The 15 Best Spinalonga Tours & Boat Trips

1.Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 4,416 reviews · 8 - 11 hours · from $44Our pick

Spend 8 to 11 hours exploring northeastern Crete with guides such as Manos, Helena, Alexandra, or Alkistis. Visit Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, cruise to Spinalonga, walk its former leper settlement, and swim from the boat on the return. Transport and boat tickets are included, but the €20 island entry fee is extra.

“Lovely day communication from travel company very good re pick up. Guide informative, again clear communication re timings and where to meet. Ample time at each stop. Very warm at Spinalonga, enjoyable swim in sea on the way back. Good value, well organised enjoyable day”

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2.Boat Trip to Spinalonga with Swim Stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,031 reviews · 4h 30m · from $29

Join Nostos Cruises at Agios Nikolaos for a guided afternoon to Spinalonga. Cruise Mirabello Bay, swim from the boat in Kolokitha Bay, hear about Barbarosa’s cave and Olous, then explore the Venetian fortress with an English or Dutch guide, or audio guides in French and German.

“A really well equipped sail trip, caters for all generations from food, drinks and languages.”

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3.Spinalonga & Kolokytha Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 735 reviews · 5h 30m · from $35

Set out from Agios Nikolaos at 10:00 for a scenic cruise across Mirabello Bay. Explore Spinalonga with a booklet and map, swim at Kolokytha Beach, then eat pork or a vegetarian tortilla with salad, bread, fruit, and wine or juice aboard the boat.

“Nice sailing to Spinalonga, but a bit too many people on the boat.”

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4.Spinalonga and Agios Nikolaos Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 432 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $58

Travel by air-conditioned bus and boat from Heraklion to Spinalonga, where guides such as Irini, Cristina, or Elena explain the island’s fortress and leper-colony past. Swim at Kolokytha Bay, eat lunch with wine or juice, then enjoy free time in Agios Nikolaos.

“It was very fun! The guide, Irini, was really lovely and knowledgeable. She explained Spinalonga’s story very beautifully. The transport was also very comfortable (the shuttle, the bus, and the boat). The beach was amazing and Agios Nikolaos is such a charming town. Would totally recommend.”

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5.Agios Nikolaos, Plaka and Spinalonga Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 402 reviews · 12 hours · from $35

Spend 12 hours exploring eastern Crete by air-conditioned coach. Taste olive oil, olives, honey, and raki, stroll Agios Nikolaos, take a boat to Spinalonga, then enjoy lunch or a swim in Plaka. Guides speak English, German, and French.

“Lot of free time and you Got a lot of history on the bus.”

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6.Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos and Elounda with BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 361 reviews · 5 - 12 hours · from $29

Spend a full day on Crete’s northeast coast, combining a boat ride, a swim at Kolokytha Bay, BBQ lunch, Spinalonga’s Venetian fortress, an olive oil tasting, and free time in Agios Nikolaos. Guides such as Mairy and Viola have helped make the day run smoothly.

“nice trip. Agios Nicolauses should have more time to see the city”

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7.Spinalonga, Elounda, & Agios Nikolaos Boat Tour & BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 327 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $37

Travel from Heraklion to Elounda, swim at Kolokytha Beach, eat a boat-side BBQ, and tour Spinalonga with an English-speaking guide. You’ll also visit Agios Nikolaos and stop for olive oil tasting. The $37 price excludes the €15 boat meal and €20 Spinalonga admission.

“It was an amazing tour, anyone who wants to discover Crete should definitely go on this one.”

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8.Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda & Plaka Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 122 reviews · 8 - 15 hours · from $31

Spend a full day touring eastern Crete by air-conditioned coach and boat. Visit Agios Nikolaos, sail to Spinalonga, swim at Kolokytha Bay, taste olive oil, and stop in Plaka. A multilingual guide leads the day, though the schedule is long and boat, lunch, and Spinalonga fees cost extra.

“more time on Spinalonga, less time in Plaka, more time Elounda.”

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9.Spinalonga PM Catamaran Cruise with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 88 reviews · from $134

Join DanEri Yachts for a five-hour semi-private catamaran cruise from Agios Nikolaos. You’ll sail past Spinalonga, stop in a clear-water bay for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and SUP, then enjoy a Mediterranean dinner, unlimited drinks, music, and sunset views.

“What an absolutely fantastic day we had! We couldn't fault anything. From the scenery, the captain, lovely company, swimming in the sea and the amazingly tasty food prepared by Irini. I would thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone.”

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10.Spinalonga AM Catamaran Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 83 reviews · from $134

Spend five hours aboard a spacious DanEri catamaran with Sergei and an attentive crew. Sail past Spinalonga, swim in clear bays, use snorkeling gear and SUP boards, and enjoy a freshly cooked Mediterranean lunch with drinks included.

“The boat and crew was fantastic. A great day on the water. Lunch was delicious. The whole experience definitely gave you bang for your buck.”

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11.Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos, & Elounda Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 63 reviews · from $28Best value

Travel from Heraklion or selected resorts to Kolokytha Beach, Spinalonga, Elounda, and Agios Nikolaos. A guide such as Mary explains Spinalonga’s layered past, while you swim, eat a simple BBQ, browse local shops, and enjoy Mirabello Bay.

“perfect the place was amazing and very good guide and tour”

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12.Elounda, Kolokitha, and Spinalonga Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 56 reviews · from $28

Meet at Elounda Port at 2 p.m. for a four-hour cruise past Spinalonga’s Venetian fortress, Barbarossa Cave, Skistra Beach, and Kolokitha. Swim in warm, clear water, use the onboard fruit and salad bar, and add drinks for an extra charge. Hotel transfers are optional.

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13.Spinalonga Guided Boat Tour with BBQ and Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 41 reviews · 6 hours · from $29

Spend six hours sailing from Elounda to Kolokytha Beach and Spinalonga. You’ll swim, eat a simple BBQ lunch, and tour the Venetian fortress with a live English or German guide. Bring sunscreen, allow €20 for Spinalonga, and arrive early at the Windmill port.

“Was thrilled it was a ship, as opposed to one of those little "party" boats. Great food and great company.”

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14.Island Spinalonga, Milatos Cave,private Speedboat,OliveOilTasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $118

You’ll travel in a group of up to six from your hotel to Spinalonga by motorboat, spend about an hour on the island, walk into Milatos Cave, and taste local olive oils. Guides such as Petra, Michael, Enrico, and George bring history and Cretan culture to a full seven-hour day.

“A great day out. Enjoyed the whole trip including the drives between stop off points. Good chance to see a bit more of Crete. Lunch was good. Our guide, George was great and it was lovely to be in a small group, especially for the boat trip to Spinalonga.”

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15.Spinalonga Island Day Trip with Lunch and Entrance fee included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · from $126

Start with hotel pickup at 7:00 am, travel by coach to Elounda, then cross by private fishing boat to Spinalonga. A guide explains the island’s fortress and personal stories before lunch in Plaka, a possible swim, an herb-shop visit, and free time in Agios Nikolaos.

“Transported from stalis to agios nickalious by air-conditioned coach. Tour guide on board excellent. 6 or 7 pick ups before onward journey but not too bad. Free time before boarding boat. Lunch was OK, nothing special but good enough. Cruise good. Plenty of informaRead more”

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