Gramvousa Island & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.7/5
Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Gramvousa Island & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide worth booking?
Gramvousa Island & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide is a 11-hour experience in Chania, Greece, from $9 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 3.7/5 (15)
- Duration
- 11 hours
- From
- $9 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! Depart Rethymno at app
What you get
- Guide in English, German and French
- Bus ticket and transfers by modern fully air-conditioned coach
- Hotel pick-up and drop off (at Panormo, Scaleta, Adele, Platanias, Missiria, Rethymno town, Atsipopoulo, Kavros and Georgioupoli)
- All the legal taxes
- 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! Depart Rethymno at approximately 07:45 and travel by bus along the new national road towards the westernmost tip of Crete. Pass the bay of Souda and the former Cretan capital of Chania before your arrival in Kissamos. 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. Enjoy approximately 1.5 hours at peace on Gramvousa Island, and then take a 1-hour boat ride back to Kissamos. Upon arrival, continue to Rethymno by bus at the end of the laid-back tour.
What's included
Included
- Guide in English, German and French
- Bus ticket and transfers by modern fully air-conditioned coach
- Hotel pick-up and drop off (at Panormo, Scaleta, Adele, Platanias, Missiria, Rethymno town, Atsipopoulo, Kavros and Georgioupoli)
- All the legal taxes
- Liability insurance coverage
- Professional Driver
Not included
- Boat ticket to Gramvousa island and Balos lagoon(per adult)
- Personal expenses food and drinks
- No pickup from remote hotels such as Grand Rimondi (pick up is from Creta star bus stop)
- Entrance fees
- Sun Umbrellas (available to rent)
- Photographer on the boat (at extra cost)
- Boat ticket to Gramvousa island and Balos lagoon (per child 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! 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. Your escort will collect the money for the boat tickets from you so you can skip-the-lines at the ticket offices. About 10:20 AM set off for the island of Gramvousa which takes approximately 45 minutes. On the ferry there is a kitchen with self service dishes, meals or snacks. You can sit back on a deck chair or in the lounge. During your cruise, see the elevation of the land along the cliff edges of Crete. 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
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
Depart Rethymno at approximately 07:45 and travel by bus along the new national road towards the westernmost tip of Crete. Pass the bay of Souda and the former Cretan capital of Chania before your arrival in Kissamos.
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 Panormo,Lavris,Skaleta
Pickup included: Pickup is available from Panormo, Lavris, Scaleta, Sfakaki, Stavromenos. Pickup included
from Adele,Platanias,Misiria
Pickup included: Pickup is available from Adele, Pigianos Kampos, Platanias, and Missiria. Pickup included
from Gerani,Kavro,Georgioupoli
Pickup included: Pickup is available from Gerani, Petres, Dramia, Kavros (Paralia Kourna) and Georgioupolis. Pickup included
from Rethymno,Atsipopoulo
Pickup included: Choose this option for pick up from Rethymno Town, Perivolia, Atsipopoulo. Pickup included
Rethymno with Private Transfer
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, fr
- 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
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- 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
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 11 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $9 to $460
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Gramvousa Island & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chania.
How much does Gramvousa Island & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide cost?
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Prices start at $9 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 & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide take?
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Plan for about 11 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 & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 15 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 & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide?
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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 & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 11-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Gramvousa Island & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide?
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Around 5 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 11-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Gramvousa Island & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide 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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