Crete · Chania

Excursions to Balos Lagoon

Every way to reach the turquoise lagoon of Balos and the fortress island of Gramvousa, boat trips, cruises and full-day tours, all with hotel pick-up.

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6Excursions
ChaniaWest Crete
★ 4.9Guest rating
Balos Lagoon, Crete ★ Loved by 50k+ travellers
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All excursions to Balos Lagoon.

40 excursions
Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island Crete

Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €145 View
Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €80 View
Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island Crete

Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View
Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island Crete

Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View
Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay Crete

Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port.

from €145 View
Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port

from €85 View
Legends of Crete Crete

Legends of Crete

6+ hours

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €69 View
From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch Crete

From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch

6 hours · Outdoor

Please arrive at the port of Hersonissos 30 minutes…

from €59 View
Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making Crete

Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €129 View
Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island Crete

Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €67 View
Crete: WaterCity Waterpark Crete

Crete: WaterCity Waterpark

6 hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €42.5 View
Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night Crete

Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night

3+ hours · Historical

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €50 View
Book with the operator

Booking Balos Lagoon direct.

Balos is on every booking platform there is. Reserving the boat straight with us works a little differently.

The local team, not a reseller

You book with the local team that actually runs the Kissamos boats out to Balos and Gramvousa, not a reseller.

Real people, quick to answer

A real office on the phone, WhatsApp and Viber daily from 08:00 to 22:00, before your trip and on the morning of the boat.

Flexible hotel pick-up

Pick-up is set around your hotel across Chania, Kissamos and the west-coast resorts.

Clear prices, no mark-up

The from-price is ours, with no booking-platform fee stacked on top of the Gramvousa ferry cost.

If the wind gets up and the Balos boat cannot sail, you move to another day or take a full refund.

About the area

The lagoon & its pink sand.

Balos sits at the wild north-west tip of Crete, where a shallow lagoon of milky-turquoise water meets a sandbar of soft white and pink shell sand. It is one of the most photographed beaches in Greece, and one of the few where you can wade out for hundreds of metres in warm, waist-deep water.

Most trips pair Balos with the nearby islet of Gramvousa and its ruined Venetian fortress, reached by ferry from Kissamos or by road and a short walk down to the bay. There is little shade and no big development, so bring water and sun protection, and give yourself time to simply float. It sits within easy reach of Chania, Elafonisi and Falassarna, with more to explore across the rest of Crete.

Beach / settingShallow turquoise lagoon, pink sand
Best timeJune to September
Getting thereFerry from Kissamos, or by road
Weather

When to visit Balos Lagoon.

Balos and the west-coast boats run from April to late October, with the warmest, calmest sea in high summer.

MonthAir (day)SeaHow busy
May24°C20°CQuiet
June28°C22°CBuilding
July31°C24°CBusy
August31°C26°CBusy
September28°C25°CEasing
October24°C24°CQuiet
Fewest crowdsMay and October, before the peak of the boats.
Warmest seaAugust into September for the lagoon swims.
Best boat daysCalm mornings, when Gramvousa is at its clearest.
Getting here

Getting to Balos Lagoon.

Balos sits at the remote north-west tip of Crete, reached by boat or by a rough road and a walk down to the bay.

By boat

Daily boats sail from Kissamos, about an hour each way with swim stops and a call at the pirate island of Gramvousa.

By road

A dirt road runs to a car park on the headland, from where a twenty-minute walk drops down to the lagoon.

Where to stay

Where to stay for Balos Lagoon.

Balos sits at the far north-west, so most visitors base in the Kissamos area or the wider Chania coast.

Browse hotels nearby
Kissamos

The closest town and the boat harbour for Balos and Gramvousa, low-key and handy.

Falassarna

A big west-coast beach a short drive south, famous for its sunsets.

Chania Old Town

The Venetian harbour town an hour east, best for atmosphere and dining.

Platanias & Agia Marina

Lively beach resorts near Chania, good for families and nightlife.

Nearby sights

What’s near Balos Lagoon.

The wild north-west packs Venetian forts, ancient cities and Crete’s best beaches into a small corner.

Gramvousa Fortress

The ruined Venetian sea fort on the pirate island, paired with Balos on the boat trip.

Ancient Falassarna

A Greek and Roman harbour town with a carved stone throne, above the beach.

Kissamos

A relaxed town with a small archaeological museum of Roman mosaics.

Polyrrinia

A hilltop ancient acropolis with wide views, above the village of the same name.

Food & drink

Taste of Balos Lagoon.

Cretan cooking here leans on the sea and the west-coast farms, all olive oil, wild greens, cheese and honey. You’ll find it in the tavernas of Kissamos and the little harbour.

Try fresh fish by the port, dakos and local graviera, and the wines of the Kissamos plain, and finish with a glass of raki poured on the house.

Local specialties to try
Fresh fish Dakos Graviera cheese Kissamos wine Raki Cretan honey
One trusted partner

Plan your whole Balos Lagoon trip.

Book every part of your trip with one local team: flights, ferries, transfers, a car and your hotel.

FlightsFind flights to Crete FerriesFerry tickets to Crete TransfersAirport & port pick-up Car rentalRent a car in Crete HotelsStays across Crete
Before you go

Good to know for Balos Lagoon.

FacilitiesA small canteen, sunbeds and shade for hire
What to bringWater, hat, sunscreen and reef shoes
ShadeVery little, so cover up at midday
Best hoursEarly or late, when the boats are fewer
Good forFamilies, with warm, waist-deep shallows
AccessA walk over sand, not step-free
Across Crete

More of Crete near Balos Lagoon.

Other stand-out spots worth adding to your Crete trip.

Plan your visit

How long for Balos Lagoon?

Balos is a full-day trip. Here is how it fits into a week on the west coast.

1A full day
  • The boat from Kissamos, a few hours at the lagoon and the fortress island of Gramvousa, back by late afternoon.
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Before you book

Your Balos Lagoon questions

How do I get to Balos, by boat or by road?

Both work. The ferry from Kissamos is relaxed and passes Gramvousa; the road route allows more free beach time but ends with a short walk down to the lagoon. We can recommend the best fit for your group.

Is Balos good for children?

Yes, the shallow, warm water is ideal for families. There is little shade, so bring an umbrella, hats and plenty of water.

Is there an entrance fee?

A small island fee (around €1) applies at Gramvousa/Balos and is usually paid locally. It is noted on each excursion.

What should I bring?

Swimwear, a towel, sun protection, water and sturdy sandals for the sandbar and the short walk. Cash for extras is handy.

What if the sea is rough?

Balos boat trips depend on conditions. If we cancel for weather or safety, you are offered another date or a full refund.

How long do you get at the lagoon?

Most trips give around two to three hours at Balos, enough to swim, walk the sandbar and reach the viewpoint, before the boat returns via Gramvousa.

Is there shade at Balos?

Very little. Balos is open and exposed, so bring a hat, sun cream and water; a few umbrellas can be rented in high season but they go quickly.

A Time 4 Vacation guide with travellers in Greece
Simple & secure

Booking Balos Lagoon, step by step.

1

Search & compare

Compare Balos excursions by type, date and budget, and pick the day that suits you.

2

Book securely

Reserve your Balos day out online in minutes, with instant confirmation and a voucher by email.

3

Meet your guide

On the day a licensed local guide meets you and takes care of the rest, so you can just enjoy Balos.

Ready to explore Balos?

Tell us your dates and what you have in mind. A local expert will put together the excursions, transfers and stays that fit, usually within a day.