Fantastic Balos Beach Tours That You Will Want to Book

This post explores the Balos Beach and Lagoon tours and how to explore Balos with an organized excursion or private boat experience.

There are several ways to explore one of Crete’s most amazing beaches, Balos Beach and Lagoon. I have reviewed the most convenient tours to visit the spectacular Balos for those who prefer sailing or do not intend to drive to Balos. Take a look!

As you might already know, Balos is a fantastic beach and one of the most beautiful places on the island. Located in the westernmost part of the west Chania region, the beach is isolated and difficult to reach by car.

The most popular way to get to Balos is on a Day Cruise. Although this was never my favorite way to get to Balos (I’ll explain why below), it is an easy way to get to this remote beach, and it has become the most popular boat tour on the island. Overall, it is an acceptable experience and a valid way to go to Balos and visit Imeri Gramvousa island.

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Let’s now see the pros of a day cruise to Balos Beach:

• You don’t have to drive, and that’s the main positive point. Therefore, it’s a great solution if you don’t want to rent a car or drive on a dirt road.

• You don’t have to think of packing a lunch or worrying about getting lost.

• You only need to be at the port of Kissamos on time to get the ticket or buy it online beforehand. You can also rent an umbrella from them.

• You will see Kastelli Bay and visit Imeri Gramvousa Island. In a way, a day cruise to Balos is more than just going to the beach.

• Overall, this day trip is a good compromise, and the prices are relatively reasonable.

😎 I’ve taken the cruise to Balos twice. In my personal experience, the cruise has never been bad, but if I can choose, I always prefer to drive to Balos. I don’t enjoy being tied to a fixed schedule.

Cons of a cruise to Balos Beach:

• You will not spend the whole day on the beach. The actual time you’ll be on Balos Beach varies from 2 to 3 hours, depending on how many passengers board the boat and how much time is needed to disembark at each stop.

• You’ll spend 2 hours on Imeri Gramvousa Island, and a lot of time sailing.

• Especially in the high season, boats get crowded, and the engine fumes (even if bearable) can get you seasick.

• Embarking and disembarking hundreds of people at every stop implies a waste of time. Besides, by the time you make it to Balos, hardly any spots are left on the beach. If you want to avoid this part of the cruise, you will be much better with a private boat trip to Balos.

• Snacks, lunch, and drinks are sold on board, but prices are high.

• Overall, if you don’t like crowds or quickly get seasick, don’t enjoy the smell of boat fuel, or hate schedules, don’t go to Balos with the daily cruise.

Balos Daily Cruise

The daily cruise to Balos includes a stop on Imeri Gramvousa, a small but strategically located island on the northernmost tip of the Gramvousa Peninsula that hosts an ancient Venetian castle, a shipwreck by the coast, and a small beach close to the disembarking point.

When boats arrive, the beach gets crowded. Many visitors walk to a more secluded beach near the chapel of Agioi Apostoloi to swim.

You can hike to the highest point of Imeri Gramvousa (137 meters) to explore the ancient castle, which the Venetians built in 1579. Together with the castles of Spinalonga and Souda, it played an essential role during the Venetian resistance against the Ottomans.

The steep hike to the castle takes about 25 minutes. But it repays with stunning views. If you plan to hike, leave the flip-flops for later and wear comfortable shoes.

The island’s atmosphere is enhanced by the legend of a hidden pirate treasure, a secret that excited my kids about our first visit. You can expect to spend about two hours on the island.

The next stop is Balos Beach and Lagoon, where you will have 2-3 hours to swim and explore. If you intend to take the famous photo of the peninsula and the beach from above, you must hike up and down the mountain for about 45 minutes. Take that into account!

Booking Your Balos Day Cruise

The first time we visited (about 8 years ago!), we booked our Daily Cruise at the office in Kissamos the day before. For our next visit by boat, we preferred doing it online. It’s much easier these days than in the past and more convenient since Balos has become so popular in the last few years that you risk not finding a ticket at the port these days.

Tickets at the port are hard to obtain unless you visit in May, June, or September (the less busy months). Today, the best and most convenient way to book this tour is to do it online to avoid issues.

If you prefer not to purchase the ticket online and do it at the port, I recommend you confirm this information and check for timetables and the latest prices before reaching the port of Kissamos. In that case, aim to arrive early because tickets sell fast in the high season.

>> I always recommend booking one or two days in advance. You can use this link to book at no extra cost

General Information about Balos Cruises

These are some useful things to know before booking your Balos daily cruise:

• DEPARTURE: All boats depart from Kissamos Port “Kavonisi”.

• FLEET: The Gramvousa, the Gramvousa Express, the Balos, and the Spirit of Athos are among the boats covering the route Kissamos-Balos.

• SCHEDULE: There are daily departures from April or May until October, weather permitting.

• HOURS: Departure 10.20, 10.40, 10.55 a.m., and 12.30 p.m. The 12.30 departure is available from June to September.– Return to Kavonisi 5.45, 6, and 7.30 p.m. There are more departure slots available in summer.

• FEES: €30 adult fee, €15 child fee (2-12 y/o), free for kids under 2.

• CRUISE COMPANIES: Two companies handle the cruise routes from Kissamos. Other companies charter more expensive day boat trips available from the port of Chania. In summer, with up to 6 to 8 boats operating the route.

• EXTRAS: Meals are not included in daily cruises. Some companies sell a ticket that includes a meal for an extra €10. This means the ticket is €40 per adult and €25 for kids.

• WHERE TO BOOK: Online, at the ticket office in Kissamos, or the port (depending on availability). Payments can be made in cash or with a credit card.

• PARKING: You can park your car at the port in Kavonisi for free.

• BUS TO KISSAMOS PORT: You can get to Kissamos from Chania by bus (from Chania Public Bus Station). The journey is about 70 minutes. The bus takes you to the port of Kissamos and stops opposite the docking area. Buses leave at  8.30, 9.30, 11 a.m., 12 and 3.30 p.m.

• BUS BACK TO CHANIA: Buses back to Chania will wait for the ships to arrive at the port from Balos. Daily departures are available at 7:45 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• BUS TICKET: €6.70

• MUNICIPAL FEE TO ACCESS BALOS LAGOON: Kissamos Municipality collects 1 euro from every visitor over 13. You will pay the fee to the boat operator before boarding (cash only).

• REMEMBER: You must be at the port one hour before departure (at least).

Available Balos Beach Boat Trips and Tickets

These are some of the most convenient alternatives to visit Balos with a daily cruise:

• Cruise to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa from the Port of Kissamos ~ Balos best-selling cruise.
  >> BOOK HERE

• Balos Gramvousa Cruise with Transfer and Boat Ticket ~ If you want to join the daily cruise but don’t want to take the bus or drive to Kissamos port, this tour includes the transfer from Chania.
  >> BOOK HERE

• Sailing Cruise to Balos and Gramvousa with Lunch ~ This is a more private experience on a classic sailing yacht.
  >> BOOK HERE

• You can find more Balos Cruises and other day trip options to visit Balos Lagoon here.

Balos Beach Without Taking the Daily Cruise

Even if daily cruises are the most popular way to visit Balos, other alternatives exist too. Let’s now see some of the lesser-known ways to get there:

Safari to Balos Beach

Safaris have become a popular way to discover many off-the-beaten-track areas of Crete or difficult-to-access places on the island. This is the case with Balos, which, despite being in a remote location, is one of the most visited beaches on the island.

These adventurous trips are exciting and super fun. Although a bit more expensive than the traditional boat trip, they will undoubtedly be more private than traveling with hundreds of other tourists. They usually carry from six to eight passengers. Therefore, the groups are either private or semi-private, making it possible to agree on stops and other preferences with the driver as you go.

>> YOU CAN BOOK A SAFARI ADVENTURE TO BALOS HERE

Balos Beach Semi-Private Boat from Falasarna

Another good alternative is to sail from nearby Falasarna Beach, which is a great option if you’re staying in Falasarna and don’t want to drive to Kissamos.

This boat trip can take up to 15 passengers and remains a semi-private experience. The group cruise takes you there in a speed boat that departs from Falasarna at around 10 a.m. The journey to the Balos Lagoon is about 30 minutes and lets you see the beaches and this remote coast more relaxedly.

This experience is a bit more expensive than a daily cruise but not as pricey as a private yacht to Balos.

>> YOU CAN BOOK THIS BOAT TRIP TO BALOS FROM FALASARNA BEACH HERE

Private Drive to Balos

Other tours are not as adventurous as safaris, but they still offer great value for money for those who want to visit this popular beach without getting on a boat. In particular, this experience starts with a visit to Balos by road, enjoying the scenic drive and landscapes.

This gives you some free time to walk around the lagoon, swim, and sunbathe for a few hours. The trip includes a second stop in nearby Falasarna Beach, where you will have time to marvel at this long sandy beach with crystal clear waters, known for its excellent windsurfing and kite-surfing conditions. The private tour will be tailored to your interests and schedule, offering flexible timing and allowing you to plan the visit you want.

>> YOU CAN BOOK THIS ROAD TRIP TO BALOS AND FALASARNA HERE

Private Boat to Balos Beach

These trips are often private, and they range from sailing boats to middle-range transportation to exclusive luxury yachts and cruises. This Balos and Gramvousa Private Sailing Trip can look expensive, but it offers a meal onboard and lets you choose how long you want to stay at each stop. Besides, it accommodates up to 9 passengers, so splitting the fee among your group members will make it more affordable.

You can also head directly to the Old Port of Chania after 9 p.m. when all the boats are back from Balos to negotiate a price directly with the crew. These trips are often private, and they range from sailing boats to middle-range transportation to exclusive luxury yachts and cruises.

>> BOOK THIS PRIVATE BOAT CHANIA-BALOS HERE

There are also speed-boat trips and luxury catamarans, which are faster than cruise boats. These tours may sometimes include an extra stop for lunch. Always check before booking if that’s included in the price or if you will be in charge of the bill once the meal is over. You can check the following tour operator prices and consider their low-cost Balos tour.

Private Transfer and Other Alternatives to Get to Balos

Private transfers are a good compromise if you prefer not to drive to Balos. Once at the port, you must purchase the boat ride ticket. These transfers also take care of your pick-up and drop-off.

If you’re not staying in the Chania region, getting to Balos will take longer, and the day trip will cost more. You can either face the long and tiring drive to Kissamos or trust a transfer service that might also include access to the boat trip

• Balos Lagoon Day Trip from Heraklion with Hotel Pickup
• Balos Transfer from Rethymnon (without cruise ticket)
• Balos Lagoon Beach Chania Full-Day Trip from Lasithi (East Crete)

Other Unique Balos Tours to Consider

If you’re looking to explore Balos, no matter your budget, consider some of these options to visit the hard-to-access lagoon.

• THE BEST OPTION TO AVOID THE CROWDS: This private cruise departs from Kavonisi, takes you first to Balos Lafoon to avoid the cruise crowds, and then sails to the historic Gramvousa Island, which is exactly the opposite route of most boats. The skipper will take you on an adventurous or relaxed ride (according to your preferences) and provide drinks and snacks.
  >> BOOK HERE

I hope this post with the best Balos tours helps you find the right activity that suits your needs, budget, and travel style to visit one of the most stunning gems on the island. Have you decided which one is the right Balos tour for you?

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Fantastic Balos Beach Tours in Crete

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