Balos Lagoon Boat Cruise from Kissamos Port Chania

Kissamos Port: Gateway to Balos

The cruise departs from the port of Kissamos, also called Kavonisi, about 3 kilometres west of the small town of Kissamos on the north-west coast of Crete. Kissamos lies roughly 40 kilometres from Chania, about 45 minutes by car along the national road, and regular intercity buses connect the two. Many travellers drive or take an early bus, and the port has a large parking area.

If you are wondering how to get to Balos Lagoon, the boat is the most relaxing answer. The land route means a rough dirt track of about 8 kilometres across the Gramvousa peninsula, a parking fee and a steep 20 to 30 minute walk down to the beach and back up in the heat. From Kissamos port you simply board, find a seat on deck and let the crew do the rest.

Cruising the Bay: Cliffs, Coves and the Ancient Shipyard Cave

The first hour on board is a cruise along the bay with soft music in the background and a wide view of the mountains of western Crete. The coastline here is wild and almost uninhabited: steep cliffs of grey and ochre rock drop straight into deep blue water, broken by small beaches reachable only by sea.

Along the way the boat passes a large sea cave which, according to local tradition and archaeologists, served as a shipyard in ancient times, when sheltered coves like this were used to build and repair wooden ships. The audio guide on board, available in English, Greek, German, French and Polish, explains the history of the coast as you go, so even the journey becomes part of the Balos day trip from Chania.

The Raised Ancient Coastline

At the end of the bay you see one of the most unusual natural sights in Crete. The island is tilting: its western side is rising while its eastern side is sinking, a result of the African tectonic plate sliding beneath the Eurasian plate. A great earthquake in AD 365 lifted this part of the coast by several metres almost overnight.

The old shoreline is still visible as a clear line along the rocks, with marks carved by waves now high above the sea and once-submerged rock lifted into the air. Ancient harbours along this coast ended up on dry land because of the same movement. It is a quick but memorable stop on the way to the lagoon, and a good moment to take photos from the deck.

Balos Lagoon between Gramvousa and Cape Tigani

Balos is an exotic beach-lagoon tucked between the Gramvousa peninsula and the rocky headland of Cape Tigani, often listed among the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. The water is so shallow that you can wade far out, with colours shifting from pale turquoise to deep blue, and the sand in places has a pink tint from crushed shells. The whole area is a protected nature reserve.

The boat moors at the small pier and you walk a few minutes to the lagoon, where you have about 3 hours to swim, float in the warm shallows and climb a little way up the path for the famous view over the bay. Is Balos worth visiting? With its shallow, calm water it is a favourite for families with young children, and few beaches in Greece look so dramatic.

Best Time to Visit Balos and Practical Tips

The boat season usually runs from late spring to October. The best time to visit Balos is June or September, when the sea is warm and the beach less crowded than in the peak weeks of July and August. In midsummer the sun is strong and shade on the beach is very limited, so bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.

Because Balos is a protected area, do not take sand, shells or stones from the beach, and take your rubbish back to the boat. Food and drinks are sold on board, but only by card, not cash. The return cruise reaches Kissamos in the late afternoon, leaving you time for a stroll along the seafront before driving back to your hotel in Chania.