Category Elafonisi & West Crete Beaches

Heraklion · ELAFONISI & WEST CRETE BEACHES

The 11 Best Elafonisi & West Crete Beach Trips from Heraklion

11 reviewed

Pink sand at Elafonisi, the lagoon at Balos: the west coast holds the beaches people fly in for, and it is a long day from Heraklion. These 11 trips make it work, with pickup times, how long you get on the sand, and whether the ferry to Balos is part of the price.

From Heraklion: Elafonisi Beach Day Tour with Pickup

From Heraklion: Elafonisi Beach Day Tour with Pickup - The 4-hour Scenic Drive: Comfort, Views, and Mountain Road Reality

1.Elafonisi Beach Day Tour with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 731 reviews · 13 hours · from $64Our pick

A hassle-free day from Heraklion to Elafonisi Beach with pink sand, clear water, and scenic views plus 4.5 hours to swim and relax.

“I do not regret the trip to the beach, the beach is really beautiful. The tour was perfectly organized, everything on time. Although the trip was long, we went in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. The guide Maria, spoke English and Polish, was pleasant and willing to give advice.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Heraklion: Cruise to Balos Lagoon and Chania Old Town

From Heraklion: Cruise to Balos Lagoon and Chania Old Town - Gramvousa Peninsula photo stop: views and the fortress moment

2.Cruise to Balos Lagoon and Chania Old Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 526 reviews · 14.5 - 16 hours · from $88

Cruise to Balos Lagoon’s white sands and swim in crystal water, then enjoy Chania Old Town and the Venetian harbor in one long day.

“It was absolutely amazing! Elizabeta was a really good guide and the excursion was truly out of this world and a must visit! It's worth the money, boat can get crowded and might not have spaces to sit at times but don't be put off by it. Bus journey from Heraklion was about 3 hours which wasn't too bad but some might not enjoy it. Overall amazing excursion and we loved it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Day Tour to Elafonisi Beach from Heraklion with Pickup Included

Day Tour to Elafonisi Beach from Heraklion with Pickup Included - The Guide on the Road: Gorge Views and Useful Stories

3.Day Tour to Elafonisi Beach from Heraklion with Pickup Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 12 to 13 hours (approx.) · from $66

A full-day bus trip from Heraklion to pink-sand Elafonisi with pickup, a guided ride, and hours to swim, walk, and photo the lagoon.

“Our trip to Elafonisi was a wonderful experience, though it made for a long day, with about a four-hour drive each way, including a 20-minute stop. The beach itself was stunning, but in late October, the pink sand was less vibrant than in photos. It was peaceful and uncrowded, likely due to the season, and the water was warm and clear. Only a few beach bars were open, and one of the tavernas was closed, but the guide was knowledgeable, spoke excellent English, and was very helpful. We saw many cats and goats along the walkway, which added to the unique charm. Although we’d considered renting a car, the lengthy…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Your Tailored Elafonisi Escape. Luxury Day Tour from Heraklion.

Your Tailored Elafonisi Escape. Luxury Day Tour from Heraklion. - Topolia Gorge on the way: quick stretch, big views

Gramvousa Island & Balos Lagoon

Gramvousa Island & Balos Lagoon - Gramvousa Island and the 1597 fortress walk (and what to expect)

5.Gramvousa Island & Balos Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 25 reviews · from $61

Hotel pickup and lunch on a guided trip to Gramvousa’s 1597 fortress and Balos Lagoon’s pink-white sands from Heraklion.

“Excellente prise en charge. Excursion magnifique. Nous le recommandons vivement. Nous avons eu une personne qui nous a raccompagné à notre hôtel qui était assez éloigné du point de rendez vous. Tout le personnel a été au top. Juste pour la plage prévoir des chaussures aquatiques car il y'a quelques rochers et personne ne l'avait précisé.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Hersonissos: Elafonisi Pink Beach Day Trip in Crete

From Hersonissos: Elafonisi Pink Beach Day Trip in Crete - The coach ride: long hours, but the route is part of the experience

Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Heraklion

Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Heraklion - Getting from Heraklion to Kissamos: why the coach part matters

7.Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Heraklion

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 12 reviews · from $46Best value

Full-day tour from Heraklion to Balos Bay and Gramvousa Island with hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, and real beach time.

“Long coach trip with guides that spent more time trying to sell the lunch package then telling you about the location we were visiting. Packed boat with not enough seating. Only trip I've ever been were the tour guides did not actually come on the tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

GRAMVOUSA and BALOS Boat & Beach & Lunch on CRETE

GRAMVOUSA and BALOS Boat & Beach & Lunch on CRETE - Kissamos to Gramvousa: your first boat ride

8.GRAMVOUSA and BALOS Boat & Beach & Lunch on CRETE

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 7 reviews · from $54

Gramvousa and Balos cruise from Heraklion: Venetian castle, pirate island history, boat lunch, and a long swim in the Blue Lagoon.

“Expérience à faire ! Attention cela prend toute la journée ! Et pensez à prendre des chaussures pour aller dans l'eau si vous souhaitez marcher dans la mer 😁 (les cailloux sont assez coupants et glissants)”

Check availability →Read our full review

Gramvoussa – Balos

Gramvoussa - Balos - Getting to Kissamos Harbor: a short breather before the main stops

9.Gramvoussa – Balos

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · from $48

A full-day group trip from Heraklion to Gramvoussa and Balos, with transport, a fortress visit, and hours for lagoon swimming.

“Schöne Badetour nach Westkreta. Allerdings ist man ziemlich lange unterwegs. Infos zu den angesteuerten Ortschaften waren etwas spärlich. Gerne hätte ich erfahren die Geschichte dieser Schauplätze (Enstehung, Historie usw) Tourguide war sehr freundlich und sprach Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Full-Day Elafonisi

Private Full-Day Elafonisi - The Drive Through Topolia Gorge and Traditional Villages

10.Private Full-Day Elafonisi

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $868

Private full-day Elafonisi from Heraklion: hotel pickup in a VIP van, honey or raki tasting, and pink-sand swimming in crystal water.

“We went to Creta with a group of friends and Kostas was our guide all the stay! In the beggining, he contract him for one day but he was so professional, kind and welcomed that we spent all the week with him! Our trip to Elafonisi's beach was Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Gramvousa and Balos Tour From Heraklion

Gramvousa and Balos Tour From Heraklion - Kissamos port: where the day clicks into cruise mode

11.Gramvousa and Balos Tour From Heraklion

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3 reviews · from $52

A long day out of Heraklion with bus pickup, ferry time at Gramvousa, and swimming at Balos Lagoon. Includes guide, adds ferry fees.

“the supplier contacted us the evening before via whatsapp. We were staying far from the pick-up points and had to drive there. We asked if there was a collection point closer to the one we had chosen and they told us no, We decided to keep Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review