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Luxury Yacht Tour: Explore Crete's Hidden Gems
4.6
16 Ratings
Trachilos
Sail Crete’s luxury yacht to Gramvousa and Balos, explore exotic islands, savor gourmet meals, and enjoy snorkeling and paddleboarding adventures.
Sail Crete’s luxury yacht to Gramvousa and Balos, explore exotic islands, savor gourmet meals, and enjoy snorkeling and paddleboarding adventures.
Duration:
7 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Gramvousa Beach - Gramvousa Beach is located beneath the Venetian fort at Imeri Gramvousa, in the bay area at the southern tip of the island. Its pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters warmly welcome all island visitors. The tranquil waters and the shade of tamarisk trees provide a serene retreat from everyday life. Its boat-only access…
- Gramvousa Beach - Gramvousa Beach is located beneath the Venetian fort at Imeri Gramvousa, in the bay area at the southern tip of the island. Its pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters warmly welcome all island visitors. The tranquil waters and the shade of tamarisk trees provide a serene retreat from everyday life. Its boat-only access enhances its exclusivity.
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Balos Lagoon - Balos Lagoon, once visited by Princess Diana and Prince Charles, is renowned for its breathtaking exotic landscape, untamed natural beauty, and stunning turquoise waters. The lagoon features a mix of turquoise, vivid blue, and exotic white waters. In some areas, the sand has a striking pinkish hue due to countless crushed shells. Venturing further into the sea, beyond the natural rock boundaries, the water becomes cooler and deeper, perfect for snorkeling.
Balos Lagoon is protected under the Natura 2000 program due to its rare flora and fauna. Approximately 400 plant species have been documented in the area, with 25 species native to Crete, and three exclusively found in Balos. The lagoon is a haven for numerous migratory birds that feed and breed here, including Eleonora falcons, cormorants, and shags nesting in nearby caves. The area also serves as a sanctuary for the protected loggerhead or Caretta-Caretta sea turtle and monk seal.
What's Included
- Pick up & drop off (If option selected)
- Stand up paddle boarding equipment
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- White wine and Beer
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Carbonated beverages
- All fees and/or taxes
- On-board restrooms
- Pick up & drop off (If option selected)
- Stand up paddle boarding equipment
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- White wine and Beer
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Carbonated beverages
- All fees and/or taxes
- On-board restrooms
What's Not Included
- Towels
- Entrance ticket to Gramvousa fortress
- Towels
- Entrance ticket to Gramvousa fortress
Additional Information
Join us for an unforgettable journey on the most magnificent and opulent sailing yacht in Crete, as we explore one of the world’s most exotic destinations. The adventure begins at the Port of Kissamos, where our friendly crew will warmly welcome you aboard. Upon reaching Gramvousa Island, enjoy approximately 2 hours of leisure time to explore or dive…
Join us for an unforgettable journey on the most magnificent and opulent sailing yacht in Crete, as we explore one of the world’s most exotic destinations. The adventure begins at the Port of Kissamos, where our friendly crew will warmly welcome you aboard. Upon reaching Gramvousa Island, enjoy approximately 2 hours of leisure time to explore or dive into the refreshing waters from our yacht. Disembarkation is available via our tender boat. Upon returning to the yacht, indulge in our exquisite menu, freshly prepared by our staff. Choose from a variety of delicacies at our buffet and enjoy unlimited drinks. After about 30 minutes, we will set sail towards Balos Lagoon, where you will have another 2 hours to explore before we begin our return journey to the port. During our two stops, feel free to request snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding equipment from the captain, who will provide instructions for their use.
Location
E65 18
E65
Please wait for the CRETAN SAILING CRUISES crew members at the sailboats dock using the pin provided. Please be there at least 15 minutes before the cruise. The exact location of the boat is subject to change slightly. You will be informed via what's app message or email for the exact location.
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
4.6
(16 Ratings)
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Hilde
Aug 26, 2025
Wonderful sailing experience with tasty lunch - Experienced skipper led us to Gramvousa and Balos. On the outward journey it was with engine but the return journey with full sails. A good piece of work because a lot of wind. Lunch provided: Greek salad, risotto, pasta with scampi. Really enjoyed it!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
971kostal
Aug 2, 2025
Summer 2025 - Beautiful experience. Wonderful crew. Took our family with little kids on an unforgettable time. Thank you George, Mike and Tina!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Martings8111ck
Jun 21, 2025
The best cruise I have experienced - The staff of the cruise was incredible. They added so much to our birthday party experience. I have done many cruise around the world, but this was by far the best, visually, experience wise and staff wise. We got super lucky with the calm waves and amazing sunset. Recommend to anyone 100%
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amandamevans
Apr 17, 2025
Memories for a lifetime - A day in paradise with a fantastic crew who sailed us to secluded beaches, shared local tips on Crete and cooked us a sumptuous fresh lunch. Michel, the skipper, said “it’s not s job, it’s an adventure.” Memories for a lifetime.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A1254xlanastasiak
Apr 12, 2025
Just perfect!!! - Nice sailing experience and the crew was very helpful and friendly! Balos bay is a must see scenery and the water there is the lightest crystal blue you will ever see!!
The food is amazing, didn’t expect it to be so good!
I fully recommend it for a day to remember!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
_e4367dz
Apr 11, 2025
Unforgettable Catamaran Trip - Our catamaran trip to the island this April was absolutely perfect! The crew was friendly and very helpful, the boat was spacious and comfortable, and the whole experience felt like a dream.
We sailed across crystal-clear waters, stopping at stunning spots for swimming and snorkeling. The views were breathtaking, and the onboard meal—fresh seafood and refreshing drinks—made it even better.
The atmosphere was fun and relaxing, making it the perfect adventure with friends and family. April was an ideal time to go, great weather and fewer crowds. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maria
Apr 11, 2025
Amazing Sailing Trip - Our sailing cruise was a fantastic experience! The crew was friendly and professional, and the boat was clean and comfortable. The views along the way were stunning, and the water around the area was crystal-clear, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Lunch on board was delicious and added to the relaxing vibe. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Crete!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kris_p
Jul 30, 2025
Overall good experience minus canceled xfer - Great experience on a large sailboat. The crew was fun, knowledgeable and entertaining. I definitely recommend hiking up to the fort in gramvousa for the views.
I recommend taking your own transportation to the port as it seems they've been last-minute canceling on customers claiming vehicle issues. We had to book a transfer that cost 3x the refunded amount and are just relieved tranfeero was able to rescue the day.
Review provided by Viator
Superkarin
Jul 30, 2025
Amazing views, but crammed up on a sailingboat going by motor - My biggest concerns where two.
First: All of us paid the same (rather high) sum to attend the cruise, yet there was some sort of weird "first come, first serve" rule. So the people that came first took up a LOT of space in front of the boat, and then we - family of four - had to squeeze up in one space equal what one (!) of the people in the front took. You could think that with a rather small boat, and obvious "better" spots, the crew could have arranged that we switched up the places after half the journey and/or at least make sure that everyone had about the same amount of space. It felt a bit unfair that we were sitting there, crammed up on a tiny space while other people where doing nothing to share. (And the fact that we were actually there first, and was told to take a walk while they were arranging the boat made it feel even more unfair. If we'd known, we would have stayed put, and been first on the boat.)
Second: The food was not bad, but far from as luxurious as advertised. It was a standard pasta and a standard salad to go with it. No cheese and fruit was only offered once during the day.
When entering the boat I would recommend to give all passengers information about what could be borrowed (we dearly would have lent a waterbag, which we understood first upon return the the harbor that we could have, when we saw someone else returning it) and about the upcoming schedule.
I would also have loved to see more actual sailing. This was a ride on a sailingboat traveling by motor.
With that said, I am not completely unsatisfied, it is a solid 3/5 star. But for the amount paid, no, I am not sure I can recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lindainwilliamsburg
Jul 28, 2025
They Canceled My Hotel Pick-Up the Afternoon Before — No Help Offered - I booked and paid for this experience—including the transfer—six weeks in advance, expecting it to be the highlight of my first trip to Crete. Unfortunately, it turned into a major disappointment. The afternoon before the tour, the company sent me a text saying they would not be arranging my transport to the port after all. There was no effort to offer a taxi or alternative solution—only a promise to “partially refund” the transfer cost if I arranged my own transportation. That simply wasn’t feasible at that late stage, especially since I hadn’t arrived in Crete yet.
After a lot of back and forth (not how I wanted to spend my vacation), I did eventually receive a full refund—but the experience was disheartening and stressful.
Book with this company at your own risk, especially if you’re relying on their transfer service. According to their terms, they were supposed to confirm the hotel pickup time by the morning before the trip. They never did. When I followed up to ask, I got the cancellation text. My guess? Either they lost my reservation, or I was the only guest coming from Chania that day and they decided it wasn’t worth the trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
