Snorkeling in Agios Nikolaos: 4-hour boat with Spinalonga

Snorkel three beaches and a Venetian fortress in one morning, with the boat's shower and gear waiting on board.

A 4-hour snorkeling boat tour from Agios Nikolaos takes you to Spinalonga island, Plaka village, and your choice of three beaches (Dianiskari, Kolokutha or Skistra Bay) with snorkeling equipment, soft drinks and a fresh-water shower included. The skipper adjusts the route based on conditions and your preference, and can arrange a lunch stop in Elounda if you want one.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour from Ormos Bay to Spinalonga

• Depart from Ormos Bay port
• Choose route with skipper
• Swim or snorkel at Kolokytha Beach
• Visit Spinalonga island and admire sights
• Visit Plaka village and Elounda town
• Optional lunch at Elounda restaurant
• Return to Ormos Bay port

The experience

The boat leaves from Ormos Bay and the skipper works with you to pick the day's route. Three beaches are on offer (Dianiskari, Kolokutha and Skistra Bay) each with different water and sand, and you choose which ones to visit. San Fwkas beach is another option if you'd rather swim without snorkeling. The boat carries snorkeling gear for everyone, so you don't need to bring your own. Soft drinks and bottled water are on board, and there's a fresh-water shower to rinse off the salt when you're done.

Spinalonga island is the centerpiece. The Venetians built a fortress there in the 16th century, and it later served as a leper colony from 1903 to 1957: a history that inspired Victoria Hislop's novel "The Island" and several films. The island sits 800 meters off the coast near Plaka village, and you'll see it up close from the water before deciding whether to land. Kolokytha beach, one of the stops, has turquoise water and is one of Crete's most photographed stretches of sand.

If you want to eat, the skipper can stop at a restaurant in the Elounda area and you choose which one. The tour wraps up back at Ormos Bay after four hours. The boat size varies (you can book an inflatable that holds up to nine people, or a motorboat seating six to eight), so you're choosing the vessel that fits your group at checkout.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• soft drinks and bottled water.
• use of the boat.
• fresh-water shower.
• live English-speaking skipper who adjusts the route to your preference.

Options for this experience

4 options

Motorboat for up to 6 people, 5.3 mUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 10:00 and 15:00

Motorboat for up to 8 people, 5.8 mUp to 8 per booking · Guide in English · 10:00 and 14:00Length: 4 hours. Poseidon blu water 185

Motorboat for up to 8 people, 6 mUp to 8 per booking · Guide in English · 10:00 and 15:00Length: 4 hours. Protagon 20

Inflatable for up to 9 people, 6.2 mUp to 9 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00 and 14:00Length: 4 hours. Grand D600 LUX

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00, 14:00 and 15:00

Book up toStart time

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Mirabello Boats

Is this one for you?Choose the boat size at checkout based on your group (the inflatable fits up to nine, while the motorboats seat six to eight), so you're paying for the vessel that matches your party, not empty seats.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Spinalonga island and why is it worth visiting?

Spinalonga is a small island 800 meters off the coast near Plaka village, home to a 16th-century Venetian fortress that still stands today. It served as a leper colony from 1903 to 1957 and is now a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The island's history inspired the novel and films, and you'll see the ruins and fortifications from the water and can explore them if you choose to land.

Can I pick which beaches we stop at, or is the route fixed?

You choose your route with the skipper before departure. Three main beaches are available (Dianiskari, Kolokutha and Skistra Bay), and you pick which ones to visit based on what appeals to you. The skipper can also suggest stops based on sea conditions and wind that day.

Is snorkeling gear included, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling equipment is included on the boat for all passengers, so you don't need to bring any. Soft drinks and bottled water are also provided, and there's a fresh-water shower on board to rinse off after you're done in the water.

Can we stop for lunch during the tour?

Yes, on request the boat can stop at a restaurant in the Elounda area and you pick which one. You'll have time to eat before heading back to Ormos Bay at the end of the four hours.

How many people fit on the boat?

The boat size depends on which vessel you book at checkout: an inflatable holds up to nine passengers, or you can choose a motorboat seating six to eight people.