Crete · Lasithi

Excursions around Mirabello Bay

Cruise the largest, calmest bay in Crete, from Agios Nikolaos and Elounda out to the fortress island of Spinalonga, with swim stops and easy hotel pick-up.

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4Excursions
LasithiAgios Nikolaos
★ 4.8Guest rating
Mirabello Bay, Crete ★ Loved by 50k+ travellers
Find your excursion

All excursions around Mirabello Bay.

40 excursions
Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island Crete

Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €145 View
Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €80 View
Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island Crete

Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View
Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island Crete

Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View
Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay Crete

Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port.

from €145 View
Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port

from €85 View
Legends of Crete Crete

Legends of Crete

6+ hours

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €69 View
From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch Crete

From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch

6 hours · Outdoor

Please arrive at the port of Hersonissos 30 minutes…

from €59 View
Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making Crete

Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €129 View
Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island Crete

Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €67 View
Crete: WaterCity Waterpark Crete

Crete: WaterCity Waterpark

6 hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €42.5 View
Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night Crete

Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night

3+ hours · Historical

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €50 View
Book with the operator

Booking Mirabello Bay direct.

Mirabello Bay cruises are sold on every platform. Booking straight with us changes a few things.

The local team, not a reseller

You book with the Crete team that runs the boats and Spinalonga trips itself, not a platform reselling the day.

Real people, quick to answer

A local team on the phone, WhatsApp and Viber daily from 08:00 to 22:00, before you sail and while you are on the water.

Flexible hotel pick-up

Pick-up is arranged around your hotel across Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and the Mirabello Bay resorts.

Clear prices, no mark-up

The price you see is ours, boat and island fee included, with no platform fee added on top.

If a cruise is cancelled for weather or sea conditions, we move you to another date or refund you in full.

About the area

The bay & Spinalonga.

Mirabello Bay is the large gulf of East Crete, in the Lasithi region, wrapped around the town of Agios Nikolaos and the resort of Elounda. It is one of the biggest and most sheltered bays on the island, which keeps the water calm and clear, ideal for a boat cruise and a swim.

The star of the bay is Spinalonga, a small fortified island with a Venetian fortress and a moving 20th-century history, reached only by boat. Most trips pair it with time in Elounda or Agios Nikolaos. The bay sits within easy reach of the rest of Lasithi, the Lasithi Plateau and Spinalonga, with more to explore across the rest of Crete.

SettingLargest sheltered bay in East Crete
Best timeMay to October
RouteBoat cruise, swim stops + Spinalonga
Weather

When to cruise Mirabello Bay.

Boats run from around May to October. Late spring and September bring warm, calm seas with fewer crowds than high summer.

MonthAir (day)SeaHow busy
May24°C20°CQuiet
June28°C22°CBuilding
July31°C24°CBusy
August31°C26°CBusy
September28°C25°CEasing
October24°C24°CQuiet
Best monthsLate May to June and September, warm sea and calmer boats.
Warmest seaAugust, when the bay is at its warmest for swimming.
Calm waterThe bay is sheltered, so crossings stay smooth most days.
Getting here

Getting to Mirabello Bay.

Mirabello Bay is in East Crete, around Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, about an hour’s drive east of Heraklion.

On a guided trip

Most day trips include hotel pick-up, then the boat leaves from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda or Plaka for the cruise and Spinalonga.

On your own

Drive or take a bus to Agios Nikolaos or Elounda, then catch a scheduled boat, though joining an organised day is simpler.

Where to stay

Where to stay on Mirabello Bay.

The bay has everything from a lively harbour town to quiet resort villages, all a short hop from the boats.

Browse hotels nearby
Agios Nikolaos

The main harbour town, built around Lake Voulismeni, with plenty of hotels and tavernas.

Elounda

An upmarket resort village on the bay, closest to the boats over to Spinalonga.

Plaka

A small seaside village opposite Spinalonga, with the shortest crossing to the island.

Istron & the south shore

Quieter beaches and family resorts along the eastern edge of the bay.

Nearby sights

What’s around Mirabello Bay.

Fortress islands, resort villages and a lakeside town ring the water on every side.

Spinalonga island

A Venetian fortress island in the bay, reached only by boat.

Elounda

A smart resort village of harbours, tavernas and calm swimming spots.

Agios Nikolaos

The bay’s main town, built around the little Lake Voulismeni.

Plaka

A quiet seaside village facing Spinalonga across a narrow channel.

Food & drink

Taste of Mirabello Bay.

This is seaside East Crete cooking, built on the day’s catch, local olive oil, cheese and honey, best enjoyed at a waterfront table.

Refuel with fresh fish and seafood meze in Elounda, dakos by Lake Voulismeni in Agios Nikolaos, and a glass of raki to finish.

Local specialties to try
Fresh fishSeafood mezeDakosGraviera cheeseRakiCretan honey
One trusted partner

Plan your whole Mirabello Bay trip.

Book every part of your trip with one local team: flights, ferries, transfers, a car and your hotel.

FlightsFind flights to CreteFerriesFerry tickets to CreteTransfersAirport & port pick-upCar rentalRent a car in CreteHotelsStays across Crete
Before you go

Good to know for Mirabello Bay.

SettingLargest sheltered bay in East Crete
What to bringSwimwear, sun protection and a hat
SeasonBoats run May to October
Time neededHalf day or full day
Good forFamilies and couples, calm-sea cruising
Getting aroundBoats from Elounda, Plaka & Agios Nikolaos
Across Crete

More of Crete around Mirabello Bay.

Other stand-out spots worth adding to your Crete trip.

Plan your visit

How long for Mirabello Bay?

A cruise fits a half or full day. Pair it with the rest of Lasithi if you have longer.

1Half or full day
  • A boat cruise on the bay with a swim stop and time on Spinalonga, back by afternoon or evening.
+Add more
Before you book

Your Mirabello Bay questions

What is there to do on Mirabello Bay?

Mirabello Bay is the large, sheltered gulf of East Crete around Agios Nikolaos and Elounda. Most visitors take a boat cruise on its calm water, often stopping at the fortress island of Spinalonga.

How do I reach Spinalonga?

Spinalonga sits in the bay and is reached only by boat, on short crossings from Elounda and Plaka or on a longer cruise from Agios Nikolaos. Most of our excursions include the boat and the island fee.

Is a Mirabello Bay cruise good for families?

Yes. The bay is well protected, so the water is usually calm, which suits families and anyone who prefers a gentle boat trip. Many cruises include a swim stop.

What should I bring?

Swimwear and a towel for the swim stops, sun protection, a hat and water. Comfortable shoes help for walking the paths on Spinalonga.

When do the boats run?

Cruises typically run from around May to October. If a trip is cancelled for weather or sea conditions, you’re offered another date or a full refund.

Is there a swim stop?

Most full-day cruises include time to swim in the clear, calm water of the bay. Check the individual excursion for exact details.

Where do the trips depart from?

Depending on the excursion, boats leave from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda or Plaka. Hotel pick-up is arranged around the Mirabello Bay resorts for most day trips.

A Time 4 Vacation guide with travellers in Greece
Simple & secure

Booking Mirabello Bay, step by step.

1

Search & compare

Compare Mirabello Bay cruises and Spinalonga trips by type, date and budget, and pick the day that suits you.

2

Book securely

Reserve your Mirabello Bay day out online in minutes, with instant confirmation and a voucher by email.

3

Meet your crew

On the day a licensed local crew meets you and takes care of the rest, so you can just enjoy Mirabello Bay.

Ready to explore Mirabello Bay?

Tell us your dates and what you have in mind. A local expert will put together the cruises, transfers and stays that fit, usually within a day.