Balos

Situated 10 kilometers far from Kalyviani, at the North and over 58 Kilometers from Chania, at the north side of Gramvousa Peninsula, Balos Lagoon is one of the best beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. The beach is in the inlet of the homonymous cove and it is not affected by the “meltemia” (northern summer winds), since the islet of Gramvousa at the mouth of the cove protects it very well. The beach at the lagoon is sandy with pinkish – white sand and thousands of broken and intact seashells, with shallow water, very warm especially in summer. The problem is that the beach has a smooth but muddy seabed, which may make walking on it a bit disgusting, and occasionally, due to the shallow water, it has a bad odour; there is also a big tar problemOut of the lagoon things are far better. You will swim in a deep crystal clear sea and if you like snorkelling you will find an ideal place. There are no other facilities apart from a small cafe for a cold frappe coffee and drinks. Some people choose the place for free camping, although there is no shade and the place is not as quiet as it used to be in the past. Access is possible by boat from Kastelli ( departure at 9:30 in the morning and returning at 16:00) and only by a 4WD car , as well as by private or rented special motorbikes, as the some 10 kilometers road, not asphalted and in bad condition, makes it difficult for conventional vehicles; even then, you will not avoid walking, since you have to leave your vehicle some 15 minutes before arriving to the beach and then follow the path on foot. Finally, if you choose not to take your car or motorbike, you should be prepared for an approximately 3 hours walking from Kal yviani. Had you chosen these latter ways to reach the beach, you will be well rewarded by the marvelous view of the lagoon from the parking place.