This cruise has everything – great scenery, beach time and a helping of medieval history. Everything starts at Kastelli on Crete's northwest coast, where a boat awaits to carry you across Kissamos bay to the Gramvousa peninsula and isles. And to round off the trip, you'll spend a few hours at the beautiful Balos lagoon.

You'll sail past steep cliffs and caves before docking at Imeri Gramvousa isle – ‘Imeri' means ‘Tame'. Once a pirate hideout, this massive chunk of rock is crowned by a half-ruined Venetian fort. Here, you can stay sunbathing on deck, take a swim or trek up to the castle to drink in the views.

Next, your boat will make its way back to Tigani on the peninsula. Lapped by the fluorescent turquoise waters of the Balos lagoon, it's a beach that looks like something from the Caribbean. Laze on the white sands, take snaps of the views or splash about in the warm water – it's really shallow and stays knee-deep for a long way out.

Everything was amazing, Ladies from Tui have really great knowledge. Islands were beautiful. Water the best colour. The only thing what bothered me was how full the boat was. Not everybody was able to have a Seat. Me And my son we had a seat, we had to ask one family to moove little bit. But still it wasnt very comfortable. Maybe seating could be more organized from begging as people are getting on the boat

It was not made clear that the boat ride was actually a fairly large boat that carries anything up to a couple of thousand people. It was packed when we boarded it and seats were hard to get with many standing. The impact of the size of the boat was that once we arrived at Balos Beach everyone obviously got off and so the place was packed. So the experience is spoiled as a result. The island with the fort ruins is not very exciting.

The huge volume of people on the trip we were warned about but the ferry didn’t have enough seats and although the staff on board tried to get people to take bags of seats, it was chaos so people would rush back to the boat an hr before leaving just to get a seat. The island’s were beautiful but the ferry was not pleasant at all and it wasn’t even at full capacity!!

The boat was overcrowded. Huge queue for drinks. Far too many people taken to area. Felt like “ants”. Lagoon had very little water so no bathing. Supposed guide simply got tickets for boat and waited at bus on return. No information about area.

For an English speaking tour it was very difficult to understand the tour guide

It’s was a lovely day out. We sailed across Kissamos bay to the Gramvousa peninsula and stopped at Balos lagoon it was enjoyable sitting in the sun on the boat. Had a nice stop there at this beautiful location, nice warm waters before sailing onto Gramvousa Island with the opportunity to walk up the cliff to the Venetian fortress or swim in the sea. Then back to port sailing back across the bay.

Why you’ll love this…

Boat trip to Gramvousa peninsula and isles
Imeri Gramvousa isle and Venetian fort
Swim and sunbathe in the Balos lagoon

Important to know

Lunch not included
Bring bathing gear, sunblock and good footwear for the fort hike
Cruise is available both with and without transfers to the port
This is a very popular and in-demand activity. Expect higher levels of attendance during July and August
Bring a towel
Bring a hat
Bring suitable footwear
Bring bathing gear and sunblock
Bring money for extras or gratuities
Food and drinks not included
Subject to weather conditions
Not suitable for those with reduced mobility

Cancellation policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins.

What’s included

Boat trip
Guide

This experience meets the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria. By choosing this experience you can protect the places you love, care for the environment and support local communities.

Booking fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.

Pickup points

To see which pickup points are available, check under availability & prices.

Provider

TUI Hellas Travel, Tourism and Airlines SA

What people say about this experience

4.1/5

All reviews are verified

Based on 577 reviews

Review categories

Safety

2.2/5

Service

2.2/5

Staff

2.6/5

Value for money

1.8/5

All ratings (577)

5 stars (253)

44%

4 stars (191)

33%

3 stars (101)

18%

2 stars (25)

1 star (7)

M
Martina
Traveled with family
August 8, 2026
4.6
United Kingdom
Everything was amazing, Ladies from Tui have really great knowledge. Islands were beautiful. Water the best colour. The only thing what bothered me was how full the boat was. Not everybody was able to have a Seat. Me And my son we had a seat, we had to ask one family to moove little bit. But still it wasnt very comfortable. Maybe seating could be more organized from begging as people are getting on the boat
M
Mark
Traveled as a couple
July 20, 2026
2.2
United Kingdom
It was not made clear that the boat ride was actually a fairly large boat that carries anything up to a couple of thousand people. It was packed when we boarded it and seats were hard to get with many standing. The impact of the size of the boat was that once we arrived at Balos Beach everyone obviously got off and so the place was packed. So the experience is spoiled as a result. The island with the fort ruins is not very exciting.
H
Hammond
Traveled with family
July 16, 2026
2.6
United Kingdom
The huge volume of people on the trip we were warned about but the ferry didn’t have enough seats and although the staff on board tried to get people to take bags of seats, it was chaos so people would rush back to the boat an hr before leaving just to get a seat. The island’s were beautiful but the ferry was not pleasant at all and it wasn’t even at full capacity!!
V
Very over rated!
Traveled with a group of friends
June 25, 2026
1.8
United Kingdom
The boat was overcrowded. Huge queue for drinks. Far too many people taken to area. Felt like “ants”. Lagoon had very little water so no bathing. Supposed guide simply got tickets for boat and waited at bus on return. No information about area.
P
Paul
Traveled as a couple
June 13, 2026
3.4
United Kingdom
For an English speaking tour it was very difficult to understand the tour guide
N
Nicki
Solo traveler
June 7, 2026
4.6
United Kingdom
It’s was a lovely day out. We sailed across Kissamos bay to the Gramvousa peninsula and stopped at Balos lagoon it was enjoyable sitting in the sun on the boat. Had a nice stop there at this beautiful location, nice warm waters before sailing onto Gramvousa Island with the opportunity to walk up the cliff to the Venetian fortress or swim in the sea. Then back to port sailing back across the bay.