Do not take the rental car on the unpaved road to the Balos parking area. Use the boat from Kissamos. The restriction applies even when the rented category is called an SUV.
Why the Balos road is treated differently
The access route beyond the normal paved network is rough and can expose tyres, wheels and the underside of the vehicle to damage. These areas are commonly restricted or excluded by rental terms. Insurance names such as CDW or FDW do not automatically override road-use restrictions.
An SUV does not change the agreement
Higher ground clearance or SUV styling does not provide permission to use an excluded road. The question is whether the route is allowed under the written rental agreement, not whether the vehicle appears physically capable of driving it.
Recommended alternative: boat from Kissamos
Drive only on permitted public roads to the Kissamos area, park according to local instructions and continue by passenger boat. Check sailing information separately because boat schedules, weather and availability are outside the car-rental quote.
What to ask before visiting remote destinations
Other rough-road situations
The same reasoning applies to unpaved beach tracks, informal shortcuts and navigation routes that leave the normal road network. Turn back when the route becomes incompatible with the rental agreement rather than continuing because other vehicles are using it.
This guide provides general planning information. Availability, price, insurance, driver requirements and route restrictions must be confirmed in the written quote and rental agreement.