Agios Nikolaos: Spinalonga and Kolokytha Catamaran with Meal

The best part of this cruise is the balance: you get Spinalonga from the water, two long swim stops, and a freshly prepared meal without spending the day on a crowded ferry. The small catamaran, friendly crew, music, and open water give the outing an easygoing feel.

I especially like the clear swimming spots near Kolokytha and Schistra, plus the useful mix of snorkels, floats, and SUP boards. The meal is simple rather than fancy, but it is freshly prepared and includes a shrimp pasta or tomato pasta, Cretan appetizers, and fruit. The main drawback is that Spinalonga is viewed only from the boat, and wind or waves can force the captain to change the route.

Key points

• Spinalonga without the island crowds: Sail around the famous island for sea-level views, but do not expect to go ashore.
• Two proper swim stops: Allow plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling, floating, and SUP boarding at Kolokytha and Schistra.
• Small-catamaran atmosphere: The boat is not described as a huge party vessel, so you have a better chance of finding comfortable space.
• Fresh lunch on board: Choose shrimp linguini or tomato pasta, with Cretan appetizers and tropical fruit.
• Drinks included all cruise: Wine, beer, soft drinks, iced tea, and water are available without extra charges.
• Sunset possibility: Afternoon departures can return as the light fades, with Agios Nikolaos glowing from the sea.

Why this Agios Nikolaos cruise works so well

This is not primarily a sightseeing cruise with a quick photo stop. It is a half-day at sea that uses Spinalonga and the Mirabello Gulf as the setting for swimming, food, and relaxed sailing.

That distinction matters. If your main aim is to walk through Spinalonga’s old settlement and learn its story on land, this is the wrong trip. You will circle the island and see it from the water, but there is no disembarkation or entry ticket included.

If you want a quieter day with good swimming and a touch of Crete’s coastal history, the plan is much better suited. You sail out from Agios Nikolaos, stop near Kolokytha, pass the Cave of Barbarossa and Spinalonga, then anchor at Schistra for another swim and lunch.

The cruise lasts about 5.5 hours. That gives you enough time to settle into the boat instead of feeling rushed from one stop to the next. Several departures have been in the afternoon, making the return particularly attractive when the sun drops and the lights of Agios Nikolaos appear across the bay.

Leaving Agios Nikolaos Marina

You meet at the marina, where parking is available. The meeting point deserves a little care: some people have found the instructions less clear than they should be, especially when trying to identify the exact berth or the boat’s location on the opposite side of the marina.

Arrive early enough to find the catamaran without stress. If you select hotel pickup, transfers are available from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Vathy, Istron, Kalo Chorio, Ammoudara, and areas between them. Pickup may come as much as an hour before sailing, and the exact time is sent the day before.

Once on board, the captain and crew give a short safety briefing and offer welcome refreshments. Then the boat moves out into Mirabello Gulf, where the first part of the trip is about the coastline, sea air, and settling into the rhythm of the boat.

The catamaran has comfortable seating and equipment for the water. The atmosphere depends partly on the group, but the boat is relatively small, which helps avoid the packed-deck feeling common on larger excursion boats. On several sailings, groups of around a dozen people created a social but not overwhelming setting.

Sailing across the blue shades of Mirabello Gulf

The first sailing section lasts about 45 minutes after the briefing. You can sit back, watch the coast change from the water, and enjoy the wind before the swimming begins.

The gulf is the real visual star here. From the boat, you see Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, smaller islands, and the long sweep of the Cretan coast from a different angle than you get on land. The water color changes with depth and light, which is why the trip feels more scenic than a simple transfer to a beach.

The crew usually keeps drinks moving during the cruise. Wine, beer, soft drinks, iced tea, and water are included, so you do not need to keep checking your wallet every time you want something cold.

Music is also part of the atmosphere. It is generally used to keep the mood light rather than turn the boat into a loud party. Afternoon departures may return around sunset, and that final stretch can be one of the prettiest parts of the outing.

Do note the sea conditions. Wind is part of the appeal, but it can also mean choppy water. Some sailings have begun with rough seas, while others have had calm, glassy conditions. The crew has adjusted plans when needed, which is sensible seamanship, but the exact order or length of stops is not guaranteed.

Kolokytha and Glaronisi: your first swim stop

After roughly an hour on the water, the catamaran reaches its first swimming area near Kolokytha Beach or Glaronisi, the small island opposite the beach.

This is where the cruise shifts from sightseeing to play. You can swim in clear water, use the snorkeling gear, try a SUP board, or simply float beside the catamaran. The stop is long enough to make changing into swimwear worthwhile, rather than offering only a quick jump into the sea.

The appeal of this location is that you are away from the main beach crowds. You still see the famous Kolokytha area, but from a boat-based position that gives you more room in the water.

Snorkeling here is best viewed as a pleasant extra, not a full reef expedition. The equipment is supplied, and clear water may let you spot fish near the boat, but the experience is mainly about swimming and enjoying the bay.

The boat carries snorkels, masks, SUP boards, and float noodles. There are two SUP boards, so you may need to take turns if many people want to paddle at once. That is a small limitation, but the long stop helps spread out the use.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not included, and wet swimwear can make the later sailing less comfortable if you have nothing dry to sit on.

Spinalonga from sea level

After the first swim stop, the catamaran sails around Spinalonga Island. The route offers a fine view of the island’s walls and position at the entrance to Elounda Bay.

You do not get off. There is no island visit and no entry ticket included. For some people, this is a major advantage. You avoid a hot walk, steps, and the extra time involved in a land visit. You can see the island’s shape, fortifications, and setting from the sea while staying on the boat.

For others, this will feel incomplete. Spinalonga is one of Crete’s most important historic sights, and the full visit involves exploring it on foot. If you have always wanted to walk through the old buildings and hear a detailed account of its past, book a separate land excursion instead.

The crew provides an overview while you sail, but this is not an extended guided tour of the island. Think of it as a scenic and informative circuit that fits naturally into a swimming day.

The route also passes near the Cave of Barbarossa at Elounda. The boat sails by rather than treating it as a separate stop, so you should not expect a cave exploration.

Schistra Bay and lunch on the catamaran

The second anchor stop is Schistra, a secluded bay used for another long break. The water is clear, and the quieter setting gives you time to swim again, snorkel, use the SUPs, or simply stay dry and enjoy the boat.

This second stop is also when the meal is served. The standard main choices are shrimp linguini or spaghetti with tomato sauce, with the tomato option suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Cretan appetizers based on olive oil and herbs come first or alongside the pasta, followed by a platter of Mediterranean and tropical fruit.

The food is not restaurant dining, and you should set your expectations accordingly. It is a simple fresh meal at sea, prepared on board, which is exactly why it works. Several sailings included freshly made salad or pasta, and the crew has made alternatives for dietary needs, including risotto for a vegetarian passenger and a gluten-free request.

Still, tell the operator about dietary requirements before departure. The supplied information confirms that the crew has adapted meals, but it does not promise a fixed menu for every allergy or restriction.

Lunch tastes better after time in the water, and the long stop lets you eat without rushing. Drinks remain included, with beer, wine, water, iced tea, and soft drinks available. The crew is attentive about refills, but responsible drinking is still important when you are swimming and spending hours in the sun.

The crew and the feel on board

The human side of this trip receives some of its strongest praise. Christos, Marina, Maria, Sophia, and other crew members have been named on different sailings, so the exact team may vary.

The consistent pattern is attentive service without too much ceremony. You can expect help with equipment, drinks offered during the cruise, and a crew that keeps an eye on comfort and safety. That matters on a small boat, where good hosts can make the entire outing feel warm and easy, while poor service would be obvious.

Solo visitors can fit in comfortably because the setting is social but not built only for large groups. Couples and families with older children also have plenty to do. Children need to be comfortable around open water, and everyone should be able to manage the boat’s access and swimming arrangements.

The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The operator also does not allow pets.

Is $141 a fair price?

At $141 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast. You are paying for a catamaran cruise, captain and crew, two swim stops, water equipment, a prepared meal, unlimited listed drinks, and optional transport from several resort areas.

The value improves if you intend to use the equipment and stay for the full five and a half hours. A boat trip with only a short swim and a basic drink would feel expensive at this price. Here, the long stops, included lunch, and unlimited drinks make the cost easier to justify.

The price also covers convenience. You do not need to arrange a separate visit to Kolokytha, find a boat for Spinalonga, or pack food and drinks for the day. Pickup can save more planning if your hotel is within the listed areas.

The main value question is Spinalonga. If you want a land visit, part of the price is going toward a version of the sight that you only view from the water. If you are happy with the sea-level view, the cruise offers a good mix of scenery and downtime.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. You must provide your full name, passport or ID number, date of birth, nationality, and gender by booking time or at least one day before sailing. Carry your passport or ID, with a copy accepted.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this for you if you want a relaxed Cretan day with swimming, food, and scenery in equal measure. It suits couples, solo visitors, families with children who are comfortable in the water, and anyone who prefers a smaller boat to a large excursion vessel.

It is also a good pick if you like the idea of Spinalonga but do not need to walk around the island. The sea view is attractive, and skipping the shore visit leaves more time for the bays.

I would not choose it as your only Spinalonga experience if the island’s history is your main reason for going. I would also think twice if you dislike wind, boat motion, or changing plans when the sea turns rough.

Should you book the Spinalonga and Kolokytha catamaran?

Book it if your ideal Crete outing includes clear water, two generous swim stops, a fresh pasta lunch, cold drinks, SUP boarding, and a friendly small-boat setting. The strongest parts are the time in the water, the crew’s care, and the evening sail back toward Agios Nikolaos.

Skip it if you need wheelchair access, want a full Spinalonga shore visit, or prefer a tightly fixed itinerary regardless of weather. For everyone else, the combination of Mirabello Gulf views, Kolokytha, Schistra, and an included meal makes this a well-rounded use of half a day.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts about 5.5 hours. Optional hotel pickup may take place up to one hour before the cruise begins.

Where does the cruise depart?

The main meeting point is Agios Nikolaos Marina. Parking spots are available near the marina.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Vathy, Istron, Kalo Chorio, Ammoudara, and areas between them, if you select that option.

Do you get off at Spinalonga?

No. The catamaran sails around Spinalonga for sightseeing, but there is no disembarkation or island entry included.

Are entry tickets to Spinalonga included?

No. Entry tickets are not included, and this experience does not include a shore visit.

What food is served?

The meal includes shrimp linguini or spaghetti with tomato sauce, Cretan appetizers based on olive oil and herbs, and Mediterranean and tropical fruit for dessert.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, iced tea, and water are included during the cruise.

Is swimming equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, fishing equipment, SUP boards, and float noodles are available. The boat has two SUP boards.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not provided, so bring your own.

What identification is required?

You need to provide your full name, passport or ID number, date of birth, nationality, and gender by booking time or at least one day before departure. Bring a passport or ID card, with a copy accepted.

Can wheelchair users join?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.