From Kissamos Balos And Gramvousa Speedboat Cruise with Drinks

Very disappointing experience — rough sea conditions with no warning, and questionable value for the price We booked the shared speedboat trip from Kissamos to Gramvousa and Balos for €120 per person. Unfortunately, our experience was very disappointing. On the day of our trip, the sea was apparently quite rough. This was not something we could really tell from the shore, and we received no warning from Cretan Sailing Cruises before departure about what the conditions would mean for the ride. We were seated toward the back of the boat and, for much of the journey, we were repeatedly hit by large amounts of seawater. This was far beyond the normal occasional splash you expect on a speedboat. We had salt water constantly hitting our faces, eyes, noses and mouths, and by the end of the ride we were completely soaked through. More importantly, all our belongings were in our bags with us. Everything became wet, including our change of clothes, personal belongings and electronic devices, some of which were damaged. After returning to Kissamos, we then had to drive about 30 minutes back to our hotel in completely wet clothes, with no dry clothes left to change into. What bothered us most was not simply that the sea was rough. Weather and sea conditions obviously cannot be controlled. What we did not understand was why nobody contacted us beforehand to explain the conditions and allow us to decide whether we still wanted to go. Had we been told, “The sea is very rough today, you are likely to get completely wet and the ride will be uncomfortable,” we could have made an informed decision. Even if cancellation had meant losing a reasonable part of the payment, I would have much preferred having that choice. There was another aspect of the experience that left us wondering about the value of this trip. The speedboat took us to the pier at Gramvousa and later stopped near Balos — essentially the same two destinations reached by the large ferry leaving from Kissamos. The ferry costs roughly €45 per person, compared with €120 per person for this trip. We have taken speedboat excursions on other Greek islands, including Rhodes last year, and had excellent experiences. Those trips also involved splashing and fast riding, but they included stops in beautiful places specifically for swimming and jumping into the water, which made the speedboat itself part of the experience. We did not feel that here. I am sure the experience may be completely different on a calm day, and the scenery of Gramvousa and Balos is beautiful. But based on our experience, I strongly believe guests should be informed in advance when sea conditions are unusually rough, especially on an open speedboat where passengers and their belongings can become completely soaked. For us, unfortunately, this was not an experience worth €120 per person, and I would choose the regular ferry instead.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A fantastic afternoon with Hassan! We had an absolutely great afternoon with Hassan, our captain, and frankly... we loved it! Hassan is adorable, super kind, thoughtful, and very professional. The boat is magnificent, in perfect condition, and everything is provided to have a great time: cold drinks, a little snack... really very appreciated! We chose the afternoon slot and it is clearly an excellent plan: the ferries leave and there are far fewer people at Gramvousa and the Balos lagoon. Result: we enjoy the scenery and the magnificent waters much better. The sea was quite rough that day and our speedboat was shaken up quite a bit... but Hassan handled it! We had some great thrills, but always felt confident, and above all we laughed a lot in the waves! At Balos, the boat is moored a little offshore, but everything is perfectly organized: waterproof bag provided, mask and snorkel available to reach the lagoon and enjoy snorkeling. You just have to jump into the water and enjoy! And what can I say about the scenery... magnificent spots, incredible water, and breathtaking views. In short, an outing that we recommend with our eyes closed. We loved it, we laughed a lot, and we have great memories of it! And to finish on a high note, upon returning to the port, we were even able to use the water jet to rinse off the salt! 😂 But bring a change of clothes anyway: we ended up completely soaked! Thank you Hassan for this wonderful afternoon and for your good humor! 🙏 Do it without hesitation... with a swimsuit, a towel, AND a dry outfit!

The best experience. Using his boat we avoided all big crowds. The best of the best!

Had a great time on this tour. The boat was very nice, and both stops were beautiful. The host was very accommodating. Would highly recommend this tour.

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.

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.

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!

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.