
Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Heraklion
Traveler rating
3.2/5
Based on 12 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Heraklion worth booking?
Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Heraklion is a 10-hour experience in Heraklion, Greece, from $16 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.2/5 rating across 12 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 51 / 100
- Rating
- 3.2/5 (12)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $16 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
- Hotel pick-up(Malia,Stalis,Hersonisos,Anisaras,Analypsi,Gouves,Heraklio,Amoudara,AgiaPelagia,Fodele
- All the legal taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Liability insurance coverage
- Professional guide Guide in English, German(WEDNESDAY), English, German French, Romanian(MONDAY).
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
- Hotel pick-up(Malia,Stalis,Hersonisos,Anisaras,Analypsi,Gouves,Heraklio,Amoudara,AgiaPelagia,Fodele
- All the legal taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Liability insurance coverage
- Professional guide Guide in English, German(WEDNESDAY), English, German French, Romanian(MONDAY).
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Personal expenses
- Boat ticket to Gramvousa island and Balos lagoon(20€/child)
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!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.
120 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
From Fodele
From Fodele Pickup included
from Malia,Stalis,Hersonisos
Pick up included: Pickup Malia, Stalis, Hersonisos, Analipsi, Gouves. Pickup included
from Herakleion and Ammoudara
Gramvousa Island 2023: 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! Pickup included
From Sissi
Pickup included
From Bali
Pickup included
from Agia Pelagia
Pick up included: Pickup from Agia Pelagia, Lygaria Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- PLATANOS TOURS
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Pickup begins up to 15 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
- At the time of booking please mention your hotel name and location. You will be notified by email about the pickup point and time
- Infants will be seated with their parents on the bus and will not have their own seat
- Seats are assigned by the theater box office and will not be known in advance of the performance date
- Take swimming suits
Photos






Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed
- Price range
- $16 to $32
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- 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 51
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 Heraklion: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Heraklion.
How much does Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Heraklion cost?
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Prices start at $16 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 Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Heraklion 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 Heraklion is not rushed.
Is Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Heraklion worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.2/5 across 12 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Heraklion, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Heraklion?
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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 Heraklion 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 Heraklion?
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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 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Heraklion 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, 5Hour Safari Tour in Crete(Heraklion)with Quad,Jeep,Buggy & 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 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.
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