Heraklion Luxury Sailing Catamaran Dia Island | Gourmet Menu

The best thing about this 5.5-hour catamaran trip is that it treats a swim day like a proper outing, not a quick boat transfer. You sail from Heraklion, spend more than three hours anchored off Dia Island, and get a chef-prepared meal, open bar, snorkeling gear, SUPs, canoe boards, and shaded places to relax.

I especially like the freshly cooked food, which is a real step above the usual boat buffet, and the generous time at Dia for swimming and paddling. Captain Thanasis and the crew are often singled out for their warm, attentive service. The main consideration is price: at $141 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the water, and rough conditions can limit some activities.

Why this Dia Island sailing is worth a closer look

• Chef-cooked lunch onboard: Fresh seafood is the main choice, with chicken, vegetarian, and children’s options available if requested ahead of time.
• A modern, spacious catamaran: The boat has toilets, a shower, Wi-Fi, shaded seating, and room to spread out.
• Three-plus hours at Dia Island: You have time for swimming, snorkeling, SUPs, canoeing, fishing, or simply sitting in the sun.
• Open bar included: Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included throughout the trip.
• A personal crew experience: The semi-private boat carries a maximum of 22 people, with English and Greek spoken onboard.
• A polished return to Heraklion: Cretan desserts, raki, and sunset views make the trip back feel like part of the experience.

From Cafe Marina to the Koules Fortress

Your meeting point is the entrance of Cafe Marina at Heraklion Port. Arrive 15 minutes early. The boat leaves on time, and this is one of those outings where arriving late can mean watching your catamaran pull away without you.

The crew welcomes you with coffee, cake, and Cretan delicacies before giving a short safety briefing. This opening is useful rather than fussy. You learn the basic boat routines, then settle into the relaxed rhythm of the day.

The first landmark is Rocca a Mare, better known as the Koules Fortress. The catamaran passes this sturdy Venetian-era fort at the harbor entrance, giving you a quick photo stop and a fine view back toward Heraklion. It is only about five minutes, so have your camera ready before you leave the marina.

I like this start because it gives the trip a sense of place. You are not simply being driven out to a swimming cove. You leave from the heart of Heraklion, pass one of its defining monuments, and watch the city recede as the Aegean opens around you.

One hour across the Aegean on a modern catamaran

The crossing to Dia Island takes about an hour. This is the part of the trip when you can choose your own pace. Sit under the shade, stretch out on the deck, talk with the crew, or watch the water for seabirds and, if conditions are lucky, dolphins.

The catamaran is a major part of the value here. It is described as new, clean, spacious, and well maintained, with comfortable areas for sitting and relaxing. Several people have particularly appreciated the shaded sections, which matter on a long Greek summer afternoon. You can enjoy the sea without spending the entire day in direct sun.

The maximum group size is 22 people. That is not private, but it is much more intimate than a large excursion boat. The crew can keep an eye on the drinks, meal service, and water activities without making the boat feel like a crowded swimming pool.

The crossing can be smooth and calm, but no boat trip controls the sea. One outing had fewer activities available because of conditions. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the motion feels gentlest, keep your eyes on the horizon, and bring any medication you normally use. That practical precaution is especially sensible on the one-hour trip in each direction.

Dia Island and its myth-filled coastline

Dia is an uninhabited island off Heraklion, shaped like a lizard when viewed from above. Local legend connects it with Zeus, and the island also sits within the wider world of Minoan myths and ancient seafaring stories.

The catamaran anchors in one of the island’s sheltered bays. Access is by boat, so your reward is a stretch of quiet coastline and clear water rather than a developed beach town. There are no shops or streets to explore here. The point is the bay itself: swim, snorkel, paddle, float, and enjoy the setting from the water.

The stop lasts about three hours and 15 minutes, which is generous for a half-day cruise. You will not feel rushed into one quick swim before being called back onboard. You can spend the first part in the water, eat lunch, then return for another swim or paddle before sailing home.

Snorkeling equipment and swimming vests are supplied. Fishing gear, stand-up paddleboards, canoe boards, inflatable toys, and swimming noodles are also included. The range suits a mixed group well. One person can snorkel while another paddles, and someone else can remain onboard with a drink and a view.

Sea scooters are not included. They can be requested in advance and are assigned in priority order. Cocktails also cost extra, although local white wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are part of the standard price.

What the water time is really like

The water around Dia is the main reason to book this trip. The supplied equipment means you do not need to pack your own snorkel or paddleboard, and swimming vests make the activities more approachable for less confident swimmers.

The snorkeling is best understood as a pleasant look at the island’s underwater life, not a dedicated technical snorkeling expedition. You get a chance to see fish and the seabed near the anchored catamaran, then return to the boat easily. The exact visibility and wildlife depend on the day.

I like the way the activity list leaves room for doing very little. You are not pushed to complete every option. The spacious catamaran, noodles, shaded areas, and open bar make it easy to spend part of the stop simply enjoying the sea.

Families can use the children’s menu and swimming equipment, while couples and small groups may prefer the quieter side of the experience. The boat is also suited to birthdays and other celebrations. The crew has arranged birthday cakes and personal touches for special occasions, but tell the company in advance if you are planning something important.

A chef-made lunch, not a box of sandwiches

Food is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a cheaper boat outing. The main meal is a freshly prepared Mediterranean seafood menu cooked onboard by a chef. One particularly praised dish is a seafood risotto with Greek kantaifi shrimp. Other meals have included a chicken or meat lasagna-style dish and moussaka-style preparations.

The standard menu focuses on seafood, so you should request chicken, vegetarian, or children’s meals at least one day before departure. Do not wait until you are sitting down at lunch. The company specifically asks for menu changes in advance.

The day begins with coffee, cake, and Cretan snacks. Gourmet platters with cheeses and cold cuts follow, then lunch comes with the included bar. Seasonal fruit, a local dessert, and raki arrive later, often as the catamaran heads back toward Heraklion.

The portions and steady stream of food make the $141 price easier to understand. You are paying for a boat, crew, fuel, equipment, and several food services, not just transportation to Dia. Still, value depends on how much of that you will use. If you want only a short swim and do not care about the meal or onboard service, a basic boat trip may suit you better.

The crew makes the difference

The company presents a polished operation, but the human side matters just as much. Captain Thanasis is repeatedly described as friendly, skilled, and attentive, and the crew takes an active role in keeping people comfortable and safe.

Expect drinks to be offered throughout the trip, help with the equipment, and clear guidance before activities begin. The crew speaks English and Greek. Several accounts also note strong communication before departure, which is helpful when you need to share meal preferences or passenger details.

The service is attentive without needing to feel formal. The best version of a luxury boat trip is not a crew hovering over every minute. It is knowing someone is ready when you need help, while you remain free to enjoy the sea at your own speed.

There is also a practical safety point. A passenger became unwell on one trip, and the crew responded with care and professionalism. That does not remove the normal risks of being on a boat, but it is reassuring to know the staff take passenger welfare seriously.

Returning to Heraklion with the sun dropping

After the final swim, the catamaran turns back toward Heraklion for another hour at sea. This is often the most atmospheric part of the outing. The water changes color as the afternoon fades, and the views toward Crete become especially appealing in the softer light.

The return is not empty time. You can enjoy the open bar, seasonal fruit, local sweets, and raki while the crew serves the final treats. If you have spent the afternoon swimming and paddling, this quieter hour gives you time to dry off and settle into the ride.

A sunset return is not guaranteed in the same way a scheduled departure is, since the timing and weather affect the light. But the experience is designed to finish with a golden Aegean view, and this is one reason the cruise feels more complete than a simple afternoon transfer.

What is included, and what is not

The $141 price includes the professional English-speaking crew, welcome coffee and Cretan snacks, cheese and cold-cut platters, the chef-prepared main meal, fruit and dessert, and an open bar with water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer.

It also includes snorkeling equipment, swimming vests, fishing gear, SUPs, canoe boards, inflatable sea toys, noodles, Wi-Fi, toilets, and a shower. These practical extras matter. You can spend five and a half hours onboard without feeling that you need to bring your own gear or go without basic facilities.

Private transportation from your hotel is not included, though pickup and transfer can be requested. Cocktails cost extra. Sea scooters require advance booking, and availability follows the order of requests.

The trip is semi-private rather than exclusive. The maximum is 22 participants. If you want the entire boat for your group, private charter options are available by direct arrangement.

For booking, Greek naval rules require the full name, passport or ID number, date of birth, nationality, and gender for every participant. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Pets are not allowed, and smoking indoors is prohibited.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would recommend this for couples, families, small groups, and anyone who wants a polished day on the water without paying for a fully private yacht. It suits people who care about food as much as swimming, and it works well for a birthday or other celebration.

You will get the most value if you plan to use the equipment, enjoy several drinks, appreciate a comfortable boat, and want plenty of time at Dia. The trip also works for first-time sailors because the crew provides a briefing and handles the practical details.

I would think twice if you dislike open-water crossings, want a very active sailing lesson, or prefer a quiet private boat with no other participants. The boat is semi-private, and conditions may limit snorkeling, paddling, or other activities on a particular day.

The 4.9 rating from 312 reviews reflects a very consistent pattern: the strongest points are the crew, the modern catamaran, and the quality of the food. Those are the parts most likely to justify the higher price.

Should you book the EOS Dia Island cruise?

Book it if you want a full half-day experience that combines swimming, a proper lunch, drinks, and attentive service. The chef-cooked seafood, well-equipped boat, long stop at Dia, and calm return to Heraklion give you more than a basic island shuttle.

Before paying, check the weather forecast, submit passenger details, and request any alternative meal at least a day ahead. If you are comparing several boat trips in Crete, ask yourself a simple question: do you want the cheapest way to reach the water, or do you want the boat day itself to be a highlight? At $141, EOS Yachts is aimed at the second choice.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The meeting point is at the entrance of Cafe Marina in Heraklion Port. An EOS Yachts crew member will meet you there and guide you to the boat.

How long does the experience last?

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

What food is served onboard?

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

Can I request a non-seafood meal?

Yes. Chicken, vegetarian, and children’s menus are available. You need to request a menu change at least one day before departure.

Are drinks included?

Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included in the open bar. Cocktails are available only on request and are not included in the listed price.

What activities are available at Dia Island?

You can swim, snorkel, fish, use stand-up paddleboards, paddle canoe boards, and play with inflatable sea equipment. Sea scooters require advance booking and are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and swimming vests are included.

How many people can join the cruise?

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

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You should also arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure, since the cruise leaves on time.