Beach Science · October 2026 · 3 min
Balos Lagoon, Crete: The Shallow Turquoise Water, Seen From Above
A lagoon you can wade, sand with pink in it, and two ways in: a dirt road or a boat. Six facts and the photographs.
Balos is a shallow turquoise lagoon on the north-west coast of Crete. The lagoon side is gentle enough to wade; the outer side of the bay is open sea with real waves. You reach it down eight kilometres of dirt road and a short walk, or by ferry from Kissamos.
- 01
The water is shallow.
The lagoon is shallow and gentle. The famous photographs of Balos are of this side.
- 02
There is pink in the sand.
The guides describe white sand with hints of pink, in patches.
- 03
August is bath-warm.
The sea averaged 26 °C in August 2025, and about 25 °C in July and September.
- 04
There are two ways in.
The road: €1 environmental fee at the gate, about €3 to park, then 5 to 10 minutes down on foot. Or the ferry from Kissamos, €35 to €40 per adult.
- 05
Nothing is for sale.
No permanent shops or restaurants. Bring food, water and shade. The view is the only thing on the menu.
- 06
The beach on the map is tiny.
The patch of sand OpenStreetMap labels Balos Beach measures 106 metres. The lagoon around it is the point.
She is hard to reach and easy to love.
When to go
Outside July and August if you can. One guide says even late October still feels busy, and that a genuinely empty lagoon is more of a winter occurrence.
Our rating
Only if you're already there. On our rule nothing lifts it and nothing sinks it. If you are in western Crete, it is the day trip.
Asked
- How do you get to Balos Lagoon?
- By car along an 8 km unpaved road to a car park, then a 5 to 10 minute walk down; or by ferry from Kissamos for €35 to €40 per adult. There is a €1 environmental fee at the road gate and parking costs about €3.
- Is the sand at Balos pink?
- In patches. The guides describe white sand with hints of pink.
- When is the best time to visit Balos?
- Outside July and August. Even late October can feel busy; an empty lagoon is more of a winter occurrence.
The beaches in this post
- Balos BeachONLY IF YOU'RE ALREADY THERE