Heraklion Luxury Sailing Catamaran Dia Island | Gourmet Menu

Dia Island is the star of this half-day cruise, but the onboard chef and attentive crew make it more than a simple boat ride. You sail from Heraklion, stop in a calm bay, and spend about three hours swimming, snorkeling, paddling, eating, and relaxing before returning across the Aegean.

I especially like the new, spacious catamaran, with shaded seating, a WC, shower, Wi-Fi, and room to spread out. I also like the food: Chef Charis prepares a proper Mediterranean meal onboard, not just a box of sandwiches. The main seafood menu can be changed to chicken, vegetarian, or children’s food if you request it at least a day ahead.

The main thing to consider is the price, $141 per person. That is more than a basic group boat trip, and the day depends on sea conditions. Rough water can reduce swimming time or limit the water toys, though the crew still keeps the experience comfortable and well organized.

Key points to know before booking

• Dia Island anchorage: You spend around 3.25 hours in a sheltered bay with time for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, SUP, fishing, and sunbathing.
• A real chef onboard: The lunch is freshly prepared using local ingredients, with seafood, chicken, vegetarian, and children’s options available.
• A newer luxury catamaran: The boat has generous open space, shaded areas, clean WC facilities, a shower, and free Wi-Fi.
• Crew-led hospitality: Captain Thanasis and the certified English-speaking crew are closely involved throughout the trip.
• All-inclusive drinks: Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Cocktails cost extra.
• Small-group feel: This semi-private cruise carries a maximum of 22 people, with private charters also available.

Why this Dia Island cruise feels different

Many half-day sea trips around Crete are mainly about getting you to a swimming stop. EOS Yachts builds the day around comfort, food, and service as much as the destination.

You begin at Cafe Marina in Heraklion Port, where a crew member meets you at the entrance and leads you to the catamaran. The starting point is easy to find, but arrive at least 15 minutes early. The boat leaves on time, and the crew needs passenger details required by Greek naval regulations, including your full name, ID or passport number, date of birth, nationality, and gender.

Once aboard, you receive coffee and Cretan treats, followed by a short safety briefing. The welcome is friendly but not drawn out. That matters because a good boat trip should give you enough information to feel secure without turning the first part into a lecture.

The boat is rated for up to 22 people, so this is not a private sailing experience. Still, the broad catamaran layout gives you more personal space than a standard excursion boat. You can sit in the sun, find shade, move around for photos, or settle near the front and watch the coastline open up.

Leaving Heraklion beside Koules Fortress

The boat leaves from the port with views of Heraklion’s historic waterfront. One of the first sights is Rocca a Mare, better known as Koules Fortress, the heavy stone stronghold at the harbor entrance.

You get a short photo stop and a chance to see the fortress from the water. It is not a full visit inside the monument, so do not book this cruise as a substitute for a Heraklion city tour. The value here is the view: the fortress gives the departure a sense of place before the boat turns toward open water.

The trip to Dia Island takes about an hour. Depending on conditions, the crossing can feel smooth and restful or somewhat lively. If you are prone to seasickness, sit in a central area of the boat, limit alcohol until you are settled, and bring any medication you normally use. The crew cannot control the sea, and one departure in the reviews had fewer activities because of the conditions.

That point is worth taking seriously. Most of the experience is built around being on the water, so the weather matters. A calm day can make the crossing part of the pleasure. A windy day may mean less time with the paddleboards and inflatables, even if the crew still provides good food and attentive care.

Three hours in a quiet Dia Island bay

Dia Island is an uninhabited island off the coast of Heraklion, shaped in local mythology by Zeus. You do not come here for a long walking tour or archaeological site. The attraction is the clear water, rocky coast, and feeling of being away from the city.

The catamaran anchors in one of the island’s sheltered bays, accessible only by boat. You have roughly 3.25 hours here, which is generous for a half-day outing. You can swim directly from the boat, use the swimming noodles and inflatables, or climb down into the water with the help of the crew.

Snorkeling gear and swimming vests are included. The seabed around Dia offers fish and other small signs of marine life, though this is recreational snorkeling rather than a formal wildlife excursion. Bring your own expectations accordingly. The water is the main event, not a guided marine biology lesson.

The included equipment gives the stop a useful range of choices:

• Snorkeling equipment for exploring below the surface
• Stand-up paddleboards for a slower look around the bay
• Canoe boards for shared paddling
• Fishing gear for a relaxed try at the water’s edge
• Inflatable toys and swimming noodles for easy floating

Sea scooters are available only by advance request, and priority is given in booking order. Cocktails are also extra, while wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included.

I like this mix because it lets you set your own pace. You can spend the whole stop swimming, make several short trips on the SUP, or stay dry and photograph the island from the deck. Families can keep children occupied, while couples or solo visitors can find a quieter corner and simply watch the water.

Dolphins and seabirds may appear during the journey, but sightings are not guaranteed. Treat them as a bonus rather than a promised part of the itinerary.

The onboard meal is a major part of the value

The lunch is where this cruise justifies much of its price. The main meal is a fresh seafood Mediterranean menu prepared onboard by a chef, using local, high-quality ingredients. The food is served with drinks from the open bar, then followed by seasonal fruit, a local dessert, and raki.

Seafood is the standard choice, and the seafood risotto receives particular attention in the experience details. Chef Charis has also prepared alternatives such as a meat risotto, chicken dishes, lasagna-style meals, and moussaka-inspired food. If you need chicken, vegetarian food, or a children’s menu, request it at least one day before departure.

Do not assume a last-minute change can always be handled. One person received an alternative without requesting it early, but that should be treated as a kind exception rather than the normal plan.

I appreciate that the meal is not an afterthought. On a boat, cooking for a group is harder than it looks, and a chef-prepared lunch gives the day a proper center. You are not rushing to eat before the next activity. Instead, the meal becomes a relaxed part of the anchorage, with time afterward for another swim.

The drinks policy is also clear. Unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Cocktails are available on request for an additional charge. If you are comparing this with a cheaper cruise, add up the cost of lunch and drinks before deciding that the difference is large.

A catamaran built for comfort, not just transport

The boat itself is one of the strongest reasons to choose this excursion. It is described as new, modern, clean, and well maintained, with wide areas for sitting and relaxing. Several people particularly value the shaded sections, which are useful in Crete’s strong summer sun.

The catamaran includes separate WC facilities for men and women, a shower, and free Wi-Fi. Those are practical details, especially on a five-and-a-half-hour outing. You can rinse off after swimming, change your comfort level after a salty-water session, and avoid feeling trapped on a boat with no proper facilities.

The boat also seems to avoid the cramped feeling common on smaller vessels. That does not mean you have unlimited privacy. With a maximum of 22 people, you are still sharing the experience. But the layout, shaded cover, and multiple places to sit help make the group feel manageable.

Captain Thanasis receives repeated praise for his friendly manner, calm leadership, and skill on the water. The rest of the certified crew serves drinks, checks on comfort, explains activities, and helps with equipment. The service is attentive without needing to feel formal.

One useful detail is the crew’s response when someone becomes unwell. They have shown care and professionalism in that situation, though you should still prepare for motion sickness if you know you are sensitive.

The return crossing and late-day light

After the second swim, the catamaran turns back toward Heraklion. The return takes about an hour, giving you time to dry off, enjoy another drink, and watch Dia Island recede.

The timing may produce warm late-day light and, on suitable departures, sunset views across the Aegean. The exact quality of the sunset depends on the scheduled departure and weather, so think of it as a likely scenic finish rather than a guarantee of dramatic colors.

The crew serves seasonal fruit, a local dessert, and raki around the latter part of the trip. That final snack helps the return feel like its own part of the experience instead of a simple ride back to the port.

You arrive again at Cafe Marina. If you are staying outside central Heraklion, private transportation and hotel transfers are available on request, but they are not included in the $141 price. Plan your own way to and from the port unless you arrange a transfer in advance.

What the $141 price really covers

At $141 per person, this is not the budget choice for reaching Dia Island. You are paying for a newer catamaran, a small maximum group, crew service, lunch cooked onboard, an open bar, equipment, and a five-and-a-half-hour schedule.

The price looks strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for:

• A boat trip to Dia Island
• A restaurant-quality lunch
• Several alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks
• Snorkeling equipment
• SUP or canoe hire
• Access to a comfortable boat with a WC and shower

You also avoid the common small extras that can make a cheap excursion less cheap. Water, soft drinks, wine, beer, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and canoe boards are included.

Still, value depends on what you want. If your only goal is a quick swim near Dia Island, a simpler boat may suit you better. If you care about space, food, service, and a relaxed pace, the additional cost is easier to defend.

The near-perfect 4.9 rating from 312 reviews supports the idea that EOS delivers a reliable premium experience, but no boat trip can remove weather risk. The strongest reason to book is the combination of a high-quality boat and chef-prepared food, not simply the island itself.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it for couples, families, first-time sailors, cruise passengers stopping in Heraklion, and anyone marking a birthday or special occasion. The crew has arranged birthday cakes and surprises, so tell the company about a celebration during booking.

It is also a good choice if you want activity without an exhausting schedule. You can swim, snorkel, paddle, fish, or do nothing at all. The boat has enough comfort for people in the same group who want different kinds of afternoons.

Families should note the available children’s menu and swimming vests. Parents will still need to supervise children around the water, but the range of equipment gives younger passengers plenty to do.

I would hesitate if you dislike group excursions, need guaranteed calm seas, or want a private yacht with complete control of the route. This is semi-private, not exclusive. If you want the boat to yourself, ask EOS Yachts about a private charter.

Book at least a day ahead if you need a meal change or want a sea scooter. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and your required identification details. Pets are not allowed, and smoking indoors is prohibited.

Should you book the EOS Dia Island catamaran?

Yes, if you want a polished day on the water rather than the cheapest possible ride to a swimming spot. The strongest features are the modern catamaran, the unusually good food, the open bar, and the crew led by Captain Thanasis.

I would book it for a special day, a family outing, or the final memorable activity of a Crete holiday. I would skip it only if $141 feels too high for a shared boat or if your main interest is exploring Dia Island on foot. For swimming, food, service, and comfort in one package, this is a convincing use of half a day from Heraklion.

FAQ

How long is the EOS Yachts Dia Island cruise?

The cruise lasts 5.5 hours. The route includes about one hour sailing from Heraklion to Dia Island, around 3.25 hours at the island, and about one hour returning to Heraklion, with a short photo stop near Koules Fortress.

Where does the catamaran depart?

Meet the EOS Yachts crew at the entrance of Cafe Marina in Heraklion Port. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure because the catamaran leaves on time.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A chef prepares a fresh Mediterranean meal onboard. The standard menu features seafood, and chicken, vegetarian, and children’s options can be requested at least one day before the cruise.

Are drinks included?

Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included through the all-inclusive bar. Cocktails are available on request but are not included in the price.

What activities are included at Dia Island?

Swimming, snorkeling, fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, and use of inflatable water toys are included. Snorkeling equipment, swimming vests, fishing gear, SUP equipment, canoe boards, and swimming noodles are provided.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also allows you to hold a place without paying immediately.