Achilleas catamaran anchored near the shore in turquoise water
Kissamos, West Crete

A More Intimate Way to Discover Balos & Gramvousa

Set sail from Kissamos and discover two of West Crete’s most iconic destinations in one unforgettable day. Swim in the turquoise waters of Balos Lagoon, step ashore to explore its unique landscape, and sail towards historic Gramvousa, home to its legendary Venetian fortress.

BOOK YOUR CRUISE Explore Details
7 Hours08:30 – 15:30A full morning-to-afternoon escape to Balos & Gramvousa, with plenty of time to swim, explore and relax.
Up to 22 GuestsSmall-Group ExperienceMore space, a more relaxed atmosphere and a more personal experience with a maximum of 22 guests.
Explore AshoreStep Beyond the BoatGet close to the shore and enjoy time to explore the landscape and discover Balos & Gramvousa on foot.
All-Inclusive ExperienceFood & Open Bar IncludedBreakfast, lunch, fresh fruit and dessert throughout the day, plus an open bar to keep you refreshed while you sail.
Achilleas catamaran anchored near the shore in turquoise water
2017since
Why This Cruise

Two Iconic Destinations, One Unforgettable Day

Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa are among the most spectacular destinations on the west coast of Crete. Balos is famous for its turquoise waters, pale sand and the unique meeting point of three seas — the Aegean, Ionian and Libyan Seas — creating the extraordinary shades of blue that make the lagoon so iconic.

Nearby Gramvousa combines wild natural beauty with a historic Venetian fortress perched high above the sea. With our catamaran, you don’t just admire these places from the water — we take our guests ashore at both destinations, giving you time to swim, explore the coastline and experience West Crete up close.

Balos LagoonWhere Three Seas MeetTurquoise waters, pale sand and the spectacular meeting point of the Aegean, Ionian and Libyan Seas.
Gramvousa IslandNature Meets HistoryStep ashore and discover the wild landscape and famous Venetian fortress overlooking the sea.
Free West Crete TransferTravel to Kissamos with EaseComplimentary transfer is available from selected areas in West Crete. Please check whether your location is included.
Choose Your Cruise StyleShared or PrivateJoin the experience as part of a small group or reserve the entire boat exclusively for your party.
The Experience

Semi-Private Luxury Catamaran Cruise

Depart Kissamos Port at 08:30, visit Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island, and return by 15:30. One all-inclusive ticket covers the cruise, meals, open bar, water activities, and hotel transfer between Georgioupoli and Kissamos.

Semi-private catamaran cruise from Kissamos to Balos and Gramvousa
Semi-Private · 7 Hours

Semi-Private Luxury Catamaran Cruise From Kissamos To Balos & Gramvousa

22 Guests Max 7 Hours Adult & Child Rates Open Bar Free Transfer

Board at Kissamos Port at 08:30 with coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, and a relaxed welcome on deck. Sail to Balos Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, and SUP. Continue to Gramvousa Island to explore the wild landscape and Venetian fortress. Enjoy Cretan snacks, lunch, local wine, and Greek beer from the open bar before returning at 15:30.

08:30 – 15:30 Adult €195 / child €140 Free cancellation 48h
€195adult · child €140
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Your day

Your day on the Balos & Gramvousa cruise

The Morning LUX timeline is below. The semi-private boat follows the same pattern, reaching Balos at about 10:00 and Gramvousa at 12:00.

  • 06:30–07:30 Hotel pickup (time depends on your area)
  • 08:30 Boat leaves Kissamos Port. Coffee and brunch on deck
  • 09:30 Balos Lagoon. The tender takes you close to the beach to swim, snorkel or paddleboard in shallow turquoise water
  • 12:20 Sail to Imeri Gramvousa. Swim off the island, or walk up to the Venetian fortress
  • Lunch Cretan lunch cooked on board
  • 14:00 Head back to Kissamos
  • 15:30 Back at Kissamos Port. Transfer to your hotel

The captain can change the order or the stops for wind and sea conditions. Safety comes first.

Balos Lagoon panoramic view from the water
What's Included

Everything In Your Cruise Price

The semi-private cruise has one clear ticket type — no hidden upgrade logic. Your adult or child ticket includes the full 7-hour route, food, drinks, water activities, and hotel transfer.

  • Free round-trip hotel transfer
  • Premium catamaran with sunbeds & shaded lounges
  • Professional English-speaking crew
  • Coffee, tea, water, detox drinks & soft drinks
  • Brunch, Cretan snacks & lunch
  • Local white wine & Greek beer (open bar)
  • SUP boards & snorkeling gear
  • Swimming jackets & inflatable toys
  • Visit to Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island
  • Food and pace adapted for children on request
  • Music, free Wi-Fi, onboard WC & shower
  • Life jackets & liability insurance
  • Branded gift for special occasions
Guests relaxing on a DanEri Yachts catamaran
Good To Know

Before You Board

A few practical details to make your Balos and Gramvousa cruise seamless. Free pickup is included from all regions between Georgioupoli and Kissamos. The route may adjust for weather — safety is always the captain's priority.

  • Bring towel, sunscreen, hat, swimwear
  • Passport or ID required for port check-in
  • Pickup from Georgioupoli to Kissamos
  • Arrive at port 20 min early without transfer
  • Route adjusts for weather (captain's call)
  • One clear ticket type for this boat
  • Towels and sunscreen should be brought with you
Real Moments From The Cruise

Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Gallery

Drone aerials, onboard moments, and the landscapes that make this semi-private cruise one of Crete's most unforgettable experiences.

Aerial drone view of the semi-private catamaran at Balos Lagoon
Catamaran anchored at Balos Lagoon
Semi-private catamaran sailing in turquoise waters near Kissamos
Sailing toward Balos from Kissamos
Balos Lagoon panoramic view from catamaran
Panoramic Balos Lagoon views
Guests relaxing on the catamaran deck near Balos
Relaxing moments on deck
On-board deck view of luxury catamaran in Crete
Luxury deck experience
View from the semi-private catamaran at Gramvousa Island
Gramvousa Island and Venetian fortress
Choosing Your Boat

Ticket Boat, Speedboat Or Small-Group Catamaran?

Updated 4 November 2026. Several boats leave Kissamos for Balos and Gramvousa. They differ mostly in group size, the order of the stops and how much of the day is yours. Use this to compare them fairly, whichever you book.

What Actually Differs
  • Group size. Large ticket boats carry hundreds of passengers; one blogger put a 2025 ferry at about 300. This cruise is capped at 22 guests.
  • Order of stops. Some boats go to Gramvousa first, others to Balos first. Ask which comes first and what time you arrive, and confirm the current schedule for the specific cruise you book.
  • Time ashore. Ask how long you get at each stop, not only the total trip length, and how guests get ashore.
  • Food and drink. Ticket boats often sell food on board. Here brunch, lunch and an open bar are in the ticket.
  • Transfer. Free hotel pickup between Georgioupoli and Kissamos is included; a plain port ticket leaves the drive to you.

These are general points, not a price comparison. Operators change schedules and fares by season, so check the current timetable on any boat you consider.

Ask Any Operator Before You Book
  • How many guests does the boat take, and is a seat guaranteed?
  • Which stop comes first, and what time do we reach it?
  • How long do we have ashore at Balos and at Gramvousa?
  • What is included, and what costs extra on board?
  • What happens to the booking if wind or sea conditions change the route?
  • Is hotel pickup included, and from where?
  • What is the cancellation window?

For this cruise the answers are on this page: 22 guests maximum, 08:30 to 15:30, free cancellation up to 48 hours before, and the captain decides the route for weather. If you want the boat to yourselves, compare private and shared trips before choosing.

Sources for the general points above: a 2025 travel review of the Kissamos options by Where and Wander (whereandwander.com), an independent travel blog; and the current Kissamos operator websites we checked on 4 November 2026. That review also covers a DanEri trip on a different boat in 2025, so use this page for today's times.

Explore More

Compare With Other West Crete Cruises

Not sure if the semi-private cruise is right for you? Compare the larger shared format, two Kissamos sunset options, and other west-Crete catamaran departures.

All-Inclusive Morning LUX Cruise from Kissamos to Balos
Shared flagship

All-Inclusive Morning LUX Cruise

The larger shared format follows the same Balos and Gramvousa route in a bigger all-inclusive cruise. From €155 per person.

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See Morning LUX
All-including sunset luxury catamaran cruise to Balos
Sunset · 4 Hours

All-Including Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Balos

Balos without the midday crowds — golden hour magic over the lagoon. From €120 per person.

Kissamos4 hoursFrom €95
See Sunset Catamaran
Sunset luxury cruise from Kissamos Port to Balos
Sunset option

Sunset Luxury Cruise From Kissamos Port

A shorter golden-hour departure with 22 guests, perfect for couples and sunset seekers. From €125 per person.

KissamosBalos LagoonFrom €95
See Sunset Cruise
Morning luxury catamaran cruise from Chania Old Port
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Sail from the iconic Venetian harbor to Ag. Theodoroi Island with lunch, swimming, and a full west-Crete day on board.

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Half Day · 5 Hours

Afternoon Catamaran Cruise From Kolymvari

Afternoon sailing adventure with snorkeling and a fresh BBQ along the west coast. From €140 per person.

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Premium catamaran day cruise from Souda to Marathi Bay
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Premium Catamaran Day Cruise From Souda

Explore Marathi Bay and the Akrotiri Peninsula coastline with a polished full-day sailing format. From €145 per person.

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Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise From Souda

Evening cruise through Souda Bay with dinner and sunset views. From €85 per person.

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FAQ

Balos & Gramvousa Cruise Questions

Everything you need to know before booking your semi-private cruise to Balos and Gramvousa.

The semi-private cruise departs from Kissamos Port at 08:30 and returns at approximately 15:30. Total duration is 7 hours. Hotel pickup starts between 06:30 and 07:30 depending on your location.

This page is the more intimate 22-guest Balos and Gramvousa option, designed for guests who want more space and a calmer deck atmosphere. The Morning LUX cruise follows the same route family in a larger shared all-inclusive format.

Absolutely. This cruise works well for families because the pace, food, and swimming stops can be adapted for children. Kids' life jackets are available, and the crew helps keep the day comfortable without turning it into a separate animation program.

This semi-private cruise includes a healthy breakfast bowl, Cretan appetizers, a wholesome organic lunch, seasonal fruit, espresso, tea, water, soft drinks, plus local white wine and Greek beer during the day.

Free round-trip hotel transfer is included for all regions between Georgioupoli and Kissamos, covering western Crete. This includes areas like Platanias, Chania town, Kolymbari, Falassarna, and more.

No. This cruise has one clear ticket type. Adults are €195 and children are €140, with the same route, meals, drinks, transfer, and activities included.

Yes! We offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure. You can also reschedule to another available date at no extra cost, subject to availability.

Our luxury catamaran sails directly from Kissamos Port to Balos Lagoon in approximately 1 hour. Unlike the road access (which requires a steep dirt road and 20-minute hike), arriving by catamaran is the most comfortable and scenic way to reach Balos.

Bring your swimwear, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and your passport or ID, which is required by port authorities for check-in.

Set Sail Today

Book Your Semi-Private Balos Cruise

Depart Kissamos at 08:30 and experience Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island with just 22 guests. Meals, open bar, water activities, and free hotel transfer all included. Adult tickets are €195 and child tickets are €140. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure.

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