Excursion Description
Private Tour
Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island are a storybook of sea, sand and legend — a place where shallow turquoise shallows meet white-pink sandbanks and wind-sculpted headlands. The day opens with a scenic VIP transfer across Crete’s changing landscapes, from olive terraces to coastal cliffs, while your private driver/guide shares local lore and points out hidden photo spots. Arrive at Kissamos, enjoy a carefully chosen coffee stop in a local café, then step aboard for a short cruise to Gramvousa Island.
Gramvousa wears its history on the cliffs: a 16th-century Venetian fortress crowns the rock, its ruined
walls and narrow pathways echoing tales of corsairs and shipwrecks. Hike to the battlements for
sweeping Aegean panoramas, swim in sheltered coves near tiny wrecks, and feel the wildness that once
made the island a sailor’s landmark and, later, a refuge for outlaws and traders. From Gramvousa the
boat carries you to Balos, where the water becomes a painter’s palette — turquoise shallows, pale
sandbanks and shallow lagoons ideal for easy swimming and wide-angle photography.
With our private tour you avoid the crowds and the logistics: we deliver you comfortable and on time,
provide beach-friendly storage and local tips for the best viewpoints, and give you space to relax,
snorkel or simply wander the sandbanks at your pace. As the day winds down we offer an optional stop
at a nearby organized beach for showers and refreshments, then return you to your accommodation in
our Mercedes-Vito while you review the day’s photos and unwind. The Volanna Way means a thoughtful
finish — a handpicked local gift and the quiet satisfaction of a day spent where nature and history meet.
What’s Included:
- Pick-up: from your place or hotel, apartment, villa, port, airport.
- Brand new luxury Mercedes-Vito with VIP leather seats.
- Private driver & guide with local insights (ENG/UA/RUS/POL/GR).
- Premium air-conditioning (all levels).
- Free onboard Wi-Fi for your comfort.
- Panoramic views from large tinted windows.
- Ample separate luggage storage space (up to 8 large bags / also suitable for wet swimwear after the beach).
- Welcoming with a cold Cretan mineral water (during ride).
- Complimentary coffee present at an exclusive local "secret spot".
- Scenic drive along the northern/western coast with photo stops.
- Choises available to get to Balos: ⓵ Public Ferry's or Private Speed boat or Sailing Yacht (Choose what suits you best + visit Gramvousa island)
- Arrival to Kissamos port (boat departure point).
- Boat cruise: Kissamos → Gramvousa Island (Boat tickets are ☒ Extra, depends on operator & season | Lunch/Dinner is ☐ optionally on board — contact us & find out various options that suit your journey).
- Visit Gramvousa Island: Venetian castle ruins, cliff viewpoints & swim spots.
- Full stop at Balos Lagoon — swim, photos, relax on shallows & sandbanks.
- Boat trip back to Kissamos.
- Hiking: 8.6 km (~2 hours one way).
- Private transfer included to the point of departure.
- Transfer to nearby organized beach (optionally stop, e.g., Falassarna) for extra swim & facilities.
- Beautiful seaside ride (optionally lunch/dinner at a local taverna ~€15–€25 p.p. | extra).
- Private transfer back to your place in luxury Mercedes Vito.
- Volanna Travel “Memory Presents” (handpicked local gift pack).
Optionally:
- Lunch/dinner at a local taverna (~€15–€25 | Extra).
- Sunbeds & umbrellas at nearby beaches (extra).
- Transfer to the Kissamos Port for boat trip or hiking optimal point departure.
- Transfer to nearby organized beach (e.g., Falassarna) for extra swim & facilities.
- Optional Add-on: Capture All the Magic! — pro drone + photo/video coverage.
- "Group Pack" – €100 total (covers everyone).
- "Solo Option" – €15 per person.
- You’ll receive all photos & edited video memories after the tour. Perfect for social media posts, sharing, reliving, and saying: “Yeah, I lived that.”
- Optionally: Pro Bodyguard (€75 per hour | Extra).
Perfect for:
Travellers who value comfort, privacy and want the lagoon & fortress experience without stress, crowds, hustle & bustle. Ideal for families, couples, adventure seekers, photo hunters, nature lovers and small groups up to 8 people.
Tour Timeline
- 06:00 - 06:45 — Private pick-up from your location (Heraklion area). Complimentary cold bottle of Cretan mineral water on board.
- 06:45 - 09:15 — Scenic drive west across Crete to Kissamos port (photo stops en route).
- 09:15 - 09:45 — Short coffee/snack stop in Kissamos (local hidden spot) — final preparations for boarding.
- 09:45 - 10:30 — Boat cruise: Kissamos → Gramvousa Island. (Boat tickets are extra, depends on operator & season — contact us for options.)
- 10:30 - 12:00 — Explore Gramvousa Island: swim near the tiny wreck, hike up to the Venetian fortress for panoramic photos, and discover pirate hideaways.
- 12:00 - 12:30 — Short boat ride from Gramvousa to Balos Lagoon.
- 12:30 - 15:30 — Free time at Balos Lagoon: swim in shallow turquoise waters, walk sandbanks, capture drone-style photos, and relax in this dreamlike lagoon.
- 15:30 - 16:30 — Boat trip back to Kissamos port.
- 16:30 - 18:30 — Relaxing private transfer back to your accommodation.
- 18:30 — Volanna Travel gift on arrival. Final Touch - "The Volanna Way": a handpicked Cretan memory gift box to end your perfect day.
From JUST 75€ — Excellent VALUE for money!
