Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos: Experience the Beauty of Crete's Western Edge
3.7
10 Ratings
Kissamos

Embark on a bus journey to the western extremity of Crete, where you’ll start your seafaring adventure to the ‘Pirates Island’, Gramvousa. Take a dip in the Balos lagoon and take pleasure in the serene yet distinctive experience of a naturally beautiful attraction.

Duration: 15 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Kastelli Kissamos Old Port - Kissamos is a town on the west of Chania with a port and a fishing harbor. From Kissamos port we will be sailing towards Gramvousa and Balos. While on the boat trip, observe the geological phenomenon of the land elevation of Crete, where the island rises out of the sea in the west side of the island and at the same time sinking in the east.

  • Gramvousa - Gramvousa is an island located 20 km northwest of Kissamos and opposite the Cape of Gramvousa. On the island, at a height of 137m over the sea level, still stands a Venetian fortress built between 1579 and 1584, during the Venetian occupation of the island of Crete. The fortress was also used by pirates and a legend claims that there is a great treasure buried on the island. An old shipwreck near the beach has marked its initials as part of the landscape. The water is turquoise color and the seabed is ideal for snorkeling.

  • Balos Lagoon - Between Gramvousa and the coast of Crete, the lagoon of Balos is formed. It has white sand and vivid blue and turquoise water. The sea is very shallow and warm. Due to millions of crushed shells, in many places, the sand has a lovely pinkish color. The lagoon and the wider area around it are both protected under Natura 2000 program, as rare species of flora and fauna are found there. Eleonora falcons, shags and cormorants nest in the caves of the area. Moreover, the area is a shelter for the protected monk seal and the sea turtle Caretta Caretta.

What's Included
  • Transport by air-conditioned coach or minivan
  • Municipality fee
  • Experienced guide included
  • Convenient pickup and drop off from hotels and meeting points
  • Boat ticket included
What's Not Included
  • Food & Drink
Location
Kastelli Kissamos Old Port
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.7
(10 Ratings)
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1 star
Andreamw8252xy
Jun 18, 2023
Memorable - The views were amazing. The tour guide was friendly and has given all the necessary information. It was a little scary because of the waves, we had a 20 minutes storm with high waves. All the passangers were scared and were having a hard time facing the storm. Overall, it was a once in a lifetime experience! Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Loeki_b
Sep 26, 2021
The excursion was... - The excursion was amazing! Our guide Sergio and our driver avangelios are such nice people! I loved the balos beach more the the 2nd stop. Balos was so beautiful, like a paradise!! I suggest to wear real shoes or good sandals ( no flip flops) because you have to cross alot of rocks to get to both beaches. I am sure you wil live this trip!!
Review provided by Viator
698earlinem
Jun 26, 2022
A surprise, but worth it - The beach and island you get to spend time on during this tour were beautiful and amazing and are worth going to see! We enjoyed the sights and the water. Things to note: 1. If you are leaving from Heraklion, it is a 3 hour bus ride to get to the boat. 2. The boat is a ferry that carries 1,000+ people. Seats can be hard to find. 3. There are two food lines/bars on the boat that are reasonably priced and there are clean, functional toilets. We thought this trip was completely worth it, but did not realize the bus portion of it was a thing. If you decide to go, make sure you are prepared for the ride. Elena was our guide and made the trip very smooth and pleasant!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anzeigename
Oct 5, 2019
Nice Beaches - Turquouis Water - but a LOT of PEOPLE will be with you on that boat and on the beach. - Every day two large and one very large ships full of tourists (approx. 700 in total) leave from Kissamos port to a one day boat trip to Balos beach and Gramvousa island and back. To boats leave around 10:30 and on at 12:00 which spreads out the number of people. Nevertheless you share the beach with hundrest of tourists. The beach is nice, the water super crystal cleare (both at Balos and on Gramvousa). The overall experience was OK - my kid liked it. Don't expect a romantic experience - it's mass tourism! Fun fact: People being late for the departure of the ship, waving and shouting - captain turned the ship to pick them up. The prices of the food and drinks on board are okay. At lunch there is one kind of hot meal available. 1/2 an hour before you return to the port of Kissamos there is "happy hour" with reduced prices on cocktails and beer. Recommendation: Try to get a ticket for one of the two smaller boats. Don'T forget to bring enough water, shade and sun screen. You can reach Balos beach also by car and walking - but: the road is not paved and you need to walk at least 1h to get from the end of the road down to the beach (and up again!)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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