![\"Balos](\"https:\/\/cretelovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lagoon-balos-gramvousa-boat.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nThis opinion is completely independent<\/strong>, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.<\/p>\n\n Yes, Balos Lagoon is definitely worth a visit. The combination of an emerald-colored lagoon, a fortified island steeped in history, and a boat ride along steep cliffs makes for an experience rich enough to warrant a full day. <\/p>\n\n It’s one of the best things to do in Crete<\/a>, as well as one of the boat tours we recommend most in the Chania<\/a> region. Among all that this boat tour to Balos has to offer, we’d especially like to highlight:<\/p>\n\n Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Select by city:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gramvousa Island is accessible only by boat, while there are several ways to reach Balos Lagoon. <\/p>\n\n If you choose to take the boat, free parking is available at the port of Kissamos, or you can opt for the package that includes a bus from Chania, Rethymno, or Heraklion. There is no lodging at Balos Lagoon itself. Your best option is to stay in Kissamos, near the port, or at a hotel located along the road leading to the lagoon, such as the Balos Beach Resort in Kaliviani. For a livelier stay, Chania and Rethymnon also offer good bases from which to explore the western part of the island. <\/p>\n\n See all our tips<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n The boat cruise operates only during the season, from approximately May through October, with one to three departures per day depending on the time of year. In winter, the lagoon can only be reached by 4WD on the trail or by hiking from Falasarna. <\/p>\n\n We recommend arriving early if you\u2019re driving along the trail, so you can enjoy the site before the boats arrive, or, conversely, staying late to watch the sunset\u2014keeping in mind that you\u2019ll then have to drive back along the trail in the dark. Access to the lagoon is free and open to the public; only the reserve entrance fee and parking are charged for those arriving by car. <\/p>\n\n If you’re traveling by boat, plan on a full day: over 1 hour by boat to Gramvousa, 2 hours on the island, a 20-minute boat ride to Balos, then 3 hours there, before heading back to Kissamos. This schedule may vary if rough seas cause the boat trip to take longer. The climb to Gramvousa Fort involves about 400 steps along a single, fairly steep trail; we recommend assessing your physical condition before setting out, as the time you can spend there is limited. From the parking lot, it’s a 1-kilometer walk\u2014a fairly steep one, with stairs\u2014to the lagoon. It’s very steep. <\/p>\n\n The lagoon, where the water rarely gets higher than knee-deep, is perfect for a family outing. We find it much safer than the beach area, where a deeper section separates the two stretches of sand\u2014sometimes reaching up to the hips. <\/p>\n\n This is one of the most popular places in Crete\u2014book your tour as soon as possible:<\/p>\n\n On board the boat, there is a small food court offering snacks, salads, fruit platters, and ice cream, as well as restrooms. To plan your road trip:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more<\/a> >>><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Balos Cruises operates several boats departing from Kissamos, including the Gramvousa, the largest ferry on the route. We appreciated the number of seats, which are spread out among the outdoor deck, a covered area, and an indoor section, accessible via about twenty steps. <\/p>\n\n The crossing first follows the eastern coast of the peninsula, dotted with spectacular cliffs, all the way to Cape Vouxa. As you pass by, you\u2019ll catch a glimpse of a large cave, likely a former shipyard. <\/p>\n\n The boat then rounds the northern tip and sails between the cape and the uninhabited island of Agria Gramvousa, before heading south again, between the cape and the island of Imeri Gramvousa, with the inland mountains as a backdrop.<\/p>\n\n Although Balos is largely responsible for the site\u2019s reputation, we were more impressed by the island of Gramvousa itself. Its silhouette of steep cliffs and turquoise waters comes into view even as the boat approaches. <\/p>\n\n It is sometimes called \u201cPirate Island\u201d: the Cretan insurgents of the Greek War of Independence, which began in 1821, did indeed engage in piracy there due to a lack of sufficient resources, an activity that eventually tarnished the island\u2019s reputation in Europe until the British and French navies intervened in 1828.<\/p>\n\n The island, protected by the Natura 2000 network, is also home to remarkable flora: 173 plant species have been recorded there, including Anthemis glaberrima, a rare plant found nowhere else. Therefore, it\u2019s best to stay on the marked trails during your visit. You\u2019ll disembark at the small port located on the western side of the island, below the fort that overlooks the highest point. <\/p>\n\n You can spend some time on the beach and at the caf\u00e9, or head up to the fort. Even if you can’t go all the way to the top, we recommend climbing a little way up to enjoy the beautiful views before turning back. <\/p>\n\n The island\u2019s main attraction remains the fortress built by the Venetians between 1579 and 1584, due to its strategic location for controlling the strait between western Crete and the Peloponnese. Perched 137 meters above the sea and surrounded by sheer cliffs, the site remained impregnable for a long time: even after the rest of Crete fell to the Ottomans in 1669, Gramvousa remained under Venetian control. <\/p>\n\n It was not until 1692 that the fortress was handed over to the Ottomans, after a Venetian commander had been bribed. In 1825, in the midst of the War of Independence, the Cretan insurgents finally managed to seize it by posing as the new Ottoman guard. <\/p>\n\n A single path, dotted with numerous steps, leads up to the ruins. We estimate that it takes about 400 steps to reach the top, an effort that is more than rewarded by the view of the lagoon, the boat anchored below, and the Geroskinos mountain range, which rises to about 600 meters. <\/p>\n\n Not far from the landing stage lies the wreck of the Dimitrios P, a 35-meter cargo ship that was carrying 440 metric tons of cement to North Africa: caught in a storm in early January 1968, it broke its moorings on January 8 and ran aground on the island\u2019s southern coast, where it still lies today.<\/p>\n\n However, we ask that you remain alert, as there are a few submerged rocks in the area. About ten minutes before departure, the boat sounds its horn loud enough to ensure that no one misses boarding. <\/p>\n\n After a short 20-minute boat ride from Gramvousa to Balos, the boat docks on Tigani Island, a small hill that encloses the lagoon and gives it its distinctive shape. From there, it\u2019s about a 5-minute walk to the sandy beach. We strongly recommend wearing closed-toe shoes for this part of the walk, as the island is covered in rocks and low, rather prickly vegetation. <\/p>\n\n If you climb a little higher above Tigani, you\u2019ll get a panoramic view of the entire lagoon area, with the mountain range in the background. For those who don\u2019t want to swim too much, you can also climb up past the pier to the small church of Agios Georgios (St. George)\u2014a detour that lets you get away from the crowds of swimmers. <\/p>\n\n It’s time to book! The site is actually divided into two very distinct areas. On the north side, the beach opens onto shallow water that extends for a long distance\u2014but is deep enough for swimming\u2014with an unobstructed view of Gramvousa Island. Two sandy sections\u2014one on the island side and the other on the peninsula side\u2014are separated by a strip of water that is deeper than it appears, sometimes reaching up to the hips; it\u2019s therefore best to stay alert when crossing it. <\/p>\n\n On the south side, however, lies the lagoon itself: an emerald-colored body of water, shallow almost everywhere, where the atmosphere seemed much calmer and more suitable for children. <\/p>\n\n Further north in the lagoon, a rocky area reveals a variety of hues\u2014ranging from pink to yellow to orange\u2014that we found particularly photogenic. The water there is also deeper and cooler, making it ideal for snorkeling; a turtle is said to live there, though it is shy and rarely seen. <\/p>\n\n Just like at Elafonisi Beach, you can see pink sand at Balos Lagoon, formed from millions of pink seashells that have been ground down over time. The amount of pink visible varies greatly depending on the waves, the tide, the weather, and the season, but is generally most pronounced at the water\u2019s edge. We therefore recommend that you watch your step to fully appreciate this unique feature. <\/p>\n\n During the three hours spent on the lagoon, you can return to the boat at any time; it remains accessible at all times. About ten minutes before departure, the horn sounds one last time to signal our return to the port of Kissamos, after a day that left us with some truly memorable memories among our boat trips in Crete. <\/p>\n\n Otherwise, you can choose the 4WD tour<\/a>. No, the boat cruise only operates during the season, generally from May to October, with one to three departures per day from Kissamos. Outside of this period, the lagoon can only be reached by car via the Kaliviani trail or by hiking from Falasarna. <\/p>\n\n What to do in Crete<\/a> Itineraries Where to stay in Crete<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Attractions in Chania<\/a>Why Visit Balos Lagoon<\/h2>\n\n
Is Balos Lagoon worth a visit? Our take: <\/h3>\n\n
![\"Balos](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-lagoon\/i-gjBD2MV\/1\/KZ8wPqQ7g9ssXZCJLHvjjwQXZjZqNd8Rdr5wFB2bd\/L\/boat-lagoon-crete-greece-4586-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nOur favorite moments<\/h3>\n\n
\n
![\"Balos](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-lagoon\/i-rhVx59J\/1\/LrGdbZ46gdx3mpwFvsggC2vBN5j87tjWPLf3zd5xQ\/L\/boat-lagoon-crete-greece-7028-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWHERE TO STAY IN Crete<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
![\"Paralos](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Heraklion\/Hotels\/Bestof\/i-fLGMkMK\/0\/L66bMh6wKn2THJXJcJfvSvzkRCkQB8mzwrnzGBNBL\/L\/heraklion%20bests%20hotels%20-%20life%20beach-2-L.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\nHow to Get to Balos Lagoon: Directions and Map<\/h2>\n\n
Where is Balos Lagoon located?<\/h3>\n\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cretelovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/map-lagoon-balos-crete.jpg\")
How to get there? Options <\/h3>\n\n
\n
![\"Balos](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Gramvousa-island\/i-BcGZ68P\/1\/KRTTBCChX3g4LXvn92c9dkMFkWSk8wJM5p9wBGrbH\/L\/Gramvousa-island-crete-greece-4445-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nParking<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Balos](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-boat-tour\/i-Zh67GFF\/1\/L9H4jxjdQWbF2RTP9QhBRT2L4HF2SZFqbph3KQSPL\/L\/boat-to-Gramvousa-crete-greece-4678-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nHosting<\/h3>\n\n
RENT YOUR CAR IN Crete<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"Driving](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Palaiochora\/Drive-Mountains-to-Palaiochora\/i-3FB5j3D\/1\/Kj7Nt7cgMJrhqF2hG3FjcJg77Cvp8csFFZ3hkBMHN\/S\/mountains-crete-greece-5128-S.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nUseful tips: duration, schedules, difficulties…<\/h2>\n\n
Best time to visit, opening hours and prices<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Balos](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-lagoon\/i-P2zhC2f\/1\/LsLckBZhWp5gVtDLvF3mrDdPmcxBP2HWznqfT4QNZ\/L\/boat-lagoon-crete-greece-4611-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nLength of visit and main difficulties<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Path](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-lagoon\/i-PF9b6xN\/1\/LpCG3cRhDqPpcSwXrz5smj76NWKG4kFbvpndPnKV3\/L\/balos-lagoon-crete-greece-4515-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nVisiting with children<\/h3>\n\n
Book in advance<\/h3>\n\n
\n
Catering, Toilets and Facilities<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Balos](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-boat-tour\/i-8VCkhNL\/1\/MdmCwKwCNMzT7v4cBMGTbhFHBHHPdMMzpwvwQpfFt\/L\/boat-to-balos-crete-greece-4307-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nOUR GUIDE TO Crete<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"medium-FR-Crete-eBook-road-trip\"](\"https:\/\/cretelovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Medium-Crete-eBook-Cover.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\nThe boat ride, between cliffs and untamed islets<\/h2>\n\n
![\"on](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-boat-tour\/i-9fdGrWx\/1\/KGdNj9FWjQvmsV4fkpXnDsQM9Pjm697vPsQGVvG3h\/L\/balos-boat-tour-crete-greece-4319-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"Balos](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-boat-tour\/i-LqwBvQ2\/1\/NcqcdKNFjdkx44hwk7ZfrSKRkLpPsngNg4ZWxwzFJ\/L\/balos-boat-tour-crete-greece-6996-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"mountain,](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-boat-tour\/i-FmQG4kQ\/1\/KHx2cnVzNxdpLfktTW3r3XWGHGcBCw2FRqtSKNJVS\/L\/boat-to-Gramvousa-crete-greece-4654-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nGramvousa Island: Between Pirates and Venetian Ruins<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Arrival](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Gramvousa-island\/i-pqSDdSp\/1\/NKr23zhcsgk7D6GPDc2hrCMNqGmb26D2gc5XLWLkP\/L\/Gramvousa-island-crete-greece-4422-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"Gramvousa](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Gramvousa-island\/i-73Qbj4F\/1\/L79jPzTM56C6sW6qXtFjpvCtMCGWdGRLVbMSDnpXX\/L\/Gramvousa-island-crete-greece-4433-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Gramvousa-island\/i-pNfj8rm\/1\/M3qkpZqhm27kQhxwzBjn87WHGR57vZBKZ7SPGPcnv\/L\/Gramvousa-island-crete-greece-4473-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Gramvousa-island\/i-DLGZrvS\/1\/KtqjWJL8r2JnGwn6DxgcDrSGb2qdP2LZRsJZQfNgv\/L\/Gramvousa-island-crete-greece-4455-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"Hikes](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Gramvousa-island\/i-QqrshsN\/1\/L5nZLLxK7txdQMNgmqW9XpgDgqtdW33KL6w9j2W6j\/L\/Gramvousa-island-crete-greece-4448-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"View](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Gramvousa-island\/i-9pdPNjq\/1\/NBRQ4bT6pVZPSmCDwbLB3KSmfd87RjrBZt4LnRHPc\/L\/Gramvousa-island-crete-greece-7007-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"Gramvousa](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Gramvousa-island\/i-K7xhd4X\/1\/KN7c9wGbrs3ZPPnDcmx48pKBvvz5psLdLpgdj8LPT\/L\/Gramvousa-island-crete-greece-4425-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nHAVE FUN in: Crete<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"Boat](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Gramvousa-island\/i-St6K7XQ\/1\/LX68ZpsVGjJ8v4t865TVGd3CM7wqn4ss6n2S8WGxN\/L\/Gramvousa-island-crete-greece-4478-L.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\nTigani Island, the gateway to the lagoon<\/h2>\n\n
![\"boat](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-lagoon\/i-5jTNhdP\/1\/L7ZCzCHB33NJ76rGRN56H7WwWM7p4VP86dpbxShhq\/L\/balos-lagoon-crete-greece-4516-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"Balos](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-lagoon\/i-7KbdSsP\/1\/Mbch9PxPtWN5k4HjdwncB5rDj9MxKZ5M9SF3Bmd6L\/L\/boat-lagoon-crete-greece-7015-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"flat](\"https:\/\/cretelovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/crete-plane-2.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nBalos Beach and Lagoon<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Balos](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-lagoon\/i-4hzjTz3\/1\/KL3hGNrBRZg6rNDXzG5MTnsCJS9BnBPzssJnztLs9\/L\/boat-lagoon-crete-greece-4588-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"Balos](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-lagoon\/i-DqjTJSp\/1\/LtCSkfJ27ZcMMfnR8VcVFr3RH3xJXgXggmCjL6HsX\/L\/boat-lagoon-crete-greece-7021-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"boat,](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-lagoon\/i-5zF4gqh\/1\/KqXx6XNDBSph8S6Sg32MZHhZMg4b5JCFvhRgfNTKp\/L\/boat-lagoon-crete-greece-4590-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"pink](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-lagoon\/i-HRB9mSj\/1\/MhQR56ZWSg6PKhXkdtK52FmpnLTWnvRkVSvhfvr9m\/L\/boat-lagoon-crete-greece-4587-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nBack to Kissamos<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Balos](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-boat-tour\/i-2gd5Mgn\/1\/KnDvdHQKCDxNC2fxgL2WF9kgL5wDWDhSzjrz4zsC2\/L\/boat-to-Gramvousa-crete-greece-4656-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nBalos Lagoon by 4WD<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Balos](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Extra\/i-69DTSWH\/0\/MBvPnT3rV7BpMphbjpWPGvkXFxN7H3CjkH4PGTFqB\/L\/Balos%20Lagoon%204WD%20access-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nFrequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n
Does the boat run year-round to Balos Lagoon?<\/h3>\n\n
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Crete<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
![\"Elafonis\"](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/West-coast\/Elafonisi\/i-x5dSBxj\/1\/LrC3vJRwn2w2NNLJchz3z2Qrcs8TNRnmXhG2cNbPB\/S\/Elafonisi-beach-crete-greece-4929-S.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
![\"Driving](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Drive-and-transport\/i-DJvTDGC\/1\/M9MhLCfzhPQxPX4q3dKsWZFhqQbbhSTwpzXrr8rNH\/S\/driving-crete-greece-3662-S.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
![\"Balos](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Crete\/Balos-Lagoon\/Balos-lagoon\/i-BB2sfDs\/1\/KTfRRrPdcrrf8XBRLFQ62Ms3GX8rtD6p9xRgqztr8\/S\/boat-lagoon-crete-greece-4525-S.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Madeira-Lovers\/Portraits-equipe\/i-WCb99j5\/0\/2d0b98a0\/L\/regionlovers-3-L.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n