Chania · BALOS & GRAMVOUSA CRUISES FROM CHANIA
20 reviewed
Balos is the lagoon on every Crete postcard, and Gramvousa is the pirate island with a shipwreck below its castle. These are the boat trips that do them best: which port each sails from, how long you get in the water, the difference between the big ferry and a small catamaran, and the current price of every seat.
Cruise from Kissamos to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa, swim in emerald water, hike to a Venetian castle, and enjoy Cretan views.
“It was a large boat, more like a ferry, but it took us to Balos Lagoon and to Gramvousa, The ferry moored right on the beach an we were able to get off without needing to get in the water. Food on board was OKish.”
Chania to Balos & Gramvousa: air-conditioned pickup, skip-the-line ferry, lagoon swim and Venetian fortress views.
“Happy with everything. The guide, Irene was simply amazing, a very good sense of humour and you can tell she loves hwr job!”
Sail by catamaran from Kissamos to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa, with small-group comfort, Cretan food, and swim stops plus drinks included.
“We had an exceptional day on our catamaran trip. The crew – Yanny, Dimitri, and Jessica – were incredibly kind and attentive, always making sure we were comfortable. They truly took care of us from start to finish. The food served on board was fresh, delicious, and of excellent quality. This activity is absolutely worth it: by choosing the catamaran, we avoided the crowds of the larger boats and enjoyed a more intimate and pleasant experience. The two beaches we visited, Balos and Grand Vousa, were simply stunning and unforgettable. A memorable experience we would highly recommend!”
Small-group jeep tour from Chania to Balos viewpoint and Falassarna’s reserved loungers, with lunch and drinks included.
“Small amount of easy walking over semi rough ground beach and food very good. Tour guide Yiannis was excellent providing great hospitality as well as imparting knowledge about the island. Fantastic all round.”
Full-day cruise to Gramvousa Fortress and Balos Lagoon from Rethymno with hotel pickup, boat ticket, swim stops, and beach time.
“Alles hat gut geklappt. Unser Guide hat gut deutsch gesprochen( Auch englisch). Alles auf den Programm haben wir gemacht und man hat auch genügend Zeit gehabt bei beiden Orten. Würde es nochmals buchen”
Private boat to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa with snorkeling, swimming, and fortress views, timed to dodge the worst crowds.
“Our captain was absolutely the best part of this entire trip! He was the most gracious host. Took us to some amazing places. Spoiled us with treats from the homeland and taught us about nature and how to live off the land and sea. I was so impressed and we truly got the spirit of what Crete is all about! Plus the beauty of being on the water was a plus. The hike up to the castle is a must!”
Chania to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island by A/C bus and boat. Tickets included, long scenic day, bring water shoes.
“Tutto ben organizzato! Posti bellissimi! Consigliatissimo! Puntuali nelle indicazioni e negli orari! Guida simpatica e chiara …autista anche lui simpatico con guida tranquilla”
Private day trip from Chania to Falassarna and Balos Lagoon with a calm car ride, beach time, and time to snorkel.
“Reaching the Balos Beach! It was tough to get there on the dirt road and then a 25 minute hike. Our driver was a little late!”
Private boat from Chania to Gramvousa Fortress and Balos Lagoon. Up to 9, snorkeling gear, drinks, and included tickets.
“Everything was amazing. Our captain was very professional, experienced and very fun. This was the highlight of our trip. When we come back to Chania this is the first thing we are going to book.”
Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa day trip from Chania with door-to-door pickup, ferry rides, white-sand beaches, and a fortress hike.
“Very well planned with good knowledgeable staff, simple instructions for pickup and drop off as well as times for the boat, both locations were beautiful my only complaint would be the boat trip was very busy and we could not find a seat”
Sail from Kissamos to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa for swimming, snorkeling, a homemade Cretan lunch, and a hike to views.
“We had the best time. Gramvousa is amazing. Beautiful water and swimming. Food on the boat was delicious! Would recommend this to anyone!”
Sail from Kissamos to Gramvousa and Balos on a modern yacht with lunch, unlimited drinks, snorkeling and SUP.
“This activity was perfect! We got it when it was on sale (around 85 euros a person), and it was soooo worth the money. The boat itself is beautiful, and not overcrowded at all. Staff were sooo friendly and helpful. Soft drinks, wine, and beer were included, and the lunch they made for us was DELICIOUS. My friend and I are vegan and gluten-free; with prior request, they prepared a separate meal for us”
Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa from Chania with included transfers and guide time, plus clear guidance on the extra boat ticket and fees.
“Interesting places and beautiful beaches. Nice trip by bus and the boat.”
Heraklion-area day trip to Gramvousa and Balos with bus-and-boat transport, lunch on board, castle views, beach time, and practical timing tips.
“9h de bus pour voir une île deserte ou débarque des ferrys avec des milliers de touristes... loin du cadre de rêve promis ... Juste des jolis points de vue à prendre en photos en évitant la foule devant l objectif si possible...”
Speedboat from Kissamos to Balos and Gramvousa with snorkeling, unlimited drinks, and a faster, comfier day than ferries.
“We did it the 28th of may, we are so thankful that we did this. Beautiful luxe boat with nice music. We liked Dimitris a lot. At gramvoussa we moored and got out with our backpacks. We explored Gramvousa island and went in the water. At balos beach we got the chance to jump from the boat into the sea, enjoyed the space for us around the boat and we swam to balos beach and back. It was definitely worth the money. So happy that we were not on the mass ferry. The flow of people that comes from it is enormous. Also, we did this in the morning and…”
