Heraklion Luxury Sailing Catamaran Dia Island | Gourmet Menu

Dia Island is the star here, but the real surprise is the meal. This 5.5-hour cruise from Heraklion combines a comfortable new catamaran, a calm swimming bay, and food prepared onboard by a professional chef. Chef Haris’s seafood risotto has become a talking point, and the menu is far above the usual sandwiches-at-sea standard.

I especially like the generous three-plus hours at Dia and the thoughtful equipment selection: snorkeling gear, fishing gear, SUP boards, canoe boards, and inflatables are all included. I also like the crew’s warm, attentive approach, especially Captain Thanasis, who is known for making the boat feel friendly rather than formal. The main consideration is price: at $141 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride, and rough conditions can limit water activities.

Key points at a glance

• A modern catamaran limited to 22 people: Spacious seating, shade, a WC, shower, and free Wi-Fi keep the day comfortable.
• A chef-prepared Mediterranean meal: Seafood is the main choice, with chicken, vegetarian, and children’s menus available if requested in advance.
• More than three hours at Dia Island: You have time for swimming, snorkeling, SUP, canoeing, fishing, and simply relaxing.
• An open bar is included: Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are served throughout the trip.
• A scenic start and finish: You leave near Heraklion’s Koules Fortress and return with wide Aegean views, often in the warm light of late day.
• Good service with practical flexibility: Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Why this Heraklion cruise feels different

Many boat trips around Crete are built around getting you from the harbor to a swimming stop and back again. EOS Yachts treats the boat itself as part of the experience. You are not simply sitting on transport to Dia Island. You spend the day on a clean, modern catamaran with shaded areas, open deck space, a proper bathroom, a shower, and a crew focused on food and service as much as sailing.

That matters on a five-and-a-half-hour outing. A cramped boat can make a pleasant sea trip feel long. Here, the catamaran’s width gives you room to move, find shade, stretch out, and choose your own pace. The maximum group size is 22 people, so this is semi-private rather than intimate in the private-charter sense, but it should feel less crowded than a large excursion boat.

I also like the balance between planned service and free time. You receive welcome refreshments, a safety briefing, lunch, drinks, and equipment, but the day is not packed with forced activities. If you want to snorkel, you can. If you would rather sit with a glass of wine and watch the water, that works too.

Starting beside Heraklion’s old fortress

The meeting point is Cafe Marina at Heraklion Port. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure, because the boat leaves at the scheduled time. An EOS Yachts crew member meets you at the café entrance and guides you to the catamaran for check-in.

The setting gives the trip a pleasant sense of place from the start. The cruise begins near Rocca a Mare, better known as Koules Fortress, the stone fortress guarding Heraklion’s harbor. You get a short photo stop and scenic views as the catamaran moves away from the city.

This is not a long historical tour, so do not book it expecting a detailed explanation of the fortress. The value is visual: you see Heraklion from the water, with the old harbor architecture behind you and open Aegean water ahead.

Once onboard, the crew serves coffee, cake, and Cretan delicacies. This early snack is a useful touch, especially if you have arrived without a full breakfast. The safety briefing is brief but important, covering the basics before the boat heads toward Dia.

Sailing from Heraklion to Dia Island

The ride to Dia takes about an hour each way. The catamaran gives you several ways to spend that time. Sit under cover, find a sunny spot, watch the crew at work, or take photographs as Heraklion fades behind you.

The trip is described as a sailing experience, though exact sailing conditions depend on the wind and the day’s route. You might see seabirds, and dolphins are possible, but neither should be treated as guaranteed. That uncertainty is part of being on the open sea, and it is wise to enjoy the crossing for what it is rather than count on wildlife sightings.

The boat’s comfort becomes especially useful during this part of the day. The catamaran has a WC for men and women, a shower, and Wi-Fi. The facilities do not turn it into a hotel, but they remove some of the usual worries about spending several hours at sea.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen. Sunglasses and a hat are sensible additions, though only the first three items are specifically required. Smoking indoors is not allowed, and pets are not permitted.

Three hours in a sheltered bay at Dia

Dia Island is a rocky, uninhabited island north of Heraklion, wrapped in Cretan mythology. Local tradition connects its unusual shape with Zeus, and the island has long been part of the seafaring world around Crete. The cruise does not present Dia as a museum or archaeological site. Its appeal is the clear water, quiet coastline, and sense of being away from the mainland.

The catamaran anchors in one of the island’s sheltered bays. This is the practical heart of the trip. You have about three hours and 15 minutes at Dia, enough time to use the water equipment without rushing through every option.

Swimming and snorkeling are the main draws. Masks, snorkels, and swimming vests are supplied, and the calm bay gives you a pleasant place to look below the surface. The underwater life will vary with conditions and season, but the clear water makes this more than a token swim stop.

You can also use the included SUP boards and canoe board equipment. Fishing gear and inflatable toys are available, along with swimming noodles. Sea scooters are not included as standard. They must be requested in advance, and availability follows a priority order, so do not assume one will be waiting onboard.

The generous stop works well for mixed groups. Children can use the inflatables or paddle near the boat, active adults can try the boards, and anyone who prefers quiet can stay on deck. The crew supplies swimming vests, but you should still follow their instructions around the water and boarding areas.

Conditions matter. One afternoon had limited activities because of the sea, even though the crew continued to take good care of everyone. That is a fair reminder that weather controls the water portion of any sailing trip. If swimming and paddling are your only reasons for booking, you should be comfortable with a little uncertainty.

A serious lunch served on the water

The meal is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a cheaper boat excursion. The main menu centers on freshly prepared seafood and Mediterranean flavors, cooked onboard with local ingredients. Reports from the trip point to seafood risotto with Greek kantaifi shrimp as a standout dish, while the meat option has included a lasagna-style dish with moussaka influences.

The exact menu may change with the season and supplies. That is a good thing on a food-focused trip, but it means you should not book expecting one fixed dish. The package also includes gourmet platters with assorted cheeses and cold cuts, local snacks, seasonal fruit, and a traditional Cretan dessert.

The bar includes unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. Raki is served with the dessert course. Cocktails are available only by request and are not included in the advertised price.

You need to report menu changes at least one day before departure. Seafood is the standard meal, but chicken, vegetarian, and children’s options are available. Do not wait until you are sitting down to mention a dietary preference. The crew may be able to help, but advance notice is the sensible approach.

I like the way the meal fits the setting. You eat after the first round of swimming and paddling, when a proper lunch feels welcome, then have more time for the water afterward. This is not a quick buffet squeezed between activities. The cooking and service form a major part of the day.

Crew service, comfort, and the social feel

The professional English-speaking crew is one of the experience’s biggest strengths. Captain Thanasis is frequently singled out for his calm, personable manner and his attention to everyone onboard. The crew keeps drinks moving, checks that people are comfortable, and helps with the equipment without making the atmosphere stiff.

That balance is useful on a semi-private trip. With up to 22 people, you are sharing the boat with others, and the mood can affect the day. The captain’s team appears to make an effort to create an inclusive atmosphere rather than dividing people into separate groups. You should expect friendly service, not a private yacht crew assigned only to your party.

The catamaran is also suitable for celebrations. Birthdays have included surprise cakes and a song, even when the occasion was not emphasized separately before departure. If you are marking something special, put it in your booking details and contact the company in advance. The crew has shown a willingness to add personal touches, but nothing should be assumed without confirmation.

Several families have used the trip successfully, helped by the swimming gear, inflatables, food alternatives, and onboard bathroom. Still, the sea can be tiring for young children or anyone prone to motion sickness. The supplied information does not promise medication or special medical support, so plan accordingly.

The return to Heraklion

After lunch and another chance to swim, the catamaran heads back toward Heraklion. The return takes about an hour and gives you a quieter part of the day. You can dry off, enjoy fruit and dessert, have another drink, and watch the coast and sea change in the late light.

If your departure runs into the afternoon or evening, the return may include sunset views. The timing varies, so do not treat a sunset as guaranteed on every sailing. Still, the broad water views are attractive at any hour, and the trip ends back at Cafe Marina in Heraklion Port.

This return leg is also when the comfort details earn their keep. After several hours in the sun and water, a shower, WC, shade, and room to sit are more valuable than they sounded at the dock.

Is $141 good value?

At $141 per person, the price sits in the premium range for a half-day boat trip. You are paying for more than transportation to Dia. The package includes a new catamaran, a professional crew, a chef-prepared meal, an open bar with wine and beer, snacks, dessert, snorkeling gear, SUPs, canoe equipment, fishing gear, inflatables, and onboard facilities.

The strongest value comes if you plan to use several parts of the package. Someone who swims, paddles, eats lunch onboard, enjoys a few drinks, and values a spacious boat is likely to find the price reasonable. If you only want a quick ride and a short swim, a simpler excursion may suit your budget better.

Private transportation is not included, though pickup and transfers can be arranged on request. Cocktails and sea scooters cost extra. The 97 percent perfect score for transport supports the company’s reputation for organization, but transport from your hotel remains a separate matter unless arranged ahead.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking make the commitment easier. You still need to provide each participant’s full name, passport or ID number, birth date, nationality, and gender, as required by Greek naval regulations.

Who should book this Dia Island cruise?

I would choose this trip for couples, families, small groups, and anyone celebrating a special occasion. It suits people who want a polished day at sea without paying for a fully private charter. The combination of food, swimming, scenery, and service gives the day more range than a basic harbor cruise.

It is also a strong choice for cruise passengers spending a short time in Heraklion, provided your ship schedule leaves enough margin. The meeting point is at the port, but the cruise departs exactly on time, so you should confirm your return requirements before booking.

I would think twice if you dislike open-water travel, need a guaranteed calm sea, or plan to avoid seafood without giving advance notice. This is a boat day first, and the sea can change the plan. You should also remember that cocktails and sea scooters are extras, not part of the $141 package.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want a comfortable, food-focused day on the water and value attentive service over the lowest possible price. The modern catamaran, generous time at Dia, chef-prepared lunch, and included equipment make this feel like a full experience rather than a simple boat transfer.

Book it with realistic expectations about weather and shared space. The boat is semi-private, not exclusive, and water activities depend on conditions. For most people who want to combine swimming, good food, Cretan hospitality, and wide sea views in one half-day, EOS Yachts offers a strong package at a fair premium price.

FAQ

Where does the Heraklion catamaran cruise start?

The meeting point is at the entrance of Cafe Marina in Heraklion Port. An EOS Yachts crew member guides you from there to the catamaran.

How long does the cruise last?

The full experience lasts about 5.5 hours. The route includes roughly one hour sailing to Dia Island, about 3 hours and 15 minutes at the island, and about one hour returning to Heraklion.

How many people can join the catamaran?

This is a semi-private trip with a maximum of 22 participants. Private charter options are also available by request.

What food is served onboard?

The main meal is a freshly prepared Mediterranean seafood menu. The package also includes cheese and cold-cut platters, snacks, seasonal fruit, local dessert, and raki.

Are alternative meal choices available?

Yes. Chicken, vegetarian, and children’s menus are available. Request a change at least one day before departure.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Cocktails are available by request but are not included in the standard price.

Are snorkeling and paddleboarding included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, swimming vests, SUP equipment, canoe board equipment, fishing gear, inflatable sea toys, and swimming noodles are included.

Is a sea scooter included?

No. Sea scooters require advance booking and are subject to a priority order.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before departure.

What languages does the crew speak?

The live tour is available in English and Greek. The professional crew is English-speaking.