Right across the port of Agios Nikolaos you can visit the uninhabited island of Agioi Pantes. The island is a natural breakwater for the port of Agios Nikolaos. The church of Agioi Pantes, which gave its name to the island, is located at the top of the island. The island is a shelter for the endangered species of Cretan mountain goats, called “Kri-Kri”. You can enjoy amazing dives in the island’s white-sand beach You can admire Spinalonga island up close. This beautiful island is located across Plaka village, 800m off the coast. When the Venetians occupied Crete, they built a fortress on the island, which survives to this day. Spinalonga served as a leper colony from 1903 to 1957. It is a remarkable monument of World Cultural Heritage and is worth visiting! The island’s history was a source of inspiration for many movies and Victoria Hislop’s best seller “The Island” Ideally, you can combine your excursion to Spinalonga with swimming in Kolokytha, one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete. Its turquoise-dappled waters will amaze you. Don’t miss the pathway that takes you from the beach to the church of Agios Loukas and the Byzantine chapel of Agios Fokas, which was built to honour the Emperor Nikiforos Fokas for the liberation of Crete by the Arabs in 961 A.D We also recommend sailing towards Agriomantra, a beach that is found at the exit of Agriomantra’s gorge and is of outstanding natural beauty. Tamarisk trees offer natural shade, while there are barbecues and benches to have a picnic on the beach