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Crete Escape: Gramvousa and Balos Boat Tour from Chania with Included Ticket
3.6
108 Ratings
Kissamos
Embark on a thrilling boat tour from Chania to Gramvousa and Balos. Explore the Venetian castle, swim in crystal-clear waters, and experience the beauty of the Balos lagoon.
Embark on a thrilling boat tour from Chania to Gramvousa and Balos. Explore the Venetian castle, swim in crystal-clear waters, and experience the beauty of the Balos lagoon.
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
-
Balos Lagoon - Balos Lagoon, with its stunningly clear waters, is regarded as one of the most breathtaking beaches globally and ranks among the top 10 beaches in Europe.
A fantastic destination you simply cannot miss and a must-see when visiting Chania. Join our team for a unique experience. - Gramvousa Beach - Gramvousa Island, known for its…
- Balos Lagoon - Balos Lagoon, with its stunningly clear waters, is regarded as one of the most breathtaking beaches globally and ranks among the top 10 beaches in Europe.
A fantastic destination you simply cannot miss and a must-see when visiting Chania. Join our team for a unique experience.
- Gramvousa Beach - Gramvousa Island, known for its famous pirate history, is a unique attraction throughout Greece. While there, it’s worth exploring the incredible pirate castle or swimming near the renowned cargo shipwreck located on the island’s shore.
During your visit, don’t forget to light a candle in the historic church of St. George, situated on the shore.
What's Included
- Pick up/Drop off with A/C Luxurious Bus
- 24/7 Superior Service
- Boat tickets to Gramvousa and Balos
- InBus Guiding + Pre-Recorded Instructions on boat
- Pick up/Drop off with A/C Luxurious Bus
- 24/7 Superior Service
- Boat tickets to Gramvousa and Balos
- InBus Guiding + Pre-Recorded Instructions on boat
What's Not Included
- Municipality fee (1 euro for adults, free for children)
- Personal expenses, extra beverages or meals
- Gratitude/Tips
- Municipality fee (1 euro for adults, free for children)
- Personal expenses, extra beverages or meals
- Gratitude/Tips
Additional Information
We will collect you from assorted locations in and around Chania, following which we will embark on a drive through West Crete, concluding at the port of Kissamos. Following a roughly one-hour journey, the boat will dock at the harbour of Gramvousa. The peak of this island houses a Venetian castle erected in the late 16th century atop an abrupt rock…
We will collect you from assorted locations in and around Chania, following which we will embark on a drive through West Crete, concluding at the port of Kissamos. Following a roughly one-hour journey, the boat will dock at the harbour of Gramvousa. The peak of this island houses a Venetian castle erected in the late 16th century atop an abrupt rock formation. You’ll have ample time to explore this terrain and savour a swim along its shore prior to boarding the boat that will ferry us to the equisite Balos lagoon. The combination of calm, radiant turquoise waters with raw scenic beauty is a seldom seen blend that fills this lagoon. Roughly at 16:30, we will return to the boat destined for the port of Kissamos, and ultimately travel by bus to return you to your initial pick up points.
- Remember to bring the following items: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, camera, swimsuit and beach towel
- You are advised to bring appropriate shoes for the hike up to Gramvousa Castle
- Rubbish disposal as well as removing seashells from the beach is prohibited
- Environmental Fee of 1 euro is paid on the spot
Location
Balos Lagoon
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
3.6
(108 Ratings)
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Roving62768412101
Sep 27, 2024
Value for money - Great trip. It was very well organised. All schedule was clearly communicated so everybody knew what to expect. We had sufficient time in Balos and Gramvousa. It was a lot of people on the boat, but everybody could find space to seat and enjoy the views. Food and drinks are accesible on the boat and prices are not that expensive.
Departure times of the boat were displayed everytime we were leaving the boat so everybody knew exactly what time it departures. There was a bridge from boat to the beaches so there was no need to swim...
Overall it was great experience and as I have mentioned all schedule was displayed and communicated in the bus so there was no suprises. Driver and tour quide took great care of us so the whole journey was comfortable and with no stress at all.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L7235cnchiaram
Sep 26, 2024
Nice experience - Great tour
We went to the port of Kissamos very punctual we boarded them
There is everything to eat and if you want there is also a photo service where at the end you leave the photo and personalized key chains and magnets
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anto-jonny
Jul 21, 2024
Relax, crystal clear water, - We went hiking with our tour operator Alpitour. Nice hike, Laguna Balos is beautiful. We liked Gramvousa better. Beautiful water, the background interior very particular landscape, red mountains with an immensity of Aloe plants.
There are strange rocks, biting..beautiful to look at. Remember to have the right shoes with you, otherwise it is almost impossible to swim. At the top there is a Venetian fortress. You can climb 400 steps, about 20 minutes. I did not go, preferred to enjoy warm and crystal clear water.
However it is feasible, and the view definitely wonderful .. I highly recommend this excursion. From our Resort Aquila rethymno 1 hour, more or less bus and 1 hour Great Ferry. .Recommended to everyone because, in my opinion it is the most beautiful sea of Kreta.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scarlett_j
Jun 18, 2024
Outstanding! - Amazing day all together! Balos lagoon water was so warm, just like a bath. Gramvousa was incredible, water was turquoise blue and so clear, not forgetting the incredible history and shipwreck. Breathtaking experience.
Review provided by Viator
John_l
Jun 10, 2024
Island excursion. - Apart from a number of pick up points, the journey to the boat was an interesting insight of the Island. Our guide Carolina was very informative. After boarding the boat (an old car ferry) which was very comfortable and offered food and drinks the entire trip, we sailed to the Pirate Island of Gramvousa. You are able to go onto the Island. It has a sandy beach with limited shade and view the old fortification there if you fancy the climb. Trainers or walking footwear needed. Balos lagoon is also nice. No shade. You need wet style footwear. In all the trip was excellent.
Review provided by Viator
I5958fgjennifers
Aug 7, 2024
Stunning beaches - It was a good experience. We went to sightsee and for the kids to snorkel.
I was hesitant about the reviews about receiving pick up info, but ours was very straight forward. Told the day before as promised. Our guide was very informative and helpful.
The ferry was busy and the only downside of the whole thing, which is not the fault of the organisers. It was more that the other people aboard don’t want to create space for others to sit down, which we found difficult with a family of four. Disembarking at Balos was slow but we didn’t need to wade through the sea as other reviews suggested. Maybe this is a new addition.
Gramvoussa was easier to disembark due to more space once we’d docked.
We took our own food but the ferry was well stocked. There’s no facilities or provisions other than on the ferry.
Long day but glad we went.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
943theab
Jun 11, 2024
Great wiews but - Amazing wiews and the best trip we’ve been to in Crete. Everything was great planed and the guide was good. But the only thing is that we had to ”swim” to Balos from the boat, and they said to leave our stuff behind. Me and my friends did not want to leave without all our belongings in a locker or something so we just stayed on the boat. So the fact that we did not know everything before hand is the only ”bad” thing, otherwise we loved it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Юлия
Jun 7, 2024
Good activity for the whole day - Good time for the whole family
I liked the trip. The ship was big, there was enough space for everyone. The upper deck had both open benches and covered seating.
Since lunch on the ferry was not included in the price, we took a light snack with us - sandwiches and fruit. The bar has an abundance of cold and hot drinks.
Comfortable shoes are a must. It is better to take sneakers to climb to the fortress. For swimming - special slippers, without them there is a high risk of seriously injuring your feet. Landing in the Balos Lagoon was right in the water, 100 m from the shore; EVERYONE had to swim in swimsuits to get there; they took valuables (phones, money) with them. Therefore, it is better to have a waterproof bag (backpack). Other things can be left on board.
There were many families with children. It seemed to me that this was not the best solution, but people were happy.
The lagoon is beautiful, but quite dirty.
To get to the fortress we had to wait in line for about 15 minutes. The views from the top are very beautiful. The descent took a little longer, the steps are uneven, you have to be careful. There is almost no time left for the beach. You need to be on the boat 15 minutes before departure. Overall, I recommend it for beach lovers
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Norbertsh344zr
Aug 23, 2024
Very much dimensions , little class . - Extreme mass tourism. Everyone wants to see, of course, but hardly enjoyable with the crowds, unless you go there very early but then by car. Departure boats (many boats) only around 11 am return around 6 pm .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rablert
Sep 10, 2024
Balos is not what it is said to be! - We booked through io tours, but were dissapointed with the trip. The boat we were on took 1000 people and several other smaller ones arrived while we were at Balos. If the beach is ideal when quiet, it certainly isn't with 1000+ people arriving at a time.
The bus trip back from the ferry was chaotic taking over 2 hours from landing with the ferry and the tour guide leaving the bus part way back with no briefing on what was to happen. One trip and one company to avoid.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
