
Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos
Traveler rating
3.8/5
Based on 11 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos worth booking?
Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos is a 15-hour experience in Heraklion, Greece, from $66 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.8/5 rating across 11 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 3.8/5 (11)
- Duration
- 15 hours
- From
- $66 per person
Find yourself on a bus tour towards the west edge of Crete, where your sailing trip begins to the “Pirates Island”, Gramvousa. Swim in the lagoon of Balos and enjoy a relaxing nevertheless unique experience of a natural beauty point of interest.
What you get
About this experience
Find yourself on a bus tour towards the west edge of Crete, where your sailing trip begins to the “Pirates Island”, Gramvousa. Swim in the lagoon of Balos and enjoy a relaxing nevertheless unique experience of a natural beauty point of interest.
What's included
Included
- Municipality fee
- Transport by air-conditioned coach or minivan
- Guide
- Pickup and Drop off from hotels and designated meeting points
- Boat ticket
Not included
- Food & Drink
What you'll see and do
Kastelli Kissamos Old Port
Kissamos is a town on the west of Chania with a port and a fishing harbor. From Kissamos port we will be sailing towards Gramvousa and Balos. While on the boat trip, observe the geological phenomenon of the land elevation of Crete, where the island rises out of the sea in the west side of the island and at the same time sinking in the east.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Gramvousa
Gramvousa is an island located 20 km northwest of Kissamos and opposite the Cape of Gramvousa. On the island, at a height of 137m over the sea level, still stands a Venetian fortress built between 1579 and 1584, during the Venetian occupation of the island of Crete. The fortress was also used by pirates and a legend claims that there is a great treasure buried on the island. An old shipwreck near the beach has marked its initials as part of the landscape. The water is turquoise color and the seabed is ideal for snorkeling.
150 minutes here
Balos Lagoon
Between Gramvousa and the coast of Crete, the lagoon of Balos is formed. It has white sand and vivid blue and turquoise water. The sea is very shallow and warm. Due to millions of crushed shells, in many places, the sand has a lovely pinkish color. The lagoon and the wider area around it are both protected under Natura 2000 program, as rare species of flora and fauna are found there. Eleonora falcons, shags and cormorants nest in the caves of the area. Moreover, the area is a shelter for the protected monk seal and the sea turtle Caretta Caretta.
180 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Options you can book
From Agios Nikolaos, Elounda
Duration: 18 hours Pickup included
From Malia,Stalida,Hersonissos
Duration: 17 hours Pickup included
From Analipsi,Gouves, Gournes
Duration: 16 hours Pickup included
From Heraklion, Ammoudara
Duration: 15 hours Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, pl, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Sat
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Altino Travel Services
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 11 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
11 verified traveler reviews for Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Pleasant cruise to a little corner of paradise
Very nice day, pleasant boat cruise, superb beach of Balos, visit of the fortress of Gramvousa to do if you are a little sporty.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good to do but choose the company to go there.....
Gramvoussa is a very nice island suitable for swimming. Balos is indeed spoiled by sun beds as far as the eye can see. Too many tourists.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Memorable
The views were amazing. The tour guide was friendly and has given all the necessary information. It was a little scary because of the waves, we had a 20 minutes storm with high waves. All the passangers were scared and were having a hard time facing the storm. Overall, it was a once in a lifetime experience! Thank you!
via Tripadvisor
Special
Magnificent experience, perfect organization. Of course the tour destinations are very touristy but the essence of the places is special and you can see the beauty even with hundreds of people with you. In particular the guide was very prepared, nice and kind and also the driver very good. The journey took 3 hours but passed lightly. Council
via Tripadvisor (translated)
A surprise, but worth it
The beach and island you get to spend time on during this tour were beautiful and amazing and are worth going to see! We enjoyed the sights and the water. Things to note: 1. If you are leaving from Heraklion, it is a 3 hour bus ride to get to the boat. 2. The boat is a ferry that carries 1,000+ people. Seats can be hard to find. 3. There are two food lines/bars on the boat that are reasonably priced and there are clean, functional toilets. We thought this trip was completely worth it, but did not realize the bus portion of it was a thing. If you decide to go, make sure you are prepared for the ride. Elena was our guide and made the trip very smooth and pleasant!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 15 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Sat
- Price range
- $66 to $68
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Altino Travel Services, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.1.
See everything Altino Travel Services runsWhy this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Heraklion.
How much does Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos cost?
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Prices start at $66 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Heraklion usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos take?
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Plan for about 15 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Heraklion is not rushed.
Is Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.8/5 across 11 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Heraklion, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 15-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Heraklion can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Heraklion and add a light layer if any part of the 15-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Heraklion within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Heraklion?
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On Outty we rank every Heraklion experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory, Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Zeus Cave, Villages, Olive Oil Tour, Quad Safari: Off-Road Day Tour with Dinner & Transfers. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Heraklion?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Heraklion?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos?
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Included: Municipality fee; Transport by air-conditioned coach or minivan; Guide; Pickup and Drop off from hotels and designated meeting points; and Boat ticket. Not included: Food & Drink. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 529 listed pickup locations in and around Heraklion. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, Italian, Polish and French. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos?
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Across 11 reviews averaging 3.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, organization, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos?
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There are 4 options to choose from, including From Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, From Malia,Stalida,Hersonissos, From Analipsi,Gouves, Gournes, From Heraklion, Ammoudara. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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