Balos Shared Catamaran Cruise (small groups up to 10 or 22ppl)
Recommended by 92% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Crete, Greece
- 7 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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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.
- 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
- Small-group tour: Lots of chances to ask your guides questions
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 Snorkeling equipmentUse of Snorkelling equipment
- Transfer/Pick up from a meeting point in Chania (when option choosed in the booking process)
- 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 travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 22 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
sydney_b
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 53 reviews
Rebecca_W, Oct 2025
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!
Lynne_S, Sep 2025
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!
Matt_E, Sep 2025
Fantastic experience , really well organised. The crew very brilliant and looked after us very well day, lovely food and drinks.
We had plenty of time at both Balos and Gramvousa to swim and explore and we didn’t feel rushed. Really excellent day!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your kind wotds and for taking the time to share your experience with us! We are very please that you had such a wonderful day!
Hopr to see you again !!
Catherine_C, Sep 2025
This excursion quickly turned into a nightmare. What the tour description does not mention is that the sailing route to Balos Beach is VERY rough. There were 12 people on our catamaran sail and at least half were getting seasick because the sea was so rough. It was an awful experience. When the seas are this rough, this excursion should not operate. Because so many people were getting sick, the crew asked if everyone wanted to turn back and go to Balos Beach by minivan. It was unanimous that the guests wanted to turn back and end the seasick misery. So we went back to the marina and boarded a minivan to Balos Beach. It was a one hour ride, most of it over a slow and inclining dirt road. What the crew did not tell us that the parking lot for Balos Beach is at the top of a mountain and pedestrians must hike down a steep side of a mountain to reach Balos Beach. Of course we were all wearing flip flops not hiking boots. The hike down to the beach took over half an hourour over rugged terrain in full sun, no guardrails. At least one tourist passed out on the side of the trail and was receiving medical attention. Going down was treacherous and extremely difficult. The crew basically sold it as a short easy hike. It was not. It was the most strenuous hike I’ve ever done. The scenery is beautiful but not worth the stress of the hike. The beach was nice but very windy and the sand was blowing in our faces. There was a bathroom that you had to pay to use at the beach. The hike back up to the parking lot was nothing short of horrific. I did not think I was going to make it. I really thought I was going to die on that mountain. It took me over an hour to climb the steep mountain in the hot sun in flip flops with no drinking water. Worst excision ever. The really insulting part is the crew openly lied to us about how difficult it is to reach this beach. It is beautiful, but if you must go, take the large public ferry, not a small private boat. Do not even consider hiking down to the beach on foot. Never again. Most of us guests thought we were just lied to. Do not take this excursion
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Catherine, I am really sorry that you feel this way... The truth is that not everything is for everyone and this applies to you, which is ok but you must consider everything before you judge so harshly and throw mud at a business that truly cares about its customers.
I won't say much because I understand that your opinion will not change as it seems you had a difficult time. I will only say that you were asked and agreed without anyone pressuring you and therefore the decision and the responsibility for the decision was yours alone! You are the only one who complained and you owe this to your own exhaustion and your inability to walk. You even admitted to the drivers that you're from New York and you're not used to walking... After all, thousands of people walk the path every day and the average time is 20 minutes, of course some like you need more time but it is not our fault or our bad information.
As for the weather, the forecast that day was not accurate and for this very reason we returned to the port, not to cause you any more trouble, something we are proud to do as we do not sacrifice everything on the altar of money. We simply want to keep our guests happy and satisfied, but unfortunately, we did not manage to satisfy you... You were not in a good mood and I quickly noticed it, from your rude phone call that day. Don't get me wrong, we all have bad days and it was obviously one of them for you.
Anyway, I'm sorry that you feel this way and that after so long you remembered to write it to cause harm... I hope another time we can satisfy you, like everyone else who trusts us.
sydney_b, Aug 2025
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!
Cheryl_G, Aug 2025
We absolutely loved this boat trip, mostly because the crew were so friendly and nice. The food was excellent and lunch was one of the best meals we had on the island! I would much rather take this boat trip to Balos Lagoon than any other way. Thank you so much to the captain and crew!
Abdul_B, Aug 2025
Not to be missed. Super friendly crew. Spectacular scenery great food. The catamaran was super clean and comfortable.
Nancy_T, Jul 2025
The family that guides this trip to Balos is very welcoming and kind, thinking of every need travelers may have. The boat is beautiful, providing shade, comfort, and privacy. From welcoming us with coffee or a drink, to a delicious lunch, the crew provided above and beyond service to us. We absolutely appreciated the thoughtfulness and, of course, the destinations were incredible to visit. One tip: plan to leave earlier to get to the dock before departure than you may expect, as traffic can delay you by 15-20 minutes. You can drive right up to the catamaran at the end of the dock, if you let the parking attendants know. Don’t miss this trip with a lovely family and plenty of adventure and luxury.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Ohhh thank you so much for shareing your experience with us! It was lovely to have you onboard as well! People like you are making our days beautiful!!! HOpe to see you again some time!!!
Jacob_B, Jul 2025
Very fun experience, water was beautiful and the crew were very friendly. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip. We expected something simple like a sandwich for lunch but they made us an incredible assortment of food. We were pleasantly surprised by this, it was actually some of the best food that we had in Crete.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Ohhh we are sooo pleased that you had such a nice time oboard! Thank you for sharing this here! We hope to see you again in the future!
Michael_B, Jul 2025
Great time exploring and seeing different beaches. We loved Balos, absolutely stunning and worth the trip. The boat ride was a lot of fun, plenty of space with good food and drink. The staff was wonderful and we really enjoyed the day!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience with us! and for your kind words! Have a wonderful vacation ahead!
Cindy_S, Jun 2025
This was a wonderful excursion. The crew was top notch. We had questions before departure that were immediately answered in detail. The captain and two crew members were so friendly and were there to make this the best day for us which it was. There were ancis on board when we arrived, lunch was a home cooked meal that was delicious and fruit snacks as the tail end of the trip with a nice afternoon cocktail. The destinations were beautiful. I used the snorkeling gear and paddle board. I seriously have no complaints and my family and I laughed, lounged and enjoyed every minute of excursion. Top notch! Thank you"Sailing Cruises Chania" for making this a memorable day!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thsnk you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience with us. We are more than happy that you had such a great time with us!!!
Susan_P, Jun 2025
We had an amazing boat day! The crew was wonderful. They went out of their way to give us great food and fun with their boat toys. They were great with my kids. We fist went to Gramvousa to avoid the crowds and then on to Balos, which was amazing. The boat had options for swimming, taking you to the beach in a dingy, or playing around the boat with floats and paddles. It was a lovely day and so much better than taking the giant boat with all the crowds.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us! Much appreciatted, but most of all we are pleased that you enjoy it and had a wonderful time with the team and opur services!!
Andrew_H, Aug 2024
Awesome day. Owner and staff were lovely accomodating, weather was good, abundant food / drinks.
Only feedback is there should be an 8 person limit. 10 felt too cramped for such a small yacht (and the price).
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you for your kind words. Happy that you enjoyed it!!!
Imagine that the maximum capacity of the yacht is 12ppl but we do not accept more than 10ppl on board eventhoug is a 46ft long yacht.
Anyway we love to hear any kind of feedback because it makes us better.
Hope to see you again in the future!!!
Kindest regards,
Natassa 😊
Gustavo_P, Sep 2025
Very good indeed if the experience is fantastic and the crew good and excellent all beautiful
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Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We are pleased that you had such a wonderful time oboard our Catamaran and we hope to see you again sometime in the future!
Jennie_Z, Sep 2025
We simply loved our day! All the crew was on top (thank you Jolene for your excellent meal!!). We sailed with quite strong winds and it was still very pleasant. The band was great too and we had a good laugh.
In Gramvousa, we were able to go up to the fort, swim, snorkel or take the SUP. In Balos, it would have been the same, but it was just too windy — and nobody can help that.
We recommend 100%: it's worth it in every way! The crew, the intimate Mood, the scenery, the explanations... everything!
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Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience with us! We hope to see you again in a future visit to Crete!
Lucimara_S, Aug 2025
The captain is the entire crew were extremely attentive. The boat is beautiful and clean. We had a great day!
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DANILO_T, Aug 2023
Ottima esperienza e ottimo equipaggio consiglio questo tour a tutti.ottimo servizio a bordo impeccabile
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to rate yout experience with us! We hope to see you again soon!
From $142.72
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Balos Shared Catamaran Cruise (small groups up to 10 or 22ppl)
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Free Cancellation
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