• Language:EnglishEn
  • Currency:USD  (US$)
  • Wishlist
  • Cart
  • Help
  • Log in
Skip to content
  • Greece
  • Crete
  • Balos Beach
Day trip

Crete: Balos & Gramvousa Boat Cruise including Bus Transfer

4.3  / 5
53 reviews
Activity provider:Altino Travel
photo-gallery
photo-collagephoto-collagephoto-collagephoto-collage
Add to wishlist
Day trip

Crete: Balos & Gramvousa Boat Cruise including Bus Transfer

Activity provider:Altino Travel
4.3  / 5
53 reviews

From US$ 61.30 per person

Journey to an exciting pirate island, adventure through the remains of its Venetian fortress and take a refreshing swim in a stunning lagoon on this boat trip.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 14 - 16 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English, German, French, Polish
Pickup included
The exact pickup time and location will be sent via email the day before the activity takes place.

Experience

Highlights
  • Feel the warmth of the sun and take in glorious landscapes on this boat trip
  • Enjoy a cruise to the island of Gramvousa and explore its Venetian fortress
  • Swim, relax and enjoy the amazing scenery of the protected Balos lagoon
  • See how Crete is rising out the water on one side, and sinking on the other
  • Learn about the history of the area thanks to your knowledgeable guide
Full description

Take in the beauty of Crete and its nearby islands on this boat trip. Travel to the pirate’s island, Gramvousa, explore the Venetian fortress, and head to the idyllic Baloos lagoon, filled with rare species of fauna and flora, for a refreshing swim.

Your trip starts with a bus to Kissamos. From the port of Kissamos, the boat will depart to Gramvousa. While on the boat trip, you’ll observe the geological phenomenon of Crete, with the island rising out of the sea on the west side – and sinking in the east.

Your first stop is the island Gramvousa, with its Venetian fortress, built between 1579 and 1584 by the Venetian occupiers. Take your time exploring the fortress, which was also used by pirates – a legend claims that there’s a great treasure buried there.

An old shipwreck near the beach has become a part of the landscape, and the turquoise water is ideal for snorkeling.

The next stop is the Balos lagoon, with its white sand and shallow, warm water, perfect for a swim. Due to millions of crushed shells, in many places, the sand has a lovely pink hue.

The protected area houses many rare species of flora and fauna, such as Eleonora falcons, shags, and cormorants. Swim or explore, then head back after your full experience around these islands.

Includes
  • Pickup and drop-off
  • Boat ticket to Gramvousa & Balos
  • Guide
  • Municipality fee
  • Food & Drinks
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sun hat
  • Swimwear
  • Towel
  • Sunscreen

Not allowed

  • Pets

From US$ 61.30 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
  • Give this as a gift

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 53 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.7/5
  • Transportation
    4.4/5
  • Value for money
    4.5/5

Filter

By star rating

Sort by:

Strating the trip from Malia it is the best choice to get the transport organized like this! Everything went smoothly, Balos was amazing: in 2:40 minutes you have time for a dip, sunbathing and a hike to see the lagoon from a higher viewpoint. You can hire chair+umbrella against the sun, there’s is a bufe and toilet (1€) to use. For Gramvousa, you get 1 hour to either swim&snorkelling or have a little hike to see the remaining of the fort. Although many people did the hike in flip-flops, it slowed down the queue so please just bring a pair of sport shoes/light hiking shoes! It’s easy to slip. On the boat, there’s toilet (free) and you can have drinks,food&snacks (fruits and salad too) from their kitchen. The boat is collecting a lot of people so it’s a little tricky to get a seat all together if you go with family or group of friends. Negotiate or be flexible. And don’t hold a seat just for your bag,please! Our guide,Elena was amazing and took good care of us!:)

Read more

August 5, 2022

S
Sára – United KingdomVerified booking

Helpful?

Product ID: 412176

  • Greece
  • Crete
  • Balos Beach

Top Attractions in Crete

  • 1Balos Beach
  • 2Ano Koufonisi
  • 3Gramvousa
  • 4Kourtaliotiko Gorge
  • 5Preveli Beach
  • 6Falassarna Beach
  • 7Psiloritis, Crete
  • 8Matala Beach
  • 9Damnioni Beach, Crete
  • 10Monastery of Arkadi
  • 11Melidoni Cave
  • 12Olous, Greece
  • 13Aposelemis Dam
  • 14Ammoudara Beach
  • 15Messara Plain, Crete
  • 16Sarakinas Gorge
  • 17Odigitria Monastery
  • 18Preveli Palm Forest
  • 19Kotsifou Gorge, Crete
  • 20Souda Bay

Things to Do in Crete

  • 1Crete Activities
  • 2Crete Tours
  • 3Crete Summer activities
  • 4Crete Outdoor activities
  • 5Crete Day trips
  • 6Crete Boats & yachts
  • 7Crete Autumn activities
  • 8Crete Good for groups
  • 9Crete Nature & adventure
  • 10Crete Water activities
  • 11Crete Outdoor sports
  • 12Crete Solo travelers' tours
  • 13Crete Cruises & boat tours
  • 14Crete Sightseeing cruises
  • 15Crete Day trips
  • 16Crete Beach trips
  • 17Crete Island tours
  • 18Crete Deals & discounts
  • 19Crete Safaris & wildlife activities
  • 20Crete Activities for couples

Cities in Crete

  • 1Matala
  • 2Preveli
  • 3Skalani
  • 4Agia Galini
  • 5Souda
  • 6Kato Gouves
  • 7Marathi
  • 8Kamisiana
  • 9Limenas Chersonisou
  • 10Arkadi, Greece
  • 11Vatos, Crete
  • 12Margarites
  • 13Argyroupoli, Crete
  • 14Platanias
  • 15Agia Irini, Crete
  • 16Sitia
  • 17Pantanassa
  • 18Analipsi
  • 19Gouves
  • 20Anissaras

Top destinations

  • Paris
  • Rome
  • Amsterdam
  • London
  • Barcelona
  • Venice
  • Dubai
  • Florence
  • New York City
  • Budapest
  • Berlin
  • Prague
  • Lisbon
  • Milan
  • Reykjavik
  • Vienna
  • Krakow
  • Edinburgh
  • Marrakech
  • Madrid

Popular on GetYourGuide

  • Rome Culture & history
  • Paris Architecture
  • Rome Tours
  • Krakow Bus & minivan tours
  • Paris Theme & amusement parks
  • Reykjavik Bus & minivan tours
  • London Entry tickets
  • Amsterdam Cruises & boat tours
  • Venice Airport transfers
  • Amsterdam City cards
  • Dubai Audio guides
  • Paris Bus & minivan tours
  • Marrakech Bus & minivan tours
  • Rome Airport transfers
  • Florence Culture & history
  • Paris Audio guides
  • London Culture & history
  • Paris Tours
  • Paris Entry tickets
  • London Bus & minivan tours

Popular Attractions

  • Vatican Museums
  • Colosseum
  • Seine River
  • Sagrada Familia
  • Van Gogh Museum
  • The London Eye
  • Tower of London
  • Prague Castle
  • Alcázar of Seville
  • Seville Cathedral
  • 9/11 Memorial, NYC
  • Edge
  • Top of the Rock Observation Deck
  • Caminito del Rey
  • Underground Naples
  • Pantheon, Rome
  • Pompeii
  • Sainte-Chapelle
  • Empire State Building
  • Louvre Museum
Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store
  • Contact
  • Legal Notice
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies and Marketing Preferences
  • General Terms and Conditions
  • Information according to the Digital Services Act
  • Sitemap
  • Do not Sell or Share my Personal Information
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Gift Cards
  • Magazine
  • Travel Guides
  • As a Supply Partner
  • As a Content Creator
  • As an Affiliate Partner
Paypal
Mastercard
Visa
Maestro
American Express
Jcb
Discover
Sofort
Klarna
Google Pay
Apple Pay
Bancontact

© 2008 – 2023 GetYourGuide. Made in Zurich & Berlin.

Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn