Heraklion: Catamaran Sailing Trip to Dia Island with Lunch
This catamaran cruise sails from Heraklion City Marina to Dia island, the uninhabited islet 12 kilometres off the north coast, and spends the day in its sheltered bays. The boat is capped at 15 guests, and the price covers a four-course Mediterranean meal cooked on board, an open bar, paddleboards and snorkelling gear. DanEri Yachts runs it over 6 hours 30 minutes from €150, with a 4.93 rating across 49 reviews.
What this catamaran cruise actually does
The day sails out, anchors, feeds you and sails back. Four stages fill the 6 and a half hours.
First is the departure from Heraklion City Marina, with espresso, tea and local pastries served as the boat clears the harbour and crosses the Cretan Sea towards Dia. Second is the anchorage in a sheltered bay off the island, where the water is clear and the activities come out: stand-up paddleboards, snorkelling masks and fins, fishing gear, swimming jackets and inflatables. Third is the meal, Cretan appetisers with local cheese, olives and rusks, then quinoa and politiki salads with stuffed cherry tomatoes, then a choice of calamarata with beef cheek and graviera béchamel, vegetable ratatouille or barbecue chicken with basmati rice, finishing on lemon tart and fruit. Fourth is the return to Heraklion in the afternoon light.
Drinks run unlimited throughout: white wine, Greek beer, soft drinks, espresso and detox waters.
Places this tour visits
The cruise works the water between Heraklion and the uninhabited island facing it.
- Heraklion, the catamaran leaves from the city marina, so the day starts within walking distance of central Heraklion.
What’s included and what isn’t
The €150 is close to all-inclusive, which is unusual at this price on this coast.
Included:
- Small-group cruise capped at 15 guests
- English-speaking crew with Red Cross certification
- Four-course Mediterranean meal, plus light brunch and snacks
- Unlimited water, soft drinks, local beer and white wine
- Catamaran with sunbeds and shaded lounges
- Stand-up paddleboards, snorkelling gear, fishing gear and swimming jackets
- Espresso, teas and detox water
- Music, free Wi-Fi, WC and an outdoor shower
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off, on the option that includes it
- Life jackets and liability insurance
Not included:
- Sunscreen and personal care items
- Cocktails and spirits beyond the open bar selection
- Branded towel, €10 on board
Why we recommend this experience
We recommend this cruise for the guest cap. Fifteen people on a catamaran is a different day from the fifty or eighty that the larger Dia boats carry, you get a sunbed without competing for it, the crew know your name, and the anchorage is quiet. At 4.93 across 49 reviews with 5.0 for guiding and transport, that shows in the scores.
The reviews are unusually specific about the crew. One American guest wrote that the captain and deck hand answered every question and made them feel extremely comfortable on the boat. A French family with daughters aged 9 and 11 named Magdalena and the skipper for their consideration. A Greek reviewer who had sailed with the company twice in one season described the same warm hospitality both times, repeat custom from a local is the endorsement that counts most.
Food and equipment both get named. Reviewers mention the crew paying careful attention to allergies, the appetisers and Cretan cheeses served at anchor, and the sheer amount of kit on board, snorkelling gear, paddleboards, pool noodles and a flamingo.
Two honest points rather than complaints, because this record has none.
The review base is moderate. Forty-nine reviews is enough to see a pattern but not enough to be certain of consistency, and several of the reviews are from Greek guests in 2024 rather than recent international bookings.
The paperwork is real. Every passenger’s full name, date of birth, passport or ID number and nationality must be provided when booking, port authorities require it, and without it you cannot board.
If you want the same boat at sunset paired with a hot-air balloon at dawn, the operator also runs a combined balloon and catamaran day at roughly double the price.
CreteLocals insider tips
Send your passenger details early, arrive 20 minutes before departure, and tell them about any allergy in advance.
- Submit every passenger’s ID details at booking, since port authorities refuse boarding without them.
- Arrive at the port at least 20 minutes early if you book without a transfer, because departure cannot be delayed under port rules.
- Flag allergies when you book, as reviewers specifically praise how carefully the crew handled them.
- Pack sunscreen, which is one of the few things not provided on an otherwise all-inclusive boat.
- Use the paddleboards at the anchorage rather than only swimming, given they are included and most guests forget them.
- Skip the branded towel, since it costs €10 on board and your hotel towel does the same job.
What to know before you go
Departure is from Heraklion City Marina, though the meeting point varies by the option booked. The cruise runs 6 hours 30 minutes.
Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and a passport or ID card, a copy is accepted. Consult the operator before booking if you are pregnant, travelling with an infant, prone to seasickness or have mobility concerns. The itinerary can change with the weather.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Dia island catamaran cruise?
The cruise runs 6 hours 30 minutes, from Heraklion City Marina out to Dia island and back.
How many people are on the boat?
The catamaran is capped at 15 guests, which is why sunbeds and shaded lounges are available rather than contested.
Is lunch included?
A four-course Mediterranean meal is included, cooked on board, along with a light brunch, snacks and an open bar.
Are drinks unlimited?
Water, soft drinks, local beer and white wine are unlimited. Cocktails and other spirits are not part of the open bar.
What do you need to provide when booking?
Every passenger’s full name, date of birth, passport or ID number and nationality, which port authorities require before the boat can sail.
Is equipment provided for the swim stop?
Snorkelling gear, paddleboards, fishing gear, swimming jackets and inflatables are all included at the anchorage off Dia.
Check dates and prices for the Dia island catamaran cruise from Heraklion.
Location
Catamaran Sailing Trip to Dia Island with Lunch is located at Dia, Crete. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
