Balos Lagoon — day trip in Crete
The turquoise lagoon at the tip of Gramvousa peninsula
Availability is checked personally before anything is confirmed
Balos is the postcard: a shallow lagoon where three shades of blue meet white sand, wrapped by a rocky peninsula at the far north-west tip of Crete.
We always send guests by boat from Kissamos rather than the gravel track. The boat also stops at Gramvousa, a Venetian fortress island with a shipwreck in the bay and pirate history in the walls.
From Kissamos the boat runs roughly seven hours: two hours ashore on Gramvousa with its Venetian fortress and the rusting wreck in the shallows, then about three hours anchored at the lagoon itself.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Return boat tickets Kissamos - Gramvousa - Balos
- Port fees
- Time at both stops
- Lunch on board
Not included
- Food and drinks on board
- Sunbeds at Balos
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities
Perfect for
- Photography
- Beach days
- Boat trip fans
- Nature lovers
Good to know
- Not recommended for travellers with significant mobility limitations.
- Best enjoyed if you are comfortable swimming from a boat or an open beach.
Pickup information
Pickup from Chania, Platanias, Kissamos and Rethymno hotels. Heraklion-based guests should allow a very long day.
What to bring
- Water shoes - the fortress climb is stony
- Swimwear, towel and plenty of sunscreen
- A hat, the boat deck is exposed
- Cash for the on-board canteen
- Motion-sickness tablets if you are sensitive
On the map
Getting around
Park free at Kissamos port and pick your car up on return - or let us handle the transfer entirely.
See the fleetFrequently asked questions
Can I drive to Balos instead?
There is a rough 8 km gravel track. Every rental contract in Crete, ours included, forbids it and damage there is never covered. Take the boat.
Is there shade at the lagoon?
Very little. Bring a hat and reapply sunscreen - the reflected light off the sand is intense.
What is the walk down to the lagoon like?
From the boat landing it is a flat 10-minute walk on sand. From the road above it would be 250 steps - another reason to sail.
Does the boat run all year?
Roughly May to late October, weather permitting. Strong meltemi wind can cancel sailings; you get a refund or another date.
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