Kissamos Balos Gramvousa Speedboat Cruise Review: Is it Worth it?

Planning a trip to Crete and wondering if the Kissamos Balos Gramvousa speedboat cruise is, you know, actually worth your money and vacation time? I mean, it’s almost a must-do excursion when visiting this breathtaking Greek island, but let’s see what the buzz is really about. Very much a paradise on earth is how some describe the Balos lagoon and the rugged beauty of Gramvousa island and it sounds dreamy, right? This, very much a complete experience packages white-sand shores, striking landscapes, plus some history and adventure. In this review, so you get an idea I’ll break down, you know, my experience, provide practical information, plus share insights to assist, arguably, your decision about whether or not to hop aboard. Okay?

What to Expect From the Speedboat Trip

So, when picturing the speedboat cruise, there is, basically, a fast, fun and convenient way to reach Balos and Gramvousa which are only accessible by boat, more or less. Most tours tend to start from the port of Kissamos and generally zip along the coast to, pretty much, your destinations which offer amazing views, you know? Typically, tours will usually have these stops:

Balos Lagoon: You know, it’s almost a shallow, white sand lagoon which makes for, kind of, unbelievably clear turquoise water. Ideal for swimming, wading, and taking pictures that are, maybe, like your best friend’s photoshopped holiday pics!
Gramvousa Island: In particular the site of a historic Venetian fortress and, very, very much a shipwreck that’s beached close by. After, arguably, a bit of a climb to the top, you’ll typically be treated to spectacular panoramic views, so I guess you’re set there?
Snorkeling Spots: Certain cruises sometimes include spots ideal for snorkeling, more or less giving you, honestly, a chance to see some local marine life. Don’t, like, go expecting Nemo and Dory, very very much more like a few cute little fish, sort of thing.

Very much included, too, will possibly be lunch on board, yet this may vary so always double check with the tour operator prior, right? Some may provide lunch boxes while, just a little, some feature a small buffet depending on, you know, what boat you’re on and tour choice, literally. Any way you see it you’re there for the sites. Oh and, okay, so clearly sunblock is, more or less, non negotiable, you have been warned.

The Highlights: Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island

Balos Lagoon; right, honestly I am not exaggerating when I mention it could, more or less, be the prettiest beaches I have ever experienced! It’s very much the stuff that postcards are basically created for – shallow turquoise waters and, you know, pinkish-white sand, alright? Ideal for families with, more or less, small children thanks to the shallow waters and basically for people just seeking relaxation in a postcard location.

Gramvousa Island on the other hand provides, well just a little, some contrast with its rugged landscapes, as a matter of fact. It’s the almost iconic Venetian fortress teetering right on top of a steep hill – yep, just a bit of climbing needed here I believe, but very much worth the hike with those panoramic views, sort of thing! While you’re there check out that famous shipwreck down at the beach there – it gives that landscape almost, more or less, a mysterious kinda vibe. Bring decent footwear if you’re even contemplating clambering, pretty much like I do. Oh yeah and definitely, basically, have a camera charged fully – you will want to catch, well, like, just lots of photos here guys. Okay?

Snorkeling Experience: What You Might See

And so, snorkeling is where you actually can make the trip very much more memorable if you find, well, a cruise option including that activity, that’s if that’s really what you want, very much. The water that, obviously, surrounds Balos and Gramvousa tends to be very clear providing, you know, fairly decent visibility even for snorkeling purposes, more or less. As I was saying do not expect the Great Barrier Reef though: anticipate tiny little fishies, like, basically colorful algae, plus clear views of the ocean bottom to almost feast your eyes on, really.

Make sure to, like, bring your personal snorkeling gear just in case the cruise, alright, doesn’t provide it or if you’re really precious about hygiene like your travel mate, sort of thing. Also keep in your head that water conditions will change things, literally, too; you’ll perhaps see more aquatic stuff when waters happen to be especially calm and transparent, basically, if you look, I guess?

Practical Information: Booking, What to Bring, and Tips

If you have chosen to experience a speedboat trip, basically, there are some details to keep top of mind and, I mean, trust me, that, apparently, they make everything easier:

Booking in Advance: Right, I feel tours do, usually, sell out, primarily during peak travel periods – arguably pre-book the cruise you would really like in advance, right? Check all sorts of online travel sites or reach tour operators directly to ensure availability, actually.
What to Bring: Oh yeah okay, remember sunscreen for real, basically hats, sunnies, plus swimsuits. I want to say those rocks can almost get warm people – consider swim footwear. Arguably you want the ability to photograph any cool stuff; take, typically, a waterproof bag in the event you plan taking cameras as part of, sort of, your journey, very.
Timing is Everything: If possible travel early in the morning just so you will sidestep many people in Balos Lagoon – honestly, that’s gonna be really worth it if you do that, as a matter of fact! Plus, so you are avoiding some heat which may become quite extreme particularly throughout, seemingly, the peak season, naturally.

Keep in mind the reality that speedboats, in general, might sometimes get choppy when the sea begins to, arguably, kick off slightly! Should you be prone to getting seasick take, very much, the proper precautionary steps like medications plus preventative wristbands, kind of, before traveling too, alright?

Is It Worth It? Weighing the Pros and Cons

So, you ask whether or not a speedboat excursion to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa happens to be worth it at the end of the day? Consider it for what, I mean, it genuinely provides against those regular bigger ferry trips before rendering ones verdict:

Pros:

Speed and Convenience: Clearly you can then easily arrive at those sites relatively rapidly which then means maximizing hours used on a visit plus shortening journeys there.
Smaller Groups: Frequently there exist much less passengers there at once and also with which can almost come one intimate kind of excursion than large and busy ferries frequently will be, that, certainly, they sometimes seem when they’re rammed.
Accessibility: A lot of speedboat tours manage to slip easily through shallow parts as well as inlets and will offer unique stops unavailable otherwise to larger boats – a different angle of sightseeing.

Cons:

Cost: Pretty much you may find they do often cost very much more for people instead against purchasing one ticket onto the ordinary ferry due to added efficiency, or that more personalized format I told you about, very, you know.
Sea Conditions: Tiny watercraft are really often impacted greatly throughout high swells compared against something, really, heavier therefore could get much bumpier on some waters; be also really watchful while considering safety matters and follow ship workers’ guide.
Limited Space: Really speedboat’s sizes are almost much smaller against these massive boat types therefore meaning which sometimes happens, very, much reduced place concerning freely stepping, honestly around and sometimes maybe amenities happen somewhat limited such convenience store facilities as well too – but maybe that’s great ‘cos you are on these islands most of the day very anyway, no?

Really, it just seems that If what I am saying is; you greatly value your time, desire just one way traveling easily, or choose some type lesser packed atmosphere along what occurs I then could very recommend which you contemplate choosing, honestly the quick vessel excursions, as a matter of fact. Though always weighing that up compared with a particular personal budgets, I believe!

Key takeaways:

A speedboat tour, in general, can be quicker.
Gramvousa delivers historic beauty, kind of.
Book ahead and carry sunblock, right?

#Kissamos #BalosLagoon #Gramvousa #Crete #Greece #TravelReview