This is a great beach - one of the best we've been to.
There are two ways to get to Balos...
- Drive - be aware that the last 7km of road is along a dirt track so if your in a small hire car you'll need to go easy. When you finally park at the end of the road you'll then have about a 20 minute walk down to the beach. The path is OK but a little steep and slippery in places so not ideal for those that are unsteady on their feet. However if you do fancy it the path gives you some great views over the beach below.
- Boat - there are boats to Balos from Kissamos. If you are based in Chania there are also organised excursions that take you to Kissamos so that you can then take the boat to Balos.
Below is some more information (from another site) plus a few pictures of Balos.
The famous lagoon of Balos is located approximately 56km northwest of Chania and 17km northwest of Kissamos, formed between the Cape Gramvousa and the small Cape Tigani and below the range of Platiskinos. Balos is surely the mostly photographed beach in Crete.
Balos is famous for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery. During the summer, Balos is visited by thousands of people, who arrive mostly by the ferries running from Kissamos port. If you do not like crowds, you’d better avoid to visit the beach in July and August. Also, a perfect idea is to arrive at Balos in the morning, before the boats arrive from Kissamos. These few hours of remoteness in such a heavenly place will remain etched in your memory forever.
The lagoon of Balos has white sand and exotic white, vivid blue and turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm. In many places the sand has a lovely pinkish color, because of millions of crushed shells. Beyond the rocks at the boundaries of the lagoon, the water is deeper and colder, ideal for snorkeling.
