Balos Beach
cove · Crete
Balos Beach is a cove on the coast of Crete.
The bay opens towards the west (260°).
Turquoise lagoon of Balos and Gramvousa fortress, a « must-see » in Crete; anchorage in fine weather.
Cited by several guides.
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Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in north-east, east and south-east (sirocco) wind.
Partial shelter in north (meltemi) and south wind.
No shelter in south-west, west and north-west wind.
In the most open sector, up to 30 NM of open water towards the west.
Swell can come in from south-west to west-north-west (228°–296°).
- sheltered
- partly
- exposed
Shelter is estimated from open water and swell, not from wind strength: a strong wind can still gust over the land.
Here, shelter depends on tonight's wind. Seadromy reads the forecast and tells you before you leave.
Seabed, depth and room
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot.
Good holding.
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 3.6 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Room to anchor: large (about 10.6 ha).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.3 NM from the anchoring spot.
Ashore and services
Sandy beach.
No road nearby.
Almost no buildings ashore (3 within 600 m).
A remarkable site can be reached from here.
Within reach:
- Balos Lagoon: 6 min on foot
Where to go when the wind turns
When the wind makes this place exposed, the nearest places rated as well sheltered are:
- In south wind: Xoticospilio, 11.9 NM by sea.
- In south-west wind: Agios Sostis, 9.3 NM by sea.
- In west wind: Agios Sostis, 9.3 NM by sea.
- In north-west wind: Agios Sostis, 9.3 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Falassarna cove · 5.9 NM by sea
- Tiny beach pink sand cove · 6.5 NM by sea
- Agios Sostis cove · 9.3 NM by sea
- Xoticospilio cove · 11.9 NM by sea
- Mavros Molos cove · 14.6 NM by sea
- Beach of Telonio cove · 14.8 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Crete by wind
More places – Crete
- Agia Roumeli port
- Loutro port
- Mikri Triopetra Beach cove
Questions
Is Balos Beach sheltered from the meltemi?
Partly. Shelter is rated fair in north wind.
Is Balos Beach sheltered from the sirocco?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in south-east wind.
How deep is the water at Balos Beach?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 3.6 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Balos Beach?
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot. Good holding. Room to anchor: large (about 10.6 ha).
Can you spend the night at Balos Beach?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.