Balos Lagoon - Crete excursion

Balos Lagoon — excursion d'une journée en Crète

The turquoise lagoon at the tip of Gramvousa peninsula

Full day, 9-11 hours - the cruise itself is about 7 hours North-west ChaniaFrom95 / per person

La disponibilité est vérifiée personnellement avant confirmation

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

Idéal pour

  • Photographie
  • Journées plage
  • Amateurs de sorties en bateau
  • Amoureux de la nature

Bon à savoir

  • Non recommandé pour les voyageurs à mobilité fortement réduite.
  • À apprécier surtout si vous êtes à l'aise pour nager depuis un bateau ou une plage ouverte.

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 fleet

Frequently 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.

Guide de voyage IA

Demandez à Manolis

Votre guide IA local qui connaît chaque plage, village et route de montagne en Crète.

Cette expérience vous intéresse ?

Envoyez votre date et votre hôtel. Nous vérifions la disponibilité personnellement et vous envoyons les détails.

  • Disponibilité vérifiée personnellement
  • Prix final clair
  • Point de départ confirmé avec vous
  • Assistance locale en Crète