Balos Lagoon Kissamos Shared Sailboat Tour Experience

Small boats make big sights better. This eight-hour trip from Kissamos combines Balos Lagoon and Imeri Gramvousa with lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and time to explore, all in a group limited to 10 people. The lower headcount gives the day a friendly, relaxed feel instead of the packed-boat routine common on this route.

I especially like the chance to reach Gramvousa before a large ferry unloads, and I like that beer, wine, water, soda, and a local-specialty lunch are included. The main drawback is the price, $156.53 per person, which is far above a basic boat outing. You also need to bring your own towel and be ready for a full day in the sun.

The two-hour stop at Balos gives you enough time to enjoy the famous turquoise water without racing back to the boat. At Gramvousa, you can swim near the shipwreck or walk partway up to the Venetian castle for wide views, though the uphill route may feel demanding in heat.

Key points before you book

• Small group of up to 10: This feels far more personal than a large ferry, with more room to relax and easier access to the captain and crew.
• Two full-hour stops: You get about two hours at Balos Lagoon and two hours at Imeri Gramvousa.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect local specialties, bottled water, soda, beer, and wine during the day.
• Gramvousa timing matters: Reaching the island before the big ferry can give you a quieter stretch near the beach and castle path.
• Bring a towel: Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but towels are not.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why the small boat changes the Balos experience

The headline feature here is not simply the route. It is the scale of the boat.

With a maximum of 10 people, you avoid the feeling of being one face in a crowd. The smaller setting also makes the day easier to manage. You can settle into your place, ask questions, and enjoy a more social outing without the noise and movement of a large vessel.

The boat has received especially warm praise for comfort, the crew, and the food. Captain Christos is singled out for taking care of the group, while George and Christopher are noted for making the day feel well organized. The crew also took advantage of stronger wind conditions to sail for part of the return, adding a proper sailing touch rather than making the trip only a transfer between beaches.

That smaller boat does come with a tradeoff. A large ferry may offer more space and a lower price, while this trip asks you to pay for a quieter, more personal day. At $156.53, I would think of the cost as covering the small group, food, drinks, equipment, and the more relaxed pace. If you only want transportation to Balos, it is expensive. If you want the outing itself to be a major part of your Crete plans, the value is easier to see.

The 10:00 a.m. start from Kissamos Port

The tour begins at Mikros Naftilos Cruises in Kissamos Port at 10:00 a.m. It ends back at the same meeting point after roughly eight hours.

Give yourself time to find the boat. One useful tip is to call the operator when you arrive at the port, especially if you are unfamiliar with the harbor. The exact meeting point is Kissamos Port, Kissamos 734 00, Greece, but ports can feel confusing when several boats are preparing to leave.

The experience is offered in English and includes a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives at booking, so you should have the essential details before the day begins.

Because the route depends on sea conditions, the schedule is not completely fixed in the way a museum visit is. The trip requires good weather, and if conditions make it unsafe or impractical, you can be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number needed to operate the tour is not reached.

Balos Lagoon: two hours beside famous turquoise water

Balos Lagoon is the first major stop, with about two hours ashore. Its appeal is easy to understand: clear turquoise water, pale sand, and a broad coastal setting that has become one of Crete’s signature scenes.

Two hours is a useful amount of time here. You can swim, sit by the water, take photographs, and enjoy the view without feeling that you have only stepped off the boat for a quick look. The stop is long enough for you to choose your own pace, which is important at a place where the best experience may be doing very little.

The water is the main event. It is the sort of place where you will want to look at the color from several angles, then get in and see how it feels from the water. The tour description calls the lagoon one of Crete’s most beautiful beaches, and the repeated praise for the clear water supports that claim without needing much sales language.

You should keep your expectations practical. Balos is famous, so it is not a secret corner of the coast. Large ferries also call at the area, and the atmosphere can change quickly when a bigger boat arrives. The small sailboat helps you enjoy the approach and the stop with less of the crowd pressure, but it cannot make the destination private.

There is another useful contrast. From the water, you get a different perspective from those who reach the area by land. One person noted that watching people walk up the hill toward the road above Balos made the boat trip feel like the better choice. That is a reminder that the boat is not just a way to get there. It lets you see the coast from the side that makes the lagoon look most dramatic.

Imeri Gramvousa: shipwreck swims and a Venetian castle

The second stop is Imeri Gramvousa, with around two hours to use as you like. You can spend that time on the beach, snorkel around the shipwreck, or walk uphill toward the old Venetian castle.

The shipwreck gives the stop a clear focus for swimmers. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and gear. You still need to bring a towel, since towels are not supplied.

The castle is the island’s best reward for walking. It sits high on the rock and provides broad views over the water and surrounding coast. You do not have to make it all the way to the top to gain something from the climb. A previous outing reached about three quarters of the way up and still produced beautiful views below.

The timing can make a big difference. The small boat may reach Gramvousa shortly before a large ferry arrives. That can give you a brief, quieter period near the beach and on the path. Once the ferry unloads, the uphill route can become busy, with many people heading toward the fort at once.

I would not treat the castle walk as a casual stroll. The route is uphill, and the combination of heat, swimming, and time outdoors can make it tiring. You should wear sensible footwear and carry water, even though drinks are provided on the boat. The tour is suitable for most people, but the castle stop will be more enjoyable if you are comfortable walking uphill on uneven ground.

Lunch, wine, and the easy rhythm of the day

Food is one of the strongest parts of this outing. Lunch consists of local specialties, and it is included rather than sold as an extra once you are already out at sea. The food has received particularly strong praise, with the wine also getting a special mention.

This matters because an eight-hour boat trip can feel long if meals are left to chance. Here, you can swim, walk, return to the boat, and eat without spending part of the day searching for a snack. Bottled water and soda are included as well, along with beer and wine.

Alcohol is best treated as an optional pleasure, not the purpose of the trip. You still have two active stops, and the castle path requires care. A cold drink after swimming sounds ideal, but you will want to pace yourself in the sun.

The meal also adds a local touch. It is not just a packaged snack designed to keep the schedule moving. You get a chance to try local food while sitting with a small group, which helps the boat feel more like a shared day out than a simple excursion.

What the boat day feels like in practice

The pace is one of the most appealing parts. You leave Kissamos in the morning, spend about two hours at Balos, continue to Gramvousa for another two hours, and return to the port later in the day.

There is enough time at each stop to make your own choices. At Balos, you may prefer swimming and photos. At Gramvousa, you can choose between the beach, snorkeling, and the castle walk. You are not forced into one single version of the day.

The crew also appears to make a difference. Captain Christos is praised for being attentive, while George and Christopher helped create a well-organized outing. The strongest pattern is simple: the crew keeps the day comfortable without making it feel rigid.

At one point, stronger wind allowed the boat to sail. That will depend on conditions, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed sailing performance. Still, when the wind cooperates, it adds character to the return trip and makes the boat itself part of the memory.

The sea may not be perfectly calm. One account describes only one notably wavy section, but conditions can vary. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan accordingly. The available information does not specify whether medication is supplied, so bring what you normally use.

Price, value, and the right kind of visitor

At $156.53 per person, this is a premium day trip. The price includes the boat outing, lunch, bottled water, soda, beer, wine, and snorkeling equipment. It also buys you a group capped at 10 people, which is the main difference from a big ferry service.

I think the price makes the most sense for couples, families, and small groups who care about comfort and personal service. It is also a good fit if you want Balos and Gramvousa to be a highlight of your Crete stay rather than a quick stop on a crowded boat.

A large ferry may suit you better if your budget is tight or if you mainly want transport to the beaches. This tour is not the bargain choice. Its appeal is the smaller setting, the generous food and drink package, and the chance to reach Gramvousa before the biggest crowd arrives.

Families can enjoy the outing, and a group of eight found the boat much nicer than a massive ship. Still, you should consider the full-day length, sun exposure, swimming, and uphill castle path. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, which makes reaching the port simpler if you are not driving.

Practical details to sort out before departure

Book early if your dates are fixed. This experience is booked an average of 38 days ahead, which suggests that small capacity matters, especially during busy periods.

Bring:

• A towel
• Sun protection
• Comfortable footwear for Gramvousa
• Any personal motion-sickness treatment
• A mobile phone with your booking confirmation

The operator supplies snorkeling equipment, drinks, lunch, and alcohol. Towels are the main item clearly left to you.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local time, so keep that in mind if you are arranging the trip from another country.

Should you book the Balos and Gramvousa sailboat tour?

Book it if you want a small, social boat day with two major stops, a good meal, and less crowd pressure than a large ferry. The most convincing reasons are the group size, the chance of reaching Gramvousa before the ferry crowd, and the crew’s attentive service.

Skip it if $156.53 feels too high for a beach transfer, or if you want a quiet day with no uphill walking or sea travel. For the right visitor, this is one of the more memorable ways to see Balos and Gramvousa. Bring a towel, call when you reach Kissamos Port, and treat the sailing portion as a welcome bonus rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the Balos Lagoon sailboat tour start?

It starts at Mikros Naftilos Cruises, Kissamos Port, Kissamos 734 00, Greece.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 10:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and ends back at the Kissamos Port meeting point.

How long do you spend at Balos Lagoon?

You spend about two hours at Balos Lagoon.

How long do you spend at Imeri Gramvousa?

You spend about two hours at Imeri Gramvousa.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch featuring local specialties is included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, beer, and wine are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, but towels are not provided.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the tour to be canceled.