Balos Lagoon at a glance
Balos Lagoon sits between the island of Gramvousa and Cape Tigani, 17 km north-west of Kissamos. The water is shallow and the sand is described as white or pink, depending on the light and on who is writing. The area is part of the Natura 2000 network, so the rules are stricter than on an ordinary beach.
You can reach the lagoon in two ways: by boat from Kissamos, or by road to an upper car park and then on foot. This guide explains both, with the 2026 boat fares, the walking times and the practical details that older pages often get wrong. It also covers the island of Gramvousa, the beaches of Falasarna and Elafonisi, and Kissamos and Chania as bases.
VisitBalos.com is an independent site. It is not run by the municipality of Kissamos, the region, the Natura 2000 authorities or any boat or tour company.
Three ways to reach Balos
Prices and times as published for 2026. They can change during the season.
| Way | Price in 2026 | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day boat to Balos and Gramvousa | €40 adult, €24 aged 3 to 12 (€45 and €27 from 15 July to 15 September) | About 7 hours | About 2 hours on Gramvousa, 2.5 hours at Balos |
| Boat to Balos only | €36 adult, €21 aged 3 to 12 (€40 and €24 from 15 July to 15 September) | – | Season April to October |
| Land transfer from Kissamos | €27 per person | Departures at 08:00, 09:30 and 11:30 | Ends at the upper car park, then you walk |
| Your own car | – | Roughly 40 to 60 minutes from Kissamos | Gravel track, then a walk of 20 to 30 minutes down and 30 to 45 minutes up |
A municipal fee of €1 is collected on top of these prices from passengers over 12 or over 13, depending on the operator. Details are on the pages for boat trips, getting there and tours compared.
Our picks: Balos tours
A boat to both stops, a jeep over the track and Elafonisi by bus from Chania.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Off-road 4x4 jeep safari to Balos from Kissamos
Air-conditioned jeep with an English-speaking driver, plus water and a local pastry. The €1 Balos fee is not included.
Check availability →
Full-day boat cruise to Balos and Gramvousa
Return boat ride to both stops, with crew and an audio guide. The €1 municipal fee per passenger over 13 and any hotel transfer are extra, and food and drinks only come with the matching option.
Check availability →
Elafonisi by bus from Chania with a stop in Elos
Air-conditioned bus, a guide and free time at Elafonisi.
Check availability →Balos and west Crete tours
Boat trips, jeep and day trips to Balos, Gramvousa and Elafonisi, with live prices and availability.
Plan your Balos visit
Start with the beach and the ways to get there, then pick the pages you need.
Balos Beach
Sand, shallow water, shade, facilities and the rules in the protected area.
Balos tours compared
Boat, land transfer and jeep: what each costs and how much time it takes.
The Balos boat trip
2026 fares, the season, stops, check-in and what happens in bad weather.
Getting to Balos
The gravel track, the walk down, rental car insurance and the bus situation.
Gramvousa
The Venetian fortress, the climb, the shipwreck and the boat stop.
Best time to visit
Months, heat, crowds and wind, with climate figures for Chania.
Around Balos
Towns, beaches and where to sleep.
Kissamos
The town and the port of Kavonisi, where the boats leave.
Falasarna
Five beach sections on the west coast and an ancient harbour.
Elafonisi
Pink sand, a shallow lagoon and a protected coast in the south-west.
Chania
The Venetian harbour and a transport base for the whole west.
West Crete beaches
Balos, Elafonisi and Falasarna side by side.
Where to stay
Kissamos, Kaliviani, Falasarna or Chania: which area suits your plan.
Good to know before you go
Where older guides and blogs are out of date.
Boat fares and season
The fares above are the operator's 2026 prices. The boats run daily from April to October. Older pages often quote prices from earlier years.
Boat trip details →Time slots are a proposal
Press reports from August 2026 describe a pilot model with entry slots, up to 1,200 people per 3 hours. It is a proposal, not a booking requirement. In September the municipality met the day-boat operators about crowding. Check the current situation before you go.
Balos Beach →Check the bus timetable
No regular bus goes to the lagoon. Buses run to Kissamos and its port, and the timetable changes with the season. The October 2026 plan is valid from 9 October. Look at the current version before you plan around it.
Getting there →Rental car insurance
Full insurance does not always cover the Balos track. One rental company excludes tyre and underbody damage caused there. Read your own contract before you drive.
The road to Balos →Trail closures
The paths to and from Balos were closed temporarily at the end of August 2026 because of strong wind and high fire danger. Closures like this can happen again, so check the current situation on the day.
Best time to visit →Balos Lagoon: frequently asked questions
How do I get to Balos Lagoon?
By boat from the port of Kavonisi near Kissamos, or by road to an upper car park followed by a walk of about 1 km. The final stretch of the road is a gravel track. There is no regular bus to the lagoon. See the getting there page.
How much is the Balos boat trip in 2026?
One operator lists €40 for adults and €24 for children aged 3 to 12 for the combined Balos and Gramvousa trip, and €45 and €27 from 15 July to 15 September. Children up to 2 travel free. The €1 municipal fee and an optional meal at €13 come on top. See the boat trip page.
Is the walk down to the beach hard?
It is short but steep in places. Allow 20 to 30 minutes down and 30 to 45 minutes back up, which is harder in the heat. Take water and wear shoes with grip. There is no natural shade on the beach.
Can I take sand or shells home?
No. The area is protected, so leave the sand and the shells where they are. The national tourism organisation makes this request for Elafonisi, and it is the sensible rule at every beach here. The municipality also prohibits fires, camping, smoking on the beach, littering and staying in the dunes.
Will there be food and shops at the lagoon?
Do not count on it. The municipality lists two vendors, while a boat operator says there are no shops. Bring water and food and take your rubbish with you.
Is this the official Balos website?
No. VisitBalos.com is an independent travel guide with no link to the municipality, the Natura 2000 authorities or any boat or tour operator.