Gramvousa Pirate Island and Balos Lagoon from Chania!
May, June, October: every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
July, August, September: daily
Duration 11 hours
Caves & Amazing Nature
Departing from the port of Kissamos and while sailing, you will admire a huge cave, that is believed to have been the ancient shipyard of “Tarsanas”. At the end of the Gulf you will notice an impressive geological phenomenon where, as a result of the passage of time, the western part of the island is rising, while the eastern part is sinking. This phenomenon was mainly created by catastrophic earthquakes that took place in 66 BC and 365 BC. According to scientific estimates, this geographical phenomenon still continues today, but at a much slower rate.
Gramvousa Pirate Island & Balos Lagoon
After approximately 1 hour, the boat arrives at the port of Gramvousa. The island’s eminent castle was built by the Venetians in 1579 at the highest point of the island, on top of a steep rock at a height of 137m. It is surrounded by a wall of 272m. It has a rough triangular shape and each side is 1km in length. Gramvousa castle played an important role in the history of the region. The panoramic view, its majesty and the legend of the pirate’s hidden treasure, will tempt you to visit it. The walk takes approximately 20 minutes.
TIP!! You should first visit the Castle in Gramvousa and then swim in the cool water…!
Following the 2 hour visit to Gramvousa, the boat will depart for the lagoon of Balos, a journey of approximately 15 minutes. As there is no harbour at the lagoon, the boat will either drop anchor in the cove of Gramvousa (Tigani), about 200m from the beach, at a depth of approximately 4m, where disembarkation will take place from large boats, or approach the beach where disembarkation can take place directly onto the beach. Your stay at the lagoon, where you can enjoy a fantastic swim, will last for about three hours.
Indicative Time-Table:
08:00-09:20 Pick up from Chania area
10:00 Arrival at the port of Kissamos
10:20 Departure for Gramvousa island
11:30 Arrival at Gramvousa
13:30 Departure from Gramvousa
13:45 Arrival at Balos
16:30 Departure from Balos
17:45 Arrival at the port of Kissamos
18:30-19:30 Arrival at your Hotel
Remember to bring‼️ Sun Cream (a lot!), Sunglasses and Hat, Long-Sleeved Shirt for Sensitive skin, Swim Suit and Beach Towel, Shoes for hiking to the Gramvousa Castle!
Important Notes
- Mandatory use of face covering and pre-boarding health declaration questionnaire is required, filled by all adults. Please download it here (English) or here (Greek) and have it filled before boarding on bus
- Pick-up from Kalyves area requires a minimum number of 4 adults with an extra charge of 6.00€ per person.
- Rubbish disposal apart from the designated areas is strictly prohibited.
- The travel agency reserves the right to alter or cancel any tour due to adverse weather conditions or insufficient passengers number or force majeure 12 hours prior to departure time with a notification to the traveler.
- Please arrive on time to the given pick-up point. Unfortunately, there is no option to wait for latecomers. In case of delay, missed pick-up, missed departure time, no refunds.
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