How the Balos boat trip works
The day boats to Balos leave from the port of Kavonisi, about 3 km west of Kissamos town. They run daily from April to October. The combined trip stops at Gramvousa and at Balos Lagoon and takes about 7 hours. In high season there is also an express version of about 5 hours. The operator says the order of the stops can vary.
The programme values are roughly 2 hours on Gramvousa, 20 minutes for the crossing between the two stops and 2.5 hours at Balos. They are planning figures, not promises for every departure. If you want to know how the other ways of reaching the lagoon compare, see tours compared and getting there.
Boat fares in 2026
Published 2026 prices of one day-cruise operator, per person, with VAT and audio guide included.
| Trip and period | Aged 13 and over | Aged 3 to 12 | Up to 2 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balos and Gramvousa, April to 14 July and 16 September to 31 October | €40 | €24 | €0 |
| Balos and Gramvousa, 15 July to 15 September | €45 | €27 | €0 |
| Balos only, April to 14 July and 16 September to 31 October | €36 | €21 | €0 |
| Balos only, 15 July to 15 September | €40 | €24 | €0 |
A meal on board costs €13. The municipality collects a fee of €1 before boarding from passengers over 13. Tickets are sold online and at the port, where the ticket office is open from 08:30 to 21:00 in season. Parking at the port is free according to the operator.
A second operator publishes its own schedule: departure from Kissamos at 10:50, arrival at Gramvousa at 12:00, arrival at Balos at 14:45 and departure from Balos at 16:20. Its pages show €38 for the combined trip for passengers aged 12 and over and €22 for ages 3 to 11 on one page, and €40 on another, without a season year. Confirm the final price at checkout.
Our picks: Balos boat trips
From Kissamos to Balos alone or to Balos and Gramvousa, and by speedboat from Limeniskos.
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.
Speedboat tour to Gramvousa and Balos with drinks
Two hours each at Gramvousa and Balos, with a driver, soft drinks, water and beer. There is no guide, food or transfer to Limeniskos, and the listing does not state the Balos fee.
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 →Boat cruise to Balos Lagoon from Kissamos
Return boat ride with crew, time at Balos and an audio guide. The municipal fee of €1 per passenger over 13 is not included.
Check availability →Balos boat trips and day tours
Boat trips to Balos and Gramvousa and combined day trips from Kissamos and Chania, with live prices and availability.
Before you board
The practical details of the day.
Departure times
A season announcement from spring 2026 mentioned departures around 10:35, 10:40 and 11:00, with the season starting on 23 April. Confirm the time for your date when you book, because it can change during the season.
Check-in and return
Be at the port 40 minutes before departure. At the lagoon, be back at the boat at least 15 minutes before it leaves, since the terms set that limit.
Bad weather
The terms allow the operator to change the route or the times, or to cancel, because of weather or an order from the authorities. If a trip is cancelled or delayed for weather, the ticket price is refunded. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund of the fare. After that, or if you do not turn up, the operator owes no refund.
Mobility
The operator describes the trip as unsuitable for people with significant mobility limits.
What you do at each stop
Two very different halves of the day.
Gramvousa
The island is where the Venetian fortress stands, about 137 m above the sea. The operator gives roughly 20 minutes for the climb and recommends sturdy shoes. A rusty shipwreck is visible on the island beach. Do not rely on the fortress being open all afternoon, since the published opening hours are 08:00 to 15:00. Read more on the Gramvousa page.
Balos Lagoon
The lagoon is shallow and the sea side is deeper. There is no natural shade, so bring sun protection and water. Leave the sand and the shells where they are, and take your rubbish back to the boat. The Balos Beach page has the rules of the protected area.
Balos boat from Kissamos: getting to the port
Kavonisi is not in the town centre.
The port lies about 3 km west of Kissamos. From Chania it is about 43 km, roughly 45 minutes by car and 60 minutes by bus, according to the operator. The October 2026 bus plan lists two buses from Chania to Kissamos Port, at 08:15 and 15:30. The return at 18:30 leaves after the Balos and Gramvousa ships arrive. The plan is valid from 9 October 2026, so check the current timetable before you go.
Buses to the town stop at "Kasteli (Kissamos)", which is a different stop from "Kissamos Port". The ticket office faces the ships. More on the town is on the Kissamos page, and the bus connections from the city are on the Chania page.
Balos boat trip: frequently asked questions
When does the Balos boat run?
Daily from April to October, according to the operator. Timetables vary during the season, so confirm your departure time when you book.
How long does the trip take?
The combined trip takes about 7 hours, with an express version of about 5 hours in high season. The programme plans about 2 hours on Gramvousa and 2.5 hours at Balos.
Do children pay?
Children up to 2 years travel free. Ages 3 to 12 pay €24 for the combined trip, or €27 from 15 July to 15 September, on the 2026 tariff. The municipal fee of €1 applies to passengers over 13.
Is the boat trip cancelled in strong wind?
It can be. The operator may change or cancel the trip because of weather and refunds the ticket price in that case.
Is food included in the ticket?
No. VAT and an audio guide are included, and a meal can be added for €13. The beach has no natural shade and you cannot count on shops there, so bring water.