Gramvousa Balos Cruise Review: A Day Trip from Heraklion

Dreaming of turquoise water, soft white sand, and exploring someplace new? A Gramvousa Balos cruise from Heraklion just might be what you’re looking for. This super attractive day trip gives you a chance to see two of Crete’s gems, so to speak, in one go. Thing is, is it genuinely worth your time and money? That’s what we’re here to find out! I want to walk you through the whole experience, sharing my own opinions, pointing out the good bits, and giving you a fair heads-up about anything you might want to think through before booking. So, kick back, relax, and let’s see if this cruise could be your best Crete memory.

Why Gramvousa and Balos are Worth Seeing

Let’s set the scene first, right? Gramvousa and Balos aren’t just beaches, so it’s almost more like dreamscapes come to life. Balos Lagoon, with its shallow, oh-so-clear waters and super fine sand, feels more like a giant, beautiful swimming pool. The water’s often warm and inviting, which makes it fab for families with kids or anyone who wants a gentle paddle. The colors are truly something, is that they range from pale blues and greens to deeper shades where the lagoon meets the open sea. Seriously picturesque! Then there’s Gramvousa, also with a totally unique twist: a Venetian fortress perched right on top. It gives the place a unique sense of history and a fantastic viewpoint to see everything around you. Thing is, combining that wild natural loveliness with some captivating human history? It is pretty unforgettable. Many agree on this one!

The Allure of Balos Lagoon: Turquoise Dream

The magic of Balos, yet, it truly lies in its shallow, inviting waters. You can wade for what feels like forever, and the water barely reaches your knees! Because of this, it’s a total paradise for families or anyone a little unsure about swimming in deeper waters. This kind of access and relaxed vibe? A winning combo. That said, the sand there is noticeably soft and pinkish in parts, which only makes the whole spot feel even more unreal. You’ll very probably find yourself just wanting to take loads of photos; is that Balos is one of those places that seems to be designed for Instagram. Even if you’re not that into taking photos, anyway, it’s impossible not to admire its beauty.

Gramvousa: History with a View

Now, about Gramvousa. More than just your regular beach, there is some seriously historical importance tied up in it, and this fact actually adds quite a lot to the visit. The Venetian fortress that stands on top? Is that it has some really stunning views, of course, but the history itself is really interesting. That fortress has been home to Venetian rulers, rebel fighters, and even pirates at times! The walk up there can be pretty tiring – so prepare for a bit of a climb – yet it’s really rewarding once you reach the summit. As I was saying, standing within those old walls, gazing out at the stunning panorama of the Aegean, you can just imagine so many stories playing out right beneath you. Very worthwhile.

What to Expect on the Cruise from Heraklion

Okay, that part is settled! A typical cruise from Heraklion runs roughly like this: You usually set off in the early morning – is that most tours get going around 8 or 9 am. That helps you make the most of the day, you see. Anyway, the boat trip can last anywhere from two to three hours, depending on the vessel and the specific route taken. Thing is, it’s important to double check your trip itinerary. First things first, the boat stops at Gramvousa. So, you have ample time to explore the fortress and maybe take a refreshing dip in the sea. After Gramvousa, naturally, you get back on board, then it’s onward to Balos Lagoon, usually allowing three hours, to swim, chill out, and enjoy the awesome scenery. Usually the cruise ships are comfortable and that sort of thing, with places to sit in the sun or shade, plus bathrooms and snack bars. This will affect the whole trip experience.

Setting Sail: The Boat Trip to Gramvousa and Balos

That feeling when the boat pushes off from Heraklion harbor, now that can really signal vacation time! Is that there’s nothing quite like feeling the sea breeze and watching the coastline shrink away. It is pretty pleasant. Very possibly during the cruise you’ll catch sight of dolphins, and some tours provide some information about the area. You may want to take in these points, I guess. But, the trip can be quite lengthy, you see, and the boat can be crowded at times, so bringing something to occupy your time (like a book or loaded music playlist), so too it’s a totally useful idea.

Gramvousa Stop: Fortress and Beaches

The first port of call, usually, will be Gramvousa. You see that the first sight of the island as you get nearer, is honestly pretty awesome. As I was saying, it’s not difficult to see why pirates would have found this a pretty secure hideout back in the day. Once you’re off the boat, basically, you’ve got a decision to make: head straight for the beach or make the hike up to the fortress? I would totally say to be sure you have suitable footwear. That trek up to the fortress really needs some decent shoes or trainers, that is. That said, the view from the top definitely rewards the effort!

Balos Lagoon: Swimming and Sunbathing

Lastly, the moment many have looked forward to! You come face to face with Balos Lagoon! This area is really fantastic and, really, looks exactly like all the photos you will see online – crystal clear water, sand so white it almost glows, and the warmth of the sun beating down. Then, after you can explore, there’s something extra-ordinary that’s nice, that most people are going to value at this moment – pure relaxation. Basically, you just want to swim, maybe splash about, or just lounge on the sand and get a tan.

Practical Tips for Your Gramvousa Balos Cruise

To be sure you get the absolute most out of this wonderful cruise, let me offer you a bit of know-how to help you along the way. You should keep in mind, as a start, that you should protect yourself against sun exposure: The sun in Crete can really beat down strongly, especially during the hotter parts of the season, so a high SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are a must. Furthermore, hydration: you need water. Very likely, take plenty of water, there are spots available to purchase along the route, that too is still at a premium price compared to in-store, as you would expect! Plus good shoes – because it may come back to haunt you: While Balos is soft and sandy, the ground around Gramvousa – and especially the path to the fortress – can be rough, which means a pair of good walking shoes is worth their weight in gold.

Booking Your Cruise: What to Look For

Thing is, when you go to book that cruise of yours, anyway, just take note of these items! Start with checking what’s included in the price. Because the lowest price tag isn’t always actually the best value option if you catch my drift. It is always a winning plan to think this through. Then, read up a little: Spend some time reading reviews from past travelers. Seeing what others say can give you some useful views of the trip you have selected! I mean, obviously, reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt – what suits one person might not suit another, of course, but a common trend that appears again and again? Very often, it means there’s something in it. Very likely, to assist in guiding the customer’s hand here!

What to Bring: Essentials for a Smooth Trip

Packing the right items really can sort the fun from frustrating, or not, right? These points could be quite key. Very often, all starts with beach gear, of course. Towels, swimming costumes, and beach shoes are really important, and could prevent many discomforts for you. More so, there is sun protection. This has been said prior. Very importantly – make sure your sun protection has been sorted before starting. More or less, money might assist: While food and drinks are normally offered for sale onboard, it’s useful to still take some cash with you, maybe to buy refreshments or little souvenirs.

Is the Gramvousa Balos Cruise Worth It? My Verdict

So, bottom line then! Is a Gramvousa Balos cruise really all that? All the turquoise dreams it could be? If you keep your expectations in check, and plan out just what you want, the response is surely “yes.” Balos Lagoon’s unique gorgeousness, the amazing fortress, makes it, so to speak, into one truly unique day trip! The trips do involve traveling on water, which some people find unsettling, also do come prepared for some crowds. Very probably this does depend on just when in the season that your trip takes place. At the end of the day, taking a trip to Gramvousa and Balos isn’t just a normal “day at the beach” type deal. You are getting the beaches as one part, but very probably the sense of adventure, taking in history and the breath-taking beauty of that specific spot. Just maybe that’s hard to find someplace else!

Final Thoughts

If you happen to love dreamy landscapes and you are visiting Heraklion then be sure you do everything that you can to carve out a slot for this attraction – there really is very few attractions worldwide which offer all that this has.