The boat trip to Gramvousa island and Balos Lagoon Beach is one of the highlights of any trip in Crete.
The colors, the landscapes, the wilderness… The area is magical!
Below is my guide to help you plan and make the best of your day: map, how to get there, facilities, things to see… with photos!
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Crete:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Crete: DiscoverCars
The unmissable boat tour: Gramvousa island + Balos Lagoon
Fun activity: Quad excursion off the beaten path
My favorite places to stay:
- Chania: see best rated hotels – e.g. Casa Delfino
- Palaiochora: see best rated hotels – e.g. Blue Horizon Hotel
- Rethymno: see best rated hotels – e.g. Leo Hotel
Balos Lagoon – the most beautiful beach in Crete
Balos Lagoon is often included as the most beautiful beach in Crete and one of the most beautiful in Europe. It sure made it on both my lists of best beaches and best places to see in Crete!
Located at the North West tips of the island, its access is limited (boat, 4WD or hiking). So it has remained mostly wild and with a pristine environment.
Have a look:
Before I share all my tips and many photos, below is a short video to give you an idea of what the boat trip to Balos beach and Gramvousa island looks like.
Hopefully it will inspire you:
This is one of the most famous boat tours in Crete (see my list).
More photos after the planning tips.
Planning Trip & Map – Balos Lagoon Crete
Where is Balos Beach in Crete – map and location
- North West tip of Crete
- In the Chania region
- Boat and 4WD departure West of Kissamos
- Chania to Kissamos = 1h drive
- Rethymno to Kissamos = 1h20 drive
- Heraklion to Kissamos = 2h drive
- Below is a map to better understand the location of Balos Beach:
This highlight is (with GPS coordinates and practical tips) included in my Travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your road trip around Crete:
Plan your dream trip in Crete thanks to my guide
- 5 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 60+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 150+ original photos to help you choose
How to get to Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa island
Gramvousa island is only accessible by boat.
Once in Kissamos, the Balos Lagoon is accessible:
- by boat from the port of Kissamos – the cruise will take you to the island and to the lagoon – they also arrange pick up by bus from Chania and Rethymno – you can book online you ticket (with bus extra or direct) – 1 to 3 departure a day in Summer (at least May to October), no departures in Winter – Check out Programs and Prices
- by car – there is an unpaved track starting after the Balos beach hotel at Kaliviani, West of Kissamos. It is narrow and bumpy – more information on this option at the end of the article
- hiking – there is a long hike from Falasarna Beach to Balos – learn more here
- by private yacht – from what I have found searching on the Internet, companies offer private tour by yacht to Gramvousa and Balos from Chania harbor (such as Seastar Chania) of from Kissamos (such as Balosstar Gruises)
Need to rent a car in Crete?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Tips to plan for your trip by Boat to Balos Beach
- Bring walking shoes – you are going to the beach, yes, but you can hike at Gramvousa island and you still have to walk a little from the wharf to the lagoon. It is much better with good shoes
- Bring clothes – Crete can be windy , especially in the West and it is always windy on a boat. So don’t bring only swimwear, take something to get warm at the end of the day. I have seen people freezing on the boat
- Bring sunscreen
- Umbrellas can be rented on the boat
- Food and toilets on the boat
- The boat remains accessible all the time
- Free carpark at the Kissamos port
- Access difficulty: 5min walk to Gramvousa Beach / 400 steps up to Fortress / 5min walk from Boat to Balos beach
- This is a large boat, so you won’t be alone. Despite the crowds, I still think it is worth the trip
Where to stay near Balos Lagoon – Hotels
There are no accommodations at Balos Lagoon.
Your best option is to stay at Kissamos, close to the port. Check out the best rated accommodations in Kissamos.
I stayed just outside of town at the Balos Beach Resort (which is not at Balos beach). It is located just before the start of the 4WD track.
The rooms were spacious and modern, with a large terrace. The food was buffet style and good.
Check out more photos and book
Where to stay in Crete?
My favorites:
- Chania, a charming town: See best rated accommodations
- Rethymno, history, beach and central location: See best rated options
- Heraklion, main city: See best rated options
- Palaiochora, for stunning scenery, away from crowds – See best rated options
- Mochlos, for a very quiet area: see best rated options
- For a sandy beach and some nightlife: Malia or Bali
Gramvousa and Balos Lagoon boat tours
About the boats
What to see what your the Balos Beach Boat looks like.
The Balos Cruises company has several boats. This is the biggest ferry from Kissamos to Balos beach. Its name is Gramvousa.
There is lots of seating: some completely outside, some semi-outside (with cover) and some inside (sorry I forgot to take a picture of it).
You need to climb around 20 steps to get to the seating area.
Facilities on board
Inside there is a food area with snacks as well as plates of fruits, salads, ice-creams and many different drinks. They accept credit cards and cash.
Be careful if seating outside at the front, when there is a big wave you can get splashed and wet! (protect your camera…).
There are toilets on board, but they are quite small so not easy to change inside…
When the weather is good, there is the option to enjoy the water slides. However on the day I did my Balos Beach cruise, it was extremely windy, so no slides.
Timing of the Balos beach boat trip
- departure between 12:20 and 12h (depending on your departure time)
- sail to Gramvousa island (over 1h)
- 2 hours at Gramvousa (however if the sailing was longer because of conditions, this is were time is cut)
- 20 min sailing to Balos lagoon
- 3 hours on Balos beach
- return to Kissamos port
Area protection
Both Gramvouva and Balos are under the Natura 2000 program protection. The following is prohibited:
- Leaving your rubbish
- Taking rocks, fossils, shells, ancient finds, and plants
- Catching Animal
- Free camping
- Starting a fire and smoking around bushes and woodlands
- Anything that might threaten the ecosystem
Cruise to Balos Beach
In the video at the beginning, you have seen a little of the cruising part, from Kissamos to Gramvousa.
You follow the East coast of the peninsula with dramatic cliffs all the way to Cape Vouxa.
The main point of interest, during this part of the trip is a large cave, thought to be an ancient shipyard.
At the North end, the boat turns and sails between the cape and the island of Agria Gramvousa.
We then sails towards the South between the cape and the island of Imeri Gramvousa with the mountains in the background.
Wondering if disembarking at Gramvousa and Balos is difficult?
Well it is not.
You just have to get down the staircase and exit from the front of the boat.
At Gramvousa island, the access was direct on the ground, while at Balos, you disembark on the island of Tigani via a bridge.
Gramvousa Island – Fortress and beach
Approaching Gramvousa Island by boat
Your first stop is Gramvousa island.
I must admit that although Balos Beach is spectacular, the island was the highlight of the boat trip for me.
Already as the boat approaches the island the shape and colors are fascinating:
The island is really mesmerizing with straight cliffs and turquoise water.
It is often refer to as the Pirate island because Cretan insurgents from the Greek war of Independence became pirates.
And you must admit that the shipwreck in the middle of the island South coast does help with the Pirate thing.
The shipwreck is a 35m long motor ship. Its name is “Dimitrios P”. It was carrying cement to North Africa. In 1968, because of bad weather, it was forced to fix both anchors near Gramvousa. One broke on the 8th January and the boat got stranded.
We arrive at the small port on the West side, under the Venetian fort located around the highest point of the island (learn more in the next section).
The island, and the whole Gramvousa peninsula, are also recognized for their flora.
On Imeri Gramvousa there are 173 plant species, including rare one found only on these islands: Anthemis Glaberrima. So stay on the paths!
Climbing to Gramvousa Fortress
The main attraction of the island are the ruins of the Gramvousa Fortress.
It was originally built during the 16th century by the Venetians (1579-1584).
Its location was very strategic to control the strait between Western Crete and the Peloponese.
Located at 137m above sea level with straight cliffs all around, it was unconquerable and remained under Venetian control.
However in 1962, it was handed over to the Ottomans who fortified the castle.
In 1825, during the revolution, the Cretan were able to conquer the fort by pretending the be the new guard, dressed as Ottomans.
As I wrote it lies at 137m and most side are extremely steep.
There is only one path up to the castle with many many steps.
Because I had a sprained ankle, I stopped around mid-way. I had climbed 200 steps so I estimate the total at around 400 steps to reach the fortress.
Below you can see what I still had to climb.
Normally you have 2 hours to explore Gramvousa. However if the sailing conditions are not good, this time can be shorter. In that case evaluate properly your fitness to see if you have the time to get to the top and back down.
From the point where I stopped, the view was already magnificent.
You can see the beach at the bottom, the boat and in the back the Tigani island protecting the Balos Lagoon.
The mountain range behind is, I think, Geroskinos reaching 600m.
Gramvousa Beach
For those who don’t want to climb to the fortress, or if you have the 2 full hours, you can enjoy a swim in the warm shallow waters of Gramvousa beach.
This is a fantastic spot with great scenery.
However beware that there are rocks in the water.
10 min before leaving, the boat sounds the horn quite loudly so you know you have to get back on board in risk of being left behind…
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Tigani island – arrival at Balos beach by boat
Next stop is Balos Lagoon.
The sailing from Gramvousa to Balos is quite short and splendid.
As you can see below you can already guess the sand surface and the shallow waters
The boat allows you to land on Tigani island, the small mount at Cape Tigani that creates the lagoon.
You follow the path for 5min to the sand area.
If going a little up Tigani island, you can understand better the lagoon area with the mountain range in the background:
Make sure that, if you decide to explore the island, you need to wear hiking shoes. It is covered of rocks and low scratching vegetation.
To better understand the island, here is a picture I took from the other side, after walking along the lagoon.
You can see the beautiful shapes of Tigani and how it is protecting the area.
If you don’t want to swim much, you can also climb above the pier to the small church of Saint George.
Balos beach & lagoon
But most of you are mostly interested by the lagoon and the beach.
Don’t worry it does not disappoint.
The Beach side
Most people swim on the “beach side” of the lagoon: the waters opening towards the North. They are quite shallow for a long time but still deep enough to enjoy a swim.
There are 2 sections: one of the island side, and one of the peninsula side. They are separated by water that is deeper than one might think when trying to cross… be warned! (almost to the hips in some sections)
From there you have a splendid view of the Gramvousa island.
There are a few sunbeds.
And you can hire an umbrella from the boat.
The lagoon of Balos
If you turn South, there is the very shallow lagoon with water up to the ankle mostly (up to the knee when walking towards the peninsula).
This is calm and great if you have kids.
The water here is emerald-color.
See how relaxing it could be to walk around in the warm water…
The rocks
Further North of the lagoon is a rocky area.
The rocks here are fascinating with lots of different colors. Some are pink-yellow-orange. Love it!
You can go explore the rocks and reach the other side facing North.
Apparently on this side the water is deeper and colder, which is good for snorkeling. There is a turtle in the area but it is shy, so you might not see any.
Sand at Balos beach
Like at Elafonisi beach (see my article), you can find some pink sand at Balos beach.
This is due to the millions of pinkish shell bing crushed into sand.
The quantity of pink will vary a lot depending of waves, tide, weather, season… But it is often more pink at the limit of the water.
Pay attention where you walk!
Return to Kissamos
During the 3 hours at the lagoon, you can climb back onboard the ship any time.
10mn before leaving, it will sound the horn.
And it is time to leave and say goodbye to the paradise looking landscapes.
Balos beach by car
If you’d rather go by road, here are some information on how to get to Balos by car.
- Dirt road from Kalyvani (after Balos beach hotel) to Carpark
- 10km of narrow bumpy road
- A lot of people find it scary because of the drop on one side
- You have to pay a small fee for the protection of the Balos Reserve
- you should go early to be there before the boats arrive and enjoy the wild environment or stay late to appreciate the sunset (but then you have to drive the narrow track in the dark…)
Below is a photo taken from the boat where you can see the track going along and up.
This is what the track looks like:
At the end you reach a carpark. But it is not at the beach.
You have to walk down a 1km long footpath which is quite steep with mostly stairs.
If you choose this option, don’t forget that you will still have to climb back up at the end of your stay.
The main advantage of coming to Balos by car, is to be able to see the whole area from above. This way you really understand the lagoon and Tigani island:
Want to see more of the best Crete has to offer?
- 20 best things to do in Crete – read article
- 40 best landscapes in Crete (in pictures) – read article
- The 27 best beaches in Crete – read article
- The most beautiful archaeological sites – read article
- The most beautiful churches and monasteries in Crete – read article
- Advice for planning your road trip in Crete and your itinerary – read article
- Tips for driving around Crete – read article
- The most beautiful boat trips around Crete – read article
- Chania or Heraklion or Rethymno – where to go? – read article
Planning a trip to Crete?
Check out my travel guide eBook to help you plan:
Plan your dream trip in Crete thanks to my guide
- 5 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 60+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 150+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
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