around clear water, long swimming stops, and a slow cruise through Mirabello Bay. You sail from Agios Nikolaos to Kolokytha Beach, circle Spinalonga, then spend more time in the water at Skistra Gulf. The boat is spacious, with floating noodles, music, food, and drinks for sale.

I like the generous hour-long stops and the welcome drink with watermelon, small touches that make the $23 price feel remarkably fair. I also like that you see Spinalonga from the sea without paying for a land visit. The main caution is sound: the DJ can be too loud, and announcements are not always easy to hear in English.

Key points at a glance

• Two long swimming stops: Spend about an hour at Kolokytha Beach and another hour at Skistra Gulf.
• Spinalonga from the water: Cruise around the famous island for good coastal views without an island walking tour.
• A social boat atmosphere: Expect music, a DJ on some departures, floating noodles, and food and drinks for sale.
• Useful extras included: You get a welcome drink, local raki, watermelon, and use of sea noodles.
• Bring your own snorkel: Equipment can be rented or bought onboard, but your own mask and snorkel save money.
• Good value at $23: The combination of a five-hour outing, two swim stops, and onboard refreshments is hard to beat.

Leaving Agios Nikolaos for Mirabello Bay

You meet at the main harbor in Agios Nikolaos. There is no hotel pickup, so plan your own way to the waterfront and allow time to find the boat before departure. The harbor is the natural starting point for the trip, and once you are onboard, the pace is deliberately easy.

The first hour is a slow cruise across Mirabello Bay. This is not a speedboat excursion, and that matters. You get time to settle into a seat, look along the coast, and enjoy the open water without spending the entire trip bracing against fast turns.

The boat has plenty of seating, although the best place depends on what you want. Sit on the left side for better views of Spinalonga on the return around the island, according to useful advice from the boat. If you sit near a speaker, though, the music may become the main event rather than a pleasant background.

The boat can feel lively, especially on afternoon departures. Some outings have a DJ, and the music has been praised for making the cruise feel like a relaxed floating party. Morning music may be calmer, while the return can shift toward louder party tracks. Families with young children or anyone seeking a quiet sail should keep that in mind.

Kolokytha Beach and the first hour in the water

After roughly an hour, the boat anchors at Kolokytha Beach. This is the first major reward of the cruise: clear turquoise water and about an hour to use it. You can swim from the boat, sunbathe on deck, and, depending on the stop and conditions, get onto the beach to explore.

The water is the reason to book this trip. It is described as exceptionally clear, with shallow areas and fish visible near the swimming spots. If you enjoy simple snorkeling rather than serious reef exploration, this is a good setup. You can float, look for fish, and return to the boat when you want a break.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if possible. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent or buy onboard, but it is not included in the price. That detail is easy to miss when looking at attractive pictures of the outing. The floating sea noodles are included and useful for anyone who wants support in the water.

The stop works well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can move farther from the boat, while less confident swimmers can stay close to the vessel or use a noodle. Still, not every part of the outing is equally easy for non-swimmers. The second stop does not offer the same option to get onto land, so anyone who is uncomfortable in open water should think about that before booking.

You do not need to spend the full hour swimming. The boat gives you room to sit in the shade or sun, and you can use the time for photos, a snack, or a cold drink. Towels are not provided, so pack one in your day bag.

Cruising around Spinalonga Island

After Kolokytha, the boat heads toward Spinalonga. The plan is to cruise around the island rather than stop for a land visit. That makes this a good choice if you want to see Spinalonga from the water, but it is not a substitute for visiting its fortifications and learning about its past on foot.

From the boat, the island gives you a strong sense of its position in the bay. You see its rocky shoreline and the old settlement from a comfortable seat, with the water between you and the island. The slow circuit gives you time to take photographs, especially if you choose a seat on the left side.

Do not expect a full guided history talk. The host language is English, but announcements can be hard to hear over people, the engine, and music. On some departures, timing announcements are made in several languages, and the English information may not always come through clearly.

That is a fair trade for the price, but you should know what you are buying. This is primarily a swim-and-sail outing with a view of Spinalonga, not an archaeological or historical tour. If your priority is the island’s story, book a dedicated visit. If you want to see it while enjoying a swim day, this cruise does the job nicely.

Skistra Gulf and the second swimming stop

The second stop is at Skistra Gulf, described as another quiet place for snorkeling and rest. You spend roughly an hour here, giving the trip a useful rhythm: cruise, swim, cruise around Spinalonga, then swim again.

The water remains the star. You can swim straight from the boat, use the floating noodles, or snorkel near the vessel. The stop is especially appealing if you would rather avoid a walking tour in the hot sun. You spend the afternoon in and around the water instead of moving between crowded streets and exposed ruins.

The lack of a beach at this stop is worth noting. If you cannot swim, or if you need regular access to dry land, this part may feel limiting. The boat provides seating and flotation aids, but you should not assume you can step ashore.

Sea conditions can change the timing or route. The excursion may be adjusted if the water becomes rough, and the captain has to put safety first. This is also relevant if you suffer from motion sickness. The boat is large enough to feel stable for many people, but a long open-water trip can still be uncomfortable in poor conditions. Take sensible precautions if you know you are prone to seasickness.

Food, drinks, raki, and the onboard mood

You receive a welcome drink at the beginning. Depending on your preference, this may be a nonalcoholic cocktail or a shot of local raki. A small bowl of watermelon is also included, usually offered during the trip as a refreshing break from the heat.

The onboard snack bar is a real part of the value. Prices are described as reasonable, with examples including a Pepsi can for around €2.50, a half-liter beer for about €4, and grilled pork souvlaki for around €2 per stick. Barbecue food and hot dogs may also be available.

The food is not a full meal service, so do not treat the cruise as a culinary tour. Still, an inexpensive souvlaki or snack is handy when you are spending several hours at sea. You can also bring your own food, although you should remember that the included refreshments are limited to the welcome drink and fruit.

One practical concern is dietary choice. Pork appears to be a common grilled option, and chicken or fish may not always be available. If you do not eat pork or need a specific diet, bring something suitable or ask onboard before relying on the snack bar.

Music is a major part of the atmosphere. A good DJ can turn the return journey into a cheerful party, and the music has been praised for fitting the setting. The downside is just as clear: sitting beside a speaker can be uncomfortable, and loud music may not suit every family or older passenger.

Is the five-hour schedule worth your time?

The advertised duration is 270 minutes, or four and a half hours. Several departures have taken close to five hours, depending on timing and conditions. That gives you substantial time on the water for a relatively low price.

An afternoon departure may finish around sunset, with the second swimming stop ending near 8 p.m. The later schedule can feel roomier than an earlier departure, and the return light may be especially pleasant. You also spend less of the hottest part of the day sitting on exposed deck.

The tradeoff is that you lose much of the day. An early departure may suit you if you want your evening free, while a late cruise works well if you want a slower afternoon and sunset views. Check the starting time carefully before booking because the overall mood changes with the schedule.

The trip is long enough to feel worthwhile but not so long that the swimming stops become repetitive for most people. About an hour at each location is generous. You are not rushed out of the water after a quick photo stop, which is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a simple sightseeing boat.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and friends who want a straightforward day by the sea. Children usually have plenty to do, including swimming, jumping from the boat where permitted, using the sea noodles, and listening to music. Parents should still watch children closely because one of the stops is boat-based rather than a shallow beach visit.

It suits you if you want:

• Clear water and relaxed swimming
• A look at Spinalonga without a land excursion
• A social atmosphere with music
• Inexpensive drinks and simple grilled food
• A half-day outing that does not demand much walking
• A budget-friendly way to get out of Agios Nikolaos

It may not suit you if you want a quiet sailing trip, detailed guiding, or a full visit to Spinalonga. It is also less suitable if you cannot swim and feel uneasy staying aboard during the second stop.

Pets are allowed, which adds flexibility for some visitors. Hotel transfers are not included, and towels are not supplied. Pack swimwear, beachwear, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a towel. A waterproof phone pouch would also be sensible, though it is not listed as required equipment.

Value at $23 per person

At $23, this is one of those outings where the price makes sense because the main attractions are natural and free: seawater, views, swimming, and time aboard the boat. You are not paying for a costly attraction ticket or elaborate meal.

The included welcome drink, raki, watermelon, sea noodles, captain, boat tour, and two swimming stops add real value. Food and drinks cost extra, as does snorkeling equipment if you do not bring your own. Even with one drink and a snack, the total can remain modest.

The biggest value comes from the length of the stops. Many boat trips offer a short swim and then hurry on. Here, you get roughly two hours in the water across two locations, plus the slow cruise through the bay and around Spinalonga.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make planning easier. The activity is offered in English, but do not count on every announcement being perfectly clear through the engine and music.

Final call: should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want clear water, long swim stops, and strong value more than formal guiding. Bring your own snorkel, choose a seat away from the speakers, and consider the later departure if you like sunset light and a less crowded feel.

Skip it if you want a quiet boat, a detailed history tour, or a proper land visit to Spinalonga. For everyone else, the mix of Kolokytha Beach, Skistra Gulf, music, raki, watermelon, and affordable food makes this an easy half-day choice from Agios Nikolaos.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from the main harbor in Agios Nikolaos. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the cruise last?

The stated duration is 270 minutes, or four and a half hours. Some departures may run close to five hours, depending on timing and sea conditions.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Swimming stops at Kolokytha Beach and Skistra Gulf are included. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent or buy from the boat, but it is not included in the price.

Is Spinalonga included?

The boat cruises around Spinalonga Island. A land visit to the island is not included.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a welcome drink, which can include local raki, and a small bowl of watermelon. Additional food and drinks are available from the onboard snack bar at reasonable prices.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, beachwear, sunscreen, and a towel. Towels are not provided.