Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island Cruise Tour
Description
Enjoy an unforgettable cruise with convenient hotel pick-up included. Your first stop is the famous Balos Lagoon, where you’ll spend around 3 hours swimming in crystal-clear turquoise waters, relaxing on golden sand, and soaking in the exotic scenery. The journey then continues to Gramvousa, known as the “pirates’ island.” Here you’ll have nearly 2 hours to swim at the pristine beach or hike up to the Venetian fortress for breathtaking panoramic views over the Aegean. At the end of the day, return by boat and transfer back to your hotel, filled with memories of two of Crete’s most spectacular destinations.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Balos is one of Crete’s most iconic destinations, famous for its shallow turquoise waters and golden-white sand. Spend around 3 hours here swimming in the crystal-clear sea, relaxing on the beach, and walking along the stunning lagoon that feels like a tropical paradise. The unique colors and untouched natural beauty make Balos a must-see highlight of the island.
Known as the “pirates’ island,” Gramvousa combines history and natural beauty. Spend nearly 2 hours enjoying a swim in the pristine waters or exploring the impressive Venetian fortress that crowns the hilltop. To reach the top, you’ll follow a rocky path that takes about 20 minutes, rewarding you with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and Balos lagoon – an unforgettable experience that blends adventure, culture, and breathtaking scenery.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
"Pick up location and time'' You will be notified of your pick-up details (pick-up location & time) in your email via "Contact Customer Care" according to your hotel or apartment address that you have provided. Pick-up & drop-off service is available for the areas listed below: - Chania Town - Chrissi Akti - Kato Daratso - Agioi Apostoloi - Kalamaki - Stalos - Agia Marina - Platanias - Gerani - Maleme - Kamisiana - Tavronitis - Kolimvari Note 1. Pick-up points can be hotels, buildings, and squares. 2. Please note that you must be at the pick-up point on time as the bus cannot wait.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(3)
It's well worth the journey but try to go when it's not windy. It gets very busy at Gramvousa so try to get off the boat first so you get a good place on the beach. Wear suitable footwear as the path is rocky. The sea is a spectacular turquoise at both venues. There is more space at Balos but no shade.
The tour organiser was great. They picked us up from the designated location, took us to the port, and helped us board the ship. However, there is room for improvement. It would be helpful to receive a text message beforehand with contact details for the day of the tour, so that if any issues arise, we know who to reach. In our case, the pickup was late, and we were confused about which bus to board, as there were several buses from different providers departing around the same time. Another issue was the lack of communication on the ship. There were no announcements about departure times or boarding procedures. At each stop, we also felt rushed and didn't have enough time to fully enjoy the locations. The tour itself felt quite generic. If I were to do it again in the future, I would prefer to pay more for a smaller group tour, as it would likely provide a more meaningful and enjoyable experience. Overall, the tour was okay, and Balos is beautiful. However, the ferry journey was tiring, and at times it felt as though passengers were being herded like cattle onto the ship.
Very nice landscapes, beautiful views, you can swim and walk on the 2 islands, plan sneakers and jersey, Vicky the organizer is very nice, if not 1 hour waiting in port, lots of people in the boat (you can find food and drink) excursions to do!
We would like to thank you for your kind words! We’re really glad you enjoyed the views, and the overall experience. We did notice the slightly lower rating, and we understand your concern. Just to clarify, the delay at the port and the crowding on the boat are related to the local ferry service, which is unfortunately outside of our scope and control. That said, we truly appreciate your feedback and your kind review. It means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again . Best regards , Rania Alexaki , Io Tours Team
