We got the bus through Elounda to Plaka at the end of the road, then caught a boat straight across to Spinalonga. Arriving early we were able to have relaxed look round before the island's narrow paths got too crowded. We walked over the island and I was able to see what it was like all around before going in the water and arrived back at the 'main gate' which seemed a good place to start. There was bit of a breeze - but not too bad - worse was the swash when the larger boats - frequently - chugged by. So for this reason alone it's better to swim early or late.
I'd been looking forward to swimming here for a long time, and wasn't disappointed. I found a good lot of sponges and other encrusting life around the more exposed parts particularly and in some holes. There was a small cave (where I scratched my head a bit) with a large fan worm and red fish with black head - a lesser black faced blenny. Saw lots of other blennies and gobies, more red starfish, grey sea slugs and lots of black sea urchins - some of their spines ending up in my fingers, and picked up a few empty cowrie shells. I went about half-way round and returned to the main-gate.
Various man-made stuff included a modern fishing reel (but was very rubbishy one and broken). And a few relics - perhaps from the leper colony - old bed frame and some broken corroded blue (metal) bowls in the shallows amongst the rubble. Yas had a pleasant stop in the shade, paddling and between the groups enjoying the view and the peace. Got our little boat back to Plaka and ate at one of the beach-front tavernas before catching the bus back home.
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