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Day trip

Heraklion: Gramvousa Island Day Trip & Balos Beach

4  / 5
99 reviews
Activity provider:PLATANOS TOURS
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Day trip

Heraklion: Gramvousa Island Day Trip & Balos Beach

Activity provider:PLATANOS TOURS
4  / 5
99 reviews
Save up to 20%

From US$ 42.64 US$ 34.11 per person

Discover the westernmost part of Crete on a scenic bus trip to Kissamos. Board the boat to Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay. Dip your toes in the soft white sand of one of the most beautiful beaches you have ever seen.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Duration 11 - 15 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide
English, French, German
Pickup included
Pickup for this option is only from the areas of Ligaria, Agia Pelagia, and Fodele Beach. Pickup begins earlier than the stated starting time and is from your hotel or the closest point accessible by a vehicle. You'll receive specific pickup information in a separate email from the local partner (please check your spam folder).

Experience

Highlights
  • Take a secure bus transfer to Kissamos port on the western part of Crete and join a boat cruise to the Balos Lagoon
  • Hike to the top of the Venetian castle on Gramvousa island and gaze at the incredible 360° views
  • Relax in the Balos Lagoon and swim in the crystal clear waters
  • Enjoy the convenience of included pickup and drop-off service
  • Swim in the crystal clear waters of Balos Bay lagoon
Full description
Start your day with pick-up from the nearest point to your hotel. Drive towards the west side of Crete in a bus to reach the port of Kissamos Kasteli. After your escort gives you all the necessary information about the cruise, arrive at the port to board the ferry boat to Gramvousa. Your escort will collect the money for the boat tickets from you so you can skip the lines at the ticket offices. At about 10:30 AM, set off for the island of Gramvousa on the ferry, which has a restaurant with self-service meals and snacks. Sit back on a deck chair or in the lounge for the journey of approximately 45 minutes. During the cruise, marvel at the cliff edges of the wildest part of Crete and learn about the history of the island with the onboard commentary played through the speakers in various languages. Upon arrival in Gramvousa, either have a swim or take a hike to the top of the island to the Venetian fortress. Enjoy 2.5 hours on Gramvousa before you continue to the lagoon of Balos, which is 20 minutes away. As soon as you arrive at the lagoon, you'll have a little less than 3 hours to enjoy the area. You may go back to the boat at any time for food or also hire umbrellas if the heat is too intense. In the early evening, board the boat to head back to the port of Kissamos, where a bus will be waiting to return you to your hotel area.
Includes
  • Bus ticket and transfers by modern fully air-conditioned coach
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (Malia, Stalis, Hersonisos, Anissaras, Analypsi, Gouves, Gournes, Heraklion, Ammoudara, Agia Pelagia/Lygaria, Fodele)
  • Guide in English, German, French, and Polish
  • Professional Driver
  • Liability insurance coverage
  • Free time to explore Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island
  • All the legal taxes
  • Gramvousa and Balos Lagoon boat ticket (€17 cash per adult or €8.5 cash per child aged 5-12)
  • Optional Venetian Fortress entry ticket (€1 paid in cash on site)
  • Optional lunch (€7 per person)
  • Sun umbrellas (available to rent)
  • Photographer on the boat (available for an extra cost)
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Important information

What to bring

  • Sun hat
  • Swimwear
  • Towel
  • Snacks
  • Sunscreen
  • Water
  • Cash

Know before you go

  • The tour is available only from the areas mentioned in the booking options
  • Pickup is done from specific points near your hotel. After booking, you will receive a separate email with details from the local partner
  • This trip consists of a bus tour and a boat cruise
  • Lunch and drinks can be purchased on the boat or you can bring a few snacks and water with you
  • Walking shoes are necessary for the optional hike uphill to the Venetian fortress
Save up to 20%

From US$ 42.64 US$ 34.11 per person

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Customer reviews

Overall rating

4 /5

based on 99 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    3.9/5
  • Transportation
    3.7/5
  • Service
    5/5
  • Organization
    5/5

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Great day beautiful beaches the boat trip is a very large boat which inforces facemasks as it’s considered to be a transport even though you’re outside the coach travel from Hernossis It’s very long eight hours return but we very much enjoy the trip and would recommend

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August 21, 2020

R
Rebecca – United KingdomVerified booking

Helpful?

The trip was perfect and I would definitely go again. Our pick-up was on time and Kostas was a great guide. The bus ride from Malia took about 4h but seeing the beautiful beach in Balos was all worth it! A must see while in Crete. Would definitely recommend. Organization was perfect.

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September 26, 2019

C
Christina Verified booking

Helpful?

The trip is well organised. Bus on time and guide is friendly. The beaches we visit are absolutely beautiful, though the lagoon is quite crowded and ‘touristy’. The whole trip takes quite a long time. I got picked up at 5.30am and only arrived back to hotel at 10.30 pm (mostly long bus ride as the port was very far away from Heraklion). I was quite tired at the end of the day . But if you love beautiful beaches it would still be worth it. Just maybe don’t schedule another packed day right after that.

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September 10, 2019

B
BaoAnh Verified booking

Helpful?

Product ID: 288290

  • Greece
  • Crete
  • Gramvousa

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