Balos Lagoon

Welcome to Balos beach, also commonly called "Balos Lagoon". In the extreme north-west tip of Crete there is this truly spectacular and unique place (it's easy to mistake it for the Caribbean ... because you won't find any difference!)

Balos beach is fine white sand, turquoise sea, calm and warm, but above all it degrades so gently that if you travel with children, it could be the best day of your holiday on the island of Crete, because you can let them run, play and swim in total freedom, while relaxing with your better half.
For snorkelers it is enough to walk away from the coast and you will find deeper water where you can admire the rich Balos marine habitat.

Balos beach is equipped with sun beds and umbrellas, showers, toilets and a small dressing room located inside a kiosk. Here if you want you can stop for a snack or something to drink.

Around these calm Caribbean waters, the mountain develops with strong scents of Mediterranean scrub that pervade it and make this dream lagoon unique!

How to reach the Balos Lagoon?
There are two ways to reach the Balos Lagoon: the first is to get there by boat from Kissamos where you will leave the car.
The other way is to reach it by car, but in our opinion it is certainly not the best solution for 3 reasons: the road is sometimes bumpy and with several holes, the insurance of your car does not cover you on the dirt and not least the suspensions of your car will not like very much! At some point you will find a gazebo where you will be asked to pay a micro "fee" of € 1 per person, useful for the conservation of this wonder of nature that needs to be protected and maintained at its best. Once at the parking lot, leave the car and walk for about 15 minutes ... and the show will show up right in front of you!

That said ... if we can give you advice ... opt for the first solution, take the ferry and enjoy the panorama of the crossing: your car will thank you!

Then can I take the ferry ticket and how much does it cost me?
The ticket for the Balos Lagoon can be purchased at the port of Kissamos (43 km from Chania) or 1 km after the central square at this address: Iroon Polytechniou 226. And if you prefer to book online we recommend this site: www .cretandailycruises.com so that you can decide on the day of your preference and then pick up your tickets at the port of Kissamos on the same day.

However, if you reside in Agia Marina or other places not really close to Kissamos, you can safely request it in one of the many agencies that organize excursions, so that you can buy it a few days before and avoid not finding available places, the same day.

What are the ferry timetables to reach the Balos Lagoon?

You have the possibility to choose between three different solutions:

Outbound 10.20 - Return 17.45

Arrival 10.40 - Return 18.00

Round 12.30 - Return 19.30

How much is the ticket and what does it include?

Children under 2 years travel for FREE
Children aged 3 to 12 pay € 13
Children over 13 and adults pay € 27

The ticket includes two stops: Gramvousa and Balos, both of which are protected natural areas and which are part of the European Natura 2000 program for its protection and conservation.

The ticket price does not include lunch on the ship.
On the boat you have a self service buffet with typical Greek dishes, sandwiches, salads, pizza, desserts, coffee, soft drinks and ice cream.
Before going down to Gramvousa and Balos we advise you to stock up on all the snacks and drinks to enjoy under the umbrella, which can be rented directly from the boat for € 4 a day. The boat will always remain at your disposal until your return.

Balos beach is a real paradise on the island of Crete, don't miss it!