Gramvousa Island & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide

Overview

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.

Itinerary

1. 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

   2 hours · Admission not included
2. 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.

   3 hours · Admission not included
3. 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 · Admission not included

Meeting and pickup

▪︎ Pick-up and drop off (in Panormo, Scaleta, Adele, Platanias, Missiria, Rethymno town, Sfakaki,Stavromeno ,Sfakaki , Stavromenos ,Atsipopoulo, Kavros and Georgioupoli)
Pickup 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).
All the pick ups from Rethymno old Town will be from the bus stop of church of four martyrs (4 martyres church).
Pickup from remote hotels (e.g. Grand Rimondi)

Good to know

• 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

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.