Balos Shared Small Group Catamaran Cruise, 2ppl
Recommended by 94% of travellers
Badge of Excellence
Crete, Greece
- 7 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travellers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Near Chania—on the Greek island of Crete—lies Balos Lagoon, home to crystal-clear waters and pristine sandy beaches. Swim, snorkel, and relax under the warm Mediterranean sun away from the crowds on this full-day small-group catamaran cruise stopping at the lagoon and Gramvousa Island, where you’ll find an old pirate fortress. Hotel pickup is available, and departures are offered on two catamarans with different group sizes.
- Full-day catamaran cruise of Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island
- Taste Cretan snacks and a homemade Greek lunch
- Enjoy the Mediterranean waters with use of the boat’s snorkeling equipment
- Hotel pickup available with departures on two catamarans for small groups
What's Included
- SnacksDuring the cruise we offer local snacks, seasonal fruits and drinks (beer, wine, Colas and bottled water)
- Lunch
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Use of Snorkelling equipment
- Transfer/Pick up from a meeting point in Chania (when option choosen in the booking process)
- A catamaran maybe replaced by another of the same of higher category and the capacity maybe adjasted
- Sea towels, swimsuits, sunscreen
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
1
Balos Lagoon
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Gramvousa
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travellers can participate
- Vessel & Group Size Information: Our cruise is operated by two distinct types of catamarans in our fleet, offering two equally wonderful styles of the same journey: * The Boutique Sailing Experience: A cozy, classic catamaran hosting a tight-knit, exclusive group of up to 10 guests—perfect for a private, authentic sea vibe. * The Premium Sailing Experience: A larger, more spacious catamaran built for a social atmosphere with a group of up to 22 guests and plenty of deck space. Boat allocation is strictly determined by the configuration of the daily bookings (e.g., pairs, families, or larger groups) to ensure that no party or family is ever split up. The itinerary, premium menu, drinks, and high quality of service are exactly identical on both vessels.
- Special note: All children taking part in our shared cruises must be under constant parental supervision and monitoring throughout the duration of the trip. It is very important that all participants have a wonderful time on our boats and that there is respect from everyone. Thank you!
- Those who have choosen to meet our boats in the port of Kissamos Please kindly make sure that you will arrive 15 minutes earlier than the starting time (9:45am) to ensure your ontime embarkation!
- We bear no responsibility if you miss the departure, and we are under no obligation to provide a refund or a free rescheduling in that event.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 31 travellers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveller Photos
Featured review
Amazing experience - the tour operator and crew were friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable. The boat was very nice and clean. The lunch providing was a delicious assortment of Greek food and good drinks were offered! The scenery and water were beautiful. Definitely would recommend for anyone looking for a fun and scenic boat day!
Reviews
4.8
based on 105 reviews
Sort by: Most recent
We had a fantastic day with Captain Michael and stew Vera with ideal weather. They provided a day full of excellence service. They timed our stops so we beat crowds or arrived shortly before they departed. The fresh fruit, lunch, and drinks were a cherry on top. We always felt safe and recommend this crew!
Very nice people, the staff made this such a great experience. The boat was very clean, awesome food and drinks served on board. I highly recommend.
This was an excellent excursion. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The food they provided was delicious.
It was a bit rainy, but the crew worked hard to make sure we had a good time. They took people into beach on motorized rafts. The food was very good. Plenty of drinks. Catamaran well kept. Beautiful destinations.
So relaxed. Absolutely brilliant with lovely food, wine, beer, water. Just amazing and a prompt transfer as well. Well worth it.
Definitely worth it if you want to visit these hard to reach locations without the chaos of a big tourist ship. Everything was well planned, and the boat had plenty of food, drinks, and places to hang out while sailing. And there are things to do whether you want to run up to the fortress in Gravmousa and swim to Balos lagoon, or just hang out on the boat.
If I had to criticize something, I wish they'd separate smokers into their own tour, or make the whole thing non-smoking. We only had one smoker, and it was annoying enough. Not much space on the boat to get away from it.
It may have been our crew and issues with the wind but we were not happy with our experience. We weren’t able to swim off the boat at either stop. The captain, Yannis,was also not good at communicating where he would pick up passengers from the 2 islands and we had to walk far on rocks without shoes. He did not apologize. Other passengers had a similar experience. The crew was also not engaging with the passengers while we sailed. It sounded like there were issues among the crew and captain. That said - the Balos Lagoon was spectacular.
A catamaran, crystal clear to deep blue waters, good food and great vibes- what a day!! The Yannis (John) was a great captain and the entire crew was friendly and organized. They gave specific safety guidance before starting the tour and the rest of the day was enjoyable time spent on the water. The boat was so clean!
Gramvousa Island was a beautiful and unique experience. DO NOT forget beach shoes. You definitely need them. Balos Lagoon was stunning and a must see; however if you are an avid beach lover and want to spend several hours alternating between sand and water, I’d opt for a different beach.
This tour was all about relaxing and enjoying being pampered on a mini day cruise while taking in some of the amazing wonders found only in Greece. Highly recommend!
It was well organized,on time pick up,really nice guy who collected us.Staff on the boat were excellent,drinks and food were good.
All staff very attentive,friendly and helpful.They went out of there way to assist us.I highly recommend the cruise.
Great experience on the water. The boat ride was comfortable and we had ample time at the two locations. Highly recommend.
The crew and captain were very professional and saw to all of our needs. The lunch provided was delicious and traditional and the views were 10/10.
Amazing day with an amazing crew. Was well looked after and the whole trip was well organised and relaxing. Food was lovely. Communication from beginning to end was faultless. Thank you so much.
Great experience, great cruise on catamaran, snorkeled, enjoyed the trip very much. Captain and hosts made sure we had everything we needed
Great experience. The crew was warm and accommodating, the catamaran was top notch and the lunch was tasty and plentiful.
Wonderful experience! the catamaran was clean and the food and service was quite good! Our family had a memorable trip visiting Balos and surrounding area. Thank you to the staff and crew for being so attentive throughout the trip!
The crew we had was Raisa, John, and Elias, who were all absolutely fantastic. They were all excellent hosts and excellent at their job. We got really really unlucky with the group that was with us - about 8 young kids a their parents; the parents all left the kids alone at times, called the kids names (seriously), invaded personal space, left drinks all over the boat, etc. The crew repeatedly checked on us with regards to the other guests , so we really appreciated that. Overall, good experience, just be aware that other guests may affect the type of experience you have.
Fantastic day on the water. Stunning beach and friendly staff. The food was lacking to be honest and not much meat option for a carnivore like myself but otherwise we loved it
I bought the ticket and they have my hotel information - the Minoan Palace hotel but no one picked me up
Response from Host, June 2026
Dear Robert,
Our driver was at the Minoa Palace hotel at 16.00 to pick you up but you weren't there. The stuff from the hotel was calling you in the room to reach you, were searching you in the restauran but with no luck and because the car had other participants they had to leave with a delay of 20minutes because searching you.... All the group in the minibus can witness that.
So I marked you as non shown. What would you expect us to do?
Why you didn't even try to reach me? You have all my contacts... I think you just forgotten the appointment and you returned to review me with one star just to do me bad... What can I say?
Sit back and relax and enjoy everything! The crew was absolutely wonderful and we met so many new people from all over the world!
Crew was amazing
Food was great
They prepared a gluten and dairy free meal for me which was delicious
They were knowledgeable about the area and friendly
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you for your kind words!!! We are sooo happy that you enjoyed everything!!!
We hope to have onboard again in a next visit!!!
Take care and happy travels!!!
My husband and I had an amazing day on the catamaran! Beautiful boat with friendly staff. The lunch was pretty great too! I highly recommend as is a luxurious way to explore Balos in an intimate way.
Response from Host, June 2026
Thakn you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience with us!!! Appreciate it!
We hope we will have you onboard again in a furure visit!
Happy travels!!!
The best excursion in Crete. An absolute must do. Beautiful beaches and lovely staff. Kids had a blast. Our catamaran had 10 guests only which was perfect.
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience with us!!! We really appreciate it!
We are very pleased that you had such a nice time and we hope to see you again in a future visit!
Take care and safe travells!
Amazing day on the water! Exceptional service and food throughout the excursion. We really appreciated how intentional the crew was to keeping order and cleanliness on the boat as well. Beautiful scenery, paddle boards and floats available... everything was perfect and best way to close out our Greece tour! Thank you!
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you for your kind words. We are so pleased that you had such a great time with us and you will cherish the memory as the close out of your trip to Greece.
Happy travels and who knows... Our roads might cross again in the future!!!
The experience was wonderful! Our driver to Balos was excellent. And the crew on the catamaran was amazing as well. We had a beautiful day of swimming , snorkeling and beach time and of course relaxing on the boat! Lunch was delicious too. Highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you for your kind words, everyone enjoyed the time with you as well!!! We love to have people like you onboard!!
See you in a next visit maybe!!!
The views were amazing! Would definitely recommend hiking up to the fortress to see the view! It was a fun time on the water with great food & drinks.
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are very happy that you enjoyed your time on our Catamaran!!!
Vera and captain Mike were wonderful. It was a very windy and cool day but they made it very enjoyable. The food Vera made was fabulous and would rate them excellent catamaran trip .
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you for your kind words and the time you take to share here your experience with us!!! The crew had a great time with you as well!!
We are looking forward to having you on board once you return to Crete!!
Until then, take care!!
Balos was worth the trip. It was very pretty and such a cool experience for us. I recommend doing something smaller for the boat trip to Balos because the larger less expensive ships arrived around one hour into our experience and Balos immediately felt extremely crowded. Gramvousa was also a very cool experience and the fortress at the top was worth the climb if you have time.
Great staff, very friendly and accommodating to whatever you wanted. The boat was comfortable for everyone onboard. Balos was unreal and a must on your trip..
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your kind words and for your time to review us and share your experience on our catamaran!
We are looking forward to having you on board again sometime in the future!
Attentive to every detail, we had a wonderful day! The food was great, both Yannis and Georgio (sp?) gave us great information and a bit of history and let us spend the day as we wished.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience with us!
It was a pleasure having onboard!
Until next time take care!
Caring and friendly crew who were very focused on everyone having a great day. Transfer from our hotel to port was great and once on board we were provided with coffees, soft and alcoholic drinks, snacks, fresh fruit and a tasty lunch. At the swim stops there were floatation aids, snorkel masks, dry bags and tenders to shore provided. The waters were beautiful and clear. The aperol cocktail served on the sail back to port was a nice touch. Definitely recommend this tour over the public ferries which looked far too crowded! Thanks all for an amazing day!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience on out Catamaran!
We hope to see you again sometime in the future!
Member Pricing
From
USD 211.89
per personWas USD 223.05(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Member Pricing
Balos Shared Small Group Catamaran Cruise, 2ppl
105
7 hours
Free Cancellation
From
USD 223.05
USD 211.89
5% savings
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
- Shore Excursions
- Hiking Tours
- Extreme Sports
- Nature and Wildlife Tours
- 4WD Tours
- Sporting Events
- Half-day Tours
- Bus Tours
- Historical Tours
- Outdoor Activities
- Private Sightseeing Tours
- Tickets & Passes
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Private and Luxury
- Cultural Tours
- Crete
- Shore Excursions - Adelianos Kampos
- Extreme Sports - Adelianos Kampos
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Adelianos Kampos
- Half-day Tours - Adelianos Kampos
- Bus Tours - Adelianos Kampos
- Historical Tours - Adelianos Kampos
- Shore Excursions - Heraklion
- Hiking Tours - Heraklion
- Extreme Sports - Heraklion
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Heraklion
- 4WD Tours - Heraklion
- Sporting Events - Heraklion
- Half-day Tours - Heraklion
- Bus Tours - Heraklion
- Historical Tours - Heraklion
- Shore Excursions - Chania
- Hiking Tours - Chania
- Extreme Sports - Chania
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Chania
- 4WD Tours - Chania
- Sporting Events - Chania
- Half-day Tours - Chania
- Bus Tours - Chania
- Historical Tours - Chania
Attractions in Crete, Greece
- Lassithi Plateau Tours & Tickets
- Venetian Harbor Tours & Tickets
- Spili Tours & Tickets
- Scalarea Estate Tours & Tickets
- Samaria Gorge Tours & Tickets
- Palace of Knossos Tours & Tickets
- Kera Kardiotissa Monastery Tours & Tickets
- Ancient Aptera Tours & Tickets
- CretAquarium (Thalassocosmos) Tours & Tickets
- Chania Old Town Tours & Tickets
- Seitan Limania Beach Tours & Tickets
- Cretaquarium (Thalassokosmos) Tours & Tickets
- Katharo Plateau Tours & Tickets
- Balos Beach and Lagoon Tours & Tickets
- Watercity Water Park Tours & Tickets
- Amazonas Park Tours & Tickets
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum Tours & Tickets