From Kissamos

Tour of Kissamos gulf

     Departing from the port of Kissamos and traveling for approximately 55 minutes in the gulf, you will admire a huge cave, that is believed to have been the ancient shipyard (Tarsanas) and it is located near the Roman city Agneion and the Temple of Apollo (today Agios  Sostis). During the voyage across the gulf we often come across sea turtles (Caretta Caretta), the Mediterranean seal (Monachus Monachus) and dolphins of the area.

    At the end of the Gulf you will notice an impressive geological phenomenon where, as a result of the passage of time, the western part of the island is elevated, while the eastern part is sunk.

   This phenomenon was created by catastrophic earthquakes that took place in 66 AC and 365 BC. These earthquakes, caused by the movement of the lithospheric plates of Africa, caused the abrupt elevation of Crete from 6m to 9m above sea level. This ancient  shoreline can still be seen today as a black trace along the rocky coast.

   According to scientific estimates, this geographical phenomenon, of the so called elevation, is still continuing today, but at a much slower rate.

   Reaching the end of the gulf, if the atmosphere is clear and there is good visibility, as the boat passes between the island of Agria Gramvousa and cape Vouxa, one can spot the island of Antikythira in the distance. By this time and at this point, you will admire an amazing landscape, followed in the distance by the view of Valenti, Pontikonisi, the lagoon of Balos and Imeri Gramvousa, with its castle, where the boat will sail to in 15 minutes.

Visit to the island of Gramvousa
     After an hour , you arrive at the small port of  Gramvousa and  you can disembark, while the boat awaits your return in around 2 hours time.  The famous castle,was built by the Venetians in 1579 at the highest point of the island, on top of a steep rock at a height of 137m.

   It is surrounded by a wall of 272m, where the abrupt rock does not offer any natural fortification. It has a roughly triangular shape and each side is 1km in length. Gramvousa castle played an important role in the history of the region.
    The panoramic view, the  imposingness and the legend of the hidden treasure of the pirates tempt you to visit it. The walk takes approximately 20 minutes.
      Besides visiting the castle, you can swim at the beach next to the small church of Ag. Apostoloi or remain on the boat relaxing and swimming around it using for your enjoyment a special water slide attached to the side of the ship. 
      You can also have lunch or enjoy a drink from the ship's restaurant-bar that is open all day long.
   Following the 2 hour visit to Gramvousa, the boat will depart for the lagoon of Balos, a journey of approximately 15 minutes.

Visit to the lagoon of Balos
     Arriving  at the lagoon, and because there is no port there, the  ship,depending on the  weather conditions, either will drop anchor in the cove of Gramvousa (Tigani) (within 200 meters from the beach and  at an approximately 4m depth) ,and disembarkation will take place from large boats   ,or it will approach a point  of the beach, where you will  be able to disembark.
    Definitely, it's one of the most beautiful places in Greece, with its unique beautiful sandy beach and variety of shells.
    Your stay at the lagoon, where you can enjoy a fantastic swim, will last for about three hours.

    It is also possible, if you wish, to swim to shore or remain on board , in order to relax and swim around the ship. The bar on board is open all day and you can have lunch, refreshments, coffee, ice-creams etc, while enjoying pleasant music.