Discover the westernmost tip of Crete on a scenic bus and boat trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay. Dip your toes in the soft white sand of some of the most beautiful beaches you ever have seen!
Depart Rethymno at approximately 07:45 and travel by bus along the new national road towards the westernmost tip of Crete. Pass the bay of Souda and the former Cretan capital of Chania before your arrival in Kissamos.
Upon arrival, climb aboard a boat and cross to Balos Bay at the northernmost tip of the peninsula. Relax on the 1-hour boat trip,and get 2.5 hours at Balos Bay to enjoy the soft white sands and unique blue and green waters of the lagoon.
Enjoy approximately 1.5 hours at peace on Gramvousa Island, and then take a 1-hour boat ride back to Kissamos. Upon arrival, continue to Rethymno by bus at the end of the laid-back tour.
Posted By : Travelelfie
The town is very beautiful. It is a historic town and the small streets are worth exploring. The beaches are beautiful and there are many of them. It is an ideal place to stay in the center of Crete and explore the whole island.
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Posted On : 2024-06-15 09:11:13 
Posted By : Anastasia_K
Fantastic excursion with such a great guide. Gramvusa and Balos are real paradise. Loved it from the start to the end. Everything was so well planned. Highly recommend to anyone.
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Posted On : 2024-06-12 14:11:59 
Posted By : wolframt791
We were picked up on time in Rethymno, the "tour guide" gave us some information about the tour in English and French and got the necessary maps on site, handed them out and that was it. There was no opportunity to ask him anything on the boat because he was never seen again. It would be useful to have someone to look after us, especially when his "guests" are wading through the water on a rope, but he was just an accompanying person, and the driver could have done the same. The beaches themselves were a dream, the supplies on board and the friendliness of the staff there were better than expected. The trip itself can be recommended, but you can safely do without the tour guide.
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Posted On : 2024-06-06 04:21:00
Posted By : lolo_juju
The excursion to the 2 islands itself is fantastic, the places are sumptuous and worth the detour!!! on the other hand we did this tour with platanos tours and the bus was full when we got on (we were the last to be picked up) I found myself with my 10 year old son on my knees for a 1h30 transfer!! Even though we had paid for our tickets, it’s just a shame!! 2 days before we had done another excursion with them (Elafonissi) and we left at 2:55 p.m. instead of 4:00 p.m. announced in the program.. suffice to say that we do not recommend this agency!
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Posted On : 2023-08-30 14:05:23
Posted By : Go63583156682
We enjoed very much. All was good. Buss trip, ship along the pepinsula, pirate island walk to fortress, beach!
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Posted On : 2022-10-17 03:49:28
Posted By : alexnI7275WF
We decided to do the tour with Platanos Tours and booked via another site (not Platanos direct).
That's why our tour on a Saturday was cancelled but we were able to than do it one day later.
I think that it was not the fault of Platanos Tours but the provider inbetween.
Therefore I must say it was an excellent communicaton via Mail and WhatsApp and on the day of the tour everything was great and I'm time.
Lovely guide Pia and super driver Gregoris really did a superb job.
Pia was always very nice and helpful and even spoke to all the guests in their own language (4
or 5 different I remember) while explaining and giving tips during the tour.
Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay were lovely,not to crowded with the possibility to find a nice spot to relax.
The flow with getting the tickets for the ferry went on without any problems as well as the save drive back to the hotel.
The ferry itself was very very full (but it's of course not the fault of Platanos Tours) but it was possible to get something to drink and to eat.
It wasn't that special but nice to have something ( but you might avoid the packed "hamburger" ! 😉).
All together a lovely day trip.
Efcharistó poly and kind regards from
Elias & Alexandra
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Posted On : 2022-08-08 07:29:46
Posted By : joelnX7267OW
I was at the pickup point 30 minutes before the sheduled time and waited.
When a hour had passed I called the busdriver and he told me that he already had been there and picked up other persons.
I stood at the pickup point and nobody asked or called me.
Do not go on a trip with this company!!!
Of course no refund
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Posted On : 2022-06-14 05:30:42
Posted By : pinelopi_l
gramvousa island is amazing seven different collors the water and platanos tours is fantastic very helpful excellent!
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Posted On : 2020-08-27 06:52:30
Posted By : X322HOvic
This is essentially just a bus that takes you to and from the port. That's it.
We wouldn't be annoyed if it had just been advertised as such, but the description they offer is false.
They advertise it as a "tour", with a tour guide, but it's not. You are crammed onto an old bus with at least 50 other people, with AC that does not work, and a "tour guide" chimes in every once in a while with inane "fun facts". Then they dump you at the ferry and you're on your own, the claim that the tour guide is with you all day is a lie.
The price of this "tour" does not include the ferry ticket, which we realized beforehand luckily, so you have to bring the fare (27€-ish each) in cash.
This "intimate size" with "no more than 15 people" is completely BS too.
The bus ride back, with everyone already sweaty and gross from being outside all day, was unbearably hot.
Again, if the description of the "tour" had been honest, we would not be so annoyed, but lying about the experience and not explicitly explaining the boat fare being separate is a shady move.
The actual beaches were beautiful, I just would not recommend this method for visiting them.
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Posted On : 2019-08-11 12:38:17
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