Gramvousa Balos – Crete Daily Cruises

Departing from the port of Kissamos and traveling for approximately 55 minutes in the gulf, you will admire a huge cave, that is believed to have been the ancient shipyard – Tarsanas. It is found near the Roman city of Agnion, thought to be the god Apollo (today Ag. Sostis). During the voyage across the gulf we often come across marine turtles (Caretta Caretta), the Mediterranean seal (Monachus Monachus) and dolphins of the region.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 raised, while the eastern part is sunk.This phenomenon was created by catastrophic earthquakes that took place in 66 BC and 365 BC. These earthquakes, caused by the movement of the lithospheric plates of Africa, caused the abrupt elevation of Crete from 6m to 9m above sea level. This ancient sea level can still be seen today as a black trace along the rocky coast.According to scientific estimates, this geographical phenomenon is still continuing today, but at a much slower rate.Reaching the end of the gulf, if the atmosphere is clear and there is good visibility, as the boat passes between the island of Agria Gramvousa and cape Vouxa, one can spot the island of Antikythira in the distance.By this time and at this point, you will admire an amazing landscape, followed by, in the distance, the distinction of Valenti, Pontikonisi, the lagoon of Balos and Imeri Gramvousa, with its castle, which the boat will sail to in 15 minutes.After approximately 1 hour, the boat arrives in the port of Gramvousa. Here you can disembark, while the boat awaits your return in around 2 hours time.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 where the abrupt rock does not offer any natural fortification. It has a roughly 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.As well as your visit to the castle, you can swim at the beach next to the small church of Ag. Apostoli or remain on the boat relaxing and swimming around it. We have a special water slide attached to the side of the ship for your enjoyment.You can have lunch or enjoy a drink from the ship’s restaurant that is open all day long. You can buy souvlaki sticks, chicken with potatoes, gemista (stuffed tomatoes), xoriatiki (Greek salad), pizza, toast, refreshments, sweets, beers, wines, ice-creams, coffees etc.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.Surely, this is one of the most beautiful parts of Greece, with its unique beautiful beach and its large variety of shells.Your stay at the lagoon, where you can enjoy a fantastic swim, will last for about three hours.It is also possible, if you wish, to swim to shore or remain on board the boat, in order to relax and swim around it, using our special water slide off the boat. The bar on board is open all day and you can have lunch, refreshments, coffee, ice-creams etc, while enjoying pleasant music.The ship remains in the lagoon of Balos until 16:30, at which time sets sail bound for the port of Kissamos arriving there after about an hour.