Heraklion: Dia Island Family & Kid-Friendly Catamaran Cruise
This catamaran cruise sails to Dia island, the uninhabited islet facing Heraklion, and spends the day swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding in its sheltered bays. Lunch is cooked on board, drinks are unlimited, and fishing gear comes out for anyone who wants it, which is why it works as well with children as without. Sailing Crete run it over 5 hours from €100.50 with free hotel pick-up from the Heraklion coast resorts, and it holds a 4.87 rating across 91 reviews.
What this catamaran cruise actually does
The day sails out, anchors and comes back, with everything happening in between. Four parts make it up.
First is the pick-up along the coastal strip and the sail out towards Dia, about 12 kilometres off the north coast. Second is the anchorage in a sheltered bay, where the water is clear and the equipment comes out, snorkelling masks, a stand-up paddleboard and fishing gear. Third is lunch on board: traditional pasta with chicken in tomato sauce, Greek salad, seasonal local fruit and a traditional dessert, with unlimited wine, soft drinks, juice and water throughout. Fourth is the sail back with music on deck.
The group is small, which reviewers mention repeatedly as the thing that makes the day.
Places this tour visits
The cruise works the water between the Heraklion coast and the island facing it.
- Gouves, departures and pick-up centre on Gouves, on the coastal strip east of the city.
- Heraklion, the boat crosses the bay off Heraklion to reach Dia.
What’s included and what isn’t
The €100.50 covers the boat, the crew, the food, the drinks and every piece of equipment.
Included:
- 4.5 to 5 hour catamaran sailing trip
- Experienced skipper and crew
- Mediterranean lunch on board, pasta with chicken in tomato sauce, Greek salad, seasonal fruit and dessert
- Unlimited wine, soft drinks, juice and water
- Snorkelling equipment
- Fishing equipment
- Stand-up paddleboard
- Music on board
- Free hotel pick-up and drop-off from Kokkini Hani, Analipsi, Gouves, Stalis, Gournes, Anissaras and Hersonissos
Why we recommend this experience
We recommend this as the Dia cruise to pick if you are travelling with children, and the reason is the equipment rather than any child-specific programming. Snorkelling gear, a paddleboard and fishing tackle all come out at the anchorage, and that is three different things for a child to do instead of sitting on a deck. One Dutch parent wrote about their son taking to the fishing in particular, and they caught something.
The small group is the second reason, and reviewers raise it unprompted. A British guest specifically praised that it was not an overcrowded experience; a Swiss reviewer who had been on many catamaran trips said this one was different, with actual space. A Belgian group named the two skippers, both called Vasilis, as great hosts.
The crew come through the reviews strongly. One British group left something on board and had a driver bring it to their hotel. Reviewers from the Netherlands, Albania, Slovakia and France all describe the staff as helpful, attentive and good company, and the food gets called excellent more than once.
Two things to note rather than warn about, since this review record carries no complaints.
Ninety-one reviews at 4.87 is a solid base, not enormous, but enough to trust the pattern rather than guess at it.
Pick-up covers a defined strip. Kokkini Hani, Analipsi, Gouves, Stalis, Gournes, Anissaras and Hersonissos are served; if you are staying in Heraklion city or west of it, check before booking.
If you want a smaller boat with a four-course chef-cooked menu and a guest cap of 15, the small-group Dia island catamaran cruise sails from Heraklion marina at a higher price.
CreteLocals insider tips
Check your pick-up village, get the kit out early, and let the children fish.
- Confirm your hotel is on the pick-up list, which covers seven named villages along the coast east of Heraklion.
- Ask for the fishing gear at the anchorage, since it is included and is the thing children take to fastest.
- Take the paddleboard out before lunch, while the bay is calmest and the crew are cooking.
- Bring a towel and sunscreen, which are the two things not supplied on an otherwise complete boat.
- Snorkel along the rocks rather than in open water, where the fish concentrate around the island’s edges.
- Pace the unlimited drinks, given the sail back is warm and the sun on deck is direct.
What to know before you go
The cruise runs 4.5 to 5 hours, with free hotel pick-up and drop-off from Kokkini Hani, Analipsi, Gouves, Stalis, Gournes, Anissaras and Hersonissos.
Bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. Everything else, food, drinks, snorkelling gear, paddleboard and fishing equipment, is provided.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Dia island catamaran cruise?
The cruise runs 4.5 to 5 hours, including the sail out to Dia, the anchorage and the return.
Is lunch included?
A Mediterranean lunch is cooked on board, with pasta, Greek salad, seasonal fruit and dessert, plus unlimited wine, soft drinks, juice and water.
Is it suitable for children?
Snorkelling gear, a paddleboard and fishing equipment are all included, which gives children three things to do at the anchorage rather than one.
Is hotel pickup included?
Free pick-up and drop-off covers Kokkini Hani, Analipsi, Gouves, Stalis, Gournes, Anissaras and Hersonissos.
How big is the group?
Small. Reviewers repeatedly single out the space on board and describe it as not overcrowded.
What is Dia island?
Dia is the uninhabited island about 12 kilometres off the Heraklion coast, with sheltered bays and clear water that make it the standard sailing destination from this stretch of shore.
Check dates and prices for the Dia island catamaran cruise from Gouves.
Location
Dia Island Family & Kid-Friendly Catamaran Cruise is located at Dia, Crete. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
