Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania
Traveler rating
3.6/5
Based on 57 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania worth booking?
Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania is a 10-hour experience in Chania, Greece, from $11 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.6/5 rating across 57 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 3.6/5 (57)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $11 per person
Discover the westernmost tip of Crete on a scenic bus and boat trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay. Dip your toes in the soft white sand of some of the most beautiful beaches you ever have seen!Upon arrival, climb abo
What you get
- Free time to explore Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island
- Hotel pick-up and drop off (at Perivolia, Halepa, Akrotiri, Halidon Street Alpha Bank, Chania center, Kladissos, Nea Chora, Agioi Apostoloi, Xrysi Akti, Daratso, Galatas, Kalamaki, Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias, Gerani, Kontomari, Pyrgos, Psyionfrou, Maleme, Tavronitis, Kolymvari, Minothiana, Paraniana and Kamisiana)
- All the legal taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Liability insurance coverage
- Professional Driver
About this experience
Discover the westernmost tip of Crete on a scenic bus and boat trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay. Dip your toes in the soft white sand of some of the most beautiful beaches you ever have seen!Upon arrival, climb aboard a boat and cross to Balos Bay at the northernmost tip of the peninsula. Relax on the 1-hour boat trip, and get 2.5 hours at Balos Bay to enjoy the soft white sands and unique blue and green waters of the lagoon.
What's included
Included
- Free time to explore Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island
- Hotel pick-up and drop off (at Perivolia, Halepa, Akrotiri, Halidon Street Alpha Bank, Chania center, Kladissos, Nea Chora, Agioi Apostoloi, Xrysi Akti, Daratso, Galatas, Kalamaki, Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias, Gerani, Kontomari, Pyrgos, Psyionfrou, Maleme, Tavronitis, Kolymvari, Minothiana, Paraniana and Kamisiana)
- All the legal taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Liability insurance coverage
- Professional Driver
- Professional English guide
Not included
- Boat ticket to Gramvousa island and Balos lagoon(per adult) and 17 for children
- Food and drinks
- Personal expenses
- Entrance fees
- Boat ticket to Gramvousa island and Balos lagoon(children 5 - 12 years)
What you'll see and do
Gramvousa Beach
Discover the westernmost tip of Crete on a scenic bus and boat trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay. Dip your toes in the soft white sand of some of the most beautiful beaches you ever have seen. Drive towards the west side of Crete in order to reach the port of Kissamos Kasteli. After your escort gives you all the necessary information about the cruise, arrive at the port where the Gramvousa ferry is waiting for you to start the cruise. About 10:20 AM set off for the island of Gramvousa which takes approximately 45 minutes. Once you arrive at the island of Gramvousa you can either have a swim or you can take a hike to the top of the island to the Venetian fortress. There you have 2.5 hours before you continue to the lagoon of Balos which is 20 minutes from there. As soon as you arrive at the lagoon you will have about 3 hours to enjoy.When you have enjoyed a swim and relaxation at the lagoon, the boat will take you straight back to the port of Kissamos.
180 minutes here · Admission not included
Balos Lagoon
As soon as we arrive at the lagoon you will have about 3 hours to enjoy . When you have enjoyed a swim and relaxation at the lagoon, the boat will take you straight back to the port of Kissamos. As soon as you arrive at the lagoon you will have about 3 hours to enjoy. You may at any time go back to the boat for food or also hire umbrellas if the heat is too intense. When you have enjoyed a swim and relaxation at the lagoon, the boat will take you straight back to the port of Kissamos. This is a great photo opportunity as the sun will be behind you as you look out to the scenery of the island. At 6:00 PM the ferry arrives at the port and the journey in this small paradise comes to an end. Return time in Chania approximately: 7.00 PM. From Wednesday 21st June and for a short period of time the ships will not possible to disembark in the Balos lagoon.The cruise schedule will be as follows:2 hours & 15 minutes stay in Gramvousa .About 2 hours stop for open swimming at the beach of Balos.
180 minutes here · Admission not included
Kastelli Kissamos Old Port
Drive towards the west side of Crete in order to reach the port of Kissamos Kasteli. After your escort gives you all the necessary information about the cruise, arrive at the port
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Private Tour Chania
Private Tour Chania Pickup included
from Chania,Kladisos,Nea Chora
Pickup included
from Perivolia,Halepa.
Duration: 9 hours Pickup included
from Maleme,Tavronitis,Gerani
Pickup included
from Kalyves or Almyrida
Pickup included
from Daratso,Galata,Stalos
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- PLATANOS TOURS
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Take swimming suits
- Seats are assigned by the theater box office and will not be known in advance of the performance date
- At the time of booking please mention your hotel name and location. You will be notified by email about the pickup point and time
- Pickup begins up to 90 minutes before tour starts and is done from central meeting points near the hotels, only in the areas of Panormo, Scaleta, Adele, Platanias, Missiria, Rethymno town, Atsipopoulo, Kavros and Georgioupoli
- Infants will be seated with their parents on the bus and will not have their own seat
- We need phone number and country code infront
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 57 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
6 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
57 verified traveler reviews for Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing trip but be prepared for a long coach journey
This is a fantastic trip and well worth doing. The Lagoon is stunning. The hike up the Venetian fort a must. The only negative is you need a backside made of lead - the coach journey from Chania was approx. 2 hours each way - basically due to pick ups (please be on time: it's not fair having to wait for late comers) and drop offs.
Response from the operator: thank you for the review
via Viator
Nice day at Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island
The tour's overview section still reads "Enjoy a more intimate experience in a group capped at just 15" even though we took a coach bus full of tourists for Elafonissi and Balos. We stopped at Kissamos and those who booked the Balos tour got their tickets and boarded the ferry. We first docked at Balos Lagoon, the ride took approx 1 hour. Beautiful beach and somewhat similar to Elafonisi, there is also pink sand there. The ferry has self service bar where you can get lunch, I found it quite expensive though which is pretty much the reason for the 4 star rating except for 5. Then we went to Gramvousa island where there's also a nice beach, a sunken ship and an old Venetian fortress on top of the hill. Our guide was Simona, who was very friendly and helpful both before and during the tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you for the review
via Viator
Not worth
It was good but not worth these money because it was 20€ only for a bus and additional you need to pay 36.
Response from the operator: Hello if you take the local bus the cost is the same but not from your hotel and not guide
via Viator
Shocking to be surrounded by so many people
Should have read more reviews. I don’t know if they mention that you get on a boat with 1000 other people and theres one exit and entrance so the boat was packed and therefore the beaches were packed. An ordeal getting off the boat 3 times ugh!!! They ask you not to litter but there was so much trash. I didn’t enjoy being surrounded by so many people. At the end the guide says you can tip the driver but she didn’t suggest giving her a tip which infuriated me and makes me mad because it seemed very sexist or chauvinistic because sara was an awesome guide and also worked hard not fair only the driver gets the tips. Shame on you elafonissis travel!! all the photos are misleading because they show empty beaches so beware!
Response from the operator: thank you for the review
via Viator
Saves you from arranging...
Saves you from arranging you own transportation to the port. The ferry is massive and designed by someone who did not want anyone enjoying the view, very unusual and uncomfortable seating. On the way back, the guide was kind to help a passenger who has requested a different stop but then waited there for 15 minutes, with everyone else waiting on the bus, tired and dying for a shower to wash the salt, have some food, only for the passenger and guide to get back in the bus. Made me miss the sunset too. That was very nice of the guide to help but came at the cost of everyone else on the bus. Even the driver had to press the bus horn couple of times.
Response from the operator: thank you for the review
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $11 to $390
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 20
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by PLATANOS TOURS, who run 38 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 55.5.
See everything PLATANOS TOURS runsWhy this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chania.
How much does Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania cost?
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Prices start at $11 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Chania usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania take?
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Plan for about 10 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 Chania is not rushed.
Is Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania 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 (3.6/5 across 57 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Chania, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania?
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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 Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania?
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Around 20 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 Chania 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 Chania and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania 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 Chania 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 Chania?
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On Outty we rank every Chania experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Half-Day Rethymno Quad Safari, Elafonisi & Falasarna Small Group Tour from Chania w/snacks, Balos & Falassarna Beach - Jeep Tour with Loungers and Lunch. 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 Chania?
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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 Chania?
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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.
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