From Kissamos Balos And Gramvousa Speedboat Cruise with Drinks
Description
Explore the exotic Balos Lagoon and the mesmerizing Gramvousa Island on board the most prestigious Rib boat in Crete. Our journey begins from Kissamos Port. After starting the engines you will experience the thrill of speed cruising trough the Cretan Sea. After about 30 minutes of cruising you will arrive to your first destination, Gramvousa island. The boat will anchor to the closest point possible for you to disembark but keep in mind that you might have to swim/walk a few meters inside the water to reach the land. You will have about 2 hours of free time in the island. After that you will depart for the next exciting destination, Balos Lagoon. The boat will once again anchor as close to the beach as possible and you will be able to swim/walk to the shore or simply enjoy the crystal waters diving from our boat. You will have about 2 hours before departure. Throughout the whole cruise you can enjoy unlimited refreshments from our open ice cooler except during cruising in high speeds.
Tour Options
Itinerary
You can find Gramvousa’s beach beneath the Venetian fort at Imeri Gramvousa. It’s in the bay area of the southern end of the island. Its white sand and clear waters are welcoming to all the visitors of the island. The water is calm, and relaxing under the tamarisk trees offers a peaceful escape from daily life. The fact that it’s only reachable by boat adds to its exclusivity.
Once graced by Princess Diana and Prince Charles, Balos Lagoon is known for its stunning exotic scenery, wild natural beauty, and breathtaking turquoise waters. The lagoon has turquoise, vivid blue, and exotic white waters. The sand in some places has a dazzling pinkish color because of the millions of crushed shells. As you go further into the sea, beyond the rocks that form the natural boundaries, the water is colder and deeper, ideal for snorkeling. The Natura 2000 program protects Balos Lagoon because of the rare flora and fauna species. Around 400 plant species have been registered in the area. Twenty-five of these species are indigenous to Crete, with three of them only found in Balos. The lagoon accommodates a large number of birds that migrate, feed, and breed here. You will find Eleonora falcons, cormorants, and shags nesting in surrounding caves. The area also acts as a shelter for the protected loggerhead or Caretta-Caretta sea turtle and monk seal.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(45)
Everything perfect, 100% recommended
Was a great experience, well worth the money! Total time aboard was around 4 hours, had some less than ideal conditions towards the end but the Captain tried his best to accommodate and find spots with less rain/wind.
My wife Kim and I just completed this boat tour with Captain Paul (Pavlo). It was everything we hoped it would be. Although the season is almost over, the weather was partly sunny, and when the sun was out it really warmed us up. The first leg was to Gramvoussa Island where we docked and had about an hour to climb up to the fortress and look around. Beautiful views in all directions. Sneakers recommended. Next we went to Balos Beach for about 90 minutes. We waded ashore (with a short bit of swimming). Dry bags are provided to carry your towel etc through the water. Be sure to fold them at least 3 times over at the opening to ensure a good seal, but remember, there are no guarantees with a "dry" bag. The sand is gorgeous here and the water is crystal clear. There is a very long stretch of sandy bottom where the water is less than waist deep. After swimming at Balos, sandwiches and drinks were provided for lunch on the boat. A third stop was provided as a bonus: snorkeling at a quiet cove on the way back to Kissamos. The water this time of year is a tad on the cold side, so only a few of us went in here, snorkeling from the boat. The white sand bottom was clearly visible at 4.5 meters depth. Some small fish were seen. Very relaxing, but after 30 minutes we had been in the water long enough. A high point of the cruise was the skill, caring, and attentiveness exhibited by Pavlo. It was truly a pleasure to chat with him, and no doubt that he is an expert at piloting the boat. I also have to point out the excellent and fast communication from the tour company management. All of my questions were answered quickly and thoroughly before and after booking. We would highly recommend this tour if you are up for some adventure or just a beautiful time on the water in Crete.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed feedback. We’re truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Captain Pavlo and appreciated both his skill and friendliness. It’s wonderful to know that the weather, the visits to Gramvoussa and Balos, and the relaxing snorkeling stop made your day so memorable. We also appreciate your kind words about our communication and organization — it means a lot to our whole team. We’re so glad the experience met your expectations and that you would recommend it to others. We hope to welcome you both back to Crete for another beautiful day on the water.
Very nice way to visit Balos and Gramvousa more intimately. It is extremely beautiful. The view of Gramvousa Fort is breathtaking. We were alone on the island. The beach of Balos is very beautiful and is also pink sand, the water is clear and turquoise. We left when the ferry arrived. We were treated to a third spot for snorkling. It was an extraordinary ride. Drinks and sandwiches taken from the boat. Mood was very good. I recommend. Communication with the agency before the excursion was very good. The skipper who took us was very friendly. On the other hand, you must be aware that you will be well anchored during the crossing on the outboard and that to go to Balos, you have to swim from the boat. We didn’t get off the boat (we were provided with a small waterproof bag to put the stuff on). We loved that outing.
Thank you very much for your detailed and thoughtful review. We’re delighted that you enjoyed the intimate experience of visiting Gramvousa and Balos, and that the stunning views, snorkeling stop, and friendly atmosphere made the day so special. It’s great to hear that our communication and skipper helped make everything smooth and enjoyable. We appreciate your helpful note about the swim and the boat ride — it’s valuable information for future guests. We’re so glad you loved the outing and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.
Great experience! We had a great guide! The landscapes are beautiful! He took us according to time so that we have the best experience Thank you very much to him!
Thank you for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear you had such a great experience and enjoyed the guidance and beautiful landscapes. We’ll be sure to pass on your thanks to your guide. We hope to welcome you again for another memorable adventure!
This was a great boat trip. We set out at 3pm and headed to a small cove along the headland where we jumped in off the boat. Thankfully they were able to supply masks as I didn’t have one. We spent about 30 mins there before heading to Imeri Gramvousa island. We spent an hour there which was just enough time to head up to the fortress (recommend taking trainers with you for the climb), spend 15 mins admiring the views before heading back down again. We then went to Balos beach and spent 1.5 hours there before heading back around 6:30pm with enough time to stop at a lovely view point to watch the sunset which was beautiful. We got back to the harbour at 7:20pm.
Thank you for sharing your detailed review. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the boat trip and were able to explore the cove, Imeri Gramvousa island, and Balos Beach. It’s great to know you found the timing and stops enjoyable, and that the sunset viewpoint added a special touch to your day. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on board again for another memorable experience.
Perfect! captain very warm and very considerate, tourist guide at these lost hours. A superb moment suspended
Thank you for your lovely review. We’re glad you enjoyed the warm and attentive captain and had a superb, memorable experience. We hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Pavlos delivered outstanding hospitality and skill on a luxurious rib boat made of the finest materials, including teak edging and shock absorbant, cushioned seats that eliminated vibrations and bumps on our journey. The terrain was stunning and I have never seen the color and clarity and gem-like sparkle of water like the water at Balos Beach. The beach was romantic and breathtaking. The whole day was unsurpassed for me and I will remember it always.
Thank you so much for your amazing review. We’re thrilled to hear that Pavlos’ hospitality and skill, along with the comfort of the boat, made your journey so memorable. It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the stunning scenery, the crystal-clear waters of Balos Beach, and the overall experience. We’re honored that the day left such a lasting impression and hope to welcome you on board again for another unforgettable adventure.
The boat and driver were very good. The driver helpful, explained about the area. Very nice and polite. The trio was very nice we had a great day
Thank you for your kind review. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the boat, our driver’s helpful guidance, and the company of the trio. It’s wonderful that you had a great day, and we hope to welcome you on board again soon.
Pavlos (the captain) could not have been friendlier or more welcoming. He made us feel right at home and made the journey to and from Gramboussa and Balos even more enjoyable. It was definitely worth the extra money over the ferry to take this trip to Balos/Gramboussa
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that Pavlos made you feel so welcome and enhanced your journey to and from Gramvousa and Balos. It’s wonderful to know that you found the experience worthwhile, and we hope to welcome you on board again for another memorable trip.
