The famous lagoon of Balos is located approximately 56km northwest of Chania and 17km northwest of Kissamos, formed between the Cape Gramvousa and the small Cape Tigani and below the range of Platiskinos. Balos is surely the mostly photographed beach in Crete, a very favorite subject of all tourist guides for Greece.
Visit the most popular destination of Crete in private, enjoy the famous lagoon from parts not accessible by crowds. Balos is one of the most unique beaches in Greece and in the world, as well. It is a protected natural area, a tropical lagoon with white and pink sand with seashells!
The blue shallow waters are crystal clear and warm, making your swim a heavenly experience.
Balos is famous for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery. During the summer, it is visited by thousands of people, who arrive mostly by the ferries running from Kissamos port. If you do not like crowds, you’d better avoid to visit the beach in July and August. Also, a perfect idea is to arrive at Balos in the morning, before the boats arrive from Kissamos. These few hours of remoteness in such a heavenly place will remain etched in your memory forever.
The lagoon of Balos has white sand and exotic white, vivid blue and turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm, ideal for young children. In many places the sand has a lovely pinkish color, because of millions of crushed shells. Beyond the rocks at the boundaries of the lagoon, the water is deeper and colder, ideal for a snorkeling.
The lagoon and the wider area, with rare species of flora and fauna, are protected under the Natura 2000 program. Eleonora falcons, shags and cormorants nest in the caves of the area. Moreover, the area is a shelter for the protected monk seal and the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Despite the protection, some canteens and umbrellas have appeared on the beach in recent years. You can buy water from there and from the bars of the ferries.
Gramvousa island: Close to Balos, this small uninhabited island, which used to be a hide-out for pirates, offers a beautiful beach and snorkeling area, together with a chance for a visit to the remnants of a Venetian located at the top of the island.
The History of Balos & Gramvousa
The most interesting ruins are on the islet of Imeri Gramvousa. Here, the Venetians built a fort in the late 15th century, in order to defend the island from invasions by the Ottomans. Even when Crete was surrendered to the Ottomans in the treaty of 1669, this fortress – along with the fortresses of Spinalonga and Souda. They protected Venetian trade routes. The fortress was then captured in 1825 by Cretans dressed as Turks during the War of Independence.They held the fortress, but did not manage to spread to the western region of Crete.
Isolated, they turned to piracy. The organized island of pirates and their families had a school, and a church Panagia i Kleftrina – dedicated to the wives of the Klephts – in this case, the pirates. In 1828, the pirate ships were destroyed, and the island was controlled by the British.
YACHT OPTIONS
Choose from our list with yachts your favorite one !
Day Cruise: return the same evening
One-night Short Cruise: spend the night on yacht and return next morning.
One-night Long Cruise: spend the night on yacht, have your swim next morning, eat lunch and return next evening.
